***** Hi Dan, We had our boats on the Norfolk Broads. we have had three in all, We first moved on to a 44ft steel cruiser in 1988 after about 5years we changed (sold/bought) our steel boat for a 39ft GRP river cruiser. We spent a total of 10 years on the water at that time. We then spent 9 years back in a house but just had to buy another boat, this time a 44ft GRP river cruiser and spent a further 6 years on the Broads until 2 years ago, we are now back in a house ... but we do miss the river so much, unfortunately now we are retired and can't afford to buy another boat or we would go back to living on a boat tomorrow. But we do have some fantastic memories. A wonderful way of life. Knowing how much pleasure you get from Tilly is so heart warming. PS. I would also like to thank you for introducing me to the Lamy fountain pen, after seeing your video on the pen, I ordered one and have found it to be the best fountain pen ever.. I use it all the time. Thanks once again. Roy and Loraine.
Interesting documentary, Dan. I came across this video randomly because I wasn't searching for information on narrowboat life, but your engaging presence and informative segments were relaxing to watch and enjoyable. Thank you, looking forward to watching more.
Great video mate. I'm a recent subscriber and purchaser of your books which I'm really enjoying. I'm currently trying to convince the misses to sell up and move onto a Narrowboat but I fear I have failed. Although she is very open to have a weekend boat. Very informative videos as usual and always a great source of inspiration. Keep em coming!!!
Have you considered getting a folding RV solar panel for charging up your leisure batteries during the day? They're relatively inexpensive off Amazon, they're portable so you don't have to worry about mooring up your boat in the sunlight, and they could help keep you from running the engine so often for power. Boondockers use them for living off the grid in their RVs here in the states.
Very interesting life! I had heard that narrowboats are "powered" by horses that walk along the side of the canals. But obviously that was a very old-fashined view. Does the engine make a lot of noise? It must be harder during winter, but the views are so beautiful, which must make life easier with Tilly. I would like to have a nice hot cup of coffee at the stern enjoying the view, while the boat glides along the canal. I'd love to read your book, but currently I don't own a kindle . . . . Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful videos! My sister Leigh lives on a barge too ( called BOB, she was on the same canal as you this summer, but up in Llangollen. I love cruising with her. She is very experienced and runs a mean boat! She lives just like you, even down the logs you burn. She has some really good solar-panels (bit expensive at first but a very nice source of electricity) and individual LCD lamps that you can charge up by hanging them on the windows during the day. Anyway looking forward to more of your videos... Bon Voyage..
On the notion of electricity and lighting (and in winter i know it wouldn't be as efficient as in summer however), have you ever considered installing a solar panel (or two) with charging system on the roof to help cut down on your costs? I know there expensive to buy in the first place, but they will pay for them self's if weighted against hours on the engine diesel oil servicing ect.
Hi Dan. I'm a big fan. I'm American and want to follow your lifestyle. Can an American buy and cruise on a narrowboat. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might offer.
Dan, where you and others are in the water all winter, may I ask a question? Do you or fellow narrowboaters have bubblers installed to prevent ice formation around the hull? I note goinghome's comment below (three weeks ago) about the canals frozen so solid at times he could skate on the surface in winter time. Has that kind of deep cold ever been a problem for you or others?
I live locally and currently saving up for my narrowboat home :D which I will probably keep near chirk or as close to oswestry or maybe its possible for me to go on the welshpool bit? while I decorate or fix up anything, one of the things i do worry about it knowing how to get to transport to get into town and to work. Where do you work if you dont mind me asking. Its cool to know your so nearby so when i do make the plunge i can come here for any question i have :)
Have you thought about getting an oil lamp Dan? I know you've got your LEDs but an oil lamp would give a nice warm light without running the batteries down.
Re your reply to Alyc: Are there places in the towns where you can port? And did I hear that you report for duty at a desk or retail place? I can't imagine riding along a frozen or muddy tow path to a job. Also, is Tilly insulated in the walls and ceiling?
good video , mate well done , i enjoyed it i would like to know : since the bridges were closed ahead , in the video , do you have reverse back or is there any places to turn boats around ? forgive the naivety of the question , but i have never been on one also can wide beam boats go on ALL canals - is there enough room for passing boats ie: 2x wide beams or 1x wide beam and 1x narrow i have often wondered the above questions ...as the canal's i used to run along .....didn't seem that wide and i always wondered how you turned round , although i did see a boat reversing once as , the canal in question was a dead end it would kind of annoy me , if i had to reverse for 100 miles..... the boat wouldn't be facing the right direction , and i would want to put that right at the first opportunity
+stevearno100 Hello, sorry for taking 11 months to reply! Yes there are turning points luckily, often these will be miles apart so I am lucky that with Tilly being so small I can turn her around in wide bits of canal! Wide beams can only go on specific canals/rivers. For example all of the canals I have been on with Tilly have only got narrow locks, so narrow that even Tilly has been stuck in them sometimes!
