Update: We will do the 10 reasons you SHOULD buy a boat vid as I mentioned at the start of the vid. But we're focusing on finishing the boat build first! What are the reasons YOU are glad you bought a boat? And would you add to any of the reasons someone shouldn't? :)
This is a great, honest account of your experience so far with your new home. This is why I love your vlogs so much. You aren’t afraid to show the highs and lows of your progress so far and if you make a mistake you show it. This is far more useful than someone saying that boat life is all roses rather than showing that it can be hard work and without a permanent mooring you will have to keep moving when you might need to be working instead. Thank you for this impartial insight and keep up your amazing work 😊
Might be best to use a day hire for a week or two per year, instead. No fuss, no muss. (Bring Out Another Thousand) love it! We say in he states, that "The two best days of boat ownership are the day you buy it, and the day you sell it." subsribed.
Very useful info. As I approached retirement, I discovered canal narrowboats and became rather obsessed with the idea of retiring to a narrowboat. Retirement being a few years away, at the time, I had time to study and discovered that narrowboats depreciate in value about as quickly as the giant bus motorhomes that many USA retirees buy. One might buy a new narrowboat at £170,000.00 and only five or eight years later it might be worth only £40,000.00. I also have a fractured vertebrae and history of abdominal surgeries and saw that some locks and some circumstances could be risky to me. I decided that I might only get a few years of cruising before deciding to sell the boat, and would I then be able to sell it for enough to buy a flat? I pictured telling my kids, "So sorry, your dad blew your inheritance on a dream, on a narrowboat that is now worth only £40,000." It is still very appealing to me and though I've given up the dream, I still enjoy watching channels like yours, Alex
Hi Alex! Thanks for sharing your research :) Sometimes we've struggled with locks and such and we're only 28 and 29 years old, so that is something you were very right to take into consideration if you have a fractured vertebrae!
@OGillo2001 Yes, this would address most of the concern regarding depreciation. Back when I was considering this, I was focused on used boats for that reason. My primary reason for dropping consideration was the health issues mentioned. How long would I be able to do it, and what would I do after I decided I couldn't do it, having sold my home in the U.S. to make this dream possible? There are lots of good reasons to do it, and I continue following many narrowboat TH-camrs, but I decided it wasn't a reasonable choice for me. There are many ways to enjoy retirement. This wasn't my only dream. 🙂 I encourage anyone interested in it to consider it.
I have been on my Narrow boats for about 35 years , I do agree with all the comments,A great video , You have to be the right person to adapt to the way of life, My boats have gone smaller over the years Which are better to handle when you getting old Keep up the good work 👍
A very fair summary, my findings are depreciation is so slow that over time it starts creeping back up for boats well maintained. Great vlog, thanks David.
Well some nice advice for people thinking about buying, one thing I would mention though is about your point 9, there is no resale value whatsoever in a rented house, you were renting which is money you never get back, but your boat although it may decrease in value will still have a resale value, if I pass you on the cut one day I will give you a wave.
Yes, I was referring to buying a house vs boat but I agree, it’s definitely better than renting. Rent is money you’ll never see again, which to me is okay temporarily but not best long term if you have other options and can afford them
@@DriftwoodFolk Defo I own my flat so no mortgage or rent. My next door neighbour pays £800 a month rent for an identical place. I`ve been here nearly 2 years and it`s gone up approx. £10,000. My neighbour has been here over 5 years and paid out approx. £50,000 in rent and no more owns it than the day he moved in. If I hadn`t of managed to get on the property ladder when I did I also would be living in a boat or van+ for a young couple like yourselves it gives you the opportunity to save your cash if you do want bricks and mortar later on.🙂
What a fantastic idea for a video. As a boater myself I am all too aware of the seemingly constant litany of problems and dirty jobs that, as you point out, are expensive. When you tell people you have a boat they always respond with a romanticised, " WOW". Glad you made that video & hope many people get to see it. May I be personal and compliment you on your beautiful, luxurious hair. X
My husband has worked on boats off and on his entire life we are both retired now but he still works on his project boats. One of our favorite sayings is a boat is a hole in the water you pour money into. The life can be great but always go into with the understanding of the boats.
The BIGGEST and MOST IMPORTANT consideration is COSTINGS. Marina fees are super expensive and you still have other bills to pay like "council tax" (if you are fixed). You also need a boat license, insurance, and a complete inspection (survey) of a boat before purchase. So, let's say for example: purchase of boat 20,000 + license approx 1000 + insurance 500 + survey 1000 + engine work + blacking 1000 = 23,500 BASIC. So the boat has been purchased and all finished and off you go. Then energy costs, gas bottles / diesel / and the ordinary things like food. The willingness to learn and adapt is crucial and there may well be a "shock" (sometimes). Then one must have a BACKUP plan - (just in case) say a min of 5000 which is an emergency fund. There are lots of things to be considered. :) 😀
Nice video. I've been 18 years on board now. 55ft narrow boat. Constant cruising. You gotta love the life and live VERY cheap. For me it's a solo thing. I think the space is just to small to cohabit full time. Good luck to you. See you out there.
