Buying A Narrowboat As Australian Expats In The UK | Quest Vlog #16

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad to be of help ;-) Ta for the mention and the link. Cheers

[@NarrowboatChef]

No problem, thank you for the lovely videos that kept us going! 😉

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Thanks for the shout out- relieved you found as 'fun' as well as helpful :) Also- GORGEOUS dog!

[@NarrowboatChef]

You ladies are our favourites to watch (shh, don’t tell CC!), love the antics you get up to! Thanks, Pixel is adorable, we love her to bits already 😊

[@lizwilliams14]

Ha ha. Making a hole in the ice! We grew up in the UK and now we live on the Canadian prairies. You can drive on the ice here in winter. Usually someone decides to do it when the ice is thawing and they end up with their vehicle stuck half in the water. Haven’t heard of anyone drowning. Love yourblog. As you mentioned, I started watching David - Cruising the Cut. Loved it. What with the lock down I decided canals were so much more interesting than daily reports of Covid cases so I am starting at the beginning with your blog.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, thanks! Glad you’re enjoying the videos and that we can provide some entertainment for you!

[@rwbimbie5854]

The CRT should be giving Cruising The Cut a kickback for everyone that gets into narrowboats from his vid series

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, yes!

[@yta6765]

One of your most informative videos. I am catching up on these older ones at the moment since I only found your vlogs a couple of months ago. We are considering a narrow boat. I'm a Brit but my wife is not and I have not been living in UK since the 1980s. So, questions: 1. Did you have any issues about not having a fixed address as ex-pats in the country? 2. I am aware that if buying a boat to live on full time and not having another residence you are exempt from VAT on the purchase. What I don't know is whether that includes second hand boats. I also don't know whether if you subsequently sell the boat whether VAT then has to be paid since it was not paid the first time around. 3. Do you find that marinas are flexible, so if you want to book in for a few weeks as a place to store the boat while you need to be away they are okay with that or do they see it as a way to charge extra? 4. Do marinas charge different rates for live aboards v mooring and leaving empty? 5. What amount would you say is required to live on as a couple on a boat in UK? (factoring in boat running costs, insurance, licence, repairs, food etc. but not cost of boat)? I see so many differing views on this and want to see your personal views on this - purely as your personal views. 6. What was the hardest thing you found to adjusting to living in a boat that is basically a corridor in layout? (Not meant disparagingly) I don't think a small bathroom, bedroom or even kitchen/galley would bother me but a living area only a little over 6 feet across is a concern for during winter. I worry it might feel like it is closing in. Keep up the work on the great vlogs - you show the scenery well.

[@borderreiver3288]

WAS THIS THE FIRST TIME YOU SAW SNOW AND ICE.....YOUR FORMER LIFE WAS EXCITING LIVING ON THE ISLANDS WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE....YOU WILL HAVE TO GET UP NORTH AND DO THE RIBBLE LINK TO SAVICK BROOK AND THE LANCASTER CANAL...THEN GET FURTHER UP IN THE NORTH AND ACROSS THE PENNINES AND DO THE SADDLEWORTH TUNNEL 3 MILES PLUS IN LENGTH....AND GREAT TO CRUISE UP THIS END OF THE COUNTRY...

[@stevemusgrave2000]

Spot on you two. Lovely vlog. Good sound, basic advice, which is what you want when your setting out to buy. Could not agree more with the "Try, before you buy" scenario. So many people fall in love with the "rose coloured glasses" syndrome. Cruising, summer days, beer/wine, chit chatting away, not a care in the world. All of which can be done and is a delightful way of spending your time. But, some one has to empty the loo, maintain the engine, check your batteries are ok, prepare for and live thro winter etc....plus normal chores you associate with living in a flat/house/bungalow/mansion. It's not a dampener, it's a reality. Cruising the cut (David) and The Narrowboat Experience (Kath and Anna, or Vixens Afloat as I call them, they are delightful in real life as they are on vid), are the best two sites to go to for an insight into the start up, running and what to do, whilst cruising on the canals. Pretty much, if they haven't done it, seen it, filmed it or bought the "T" shirt for it, it's not worth doing. Well done funny accent people, as ever, keep warm, keep smiling, keep vlogging.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Exactly, you definitely have to be prepared for the difference and understand that it’s not just the lovely summer days, you have to live with the freezing winter ones too! I don’t know what we would have done without David, Kath and Anna (Vixens Afloat, love it!) to keep us going before we got our boat! They have the best videos and deserved a mention for the role they played! Thanks Steve, from the Funny Accent People 😂😉

[@TheNarrowboatExperience]

Vixens Afloat- so funny. What are we going to start calling you now Steve?

