We.know.your predicament. We chose North kilworth due to the canal links. Rivers cause issues in winter due to flooding and didn't want to be unable to go out even if it was just for a weekend. Good luck in your search. 👍
Great video of the dilemma of where to moor. The marina we chose for out last boat was both secure and had a good bunch of people who all looked after each other. We had great places to visit within a few hours cruise and many parts of the canal system within easy holiday reach. I'm not sure that the Thames would be great as even when you were there the water levels and flow were not great. Runnymead is lovely and we spent many happy hours with our daughter there in the park when we visited her at university in Egham. Looking forward to engine time!
We can't wait to be able to CC. However if I had to leave the boat we would personally put it in a marina. Its a very personal thing and I'm sure you will come up with what suits you best. Still need that little drink before you leave 😜
Hi both, like watching your blogs, a couple of points for you. The river thames is nice but you have to keep in mind that most of the winter you will not be able to cruise, as at the moment I'm stuck on it as river is dangerous to cruise on. Most marinas do not allow long term liveaboard as well
@micb5454 hi there, that's a really good point about the Thames, it was flowing so fast yesterday and we are only just in to Autumn. Best wishes Lee & Ali
Hi Ali and Lee, we did exactly the same but 6 years ago, we looked along the K&A for an alternative mooring as we purchased our NB from Crick. However, although the marinas were closer to home they were £1,000 per year more expensive. Our leisure mooring at Crick for a 64 foot NB is £3,200, would gladly recommend this Marina to you both!
@@leealibuildingtheblackswan2098 one of the bonuses are the Qty 4 free tickets for all weekend of the Boat Show, and making full use of the Beer and Gin tent of course with your accommodation a short walk away! Another plus for the Leicester Section is it is fantastic for a weekend cruise with no locks for 22 miles. Good luck with the search.
Hi lee & Ali they looked like nice places. Like someone has mentioned Boat clubs look like a great idea. Someone I know has a narrow at one at Doncaster and said you can stay at any club that flies the club’s flag Thanks Al & Foxy
Guess where you moor depends on where you want to explore on the boat (What takes a couple of hours to travel by car will take a week of more by Narrowboat). It is worth remembering that if the marina is on a river, there will be times you cannot go out due to the river being in flood / on red,experience from this year is that it not just in winter.
@@leealibuildingtheblackswan2098 I grew up about 8 miles north of Guildford so know the area well. And witnessed the Wey flooding almost every year as they hold the water back to stop it all getting into the Thames.
You might also want to explore boat clubs in your area. Sometimes it's more convienient to be in a boat club if your not full time live aboards. It's very comumunal and you have to help with jobs within the club itself?
Have enjoyed following your waterway antics but a quick question, was it my eyes or were you in two vehicles today? one left hand drive and then a right hand drive.
Hi Adrian, wow you're Eagle eyed...but no, Lee recorded it the wrong way round and I had to switch it! Glad you are enjoying our antics. Best wishes Lee & Ali
Hi Lee and Ali, What is the purpose of your boat? If you are going to live on it and travel around then a marina is a waste of money. If you intend to use it as a weekend / holiday boat then a marina offers better security for an empty boat, but it will limit the area for you to cruise.
Hi Andrew, certainly for the first half of the year (2025) we will still be working on it, then we are planning on being on the boat , with maybe 3 nights a week away from it. Best wishes Lee & Ali
@@leealibuildingtheblackswan2098 i mean, I'm sure there's laws pertaining to permanent moorage, but that marina looked super congested (although idyllic).
Hiya, Regarding leaving your boat, I too have wondered about this, but have you seen Ben and Emily on youtube, they have left the boat a number of times safely. I think I will have to do some bridge hopping with the car to begin with, but I do intend to give everything up and CC in the end, maybe you are not in that time of life yet.
Guess where you moor depends on where you want to explore on the boat (What takes a couple of hours to travel by car will take a week of more by Narrowboat). It is worth remembering that if the marina is on a river, there will be times you cannot go out due to the river being in flood / on red,experience from this year is that it not just in winter.
We.know.your predicament. We chose North kilworth due to the canal links.
Rivers cause issues in winter due to flooding and didn't want to be unable to go out even if it was just for a weekend. Good luck in your search. 👍
Great video of the dilemma of where to moor.
The marina we chose for out last boat was both secure and had a good bunch of people who all looked after each other. We had great places to visit within a few hours cruise and many parts of the canal system within easy holiday reach.
I'm not sure that the Thames would be great as even when you were there the water levels and flow were not great.
Runnymead is lovely and we spent many happy hours with our daughter there in the park when we visited her at university in Egham.
Looking forward to engine time!
@AtaleofTattonTug which marina where you at? Very excited re engine, not long now!
We can't wait to be able to CC. However if I had to leave the boat we would personally put it in a marina. Its a very personal thing and I'm sure you will come up with what suits you best.
Still need that little drink before you leave 😜
@darrenpalmer603 absolutely 💯 let lee know which weekend you will be around.
Yes security cameras are a good idea, and gated marina
Yes we have been talking about looking at security cameras. Best wishes Lee & Ali
Hi both, like watching your blogs, a couple of points for you.
