314. The BIGGEST fun in a tiny boat!

[@CruisingTheCut]

#AD Try Readly! Get TWO MONTHS free with my link; you can cancel at any time www.readly.com/cruising-october I was delighted to be invited to spend a day aboard a wonderfully quirky canal and river cruiser boat by Samantha Rigley whose adventures I follow on Instagram. Join us, in this video! Follow Sam at instagram.com/themidlifecruises If you have enjoyed the video, a tip can be left via www.ko-fi.com/davidjohns or www.patreon.com/CruisingTheCut

[@matthewmoeller6766]

I looked up the Wilderness Beaver Cub. You set a high standard. Sweet looking boat, though.

[@larryhunley7357]

I know this is how he makes his living, but honestly, if I hear one more commercial, I might go screaming out into the woods.

[@woodenman1954]

David is making the world a little bit better , 20 minutes at a time.

[@CherylSteele-rt8dj]

Oh how I agree. You're lovely David.

[@CruisingTheCut]

😊😊

[@AbiBrown-q9k]

well said

[@jamesa7506]

She nailed the perfect description of why people love boating! Well done to you ma'am! Thanks for sharing Dave. 👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@terencejay8845]

'When the weather is fine you know it's the time For messin' about on the river If you take my advice there's nothing so nice As messin' about on the river'..

[@robertrenwick9436]

David thank you for introducing Sam. A lovely lady, a lovely story and very wise words. Cheers

[@kmooney1954]

Agree about Sam. Lovely lady with some really great, sincere words of wisdom at the end.

[@johansoderberg9579]

Wise and actually fully true words. Just to come down to my boat is enough to feel what she expresses. I hope many listen to her and are encouraged to take a similar step into something new and nice in their lives!

[@franciswilson2072]

Best video I've watched for ages, going to get rid of my sailboat and buy a boat like Sam's

[@petermastenbroek7719]

What an absolutely lovely woman Sam is, and it's so good o see how much she loves her little boat and really enjoys being on board. It must have been a great little cruise David, with excellent weather to enjoy it even more. Thanks for this very entertaining video.

[@CrypidLore]

It's thanks to this channel I bought my "fixer upper" house boat finally finished repairs and upgrades after a year and a half, and I can safely say nothing has done my mental health more good than spending weekends checked out of the world on my boat.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Superb!

[@psmirage8584]

Sam was such a delight. It would be amazing to meet people like that and spend a day with them in a relaxing, lazy afternoon. Another amazing, fun video!

[@danieltaylor5231]

Nothing quite like the joy on David's face when he's on a tiny boat. Did you get to pet Daisy and Duke?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha no but I said hello to them :-)

[@jeffsmith9047]

You are an amazing journalist david, very well done as always.👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you kindly!

[@rickkearn7100]

David you were so spot-on with your thought about the "tiny cabin" with regard to a stormy night. Nothing like being cozy and dry whilst just above your head Mother Nature rages unabated. Unless of course you are poking your head out of a hatch! Cheers.

[@Vlogsoup]

I am so glad that she was able to buy a boat so she has her happy place. That’s what we all need to do. She had great advice at the end. Her boat was so cute and cozy and it looked like so much fun. I’m also glad you got to enjoy the day with her. I hope you can find a mini boat soon

[@jazziered142]

Sam is awesome, and her boat is adorable. Thank you David.

[@remyllebeau77]

That's a really nice little boat. Sam has sold the dream quite well.

[@thisandthat871]

Lovely as always A Matrix reference was the last thing I was expecting on this channel 🤣

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you liked it! Hahaha ;-)

[@lesbendo6363]

A man of many talents! 🇨🇦

[@remyllebeau77]

Such a great movie. Somehow the reference went over my head the first time watching. Haha

[@thisandthat871]

@remyllebeau77 I must admit it was about 30secs when I suddenly went HEY Tank that's the Matrix v funny

[@swishswish386]

Great vid and what a delightful lady Sam is. Her positivity and enthusiasm is genuinely contagious and is very refreshing to say the least

[@EcosseZA]

04:40 "There is no joy, quite like the joy ,of poking your head out of a hatch". Man alive, I laughed at that - such a human thing we're almost all guilty of enjoying.

[@CruisingTheCut]

🤣🤣

[@grenvillephillips6998]

I've always been a bit snooty about 'yoghurt pots' but I can now see the appeal, as compared to the onerous investment entailed in owning a narrowboat. Samantha's enthusiasm is definitely infectious!

