Trevor asked: > As a *total* newbie to the canals I have been following the various > threads here with interest - BUT ... > > Is this the right group for me to start asking (the *most* basic) > questions about narrowboats, both buying and and living aboard, or > should I really be doing this elsewhere? > > [I'm asking right at the beginning simply because I don't wish to upset > anybody - especially the list owners/moderators!]
No probs, as others have said, just ask away. However, it is probably fair to say that you will get many different answers and many different opinions on whatever topic you broach. You will then have to sift the points raised and decide what is important to you, what is unimportant and what is the 'Wow, I hadn't thought of that point'. As you admit you have little experience you have a totally blank canvas but, be warned, that can be more of a hindrance than a help. For example, my wife and I boated on many, many boats (hiring and borrowing friends boats) before we were able to design (and afford) our first boat. That boat served us well for 7 years before we changed our minds (admittedly with a greater budget this time) and went for a different design. It is commonly said that you only get your boat right by about the third one if you're starting from scratch. We, in our opinion, got it right on our second boat but that was with a whole raft of ideas gleaned from all the other boats that we had used/hired. To some people, our second boat Albion, would not have suited them so, as I have said, be prepared for many different opinions. Just to get you started have a look at the ad and simulated video for Albion (which we have just sold). It's available at: http://www.nortoncanesboatbuilders.co.uk/boat_sale_details.asp?id=11 but you may need to hurry as Albion has been sold and, I suspect, the ad won't be there much longer. You will see that, for us, a good looking, trad boat with portholes and a classic vintage engine was the order of the day. For others, windows, a dinette, and a hidden modern Jap-based engine are important. These are some of the decisions that you will have to make. Another important decision is the......wait for it......toilet ;-))) Do you want a Thetford cassette toilet with spare tanks (UNDOUBTEDLY THE BEST ;-)))) or are you going to put up with the inconvenience of finding someone to pump a holding tank out just when you happen to be full and it's turn round day at the local hire fleet yard and they won't touch it until tomorrow. A buttock clenching decision to be made ;-)) HTH Roger