[@stevemusgrave2000]

Master, commander, old fart, any of those would get my attention......

[@NarrowboatChef]

“Old fart” is my particular favourite! 🤣

[@stevemusgrave2000]

Thought it might be. Surprising how many people use that one more than the others.

[@Nemo_Point]

Excellent, thank you and good luck. One small thing: widebeams can operate on most of the canal network but, due to lock bottlenecks, cannot operate in some areas. These bottlenecks are quite strategic in that they cut-off zones. So a widebeam on the southern canals can reach Birmingham but no further. Likewise, a Yorkshire-based widebeam cannot reach (say) the K&A. So if one wants a widebeam, be prepared not only for additional costs (often double the narrowboat equivalent) but also to be "stuck" in one canal region - unless one pays for a road transporter to hop over land (a few thousand quid) . There are a couple of risky sea-routes which help but not sure if I would do that in a narrowboat, let alone a widebeam. As ever, research before purchase.

[@raymondc5473]

Really useful info and i love the relaxed manner you both have, thanks.

[@sylviapage8572]

Lots of great information. It’s a wonderful life but not the cheap option some think it is. I’m glad you’re happy with your boat and are enjoying the lifestyle. I think if you live permanently in a residential marina you still have to pay the council tax! Thanks as always for a great video. I love your dog.

[@NarrowboatChef]

I think you’re right about council tax in residential marinas. Doesn’t bother us though as we have no intention of sitting in a marina! We’re ready for adventure! 😁

[@marvinehicks1463]

I have been following David Johns from the beginning of his channel as well as about five more narrowboating channels. This last November my wife and I rented a 55 foot cruiser stern narrowboat from the Ashby Narrowboat Company in Stoke Golding on the Ashby Canal for 11 days. We travel from Pensacola, Florida USA and loved everything about it. We hope to purchase a reverse layout 57 footer with cruiser stern in a year or two. I am 6'-5 1/2" tall and had no problem with the boat we rented. We can stay up to 6 months a year. Summers on the cut and winter in Florida with our two girls. We are still following Life in a Nutshell who are from Australia, first on a narrowboat and now on a sailing vessel. I really enjoy your channel. Best of luck.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hi Marvin, fantastic to hear that you tried a narrowboat and loved it! It really is a different holiday experience. They must have taller boats at that hire company as my dad always had height problems with the boats they hired. Love the plan to spend summer here and winter in Florida, sounds like a great way to get the best of both worlds! Good luck with buying your boat and maybe we will see you on the canals. 😊

[@paultanker5606]

gday,just found your vlog,i am an expat pommie came out 1966,dad had a cabin cruiser on the canals,loved every time we traveled,i am sure you will have a wonderfull time, how lucky you are!

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks, we are enjoying ourselves a lot so far!

[@bobgriffiths6600]

I really love your vlogs. Saw your reference from David on Cruising. Looking forward to many more. How about another bread baking tutorial with David. Hope he has a new oven.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, might be in the cards!

[@jimsimpson1364]

GREAT STUFF ENJOYED THANK YOU

[@annie2950]

Thanks Guys sound advice. As we are thinking of doing the same as Maggies folks. Our Daughter is marrying a Brit this year and has settled in the UK.

[@NarrowboatChef]

It’s a lovely way to holiday and see some different parts of the country!

[@KeithGordon]

We thoroughly enjoy your videos always fun and enjoyable. You seem to have started a trend with cooking on narrowboats

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, I don’t think so, pretty sure people cooked on narrowboats before us! 😉😂

[@KeithGordon]

@@NarrowboatChef Not so much on video though.

[@emmabradbury-jones9505]

Thank you for sharing this info, it's really helpful as we are looking at buying a boat. Researching as much as possible now and watching lots of You Tube channels you mentioned!