[@MCP53]

Ironically, I'm currently moored just opposite the marina and the towpath was under a foot of water this morning! It's going down now, but the lovely handlers of the local mini-tug collected us from our boats and ferried us to dry land so we could go shopping. Anyway, the day before the flood we had a great lunch at the cafe and visited the chandlery too - all very professional 🙂

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yeah, I've just been watching a video of the flooding there posted by the Sawley locks volunteers, it's astonishing how high it's come (and burst over the lock)

[@MINKIN2]

@@CruisingTheCut Further down at the Beeston Weir, it's like an ice rink. A fast moving ice rink, but there is no stepping down anymore. And that's a decent sized weir.

[@SpikeSCFC]

@@CruisingTheCuthi where could I see the vid?

[@CruisingTheCut]

@SpikeSCFC It was on Twitter

[@MINKIN2]

@fredbrandon1645 weather.

[@monkeytonker4637]

What a lovely little boat and owner. You are right about hatches and sticking heads out 😂❤

[@CruisingTheCut]

Absolutely!!

[@capefear3297]

Glad Samantha found the enjoyable past time of boating . Thanks David. I appreciate and enjoy your work.

[@g.marion5888]

Sam and her boat are a wonderful pairing, thanks for sharing her story, so glad you had perfect weather for the event.

[@kenspaceman3938]

I loved this vid. And she’s very wise, really knows what’s those priceless moments we all need from time to time.

[@MarkCronenweth]

I vote yes to a vid about a converted lifeboat! Sam and Tangerine are wonderful! I think my lady wife may have just seen herself boating just a bit! Well done !

[@funkyglider1216]

Love that lady, so great so see how happy she is, how she loves her boat. People like her make the world a little bit better.

[@eliasblum753]

This is the life I want. Maybe not to live aboard a narrowboat (which no doubt brings its own inconveniences), but to have a little cruiser that is just big enough to sleep aboard for a few nights, maybe a week at a time, and use it whenever I need to get away from things for a bit.

[@timothybearne147]

Such passion went into personalising that boat. Delightful. And Tangerine Dream is a great name, regardless of whether or not you remember the prog-electronica-forefathers. 😁

[@followtheboat]

What a charming woman Samantha is! Thank you for introducing her to us, and sharing the fun of UK waterways. 🙏👌 Liz

[@PoppysMum2]

My parents had an orange Micro Plus exactly the same in the 1970’s. It could even be this one!! We used to cruise in in exactly the same area you were filming David, and often stayed out overnight, us kids in a tent in a cow field in the shadow of the power station (no risk assessments in those days) and we also used to tow it to Pwhelli in north Wales and use it on the sea! We have actually seen Sam in her orange boat on the Trent recently near Trent Lock - we overtook her in NB Sea Glass (she was just pootling along) What a really enjoyable video. Thank you so much. Catherine 😅

[@glencrandall7051]

"You won't be sorry." So true. I have had power and I have had sail. I cannot pick a favorite. I can no longer handle a boat bit I do remember the good times. That alone was worth the ownership. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@CruisingTheCut]

You too!

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Your "standing up in the hatch" bit made me chuckle, David. Thanks for another great mini-doc and I really think you need to get one of these--soon!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Working on it hahaha!

[@davidmackie2901]

I live in the U.S., and we don't really have waterways like this, but if I lived in such a place, this would be the type of boat for me. Don't want to live aboard; it wouldn't work well with a lot of my favorite activities, but being able to boat on a river or even the canal network would bring big enjoyment.

[@folkblues4u]

I think this is fabulous! Didn't know a thing about narrow boats before becoming a viewer of this channel and it opened up a whole other world to me... Can't wait to learn about these smaller boats and see David back at the helm of his own watercraft! Congratulations David! 🎉 Thrilled for you ❤

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you ☺️

[@darrenwilson8042]

As ever what a fantastic community David. Nearest thing we have today in Britain to those terraced streets where neighbours looked out for neighbours and where it was easy to get assistance when needed.

[@bosse641]

A cozy little boat for a weekend getaway 🙂

[@jamesboyleii6332]

First you said you would like the big Dutch barge. Then you took a strong interest in the mini-narrowboat. For some reason, that put a smile on my face. I'm glad that, even though you don't have a boat anymore, you still make these vlogs. Thank you!

[@susanmarker2164]

Oh David! You belong in a boat!!! It just suits you....Get your Skipper Cap out of storage!!..There's just something about you on a boat of your own.! its just so Right...I think I am as excited to see you excited about a little boat..And knowing now that a boat is in your future...Im excited!, Happy! And relieved!! Thank Samantha for sharing her sweet Tangerine Dream....what great fun..🛥⚓

[@Kevin75668]

Long ago, before buying a "real" boat, we had an 8.5ft. Zodiac inflatable, the smallest thing you could buy that would mount an outboard engine. I miss it to this day. Tiny boats are big fun, and so much cheaper to run and easier to maintain.