Very good video..Point 1. Hull condition.. highly recommend a boat that as been grit blasted and epoxied from new.. these are much more likely to have minimal exterior hull corrosion..it's also worth noting that a poorly insulated steel shell will happily rust from the inside out due to condensation cycling..
Hey- thanks for the vid! Just one thing - in terms of losing money. That is now not the case. The price of steel has skyrocketed- I recently sold my boat and made £25,000 on it after 4 years on it. Also my friend bought a cheap boat. Did it up and resold for double the price .. unfortunately this also means that boats have gone up in price with most now being over £50,000 - also I cannot overstate how much you should get the hull surveyed before you buy a boat. As overplating a boat can cost £20,000 … so a survey is necessary if the boat is over 15 years old .. and hasn’t been blacked in a while
I think the cost of living crisis has also pushed Boat prices up as many people are looking for alternative living so the demand for narrowboats has increased.
Awesome vlog well thought out ! The added bonus is most your footage is near my mooring ... I'm not residential but I live on my boat here , which is the option you left out ! We can live on a canal and river trust mooring that's not residential, however technically we can't use the mooring as a permanent address nor have mail sent to it .. I advise any new boaters to continuous cruise first. I did for 17 years !
Thanks! Oh wow! I love Oxford, it’s where my boyfriend and I first got the idea of living on a narrowboat! You live in a lovely area 😊 And great point about leisure moorings! After almost a year of being a boat owner I’m still not totally sure how leisure moorings work and if you can “live” on them so I don’t mention it in vids
You bring up some valid points, and as an avid narrowboat vlog viewer, I think being a DIY type person helps as it also attracts viewers for this type of content plus your saving money fixing stuff yourself. As an introvert you did very well presenting this, 👍. 16:56 😊
I started watching your videos a few days ago on the Telly and enjoy them. I spent most of my adult life building houses for folks. Always hoped some one would want us to build a Hobbit house. No luck that way. Round doors and windows, arches etc. Holly narrow boat channel might give you ideas. They turned it into a cafe boat. I think you are doing a good job. Your not afraid to get dirty. That is a compliment by the way. I am in Alaska. Nice to hear the song birds in your videos.
Hi I just came across your channel and this video. Well done this is a really great review. I have lived on a boat for a number of years and so many TH-camrs skip over these points.
Nesha you are such a boss! This is really hard labor but I can’t wait to see the total refit. Happy 1 year of narrowboat/home ownership. Love the vlogs, thank you for sharing this with us! Stay safe and well.
Live in Australia and will probably never experience a narrow boat, yet I watched this to the end. I picked up in you a gentleness in your soul and it was relaxing to listen to you. I am an introvert like you. While I enjoy people, I crave nature, quietness, slowness and simplicity of lifestyle. I live in busy Sydney and if I am honest I am not suited to living here. I moved to this big busy city for my husband's work. Despite living here for nearly 8 years I still haven't settled. The little I watch of you says that your soul probably suits the narrowboat life. I think I watch youtubers like "Floatingourboat" etc as it is a place where I can slow down from busy Sydney. I am an artist, when I paint I slow down.... however, I have to find the time and energy to paint. I hope you have a wonderful time on the canals. What a empowering experience learning how to renovate. I look forward to seeing more videos.
🤣🤣 poop in a bag! Been there done that in my van! Love that you mentioned it! I've just sold my flat, waiting for all the conveyancing then I'm heading to the waterways! Nothing you said puts me off. I'm realistic about the life but the pros far outweigh the cons. Just found your channel and love it! You're a natural in front of the camera girl! Hugs from a new subscriber. Tracy 🤗🙏
Another lovely video, Nesha. It amazes me how so many of my favourite TH-camrs would seemingly rather die than get 'caught' videoing in public! I'm predicting that while the list of 'don'ts' is mainly pragmatic issues, the list of 'dos' will be more emotional and soul-feeding. Can't wait to see them.