The river thames is nice but you have to keep in mind that most of the winter you will not be able to cruise, as at the moment I'm stuck on it as river is dangerous to cruise on.
Most marinas do not allow long term liveaboard as well
@micb5454 hi there, that's a really good point about the Thames, it was flowing so fast yesterday and we are only just in to Autumn. Best wishes Lee & Ali
Hi Ali and Lee, we did exactly the same but 6 years ago, we looked along the K&A for an alternative mooring as we purchased our NB from Crick. However, although the marinas were closer to home they were £1,000 per year more expensive.
Our leisure mooring at Crick for a 64 foot NB is £3,200, would gladly recommend this Marina to you both!
Hi Dale, we have heard that crick marina is lovely, I believe our electrician is there. Thank you for your comment. Best wishes Lee & Ali
@@leealibuildingtheblackswan2098 one of the bonuses are the Qty 4 free tickets for all weekend of the Boat Show, and making full use of the Beer and Gin tent of course with your accommodation a short walk away!
Another plus for the Leicester Section is it is fantastic for a weekend cruise with no locks for 22 miles.
Good luck with the search.
@@dalejones4184 sounds amazing thank you
Hi lee & Ali they looked like nice places. Like someone has mentioned Boat clubs look like a great idea. Someone I know has a narrow at one at Doncaster and said you can stay at any club that flies the club’s flag Thanks Al & Foxy
Hi guys, yes we are definitely going to look at that. Best wishes Lee & Ali
Guess where you moor depends on where you want to explore on the boat (What takes a couple of hours to travel by car will take a week of more by Narrowboat). It is worth remembering that if the marina is on a river, there will be times you cannot go out due to the river being in flood / on red,experience from this year is that it not just in winter.
@PeterGaynoronNBJackie very true and very good point. It seems a lot of people are saying the same thing. Thanks Peter. Best wishes Lee & Ali
The tiger thing that beat in mind, the River Wey, is a River and DOES flood, so there will be times that you cannot then get out and go for a cruise.
Hi Alan, yes very good point, I think we need to stay off rivers in the winter. Best wishes Lee & Ali
@@leealibuildingtheblackswan2098 I grew up about 8 miles north of Guildford so know the area well. And witnessed the Wey flooding almost every year as they hold the water back to stop it all getting into the Thames.
@alancollins9790 scary thought
There are boatyards/marinas north of the m25 but further south than Kilworth.
'Narrowboat that James Built' is in Hertfordshire.
Thanks for the info, we will continue looking
@leealibuildingtheblackswan2098 good luck with it!
@franadams6389 thank you 😊
You might also want to explore boat clubs in your area. Sometimes it's more convienient to be in a boat club if your not full time live aboards. It's very comumunal and you have to help with jobs within the club itself?
We didn't know about that, so thankyou for letting us know. Best wishes Lee & Ali
Have enjoyed following your waterway antics but a quick question, was it my eyes or were you in two vehicles today? one left hand drive and then a right hand drive.
Hi Adrian, wow you're Eagle eyed...but no, Lee recorded it the wrong way round and I had to switch it! Glad you are enjoying our antics. Best wishes Lee & Ali
At least is wasn't the large single malt I was drinking 😎🥃. Good luck and enjoy yourselves.
I have a mate on Brinklow marina, he works 5 days a week, and never moves off the marina, that would do my bleedin head in.
Hi Lee and Ali,
What is the purpose of your boat?
If you are going to live on it and travel around then a marina is a waste of money. If you intend to use it as a weekend / holiday boat then a marina offers better security for an empty boat, but it will limit the area for you to cruise.
Hi Andrew, certainly for the first half of the year (2025) we will still be working on it, then we are planning on being on the boat , with maybe 3 nights a week away from it. Best wishes Lee & Ali
Just noticed my great big long essay has been removed lol. not sure if you read it , if not i will re write it later.
Hi guys, hope you are well 😊 no its not showing up and it also wasn't emailed to me 😢
Is a marina necessary? Forgive my ignorance, couldn't you just throw some stakes in along the path and anchor her wherever you wish?
Yes that is what I was thinking (ali) but what about leaving the boats for a few days!? Best wishes Lee & Ali
@@leealibuildingtheblackswan2098 i mean, I'm sure there's laws pertaining to permanent moorage, but that marina looked super congested (although idyllic).
@merlindsbest yes that is what we thought, it was congested
Hiya, Regarding leaving your boat, I too have wondered about this, but have you seen Ben and Emily on youtube, they have left the boat a number of times safely. I think I will have to do some bridge hopping with the car to begin with, but I do intend to give everything up and CC in the end, maybe you are not in that time of life yet.
Hi Phil, thanks for your comment. I think we need to take a look at Ben and Emily's vlogs. Best wishes Lee & Ali
Guess where you moor depends on where you want to explore on the boat (What takes a couple of hours to travel by car will take a week of more by Narrowboat). It is worth remembering that if the marina is on a river, there will be times you cannot go out due to the river being in flood / on red,experience from this year is that it not just in winter.