[@Alan_AB]

A fantastic looking vessel. It reminds me of a nautical version of the "Bond Bug" car.

[@eekee6034]

Oh it is, isn't it? I wanted a Bond Bug so much when I was little! 😄

[@DonaldF73]

David could no better than to have this talented lady deck out his boat she has a great sense of colour coordination and together with her sewing skills. she could make them for every season

[@janebrown3587]

Eeeeeeee!~. This is so delightful - she's done a fabulous job with it! ❤ omgosh it's so cute!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Isn't it just?!

[@JoseLara-dg4zk]

References to “Convoy” and “The Matrix” in this chronicle of a lovely outing in a tiny boat! The internet doesn’t get any more fun than this! Thank you, David!

[@andrewstrathdee1469]

Your a real journalist, David, always finding something different and interesting, with really good quality video as well as content! Keep 'em coming! A.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@jeanhutchinson6198]

I like that even the ropes on her boat are colorful. What fun! 😊

[@chuckneedham1584]

Unlike that swan, you fed us a nice video! Looks like you had a delightful day on the water. Thank you for the adventure.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for watching

[@opathe2nd973]

David, your videos never disappoint! Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you like them!

[@robsin2810]

You were my go to quiet place, when you were on the cut. Thanks David.👍🇦🇺🙏

[@sandihandi7831]

David, hubby and I had a few boats throughout the years. Pontoon boats, fishing boats, bass boats. They were all fun and really let you get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Son is married now with his own family and has his own boat. That's what happens when you raise a child out in the open fresh air and a good hobby like fishing. Seemed like you enjoyed that trip. Good to see you again. Take care.

[@alan.schertz]

Thank you Sam! It is a pleasure to "virtually" meet you.

[@MrsRobinson0741]

We lived in the thumb of Michigan, when my kids were younger….they had a boating class & got a boaters license BEFORE a drivers license 😳😬🫣

[@rgarlinyc]

A lovely story, and I can completely understand what the Ms Rigley meant by being in her "happy place". The river is so beautiful... sigh.

[@curtbonnell4308]

What an absolute sweetheart Samantha is, thanks for sharing her with us David. Cheers.

[@christ6195]

Loved this video I just took my micro plus 500 out of the water after a nice summer, and thank god the river’s in Lincolnshire have risen greatly in the last few days. Winter refit and back at it next year. If your floating you’re boating ..

[@smilysun8358]

"If your floating you’re boating .." Soooo true! years ago I built a 7' row boat from 1 multi ply 1/8" board, and made it into a mini sailboat, absolutely delightful!

[@christopherestrada8576]

“Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” - Hans Christian Anderson. Every time I catch a glimpse of those fabled Isles, by your generosity and singular talent for elucidation, my imagination and wanderlust are released from their comfortable stockades to roam unfettered if only for the length of another one of your charming videos. Thanks as ever… much love and respect.

[@RaymondCore]

In the mid-80's I worked as a navigator on a research vessel in Gulf of Mexico. I spent two of those years out of sight of land. I then bought a live-aboard sailboat and built a larger one that was almost finished when Hurricane Katrina took it away. I live in Bangkok now and dearly miss boating. Thanks for the video, David.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

The message at the end was so right. Unfortunately boating here in the Pacific Northwest is becoming more and more unaffordable. Moorage and Insurance is pricing many older boaters out and is cost prohibitive to younger people. While prices on cruise ships continues to drop. It’s tough.

[@isobelchapman9548]

Lovely vlog David and what a super community. Thank you.

[@markattardo]

What a fun little boat!

[@GregVirgoe]

There’s a hole in the roof of the boat, you’ve got to stick your head through it 😂👍🏼

[@CruisingTheCut]

Exactly!

[@dmwi1549]

Now I see where you got the idea for your Little Lemon. From a Tangerine! How nice of Sam to share her passion and philosophy with you. If more were friendly like her, converts to this leisure recreation would abound. Sam is a GEM!