It depends on your set up i moor with a farmer and have decking parking and sheds water solar for electric i can travel if i want i brought my boat for 55000 with radiators solar everything i need the mooring is 50 quid a week i dont use the engine much i find it pretty cheap to live
This is such a great list!! I can be an introvert too and boat living has forced me to engage with strangers more regularly which has really benefitted me! But it’s one thing that puts it off marina living in a way 😂 when I was in the boatyard I had a neighbour who would come knocking a lot and it was impossible to get him to leave - he didn’t take polite hints at alllll - I can be quite bad at saying no and I think it’s harder in a boat to create those boundaries (and certainly to pretend you aren’t home haha!). Great video :)
Yesss same, it’s nice being pushed to socialise more and I’ve met some incredible people. But at the same time it’s hard, especially when someone is very chatty and wants an hour long convo haha
We found these tips so interesting - we’re currently living in our van and travelling but would love a boat as a full-time base in the UK. Thanks for the great advice 😊
No matter what age your boat is, you'll still have to be wary of what length boat you get, have to do your business in a bag if your toilet gets full, have to spend money on maintenance like blacking etc etc, have a lack of privacy, have limited amenities, have to do physical work, and experience limits on residential moorings. So no, most of these points apply to newer boats too :)
I live in New Hampshire, USA. It is GORGEOUS!! It is idyllic countryside, with bear, moose, deer, raccoon, bobcat, world-class trout and bass fishing- skiing... and SO MUCH MORE! As a result? People from NYC, CT, and other states move here...for 4 years....lol Why? Because they end up finding that their bucolic little town doesnt have pizza, they have to drive 32 miles to go shopping...The 6-8 feet of snow, -22F and white out blizzard conditions, lacknof housing, jobs... as well as not being ABLE to do even simple things, like fix their roof, or replace a window, or work on their truck... You MUST be 100% self-reliant! I've done a lot of research on narrowboating in the U.K. Compared to the way I currently live? EASY PEASY! Ive been living partially off-grid now (stream for water, solar) And this just calls to me. I can weld, work on engines, do carpentry, I cut 4 trees down a year, cut and split 6 cords a year...(6 pickup truck loads) ...and Im 59 this August. No issues here...I'll probably end up welding and doing work for other people on the canal...lol Ill marina-up in the winter...cruise 5 months, perform music along the canals...and pick up side jobs. I'm an Army Veteran, so...yeah. Hooah. Im not going to live to "84" years old...statistically, most men die in their mid-70s...So I've got 15-20 years left...and Im not dying in the wilderness of N.H....lol.
I think you covered it pretty well, your doing great and most of the hardest part of your rebuild is mearly done. From here on out it will be fun. cheers!
Hi, see you made a trip to Oxford recently, strolled past my old neighbours boats. It's a lovely spot there, one of the very few permanent moorings in the city.
I agree with all your points except losing money on resale. New boats costing 70k ten years ago are holding their value as long as they're looked after. Don't forget houses need maintenance as well. Great vlogs,thanks.
Great advice Nisa, you’ve obviously given a lot of thought to this, borne of experience and it’s good to consider all elements, preferably before making a major financial commitment.
Very useful and hasn’t put me off my dream of living on a boat. It would be interesting to do a comparison with owning your fist house especially an older property which from experience has just as many hurdles to overcome. Very different but still no walk in the park and also from personal experience you can’t just move your house if the new neighbours are a bother.😊
Boats are always cold and damp in the winter. I used to spend some time on one down at the Hamble. You are forever trying to dry stuff out, but then you have a humidity problem too.
It still amazes me how close they stack these boats in marinas, as I thought fire regulations would have them further apart. Would have thought for an example an exploding gas bottle would have taken out the boat either side at a minimum.
Loved your video. Also subbed. I've been into that sort of life for a lot of years! That or van life. Truth is, after so many years of addiction and homelessness, I feel like it's my time now! Especially I'm finally clean! 😊. Looking forward to checking out your other videos! Narrow boat life does seem a lot more hard work than van life! But hey... I love a bit of hard work lol.
Went into this video thinking "ooh here we go" but actually really glad I did. Great video and actually let some air out my bubble a bit 😂. Thank you for the slight reality check, still want to give it a go
For many years my partner and I (now in our 60s) have lived and travelled thousands of miles, happily, in a 10”x6” horse drawn caravan. I wondered if you get much in the way of diesel fumes in the boat from your own engine and also from other boats? Another comment asked about racism, I’m relieved you don’t get much, it’s also a problem for horse drawn Travellers. Many thanks, Michael
Have read the canals are polluted with 25 times more sewage than allowed because they sold the treatment plants to private stockholders so they just keep releasing more and more to get a return on their investment liv garfield ceo does this and the fines are peanuts water is nastyyyyy
Hi Nisa, there are several videos on TH-cam that explain and demonstrate how you build a recirculating shower system which you can shower for as long as you want with 6 litres of water. These systems aren’t for everyone, but I would urge you to view them to get an idea of what you can manage. Great, helpful and informative video, thanks.
They work good Tom but the water temperature drops very quickly. As the water comes out the showerhead and makes contact with the air, by the time it hits the basin it's lukewarm, like blowing over a spoon filled with hot soup to cool it down. The way to shower using limited water is...get the shower room very warm first with a heater (not electric of course) and spend only 10 to 15 seconds soaking oneself before turning off the shower, soap up and scrub before turning the shower back on to rinse everything off. A 3 litre per minute shower pressure will allow 15 sec to get wet and a 1.45 seconds rinse and use 6 litres of water...my baldy friend says he uses 5 litres of water per shower, so I'd imagine long haired creatures would probably require 10 litres of water per shower if washing hair every shower 😆
@@human6.045 Hi, if you search “Bobil vans” on TH-cam, you will see the whole of their water heating range. Alternatively, search “recirculating shower” this will take you to dozens of videos of how you would install and use the shower. My favourite vlog is from “mispronounced adventures”.
I definitely know this is not the life for me , and although you want this life for you and your boyfriend, all I will say is all the very best to you 👍
No we didn’t but we did ask a CRT worker to show us the ropes before we set off. You can get lessons though, a Google search will probably show some available near you!
Some people enjoy fixing and making things. Physical exercise is usually a key to a healthy, happy mind. We instead confuse this with things such as possessions and instant self gratification. This could be why the atmosphere at work, years ago, was healthier, more happier, jouvial, fun. As we moved towards a more electronic way of life requiring less physical effort, our emotional well being as a society appears to have dipped.