[@NarrowboatChef]

You’re welcome! Glad you find it useful, and if you have any other specific questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch - more than happy to help 😊

[@tiggasmum]

Firstly can I just say that Pixel is particularly cute... excellent video, really enjoyed it, I have to agree with you re having to want to live the life style.....I live off grid in a tiny house on wheels and although people think it is idyllic (and it is) it is hard work especially in the winter, things like, having to go out in the middle of a storm to change your gas, or having to do without things, like a rice cooker (ha ha) microwave, hair straighteners etc as the solar cannot deal with the power draw . Having to empty your dry toilet (not just flushing) . I actually love the challenges, but you really have to be aware of them. I would have absolutely loved to live on a narrowboat and was something I was considering , however after research I knew I would not be able to manage it on my own and I would not have wanted to live in a marina . Loving your videos , I actually came over from cruising the cut :)

[@NarrowboatChef]

Nice to have you along for the journey! We also considered living in a van/caravan at one point (and will possibly do so in the future). But yes, both have similar challenges that we also enjoy 😊

[@fro88man]

CruisingTheCut is a very helpful channel.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Yes indeed! Love watching his stuff 😊

[@peterscandlyn]

That was a very open and helpful appraisel. Sure to be helpful to many.

[@NarrowboatChef]

You’re welcome 😊

[@kowe76]

Thanks. I appreciate these types of vlogs, full of honest information.

[@NarrowboatChef]

You’re welcome 😊

[@iancurrey5218]

Nice! Thanks for the helpful info. (Expat living in USA - for now.)

[@NarrowboatChef]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@stevenckaroly]

The whole narrowboat experience, especially for live aboards, sounds intriguing! We need to visit England someday and take a cruise someday. I wonder if I could qualify for a ancestor visa? My accessory on the Swett side goes back to Norfolk in the late 17th century. Then there's this guy, Miles Standish --- he's my 10th great grandfather.

[@NarrowboatChef]

It’s certainly a different way of life and we are enjoying it!

[@coryrobertson8450]

Hey guys, i just found you and I am loving it! One random question...Maggie i see you write fantasy. I am a huge fan and wanted to see if you had a link to your stuff? Cheers from San Francisco California, US! BTW, keep up the vegetarian recipes, love them.

[@Portmarnockpaul]

Really enjoying your vlogs. Keep it up.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks! 😊

[@normanboyes4983]

Nicely done and you are super experienced already - you have bought two narrow boats after all. :-)

[@NarrowboatChef]

Haha, thanks! 😊

[@flat5sharp11]

Good info. Thanks guys.

[@dashaB-sl4pu]

You have to see "Life in a Nutshell" with Wendy and Magnus plus the beer reviews but more importantly their approach to maintenance issues which you would be becoming acutely aware of, cheers from Brisbane and another new subscriber, Darryl

[@NarrowboatChef]

Not beer drinkers ourselves, but we have watched the Nutshell folk! 😊

[@livinglifeinthenorth8512]

Thanks for all the great information!

[@NarrowboatChef]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@progwolf12]

Thank you both! Great advice, food for thought!

[@NarrowboatChef]

No problems, hope it helps anyone thinking about buying a boat! 😊

[@lth1072]

Jeeeez, another channel I'm now following 😂 . Thanks for taking up more of my precious time, lol. Just kidding of course. I've loved the videos that I've watched so far. Best of luck on the canals in 2019. I hope the three of you have a happy year Btw, I'm also working on a novel after months of being told to write one by various facebook groups. Now that I've started writing it, I've found myself becoming a bit obsessed. It's all I think about tbh. Did you find that as well? 😂

[@NarrowboatChef]

Lt H, haha another channel perhaps, but we’re the best one, right? 🤣😉 thanks for watching, glad you’re enjoying them. Yes! When writing, I get totally obsessed! 😂 I don’t think it’s all that bad...!

[@lth1072]

@@NarrowboatChef Haha, yea it's a very good channel :-) . I'm loving the writing so far. My book started off as a collection of short stories. That's been switched to a novel now as I had trouble shortening the very first story 😂 . Have you any videos discussing writing, hobbies, etc that you both do while on the boat? Good luck

[@NarrowboatChef]

Yeah...I’m not great at the “short” stories either! 😂 No videos yet about our hobbies or what we do on the boat - good idea for a future vlog though, thanks

[@colinracheljustpootling7468]

Interesting perspective and really well presented. It not all roses and castles 😉 great stuff guys

[@NarrowboatChef]