[@captaincrustyradio]

Mr. Johns, the KZbin AI recommended you. What a splendid time I have had today relaxing with my dogs, your videos, and a few cups of coffee. I must admit, I put the chores off until tomorrow. Your channel is so refreshing in today's mad world. We (the dogs and I), just decided to relax and take in the adventures on your channel. Thanks again, Kirk ❤

[@CruisingTheCut]

You are so kind 😊

[@dreamingflurry2729]

Oh I do love the woman's accent (despite being unable to place it - being a German I can't truly say where one English native speaker comes from, except the broad strokes like say an American accent, a Indian accent or a Scott or Irish)...she sounds delightful company :) Great seeing you have fun, David! Even if it's with a boat many a snob would call a yoghurt-pot :D PS: I agree with her - modern life is a rush all the time and frankly it drains you, especially if you are an introvert (like myself) who'd rather barricade himself at home than spend time at a party...not to mention that it comes all crashing down if something bad happens, which kicks you in balls as a rude awakening...but you soon forget with all the stress, till the next thing hits...sometimes I truly despise modern life, with your boss being able to call you everywhere (unless you are like me and leave the cellphone home if you go for a walk etc.) or send you a text or e-mail!

[@trep53]

I agree! Messing around with boats is quite fun.

[@loki7441]

Nothing like the relaxation of floating on the water any sort of boat. Good for her, I bet Sam doesn't suffer with blood pressure. As Nick from Aquaholic says If your floating , you're boating !. I'd love a little Freeman 23.

[@CruisingTheCut]

They are very delightful boats

[@brianinbrisbane6632]

What a great boat! Exactly what I'm looking for myself and the grandkids. Thanks.

[@Alex-s7y3d]

You have the desires of Mr Toad without a trace of the impulsiveness. I very much hope you get a cruiser and also share lots of vlogs about it.

[@andrewjones-productions]

"That's Trent Valley Sailing Club, where my father used to sail when he was a student." said David matter of factly. This one simple sentence with seemingly not that much information, somehow spoke volumes about David and his background. I found that small piece of information quite fascinating as was the entire video to be honest. I admire Samantha for her determination in finding and doing something that she enjoys.

[@CruisingTheCut]

😊

[@johnrichards244]

Well done as usual David. I have been having some of life's challenges thrown at me. I saw you vid pop up, an instantly found a spot to hide out and watch. Totally relaxed. Thank you so much.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad to help 😀

[@johnrichards244]

Oops I forgot. Well done David.

[@richardpope2114]

Thanks for letting Sam show how it's possible to own a boat without breaking the budget and knowing nothing about boats but showing it can be done , the outboard makes it simple to maintain as if its a major problem with it just get another one, Now you already have a canal wife for boaty stuff so I hope you are not looking to engage in canal bigamy Great chanel, keep it up ( not a double entendre 😂) Regards Richard

[@satorarepo744]

This is what was called for today. Thank you again.

[@martincotter6370]

When you mentioned Women’s Weekly🤣. Memories of Victoria Wood. RIP. You need to be a certain age, if you know 😀👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Hahaha that's why I mentioned it!!!! I was curious to see if anyone would make that reference ;-)

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi David, it’s wonderful to see Sam having such a great time on her boat. Just goes to show you you don’t have to have a half million dollar boat to. Have a great time. Keep up the good work. Love your videos Cliff from Logan City Queensland Australia 🇦🇺🧑🏾‍🦽

[@CruisingTheCut]

Absolutely! Thanks 👍

[@LouiseL7740]

David, you look wonderful! You must be in love! lol.....Anywho, I am thoroughly envious of your lovely day out on this boat! How absolutely fantastic this must have been. I could soooo totally love having a little fibreglass number like that just to putter around and pop on and off for jaunts and pub suppers. I completely agree with what the Captain said regarding taking to the water and living your dream! That's it....I'm going to make this my goal...😉🛥⚓👒

[@hughcarson6837]

Good to see you so exited about a small boat.

[@mikeskelly2356]

'Narrows' were once all wood, I'm sure people were opposed to it when iron plate narrows came out, but they became the norm. There's no reason, beside nostalgia, for narrow boats to not now be made from fiberglass. I'm sure the 'steel' boat makers and traditionalists are opposed, but the price and maintenance would be substantionally lower. That alone would increase the number of regular folks able to 'cruise the cut'...

[@eekee6034]

There's at least one narroboat being built out of plastic. Not GRP but thick polyetheline or something. I'm sorry I can't give you a link, it's been months since I read about it.

[@djsherz]

Can't beat a bit of bargain boating. I spent a couple of grand on a little Dawncraft Dandy for my 40th a few years ago. Cheap and cheerful, and requires next to no maintenance - fibreglass for the win!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Perfect!!

[@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882]

Nice to see my home town of Sawley on the channel David. Ha! It’s clear to see who’s sponsoring the channel. Sam is spot on, and a really nice person. Sawley Marina home of the now dreadful looking ‘floating homes’… isn’t what it used to be but , oh well, it’s a great video and with it being my ‘regular haunt’ for most of my life a place I regularly return to. Hail Sawley Cut.