I seen people take narrowboats and widebeams across the channel to Europe. If I had a narrowboat I would want to try and reach India with traveling across Europe.
A lot of good advice . You look and sound very comfortable talking to camera and Mike is making big strides in his presenting skills judging by the previous vlog.
Excellent and very informative, still hasn’t put me off my dream of selling up and buying a live aboard in the next two years and becoming a floating hermit. Maybe I’ll have to man up a bit with the 1’s and 2’s though 😮or buy masks and gloves.
Thanks Nesha, that was very informative, what was the forum you were going to link to in the description please. Looking forward to the positives now, thanks again. Raymond
I feel like i like the Romance of the idea but are unsure if i would like to live aboard full time unless if you are a remote worker or artist i don't get how people afford it
A year on and? I'm just asking to see what is what regarding the narrowboat and how you are now with it. Also. Surprised I wasn't subscribed. ..yet the algorithm brought me back!... I am now though.
I did think about buying a narrowboat, but the cons outweighed the pros for me. The 2 biggest being location and work. I live on the south coast and most of the canals are in the midlands, whilst it is a beautiful part of England it;s just too far from my grandchildren. And being self employed all my customers in south so commuting is out of the question.
She pay cos she's lazy and ohhhh rusted...bla,bla,bla....there's always something to do in a house....plus your neighbours... I don't think she is made for boat life
Item 3: and of course, even if you black the hull yourself, you have to put it somewhere dry first, such as a drydock. Are you still hoping to save money? Item 4: or you can tow a rowing boat to sit in by yourself...
The main reason you shouldn't buy a narrow boat is the god awful weather in the UK, you will spend 8 months of the year in a dark damp cold environment. If you really want to live on a boat do it in Spain, Greece, etc.
Update: We will do the 10 reasons you SHOULD buy a boat vid as I mentioned at the start of the vid. But we're focusing on finishing the boat build first! What are the reasons YOU are glad you bought a boat? And would you add to any of the reasons someone shouldn't? :)
This is a great, honest account of your experience so far with your new home.
This is why I love your vlogs so much. You aren’t afraid to show the highs and lows of your progress so far and if you make a mistake you show it.
This is far more useful than someone saying that boat life is all roses rather than showing that it can be hard work and without a permanent mooring you will have to keep moving when you might need to be working instead.
Thank you for this impartial insight and keep up your amazing work 😊
Might be best to use a day hire for a week or two per year, instead. No fuss, no muss. (Bring Out Another Thousand) love it! We say in he states, that "The two best days of boat ownership are the day you buy it, and the day you sell it." subsribed.
Hiring a narrowboat can cost £2-3k per week, so it could work out cheaper to buy a boat for £50k and sell it for £40k after a few months of cruising…
Very useful info. As I approached retirement, I discovered canal narrowboats and became rather obsessed with the idea of retiring to a narrowboat. Retirement being a few years away, at the time, I had time to study and discovered that narrowboats depreciate in value about as quickly as the giant bus motorhomes that many USA retirees buy. One might buy a new narrowboat at £170,000.00 and only five or eight years later it might be worth only £40,000.00.
I also have a fractured vertebrae and history of abdominal surgeries and saw that some locks and some circumstances could be risky to me. I decided that I might only get a few years of cruising before deciding to sell the boat, and would I then be able to sell it for enough to buy a flat?
I pictured telling my kids, "So sorry, your dad blew your inheritance on a dream, on a narrowboat that is now worth only £40,000."
It is still very appealing to me and though I've given up the dream, I still enjoy watching channels like yours,
Alex
Hi Alex! Thanks for sharing your research :) Sometimes we've struggled with locks and such and we're only 28 and 29 years old, so that is something you were very right to take into consideration if you have a fractured vertebrae!
a 170000 boat in 8 years would be 4 times more valuble than 40 k
Personally, if my dad said that, I would say, "Bravo! You worked for it... it's YOUR money to spend. Hope you have a fantastic time!"
why buy a new one then? Get some good advice and get a good secondhand one..
@OGillo2001 Yes, this would address most of the concern regarding depreciation. Back when I was considering this, I was focused on used boats for that reason. My primary reason for dropping consideration was the health issues mentioned. How long would I be able to do it, and what would I do after I decided I couldn't do it, having sold my home in the U.S. to make this dream possible?
There are lots of good reasons to do it, and I continue following many narrowboat TH-camrs, but I decided it wasn't a reasonable choice for me. There are many ways to enjoy retirement. This wasn't my only dream. 🙂
I encourage anyone interested in it to consider it.
I'm from Brazil and I'm a Yacht owner.
I'm folliwing your progress.
I love how thorough you are. Makes me understand boat life in a whole new way.
I have been on my Narrow boats for about 35 years , I do agree with all the comments,A great video , You have to be the right person to adapt to the way of life,
My boats have gone smaller over the years Which are better to handle when you getting old
Keep up the good work 👍
Good tip about smaller boats being easier to handle! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts 😊
A very fair summary, my findings are depreciation is so slow that over time it starts creeping back up for boats well maintained.
