Well, that is certainly something I haven't thought about - hmmm.. Well, I guess the first important question has to be this then - is there a map / schematic of the UK river and canal system available which includes the 'pinch spots' that would preclude further passage?
I'd first read this as 'Broads' craft LOL - which at around 12ft beam certainly do have significantly more living space per metre! I'd suspect that they would be quite restricted though and the idea of being squashed between staithe and probably ten tons plus of iron travelling at 4MPH, whilst in a plastic hull, really didn't bear thinking about :-( Cruising Europe is a dream that will probably never come to fruition - for many reasons, the least of which would have to include the total isolation from the rest of the family (although, on second thoughts ....) and finance - perhaps that is best left to you youngsters <g>. Several years ago I remember seeing a narrowboat crossing the channel under its own power, with an escort I might add! The reported comment from the skipper was that the trip was 'interesting' but he added that the wakes from passing ships were 'on occasion rather more frightening than the sea state'! I do not now remember whether it was the same boat that then authored several articles, mainly in the 'small boat' magazines, about managing on the larger French canals - many of which still have quite a lot of commercial traffic, albeit in much larger barges and strings; they noted that many of the (free) town quays had bollards and piles 'rather too far apart for comfort' IRC, plus either non-existent or non-policed speed limits - great fun if you were looking for a quiet night in with a glass or three of red :-) Trevor S ........................................... Adrian wrote .. Perhaps the most basic question is "Why a *narrow* boat?". Broad craft allow much more, and much more usable, space on board for very little (if any) more money. The inland cruising range for broad craft in UK is probably considerably greater than you initially think/thought, and a broad craft is much more suitable for use on the waterways of mainland Europe (and you *will* eventually start thinking about cruising there!). So, do at least consider a barge instead of a narrow boat.
