BUYING a NARROWBOAT | Our Top 10 MUST HAVES | Vlog 12

[@carolbeckham4338]

Loved our video

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you Carol.

[@dulciebarnes6228]

Regarding toilets! Our previous boat had a cassette and our new boat has a pump-out. While searching for boats we decided we absolutely didn’t want a pump-out and had actually dismissed so many boats that had one but we decided to view our current one anyway and fell in love with the boat, regardless of the pump-out. We have bought a spare cassette loo so we don’t ever get caught short anywhere and so far are really pleased we didn’t dismiss this boat due to the loo because it ticks all our other boxes of what we wanted in a boat and we could have lost out as a consequence. Just my thoughts on it. Nice to see your thoughts too in the vlog.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Hi Dulcie and thank you for your comment. It's a great idea to have both options. We too would not want to miss out just because of the toilet situation (always a topic of conversation on boat forums we've found!) and I think we'll definitely take that on board. Thank you for the suggestion. Happy boating!

[@Oscartherescuedog]

What a lovely couple! I’m glad I saw this upbeat, positive video. thank you for making it 👍🏻

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you so much Sean, it does mean a lot to us that we're actually doing something that other people enjoy.

[@rassman48]

I see what is going on here. You are at Lowestoft because we are coming out of the EU and you are playing with the idea of the narrowboat doubling as a fishing boat. {I haven't got a narrowboat, so no experience of any of this, but} I think on summer days it would be nice to have the working areas (kitchen and stern) all together at the back, then the evening areas, lounge/bedroom, nice and clean for later in the day maybe even blacked out so you always have somewhere cool to go and sit on hot days. I have said this to narrowboaters before, I think as continuous cruisers a decent freezer would be a major help because it helps you stay out of towns for longer period. Australian campers use top load freezers that are so well insulated that they hardly use any power once they are below zero. I don't really know why narrowboaters don't bother with freezers. Anyway you two, I feel your frustration, ready to get on with things but held up by the shut down. I have never drank a G&T but I am told it reduces stress (despite what the NHS advert says).

[@MakingNewMemories]

Rob, you discovered our cunning plan! A freezer or a fridge with a large freezer compartment is definitely a serious consideration, but I think tinned food as well would help us so that we don't have to constantly go shopping and yes, the current lock down is frustrating because all we want to do is start looking for our new home!

[@choclatmajik1]

Love you guys ! Cassette toilet, I have seen a couple of couples who have gone to compost. They say emptying cassette is awful, smell etc. Compost has no smell, lasts a couple of weeks without emptying. Hope you find what you are looking for, whatever it is like you will make it your own. Happy boat shopping..

[@MakingNewMemories]

Jan, thanks for the love and the tips (Jan - great name!)

[@choclatmajik1]

@@MakingNewMemories wonderful name 😉

[@lesmurray1732]

Do you have a fixed or flexible budget? The temptation is to go for a boat that you really like no matter what but then find the cost to get it to your liking can break the bank.

[@MakingNewMemories]

As much as we would love to spend, spend, spend, we do have a fixed budget Les. Our price range is very popular and we're finding the good boats are getting snapped up very quickly!

[@davidcadden9478]

Loving your vlogs, which I've watched in the wrong order😂 Just like to suggest having duck hatch opposite the dinette as this is the most used area on my boat and give a small sence of alfresco dining. In my 60fter reverse layout I have wood effect vynal in the galley, dinette and bathroom, carpet in bedroom and lounge, the places where bare/stocking feet are common. Worth consideration. All the best, keep the vlogs coming. David.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you for your comments David and glad you're enjoying the vlogs.

[@angelaabbott6450]

Very informative 😄

[@MakingNewMemories]

Glad it was helpful!

[@flashpoint8909]

New to your channel, so you are experienst narrow boaters.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Welcome flashpoint. Been boating for 27 years off and on. Owned a share for four years and hiring every year for the rest of the time. Still lots to learn!

[@bigKDL]

Hi good vlog just thought I might say that you should write down all the things you must have and all the things you don't want and when you buy a boat I would bet that you have got more things from your don't want list then things from your must have list as just about every other person that has brought a boat has found out because people buy boats with their hearts not with their heads

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thanks for your comment. We've got a list of a list of a list! As long as the survey comes back OK, the engine has been regularly serviced then most of the internal fitout can always be altered to suit. We're just looking forward to when we can actually get out and look!

[@liamhainsworth26]

Reading all the comments here. Love to see what people write. And I saw this. I couldn't agree more. What you THINK you want; and what you end up getting are usually the opposite sides of the spectrum. If I bought what I thought I wanted originally I'd of regretted it. We bought a boat that was on my dislike list; and I love it. Wouldn't change it for anything.

[@MakingNewMemories]

@@liamhainsworth26 As Jan says in the video, we need to see them to see what our feelings will be. I bet we change our minds about something...! Watch this space...

[@jackbeyer4356]

We're in the same stage as you two. We are planning to buy a narrowboat as soon as the pandemic eases. Thank goodness for the newly announced vaccines. What we've done is make a spreadsheet where column A is our criteria, column B is how important it is to us on a 1 to 10 scale, Column C is how a specific boat meets the criteria. For instance a cruiser stern for us is a 10. That means it is a must have. If a boat doesn't have it, it gets a 1 in column C. Bow thrusters are a 5. If the subject boat has them it gets a value say 6. If it doesn't it gets a one. Now multiply the value by the weight . That's column D. This is all probably too scientific. But we can't do what Jan suggests; "I just want to see boats" because we're locked down. Looking forward to joining you on your search via this channel.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Great idea Jack. We're waiting until after December 2nd when we'll find out about how restrictions might affect our ability to get out and view some boats. As we're effectively "house hunting" we're hoping that any restrictions won't stop us...otherwise we'll be homeless come January!!!