Great vlog, thanks
David.
That's a good finding! I really hope that's the case for ours
Well some nice advice for people thinking about buying, one thing I would mention though is about your point 9, there is no resale value whatsoever in a rented house, you were renting which is money you never get back, but your boat although it may decrease in value will still have a resale value, if I pass you on the cut one day I will give you a wave.
Yes, I was referring to buying a house vs boat but I agree, it’s definitely better than renting. Rent is money you’ll never see again, which to me is okay temporarily but not best long term if you have other options and can afford them
@@DriftwoodFolk Defo I own my flat so no mortgage or rent. My next door neighbour pays £800 a month rent for an identical place. I`ve been here nearly 2 years and it`s gone up approx. £10,000. My neighbour has been here over 5 years and paid out approx. £50,000 in rent and no more owns it than the day he moved in. If I hadn`t of managed to get on the property ladder when I did I also would be living in a boat or van+ for a young couple like yourselves it gives you the opportunity to save your cash if you do want bricks and mortar later on.🙂
What a fantastic idea for a video. As a boater myself I am all too aware of the seemingly constant litany of problems and dirty jobs that, as you point out, are expensive. When you tell people you have a boat they always respond with a romanticised, " WOW".
Glad you made that video & hope many people get to see it.
May I be personal and compliment you on your beautiful, luxurious hair. X
Thanks so much, Carolyn! 😊
I’m 13 and have lived on a boat all my life and I haven’t run into a negative apart from water/power
You're not having to pay for anything.
My husband has worked on boats off and on his entire life we are both retired now but he still works on his project boats. One of our favorite sayings is a boat is a hole in the water you pour money into. The life can be great but always go into with the understanding of the boats.
Yeah that's one of my favourite sayings too haha
The BIGGEST and MOST IMPORTANT consideration is COSTINGS. Marina fees are super expensive and you still have other bills to pay like "council tax" (if you are fixed). You also need a boat license, insurance, and a complete inspection (survey) of a boat before purchase. So, let's say for example: purchase of boat 20,000 + license approx 1000 + insurance 500 + survey 1000 + engine work + blacking 1000 = 23,500 BASIC. So the boat has been purchased and all finished and off you go. Then energy costs, gas bottles / diesel / and the ordinary things like food. The willingness to learn and adapt is crucial and there may well be a "shock" (sometimes). Then one must have a BACKUP plan - (just in case) say a min of 5000 which is an emergency fund. There are lots of things to be considered. :)
😀
Compared to the £1800 a month mortgage we have on our house...that looks a bloody bargain to me😆
They are some tricks, if you go into a salt water dock once a year you can put off blacking by a year or two by killing off the bugs on the hull.
I have owned several boats, small, but have found that they are whole in the water that you throw money in! Sometimes enjoyable.
Yeah that’s accurate
Exceptionally well thought out and perfectly presented. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice video. I've been 18 years on board now. 55ft narrow boat. Constant cruising. You gotta love the life and live VERY cheap. For me it's a solo thing. I think the space is just to small to cohabit full time. Good luck to you. See you out there.
See you out there, Phil!
Very good video..Point 1. Hull condition.. highly recommend a boat that as been grit blasted and epoxied from new.. these are much more likely to have minimal exterior hull corrosion..it's also worth noting that a poorly insulated steel shell will happily rust from the inside out due to condensation cycling..
Very good points!
Hey- thanks for the vid! Just one thing - in terms of losing money. That is now not the case. The price of steel has skyrocketed- I recently sold my boat and made £25,000 on it after 4 years on it.
Also my friend bought a cheap boat. Did it up and resold for double the price .. unfortunately this also means that boats have gone up in price with most now being over £50,000 - also I cannot overstate how much you should get the hull surveyed before you buy a boat. As overplating a boat can cost £20,000 … so a survey is necessary if the boat is over 15 years old .. and hasn’t been blacked in a while
I think the cost of living crisis has also pushed Boat prices up as many people are looking for alternative living so the demand for narrowboats has increased.
Awesome vlog well thought out !
The added bonus is most your footage is near my mooring ...
I'm not residential but I live on my boat here , which is the option you left out ! We can live on a canal and river trust mooring that's not residential, however technically we can't use the mooring as a permanent address nor have mail sent to it ..
I advise any new boaters to continuous cruise first. I did for 17 years !
Thanks! Oh wow! I love Oxford, it’s where my boyfriend and I first got the idea of living on a narrowboat! You live in a lovely area 😊 And great point about leisure moorings! After almost a year of being a boat owner I’m still not totally sure how leisure moorings work and if you can “live” on them so I don’t mention it in vids
You bring up some valid points, and as an avid narrowboat vlog viewer, I think being a DIY type person helps as it also attracts viewers for this type of content plus your saving money fixing stuff yourself. As an introvert you did very well presenting this, 👍. 16:56 😊
Aw thanks! 👍
I started watching your videos a few days ago on the Telly and enjoy them. I spent most of my adult life building houses for folks. Always hoped some one would want us to build a Hobbit house. No luck that way. Round doors and windows, arches etc. Holly narrow boat channel might give you ideas. They turned it into a cafe boat. I think you are doing a good job. Your not afraid to get dirty. That is a compliment by the way. I am in Alaska. Nice to hear the song birds in your videos.