Still no Solar Panels there Danny? Just a couple of 100 watt panels and a tracker will provide all the power you need even in winter - your looking good : )
great vids but your wrong about the firewood , nobody owns land . and collecting firewood is called estovo, it comes under the charter of the forest, it supercedes ALL legal documents . check it out
Enjoyed the video Dan. Brings back fond memories of when we lived on a boat. Thanks for sharing.
***** Hi Dan,
We had our boats on the Norfolk Broads. we have had three in all, We first moved on to a 44ft steel cruiser in 1988 after about 5years we changed (sold/bought) our steel boat for a 39ft GRP river cruiser.
We spent a total of 10 years on the water at that time. We then spent 9 years back in a house but just had to buy another boat, this time a 44ft GRP river cruiser and spent a further 6 years on the Broads until 2 years ago, we are now back in a house ... but we do miss the river so much, unfortunately now we are retired and can't afford to buy another boat or we would go back to living on a boat tomorrow. But we do have some fantastic memories. A wonderful way of life. Knowing how much pleasure you get from Tilly is so heart warming.
PS. I would also like to thank you for introducing me to the Lamy fountain pen, after seeing your video on the pen, I ordered one and have found it to be the best fountain pen ever.. I use it all the time. Thanks once again. Roy and Loraine.
***** There has been a surprising increase in the number or narrow boats appearing on the Broads in recent years.
Interesting documentary, Dan. I came across this video randomly because I wasn't searching for information on narrowboat life, but your engaging presence and informative segments were relaxing to watch and enjoyable. Thank you, looking forward to watching more.
+Mac Read Thank you for such a wonderful comment! Glad you liked the video!
Love these longer documentary type vids. Very entertaining and informative.
Big thumbs up Dan, very informative. Obviously lots to think about once winter arrives.
Great video mate. I'm a recent subscriber and purchaser of your books which I'm really enjoying. I'm currently trying to convince the misses to sell up and move onto a Narrowboat but I fear I have failed. Although she is very open to have a weekend boat. Very informative videos as usual and always a great source of inspiration. Keep em coming!!!
Interesting video Dan, thanks.
A very interesting video full of great info Dan
Love your vids mate, everything in layman's terms and gives a real insight into the full reality of living on a boat. Keep em coming pal :-)
great info dan, I really enjoy your videos , and I look forward to the next one
+Barry Jones Thanks! I will keep them coming!
Ive never seen a bad comment on your videos Dan! I'm so happy about it, you deserve it!
Have you considered getting a folding RV solar panel for charging up your leisure batteries during the day? They're relatively inexpensive off Amazon, they're portable so you don't have to worry about mooring up your boat in the sunlight, and they could help keep you from running the engine so often for power. Boondockers use them for living off the grid in their RVs here in the states.
Lovely video Dan, Thanks
Inspiring stuff Dan, well done mate.
Love your honesty
every sort of lifestyle has its ups and downs. so it's best to just be happy where you are at.
+frederico George A perfect statement!
Great videos dan..worth watching all the time. How big is Tilly?, I want to get a boat to live on, but not sure what size to get, it's just me.
Good video - very interesting.
Thanks Dan. I'm sold on the idea. Life on the canals here we come. Do you ever get as far down the Shropshire Union as Nantwich?
God bless you Dan. Keep well mate.
hi dan brilliant idea with firelighter colin
+carper1325 Haha thanks, these are the random things that I have slowly learned!
These videos are fascinating!
+Henry Carmichael Thanks, glad you like them!
Very interesting life! I had heard that narrowboats are "powered" by horses that walk along the side of the canals. But obviously that was a very old-fashined view. Does the engine make a lot of noise? It must be harder during winter, but the views are so beautiful, which must make life easier with Tilly. I would like to have a nice hot cup of coffee at the stern enjoying the view, while the boat glides along the canal. I'd love to read your book, but currently I don't own a kindle . . . . Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for answering Dan.
