Best and worst things about LIVING ON A WIDEBEAM BOAT.

[@TController]

Some great points you raised. It’s annoying that other boaters don’t respect common decency when passing your boat!

[@simonsaunt4321]

We live on a widebeam on the L&L and don't have any aggro of other boaters to speak of. Things you didn't mention, widebeams don't rock when boats pass by or you move about inside, you can get nice freestanding furniture on your widebeam, you can get more dogs on a widebeam, one of our dogs has just had a litter of pups on the boat, you wouldn't do that on a narrow. And the last thing I will mention is you can walk around your kingsize bed.

[@malcolmbullock4297]

@@simonsaunt4321 I’m interested in Widebeams up north. Is you L&L boat 10’ or 12’? Thanks.

[@glb6065]

Thanks for the vlog! After many years researching and dreaming we are coming to the stage where we are looking to move to a canal boat and trying to decide between the wide beam or narrow version. As we both do weaving, arts and crafts, storage is important, as well as the fact that all our overseas and UK friends and family want to come and spend time with us! But we also like the idea of being able to navigate more of the UK waterways. Either way, there will be a compromise but the thought of having a bigger water tank is particularly appealing. With regards to the disrespect from other boaters, I am aware of the biases amongst canal boaters and that can extend to traditional over the more modern cruiser stern and reverse layout but all in all, I think they are in the minority or are not quite the dedicated canal enthusiasts they make themselves out to be. Lead by example and spread the love for the canals, however you float on them. Keep up the good work.

[@Inspiration2022]

Thank you for your message. I'm sure whatever you decide you'll be very happy either way I know I was.

[@j-trandell9274]

Great vid - Thank you!

[@shirleygreaves9650]

As the owner of a cabin cruiser I’m in awe of metal boats especially wide beams and Dutch barges but as for being abusive or seeing any evidence of this, I moor in a marina and have done so for 6 years and I’ve never seen any abuse directed at wide beams either in the marina or while out and about. I’m looking forward to watching more from you. Take care. X

[@Inspiration2022]

Thank you so much. And if you ever seen my boat about please knock on and say hello.

[@knight2255]

Do the Nicholson maps have enough detail to delineate if a bridge or section of canal is too small for a widebeam? What's the best way to research widebeam routes?

[@stuartgreenhalgh1]

Great advice. It's a shame about the disrespect but I still think I'll go for the widebeam. 👍

[@sparkesman1980]

Be very tempting to start up a Widebeam club.....sod the narrowboats......you have as much right to be on the water than anyone else

[@jimmunro4649]

Wide beams been around just long narrows

[@coralraven4780]

There are groups on Facebook for widebeamers!

[@coralraven4780]

Thanks for that, I still think I will take the plunge and buy a widebeam, though it will be a 10 ft x 45 ft as a solo female older retired person.

[@djwarren5081]

@@coralraven4780 as an older retired person I was thinking of 60ft x10ft. Being quite tall a small bed in a narrow boat doesn't appeal.

[@malcolmbullock4297]

@@djwarren5081I’m 6’2” and fitted out a NB. My mattress was full sized and fine. That said I’m now considering a wb. Access to both sides of the bed would be a difference, for example.

[@valeriebaxter2354]

I'm thinking of a wide beam retirement for 2025 but in a marina. I have designed my dream but wondered if there are many bespoke builders out there?

[@StephenLPhotos]

How much does having a widebeam prevent you from venturing onto some of the more narrow canals? I'm sure there are plenty of places where bridges or canals are too narrow for a widebeam to transit, or maneuver around other boats?

[@cottonfoo]

That close, fast pass was something else, you could tell he was being snarky from the comment and look on his face. That they came unstuck so soon after was hilarious. I'm sorry you have to put up with that, we're considering a widebeam to live on so I'm doing a fair bit of research.

[@irvinglomon524]

If yo were new to as wide beam boat, which canal or river system would you choose?

[@Inspiration2022]

@@irvinglomon524 I will be totally honest I haven't done enough of the network to recommend anywhere in particular, but I know where I travel. I have very little problems, just the odd boater that doesn't like white beams. I think as long as you are considerate in where you are moreing your boat there is plenty of room for everybody.

[@trevorsbarkingmadchannel4501]

Looking at options did not realise you get that much abuse for a widebeam. Great vlog. Nice to find a widebeam channel. Are you on the ‘northern’ wide network ? Best wishes

[@Inspiration2022]

Hi thank you very much. I'm currently on the Grand Union between Leicester and market harbour. Quite a beautiful stretch. It is certainly a shame getting abuse from other narrowboat uses but it was certainly a great move for me going from a narrowboat to a wide beam. And once you get used to the size of it really is no more hassle navigating it compare to Narrowboat. Good luck with your choice either way I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

[@lynneandmalcolmwiddison9553]

Hello, what canal’s do you prefer to travel on your wide beam? Do you have a winter mooring or marina?