[@jackbeyer4356]

@@MakingNewMemories Great. My Christmas wish for a fast and complete end to all Covid restrictions. Happy shopping, You're gonna have a ball and I'm jealous as hell,

[@liamhainsworth26]

Rugby boats are still open. All they ask is you look at a boat your interested in. And not all of them (alot of window shoppers). They have a few in

[@sallyburton7662]

Almost the same requirements as ours but we are certain we want a reverse layout - and hatch next to the pullman dinette if poss. Can't wait to see you veiwing some boats

[@MakingNewMemories]

Hi Sally. The jury is out on a reverse layout and we have an open mind until we actually get out and see them.

[@liamhainsworth26]

Try Rugby Boats on KZbin. They do great videos.

[@MakingNewMemories]

@@liamhainsworth26 Thanks Liam, already subscribed to their channel!

[@suee6835]

Please put a automatic washing machine in your top 10 as a liveaboard I think you require one. Compoost loo saves loads of money. A dinette gives you another double bed. Look forward to seeing you out on the cut.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Hi Sue. Yes a washing machine is on the list and as long as a boat has plumbing, it shouldn't be too much trouble to get one fitted it if doesn't have one. Dinette is a MUST! We're just getting itchy feet waiting to go looking....!

[@liamhainsworth26]

@@MakingNewMemories not quite that easy. If there isn't a big enough tank to support the addition you can be in trouble. Also need to check water pump size. And invertor size. Washing machine heads a cold feed; so can connect a hot feed to reduce the electric used to heat the water; but then your using precious hot water 😂 oh; and they run in 230v; so, check the batteries.

[@MakingNewMemories]

@@liamhainsworth26 Thanks Liam....lots to think about isn't there?!

[@NeverTwoLateOurJourney]

Great vlog happy boat hunting.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thanks. We can't wait!

[@matthewfrance6952]

Love your video you make it very interesting. I’ve been and don this . As you said you no when you walk on it you will no . I’ve now on the Walter which is so nice . Love your videos have prescribed to your channel . My boat is a 60 foot cruiser stearin which has lots of room . Matthew France Northampton

[@MakingNewMemories]

Hi Matthew and thank you for subscribing. Hope you too have many happy times on your boat. Might catch up with you on the cut sometime!

[@michaelhiggins7365]

Wishing you well in your search for that dream boat. I'm about two to four years away from retirement, and dream of living in England upon a Narrowboat and getting out of the heat of Phoenix, Arizona. Sadly, as far as I can tell, England no longer allows ex-pat retirees to live in England longer than a period of six months a year. As an alternative, I am seriously considering buying a one to two month share in a boat, this could make perfect sense for me. I also enjoy free travel as I work for the largest airline in the world, and this carries on into my retirement. You didn't mention wood burning or diesel heat stoves. Do you have a preference, or a prefered location? My dream boat would be much like yours . . . a 60 foot reverse layout, semi trad, with a raised pullman dinette with two side hatches, a pigeon box or two, a digital piano in the saloon, possibly a walk-thru bathroom, and possibly a combo tub/shower, and a large cross bed with hydraulic or electric quick foldaway.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Hi Michael. Love Phoenix, spent many happy times filming there, but as you say..hot! A share in a boat is a perfect compromise. We did a vlog about shared ownership as we had a share some years ago and it worked really well for us at the time. We love the smell of burning wood - is that normal? So yes, ideally a multi fuel stove would be our choice, but not adverse to a diesel stove as it is more economical. As to location, no preference, but we would like to start off by doing some canals that we have yet to fully explore like the L&L or the Llangollen.

[@borderreiver3288]

Composting toilets are best....get your own boat built from new then you make it as you want...

[@MakingNewMemories]

If only we had the budget to get one built from scratch....one day perhaps?

[@KevDYAD]

Sounds like my list of "must haves " and "must not haves". Other considerations would be ports or windows or a mixture, cratch cover, heating, water tank size and whether it is integral, plastic or stainless steel, engine prop and gearbox. The list is endless. Happy hunting

[@MakingNewMemories]

They are on the list Kev, just not in the top 10. In fact our list is probably like 100 things to take into consideration!

[@KevDYAD]

@@MakingNewMemories Oh top ten, I didn't read the title properly.

[@debraknapp2660]

check out the Silver Fox at foxes afloat vlogs they have a very nice narrow boat layout

[@MakingNewMemories]

Hi Debra. Yes, we know of the Foxes, it's a lovely boat made by Bickerstaff. If you check out our Autumn cruise video (part two) you'll see we pass them on the Trent and Mersey. Not saying Jan and our eldest are fans or anything, but you can see their reaction when we go past Silver Fox....!!!

[@derekregelous3005]

Lovely! 🙂

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you Derek.

[@markhill1353]

Oh how I would love too be in your shoes, we all have our dreams but others are able to follow them. Hay ho.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Hi Mark. We all have the ability to make our dreams a reality. You just have to believe in yourself and be positive. It may take some time, but its definitely worth waiting for! Have a lovely New Year!