[@jpaulrice]

Oh my goodness David. It’s been a long time since I left a comment. But I felt a sense of real excitement when you said you are looking for a boat. Oh boy, what an a wonderful new adventurer you will take us on now. GO FOR IT!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha stay tuned... ;-)

[@donotwantahandle1111]

3:06 You could make a toasted cheese sandwich with that! Plus a cup of hot tea.

[@davidsalter9592]

Had little boats then bigger boats, but you'll never capture the magic of that first moment afloat unless you go back to where it began. Thanks for this.

[@janecox4173]

Sawley gives me fond memories of my childhood and we had a yogurt pot at Sawley marina....forward fast 40 years and I bought a narrow boat to live on. I realised that I could nor really remain living on a narrowboat as I age. I now live in a static caravan in pembrokeshire. But willalways that dad (who was also a journalist ) for introducing me to boating life

[@robertthrossell4321]

What a lovely lady, good for her 👍

[@erhardt1477]

Well… To be honest, this Video and the lovely lady as well as the lovely boat … was a very enjoyable Start into the new week. Thank you for that sir 😊 The boat is quite nice and I do have to say, I’m a bit jealous… the waterways in the UK 🇬🇧 is something I’m most impressed by. Cheers everybody and greetings from Germany 👋

[@CruisingTheCut]

Many thanks!

[@carolinawren7618]

I would LOVE to see you in your own boat again❣️

[@mikethomas2138]

Hope everyone on the Trent is ok after Storm Babette

[@jaesbow]

David, noticing all those small Japanese outboards triggered a not-so-fond memory of my 1964 British Seagull. I’ll keep my comments to myself, thank you, but you should consider doing a British Seagull episode. There are some absolute Seagull fanatics out there ready to be interviewed.

[@CruisingTheCut]

That's an excellent idea! I remember those engines too. I'll have to do some Googling

[@lapsedluddite3381]

That brings back memories of my first sailboat (a 28 foot homebuilt deep draft cutter) that had a seagull as it's only power - memories of going "full steam ahead" south down the ICW, trying to outrun winter - while the current was actually pushing us back north in relation to the land... fun times!

[@LilBlighter]

What a lovely lady with a great outlook on life. I smiled throughout the whole video.

[@PeterEmery]

One nice aspect of using a fibreglass boat on the canals is you don't need a super powerful outboard fitted.

[@alangood8190]

That has to be the best product plug I've ever seen on KZbin.

[@CruisingTheCut]

😀🤣

[@alangood8190]

@@CruisingTheCut Seriously. For a whole host of reasons I mean it.

[@AaronCarterHD13]

Yes David please tell her that both she and her boat are perfectly lovely what a nice lady and boat. 🙂 I like the color too...

[@eduardo_kl]

What a lovely boating day! Such a nice video 👏

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Wild_Bill57]

When you spoke of wanting a Dutch barge, I understood. Always wanted one like The Princess Matilda, designed and built by Peter Nicholls. Already liked it before reading Timothy Spall’s book. Not a narrowboat but quite the beauty.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes!

[@adamnorris8006]

I'll happily listen to you talk about Readley if it means that you'll get another boat someday. cheers

[@Stefan_Kawalec]

What a lady! As I understand "in a certain age" means "the best time of your life".

[@plum1959]

OK. I laughed out loud at the reference to The Matrix - well done for another entertaining video :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Pedelorean]

Fantastic stuff and you DEFINITELY need to get one of those boats! 😀 There are lots of similar boats, albeit in white, at my marina and some very hardy souls use them as London liveaboards. They're perfect dayboats / overnighters for the canal and river and, if you can find another one in orange, then it's a winner! My friend has a 1970s speedboat (like the ones in the Bond film Live & Let Die) that he's painted orange with a black stripe and we've nicknamed it "Jaffa" 😀 Had lots of fun on that recently pootling along the canal.

[@CruisingTheCut]

That sound superb!

[@NarrowboatSuperB]

Nice video as always David, I have just returned from Sawley today, went to check my boat, could not get near the jetty as its underwater, will be putting a short video up later.

[@mrben6573]

What a lovely video. Even this boat might be more than I need. I've been thinking of importing an Arran 16 with the forward cuddy shelter and steering console. Seems like the perfect boat.

[@andrewhenley7691]

10-4 good buddy, i actually laughed out loud.Thank you David, That comment will probably be lost on some folks, what a beautiful sight.

[@MrLangDog]

Loved the views and seeing all the other boats. It made me happy to hear her story too.

[@trevorford8332]

We need to get you another boat, David!! Even if it's a 32ft narrow boat, I know you like small boats this is perfect as it's cheaper. 😊