Beautiful videos! My sister Leigh lives on a barge too ( called BOB, she was on the same canal as you this summer, but up in Llangollen. I love cruising with her. She is very experienced and runs a mean boat! She lives just like you, even down the logs you burn. She has some really good solar-panels (bit expensive at first but a very nice source of electricity) and individual LCD lamps that you can charge up by hanging them on the windows during the day. Anyway looking forward to more of your videos... Bon Voyage..
Great video Dan. For me a very relaying video to end the dat.
On the notion of electricity and lighting (and in winter i know it wouldn't be as efficient as in summer however), have you ever considered installing a solar panel (or two) with charging system on the roof to help cut down on your costs? I know there expensive to buy in the first place, but they will pay for them self's if weighted against hours on the engine diesel oil servicing ect.
Hey dan, I saw this and thought of you and you lack of space. Nice writing desk that converts to a bed.
Hiddenbed equipped apartment
The people you find on TH-cam! Amazing video !
+Daniel Lelievre Haha thanks! Glad you liked it!
Hi Dan. I'm a big fan. I'm American and want to follow your lifestyle. Can an American buy and cruise on a narrowboat. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might offer.
Dan, where you and others are in the water all winter, may I ask a question? Do you or fellow narrowboaters have bubblers installed to prevent ice formation around the hull? I note goinghome's comment below (three weeks ago) about the canals frozen so solid at times he could skate on the surface in winter time. Has that kind of deep cold ever been a problem for you or others?
I live locally and currently saving up for my narrowboat home :D which I will probably keep near chirk or as close to oswestry or maybe its possible for me to go on the welshpool bit? while I decorate or fix up anything, one of the things i do worry about it knowing how to get to transport to get into town and to work. Where do you work if you dont mind me asking. Its cool to know your so nearby so when i do make the plunge i can come here for any question i have :)
I've commented on the Quality & Content of your videos, as well as your Talents in the past . All I can say now is WOW another great video.
+Ken Lynch Haha thanks... I am 11 months late with this reply!
Enjoyed the video Dan keep up the good work thanks
Have you thought about getting an oil lamp Dan? I know you've got your LEDs but an oil lamp would give a nice warm light without running the batteries down.
awww he's lovely! What a nice guy
Re your reply to Alyc: Are there places in the towns where you can port? And did I hear that you report for duty at a desk or retail place? I can't imagine riding along a frozen or muddy tow path to a job. Also, is Tilly insulated in the walls and ceiling?
What is the average depth of these canals??
good video , mate
well done , i enjoyed it
i would like to know : since the bridges were closed ahead , in the video , do you have reverse back or is there any places to turn boats around ? forgive the naivety of the question , but i have never been on one
also can wide beam boats go on ALL canals - is there enough room for passing boats ie: 2x wide beams or 1x wide beam and 1x narrow
i have often wondered the above questions ...as the canal's i used to run along .....didn't seem that wide and i always wondered how you turned round , although i did see a boat reversing once as , the canal in question was a dead end
it would kind of annoy me , if i had to reverse for 100 miles..... the boat wouldn't be facing the right direction , and i would want to put that right at the first opportunity
+stevearno100 Hello, sorry for taking 11 months to reply! Yes there are turning points luckily, often these will be miles apart so I am lucky that with Tilly being so small I can turn her around in wide bits of canal!
Wide beams can only go on specific canals/rivers. For example all of the canals I have been on with Tilly have only got narrow locks, so narrow that even Tilly has been stuck in them sometimes!
Loving it !!
Still no Solar Panels there Danny? Just a couple of 100 watt panels and a tracker will provide all the power you need even in winter - your looking good : )
were was video taken, looks like Blackburn area , feniscowles may be ??
+graham yogibear Hello, this was around the Shropshire/Wales Border area on the Llangollen Canal.
Dan, do you have 3rd party insurance or full comprehensive?
What model of the boat ?
Oh how much can ice slow u down...u already going 1mph :) nice vid.Thanks
Dude you sound like Worzel Gummidge! LOL
+TheHannible Haha, I am often categorised as sounding like something between a farmer and a Welsh person!
great vids but your wrong about the firewood , nobody owns land . and collecting firewood is called estovo, it comes under the charter of the forest, it supercedes ALL legal documents . check it out
you should get a fatboat with a hot tub.
👍
Yeah, thanks for answering my question. You're one heck of a guy...aren't you!
Oops end of the day.