Nope, but there are plenty of those too! 😁

[@MrCampbell633]

loved it - great presentation - so informative - looking forward to future vids thks

[@NarrowboatChef]

Thanks! 😊

[@MagicaLucem]

"Noggin Bonkers Unite" That is what I say.!! 6 foot 4 inches tall...ha! One would have to remove one's shoes.. & socks to aspire to such. Does that exclude me forever from these low beam craft? But...honestly This is a superb vlog. . So much variety. ..from icebreaking to practical boat buying...and good money sense too...thank you. Such a happy and sensible series. ..getting better every ( chilly ) day. And girls doing engineering! Australia is a brave new world indeed. < grin > Happy Cruising...and more hearty cookery please. You are stars! PS You have impeccable taste to be followers of our noble Sith Lord of The Cut... ( David Johns ) we here all agree that he's also a star!...the best find the best. Happy Days to you always

[@NarrowboatChef]

“Noggin Bonkers Unite!” 🤣🤣🤣 If you don’t mind living with a constant crick in your neck, you’ll be fine! 😉 Thanks for the kind words and I don’t think you can be a proper viewer of boat tubers if you don’t watch our mighty Sith Lord! 😂

[@mauricetaylor742]

Did you think of or give any thoughts to wide beams???? Morrison

[@NarrowboatChef]

Very briefly, but with our plans to see all of the canal network, a widebeam is out of the question as they are limited to mostly the southern canals. The living space would be nice though!

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Hold your horses folks ! Solid state batteries are on the way. Lithium batteries would have to be moved inside the boat.

[@anorlunda]

We cruised full time for 13 years on a 32 foot sailboat after retirement. It's fun comparing the similarities and differences to your lifestyle. I don't mean to pry, but it is part of the lifestyle issue. Are you continuing to work while living the cruising life?

[@NarrowboatChef]

Hiya! Yes, we work online, Maggie has her own web design business that keeps us going 😊

[@nazdagg2027]

thanks for the laugh, had to google Beta Marine, it's Kubota. here in the US, Kubota is a well respected tractor, mower, equipment company. bad thing about Kubota is if it breaks, it's not their fault, it's yours.

[@NarrowboatChef]

You’re welcome. Interesting that companies use different names in different countries.

[@sonic3333]

Great vlog guys

[@paulwoolerton664]

What did you say the make & model of the engine was?

[@NarrowboatChef]

We have a Beta Marine 38.

[@ronbearman4661]

Hi Interesting vlog keep them comming

[@tabcan]

"CruisingTheCut" is great. I'm checking your channel to see if it's as good!

[@NarrowboatChef]

Yes, he is! One of the best 😊

[@paisleyjane9606]

Now I'm curious about your parents' boat. Would they let you give us a video tour of it?

[@NarrowboatChef]

Quite possibly... 😉

[@suecox2308]

Very enjoyable video--good to "meet" you. New sub.

[@GregHartSk8er]

Pikthel is tho Furwy! Fuzzy wuzzy!

[@NarrowboatChef]

So fluffy!! 😁

[@sallyrackham6692]

Which marina is the one in this video?

[@NarrowboatChef]

Aston Marina, it’s lovely 😊

[@sallyrackham6692]

@@NarrowboatChef thank you!

[@valeriebaxter2354]

Welcome to the uk and I just found you guys and g'day but you don't have an aussie accent. Foxes Afloat have good travel vids that maybe useful. I'm retiring on a widebeam shortly but marina moored not travelling. PS Pixel is soooooooo cute.

[@NarrowboatChef]

Yes, the Foxes have a brilliant channel, one of our favourites 😊 Exciting news about the widebeam!

[@joshuaduncan7314]

Ha bro. Didn't mind the video

[@rover19731]

And norrow boat girl as well with Emma and Fiona

[@patrickjobling8676]

Oh i say .. rather excitings saywhat .. sounds like a bunch of funnings .. all we have to do is stop Maggie from breaking the boat .. 😁jolly good carryon pip pips

[@NarrowboatChef]

Lol, don’t start! 🤣

[@paulstanding7267]

Hi both you both got a bargain with the boat average between £40/60.000 for something decent as we have been looking for one 👍We have found cruising the cut full of information ℹ️ 😀😀

[@NarrowboatChef]

Yes, Cruising the Cut is a very good channel!

[@rover19731]

You tell him me duck

[@JonMadsen70]

:)