[@Inspiration2022]

@@lynneandmalcolmwiddison9553 hi, as I I work local to Leicester I have to stay within the area otherwise it can be quite a Trek to and from work. I mainly stay on the grand Union canal Leicester line. I continuously cruise so cruise from the Trent and mersey all the way to foxton locks. And no I don't have any winter mooring or permanent mooring. I continuously cruise all year round. With this being such a big boat we have plenty of room for solar panels and this gives us enough power almost all of the year. That was just with six panels on last year and since we have fitted another six not powered up yet but planning to power them up towards the winter this year so I'm hoping we will have more than enough power. What is your situation?

[@lynneandmalcolmwiddison9553]

We live in San Diego at the moment ( both originally from UK). Owned and operated a 25m Dutch barge in France as a bed and breakfast back in 2010. Love the canal life and countryside. So just looking at wide beams as a possible partial live aboard if we return to UK. Will be in London October for a few days staying near the Kennett and Avon. Hope to see a few there. 👍

[@loulou6760]

I find hire boats are disrespectful. Not all boaters think widebeams are bad.

[@jimmunro4649]

Watch few wide bean youtuber almost never get hard time apart just plain RUDE people said 98% were good

[@TheBanditKingKir]

Didn't see anything disrespectful on your video. In fact it looks like you instigated. They admired your boat and you told them to slow down. I'd be disgruntled too if I gave someone a compliment and they told me what to do.

[@DigiDiver]

What size is your widebeam?

[@Inspiration2022]

Hi it's 65' x 12.5' wide.

[@uglee79]

Remarkable, complains about lack of respect from other boaters if they go past a little too fast, but also notes the lack of steerage you have at slow speeds. You then see the results of that lack of steerage whilst chastising/criticising perfectly nice people going past your 30ton widebeam, because it might make a ripple in your cup of tea.

[@josephbendas2219]

I think you get disrespected because they are jealous of your boat. Or they're just some people that think they have more rights than you. I say the heck with them. I am glad the narrow boat that passes by you got the Karma he deserves.

[@lth1072]

Is it possible to move a widebeam by yourself? .

[@Inspiration2022]

Yes, in fact I do it the majority of the time on my own. It just takes a little bit more time as you have to do get on and off of the boat a little bit more frequent.

[@lth1072]

@@Inspiration2022 Thanks for answering. Very interesting. I always imagined you'd need more than one person for a widebeam. Thanks .

[@djwarren5081]

I'm not sure they were being deliberately disrespectful. With their lack of boat handling skills, perhaps it was a rental? I'm considering a 60/65ft x 10ft at the moment.

[@Inspiration2022]

@@djwarren5081 if you look into it at 12.6 comes under a different tax bracket meaning you don't have to pay tax on it so it can become cheaper. And believe me you get used to the size

[@djwarren5081]

I've just researched it. You are referring to VAT subject to size and tonnage. I didn't know about that. I was only thinking about maneuverability, plus the cost in future of lifting it out, blacking etc. Thanks for the info.

[@Inspiration2022]

@@djwarren5081 It saved me a lot of money and I got hey, bigger boat too which I was very happy about. Happy to help

[@coasttocoastcaravanning6138]

Totally agree with you about what mate keep it up mate hope all goes well for you mate jan 👌👌👌👌👍

[@drebellot5237]

It obvious they are first timers.

[@cskeise]

💙👊😎

[@HBrip]

I wrote this after a particularly obnoxious ‘narrow beam traditionalist’ took exception to me being on a Widebeam on ‘his canal’ Widebeam hating Narrowboater To see the others point of view If oft beyond their wit They babble incoherently A facile load of shit They leap upon a high-horse As ego takes the stage Alternate viewpoints just won’t stand Just serve to fuel the rage Don’t counter them with common sense History just won’t wash If it doesn’t fit their narrative It’s just a load of tosh They’ll pursue you down the towpath They’ll threaten curse and swear A righteous indignation Is the coat they’ve choose to wear Bigots never listen They’ll never grasp or see Another persons viewpoint Their world view’s ‘Me, Me, Me’

[@Inspiration2022]

@@HBrip Very good. Thank you for this

[@johnbowkett80]

Bigger is better ..... Ask any woman . 😜