Thank you! We sometimes watch the Holly cafe boat vlog but we’ll have to go back and find their old renovation vids. Thanks for watching!
Hi I just came across your channel and this video. Well done this is a really great review. I have lived on a boat for a number of years and so many TH-camrs skip over these points.
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it :D
Thank you that was really useful to know 😊
Nesha you are such a boss! This is really hard labor but I can’t wait to see the total refit. Happy 1 year of narrowboat/home ownership. Love the vlogs, thank you for sharing this with us! Stay safe and well.
Thank you so much!!
Live in Australia and will probably never experience a narrow boat, yet I watched this to the end. I picked up in you a gentleness in your soul and it was relaxing to listen to you. I am an introvert like you. While I enjoy people, I crave nature, quietness, slowness and simplicity of lifestyle. I live in busy Sydney and if I am honest I am not suited to living here. I moved to this big busy city for my husband's work. Despite living here for nearly 8 years I still haven't settled. The little I watch of you says that your soul probably suits the narrowboat life. I think I watch youtubers like "Floatingourboat" etc as it is a place where I can slow down from busy Sydney. I am an artist, when I paint I slow down.... however, I have to find the time and energy to paint. I hope you have a wonderful time on the canals. What a empowering experience learning how to renovate. I look forward to seeing more videos.
I’m so glad you found this a relaxing video! And that painting gives you your own way to slow down ☺️
🤣🤣 poop in a bag! Been there done that in my van! Love that you mentioned it! I've just sold my flat, waiting for all the conveyancing then I'm heading to the waterways! Nothing you said puts me off. I'm realistic about the life but the pros far outweigh the cons. Just found your channel and love it! You're a natural in front of the camera girl! Hugs from a new subscriber. Tracy 🤗🙏
Aw thanks Tracy! Hopefully see you on the waterways one day then 😄
Another lovely video, Nesha. It amazes me how so many of my favourite TH-camrs would seemingly rather die than get 'caught' videoing in public!
I'm predicting that while the list of 'don'ts' is mainly pragmatic issues, the list of 'dos' will be more emotional and soul-feeding. Can't wait to see them.
Yeah filming in public never quite loses its cringe-factor haha
Another awesome, informative vlog guys 👍 keep em coming and stay safe and well.
Thanks John!
It depends on your set up i moor with a farmer and have decking parking and sheds water solar for electric i can travel if i want i brought my boat for 55000 with radiators solar everything i need the mooring is 50 quid a week i dont use the engine much i find it pretty cheap to live
Such a great video: extremely well presented: informative and thought provoking! Thank you
This is such a great list!! I can be an introvert too and boat living has forced me to engage with strangers more regularly which has really benefitted me! But it’s one thing that puts it off marina living in a way 😂 when I was in the boatyard I had a neighbour who would come knocking a lot and it was impossible to get him to leave - he didn’t take polite hints at alllll - I can be quite bad at saying no and I think it’s harder in a boat to create those boundaries (and certainly to pretend you aren’t home haha!). Great video :)
Yesss same, it’s nice being pushed to socialise more and I’ve met some incredible people. But at the same time it’s hard, especially when someone is very chatty and wants an hour long convo haha
We found these tips so interesting - we’re currently living in our van and travelling but would love a boat as a full-time base in the UK. Thanks for the great advice 😊
Glad it was helpful! I’d love a van to get a van to travel in after we finish our boat so maybe see you on the road or waterways one day 👋🏾
I am too old for such a narrowboat ⛴️ but it is pretty cool. Many greetings from Germany 😀🙏👊
I think all these points you make are valid for old boats but not new ones 😊
No matter what age your boat is, you'll still have to be wary of what length boat you get, have to do your business in a bag if your toilet gets full, have to spend money on maintenance like blacking etc etc, have a lack of privacy, have limited amenities, have to do physical work, and experience limits on residential moorings. So no, most of these points apply to newer boats too :)
Great, informative video, beautifully presented by an equally beautiful young lady!
Thank you! 😊
Thank you
I live in New Hampshire, USA. It is GORGEOUS!! It is idyllic countryside, with bear, moose, deer, raccoon, bobcat, world-class trout and bass fishing- skiing... and SO MUCH MORE!
As a result? People from NYC, CT, and other states move here...for 4 years....lol
Why? Because they end up finding that their bucolic little town doesnt have pizza, they have to drive 32 miles to go shopping...The 6-8 feet of snow, -22F and white out blizzard conditions, lacknof housing, jobs... as well as not being ABLE to do even simple things, like fix their roof, or replace a window, or work on their truck... You MUST be 100% self-reliant!
I've done a lot of research on narrowboating in the U.K. Compared to the way I currently live? EASY PEASY! Ive been living partially off-grid now (stream for water, solar)
And this just calls to me.
I can weld, work on engines, do carpentry, I cut 4 trees down a year, cut and split 6 cords a year...(6 pickup truck loads) ...and Im 59 this August.
No issues here...I'll probably end up welding and doing work for other people on the canal...lol
Ill marina-up in the winter...cruise 5 months, perform music along the canals...and pick up side jobs.
I'm an Army Veteran, so...yeah. Hooah.
Im not going to live to "84" years old...statistically, most men die in their mid-70s...So I've got 15-20 years left...and Im not dying in the wilderness of N.H....lol.
I think you covered it pretty well, your doing great and most of the hardest part of your rebuild is mearly done. From here on out it will be fun. cheers!
Yeah we’re almost at the fun stuff now!
Liked, loved and subbed. Peace from Berkshire.
Hi, see you made a trip to Oxford recently, strolled past my old neighbours boats. It's a lovely spot there, one of the very few permanent moorings in the city.
I did! It’s beautiful there 😍
I agree with all your points except losing money on resale. New boats costing 70k ten years ago are holding their value as long as they're looked after. Don't forget houses need maintenance as well. Great vlogs,thanks.
Hi we live on a 70 feet narrowboat and apart from a very small section on the uk canal we can take our home pretty much everywhere xx
Great advice Nisa, you’ve obviously given a lot of thought to this, borne of experience and it’s good to consider all elements, preferably before making a major financial commitment.
Thank you for this sound advice. Great channel.
Thanks for watching! 😊
Thanks for the advice, nice to hear honesty, very useful.
Just watched your video via DailyMail. Great video, very well presented and balanced. Thank you for sharing!
Great video ❤ thank you for your honesty 👍👍
thanks so much for the privacy tip.
Very useful and hasn’t put me off my dream of living on a boat. It would be interesting to do a comparison with owning your fist house especially an older property which from experience has just as many hurdles to overcome. Very different but still no walk in the park and also from personal experience you can’t just move your house if the new neighbours are a bother.😊
I don’t know anyone that owns an old house but that’s a great idea 😊 I imagine it’s not easy to maintain but very rewarding!
Good for you, keep going and be happy!
Boats are always cold and damp in the winter. I used to spend some time on one down at the Hamble. You are forever trying to dry stuff out, but then you have a humidity problem too.
It still amazes me how close they stack these boats in marinas, as I thought fire regulations would have them further apart. Would have thought for an example an exploding gas bottle would have taken out the boat either side at a minimum.
Loved your video. Also subbed. I've been into that sort of life for a lot of years! That or van life. Truth is, after so many years of addiction and homelessness, I feel like it's my time now! Especially I'm finally clean! 😊. Looking forward to checking out your other videos! Narrow boat life does seem a lot more hard work than van life! But hey... I love a bit of hard work lol.
Went into this video thinking "ooh here we go" but actually really glad I did. Great video and actually let some air out my bubble a bit 😂. Thank you for the slight reality check, still want to give it a go
Love your honesty, great video 💕🤗
Thanks Jeannie! Always appreciate your comments 😊
Fantastic vlog,,,,
Ur so honest in ur review 👍👍👍👍
Keep it going,,,
Nice to see ur smile 👍
Well done,,,
Look forward to ur vlogs ,,
Thank you so much!
For many years my partner and I (now in our 60s) have lived and travelled thousands of miles, happily, in a 10”x6” horse drawn caravan. I wondered if you get much in the way of diesel fumes in the boat from your own engine and also from other boats? Another comment asked about racism, I’m relieved you don’t get much, it’s also a problem for horse drawn Travellers. Many thanks, Michael
Have read the canals are polluted with 25 times more sewage than allowed because they sold the treatment plants to private stockholders so they just keep releasing more and more to get a return on their investment liv garfield ceo does this and the fines are peanuts water is nastyyyyy
This was a really good review 10/10
Honestly.. well done
Hi Nisa, there are several videos on TH-cam that explain and demonstrate how you build a recirculating shower system which you can shower for as long as you want with 6 litres of water. These systems aren’t for everyone, but I would urge you to view them to get an idea of what you can manage. Great, helpful and informative video, thanks.
They work good Tom but the water temperature drops very quickly. As the water comes out the showerhead and makes contact with the air, by the time it hits the basin it's lukewarm, like blowing over a spoon filled with hot soup to cool it down.
The way to shower using limited water is...get the shower room very warm first with a heater (not electric of course) and spend only 10 to 15 seconds soaking oneself before turning off the shower, soap up and scrub before turning the shower back on to rinse everything off.
A 3 litre per minute shower pressure will allow 15 sec to get wet and a 1.45 seconds rinse and use 6 litres of water...my baldy friend says he uses 5 litres of water per shower, so I'd imagine long haired creatures would probably require 10 litres of water per shower if washing hair every shower 😆
@@human6.045
Hi, if you search “Bobil vans” on TH-cam, you will see the whole of their water heating range. Alternatively, search “recirculating shower” this will take you to dozens of videos of how you would install and use the shower. My favourite vlog is from “mispronounced adventures”.
I would definitely give this life a go. It looks a good fit for me
I hope you get the chance one day!
Great advice Good points made keep up the good work 🤗 🤗
Thanks David! Appreciate your comments as always 🤗
No, this video hasn't put a hole in my plans. Thanks though, great well thought out video.
That’s great!!!! I’m excited for you 😊
I definitely know this is not the life for me , and although you want this life for you and your boyfriend, all I will say is all the very best to you 👍
An excellent pragmatic summary
Oh thank you!
Did you get any lessons/training on manouvering the boat?
No we didn’t but we did ask a CRT worker to show us the ropes before we set off. You can get lessons though, a Google search will probably show some available near you!
❤ how much is a new narrow boat approx ❤
Depends on the age, condition and size :) You can get a liveable one from around £35K+ I'd say
On your first point, a place near me sells new VW campers and brand new converted campers and some of those are priced over £100k
Some people enjoy fixing and making things. Physical exercise is usually a key to a healthy, happy mind. We instead confuse this with things such as possessions and instant self gratification. This could be why the atmosphere at work, years ago, was healthier, more happier, jouvial, fun. As we moved towards a more electronic way of life requiring less physical effort, our emotional well being as a society appears to have dipped.
Good objective video...nicely presented...thanks.
Many thanks for this video!
Since covid the price of a new boat as gone up considerably
Definitely
I am a short bald old man. In my mind you will be a greater focus of people wanting towpath conversation than me.
I seen people take narrowboats and widebeams across the channel to Europe. If I had a narrowboat I would want to try and reach India with traveling across Europe.
Oh wowww
A lot of good advice . You look and sound very comfortable talking to camera and Mike is making big strides in his presenting skills judging by the previous vlog.
I’m used to talking to a camera because it used to be a part of my work but Mike isn’t so he’ll be very pleased when he reads this! 😄
No one mention the winters ,the coal stove burning constantly to keep warm and dry
How far do you have to move your boat every two weeks 10ft or 10 miles? , can you just alternate between 2 or 3 places ?
Thank you a very informative video.
In the US we have a saying too "A boat I a hoke in the water you keep throwing money into"
This is one of the first things someone said when we took on this project and I've never heard something SO TRUE! Hahaha
This is the time of my life babe.
I love that
Excellent and very informative, still hasn’t put me off my dream of selling up and buying a live aboard in the next two years and becoming a floating hermit. Maybe I’ll have to man up a bit with the 1’s and 2’s though 😮or buy masks and gloves.
I’m glad to hear that! You got this 💪🏽
Did you mention the cold? That was the number one reason my workmate quit after just one season!
Most helpful vlog.
Thanks Nesha, that was very informative, what was the forum you were going to link to in the description please. Looking forward to the positives now, thanks again. Raymond
Canalworld.net 😄
@@DriftwoodFolk thanks..
Am I too tall for boat life at 6’4?
Heyya ... Not too tall at all!! I'm also 6'4 and our boat has 6'6 headroom ha there are some which are even taller just gotta look for them
I've always said after 60 years involved in Canal Boats it not cheap anymore even a 50 ft leisure boat can cost £5000 a year.
Great point there!
Have you considered a composting toilet? I hear from RV and sailboaters that they are quite nice and don’t smell bad like the old ones did.
Thank you for this video, I would love to live in a boat, the only issue is the shower 😔 I love long showers 😅😅😅
Hi did you do your video on 10 reasons TO buy a narrow boat? I cant find it 😢 ❤
Not yet!
Love the video ❤ I'm from the U.S
How cool! Thanks for watching :D
I feel like i like the Romance of the idea but are unsure if i would like to live aboard full time unless if you are a remote worker or artist i don't get how people afford it
A year on and?
I'm just asking to see what is what regarding the narrowboat and how you are now with it.
Also. Surprised I wasn't subscribed. ..yet the algorithm brought me back!... I am now though.
I did think about buying a narrowboat, but the cons outweighed the pros for me. The 2 biggest being location and work. I live on the south coast and most of the canals are in the midlands, whilst it is a beautiful part of England it;s just too far from my grandchildren. And being self employed all my customers in south so commuting is out of the question.
What about having a smallish hot tub on board?
how much would you say your annual costs are?
You've already talked me out of the idea. Thanks
😂
She pay cos she's lazy and ohhhh rusted...bla,bla,bla....there's always something to do in a house....plus your neighbours... I don't think she is made for boat life
I always wondered, how cold it could be in narrowboat at winter, because basically, it is a steel tub sitting in freezing water
Its cold in your house if you dont put heating on.
Item 3: and of course, even if you black the hull yourself, you have to put it somewhere dry first, such as a drydock. Are you still hoping to save money?
Item 4: or you can tow a rowing boat to sit in by yourself...
😂
I can cope with the maintenance, the lifestyle, the Cost etc, but the one thing I can't cope with is the SPIDERS.
I’m used to spiders now because I find sooo many in my home 😂 but this is a VERY good point
That's crazy I'm glad you mentioned it. So many
The main reason you shouldn't buy a narrow boat is the god awful weather in the UK, you will spend 8 months of the year in a dark damp cold environment. If you really want to live on a boat do it in Spain, Greece, etc.
Why are Narrowboat hulls not constructed of Stainless steel ?
That would be real expensive