We're Buying a New Narrowboat - Visiting Ortomarine - Ep. 15

So far we've seen over sixty narrowboats and changed our minds a few times about whether to buy a new or used boat.
Today, we're off to Droitwich Spa Marina to see two new boats from Ortomarine.
We first saw their lovely boat 'Sloop John T' at the Crick Boat Show back in May, so we were excited to see what these new boats would offer. Will this be the one we choose?
Stick around for the bloopers at the end of the video :-D
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[@stephenmorin8431]

I absolutely love it when you two laugh uncontrollably. Makes me feel great. Thanks!

[@FoxesAfloat]

Our pleasure!

[@ericbown1551]

Enjoying you journey ...did not realise what the bungs were for lol 😂 until now.😂

[@FoxesAfloat]

😂😂😂

[@pootle2768]

That was brilliant. The boats were lovely but the best bit is you two! I could watch you looking at boats all day long. You’re both so funny and entertaining. I loved the outtakes! Watching you both cracking up in the car made me cry laughing. Thank you for another beautifully filmed, funny, informative vlog x

[@FoxesAfloat]

Mandy! You’re making us blush 😊 Thank you SO much for your lovely comments. They mean everything! xxx

[@Tricia-xf3vd]

Love you guys! Your laughter is so contagious. I can't help but LOL along with you.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Laugh makes you live longer.... We hope 🤣

[@zargon4]

New subscriber totally hooked on a narrow boat lifestyle, an option not available to us in America. As a former sailboat liveaboard, it is quite a disciplined way of life, You learn to value accepting being more in tune with nature (i.e flora, fauna & weather) as a trade off for collecting trinkets & useless gadgets. You collect friends & memories, rather than “stuff.”

[@FoxesAfloat]

Hey, and thanks for subscribing! 👍🏻 Friends and memories are WAAAAAAY better than snuff ✌🏻

[@tracyhopkinson9311]

You guys are a breath of fresh air

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thank you, Tracy!

[@ruthmichigander]

Oh wow I love that galley. So light and bright up there! Love those windows!

[@FoxesAfloat]

Us too!

[@kaidenshepard8446]

0:17 the boat that is closest to the screen, that looks gorgeous, but thats just me, we all have our favourite colours and likes etc, I ilike that one. 14:29 and so begins Shaun's other famous activity of saying "You can't do that/You can't say that" Its definitely fun watching your videos, and now this is definitly the definite that you are going for a new boat

[@FoxesAfloat]

Well he kept say thing he should say 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bigveganal]

The best bit was the control panel! LOVING IT!

[@FoxesAfloat]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@petemay2791]

Thanks for putting a smile 😃 on my face from ear to ear Evie, Lucy & Pete

[@FoxesAfloat]

Awwww! Thank you for such a lovely comment 😍

[@briancox8422]

The way you laugh together is epic. Just makes ya feel good to see and hear it. Thanks for letting us be apart of your journey.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Always a pleasure.

[@Mark723]

Muffy McMuff face! Oh, no you didn't. Loving the journey - thanks for taking us along.

[@GeorgeStephen1959]

LOL, you guys crack me up, you always seem to be able make us smile even when our day was dull, you livened it up, cheers :-)

[@FoxesAfloat]

Awww, thank you, George! I hope we can make you smile for many more vlogs to come!

[@lakelady57]

Love the bungs :). Funny, when you do the commentary it all seems so natural and smooth, then you watch the outtakes and it is a whole other story, Love the updates and it is getting close .....

[@FoxesAfloat]

lakelady57 oh it never runs smoothly 😂

[@leedshunk]

You two are so fab ! 😄

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thank you!! 😁

[@llessibm]

Master Riley looked like my kind of boat - reverse layout with proper bed and a walk through bathroom - I like the larger portholes but would only have full windows in the gallery area - the Tiller People did a really good vlog about keeping warm/cool and if I ever had the chance of commissioning a new boat then I think I’d look carefully at the window layout and side hatches - lovely boat - good luck !!

[@FoxesAfloat]

Hi Martin Thanks for your comments, we really do appreciate them. Yeah we’ve seen the vlog that the Tiller People did, it was very good..... and yes Ortomarine’s boat is lovely 👍

[@jasonclarke3374]

Hi guys I'm so glad you are one step closer .. at the rate I'm going I'll be living in a tent on the tow path lol.... but least decided on a boat used boat ideally under 5 years old .... Good luck see u on the cut sometime

[@FoxesAfloat]

Hi. Oh dear. At least it's warm enough to live on the towpath :-D

[@sionbenjamin4513]

Wow! Love your shopping around, seeing a lot that I like and you put things in place. Sadly I"m not in the UK ...... 5 hours away when there are people moving aeroplanes ..... but great window shopping with you guys. The wife loves them too, luckily.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thanks, Sion! (Cool name)

[@stepheng9607]

Lovely video. We live by the side of the Droitwich canal so we often have a chance to chat with people on the boats and gain an insight into their fascinating lives. Walking along the canal past the marina was one of our daily walks during the various lockdowns. Very interesting to see inside. Keep up the beautiful videos.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thanks so much, Stephen.

[@katerh3198]

How exciting - hope it happens very soon for you x

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thanks Kate. So do we! :)

[@ljandrews1030]

I love you both laughing uncontrollably at the end!!♥️

[@FoxesAfloat]

It happens a lot 🤣

[@ljandrews1030]

@@FoxesAfloat Laughter is the sign of true love♥️😊

[@lesleycouch6557]

Woohoo, sounds like you're NEARLY there! Love the Ortomarine boats, particularly the first one although it wasn't a liveaboard, modern but not too "housey." The techy systems management thing is great - saves obsessives like me having to write endless "things to check today" lists... Great stuff, hope to see you living your dream really soon. BUNG!!

[@FoxesAfloat]

Hey Lesley. Yeah, We loved the boat control system. Not seen anything else like it in our search, so far.

[@deeheart9988]

Love to see you guys laughing! Cracks me up!!! Lol

[@FoxesAfloat]

It only get worse 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@sylviapage8572]

Another great video. The content is fantastic plus your filming and editing skills are excellent. I love the drone footage. There were a lot of bloopers and you were clearly frustrated but the end result is so professional. You should do this for a living.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Awww, thanks Sylvia. Have a word with the BBC for us 🎥😂 xx

[@mimilion6072]

Totally agree with you Sylvia. More professional than the professionals. I honestly think they could push the other Silver Fox and Holly Willa- What- Knot, of This Morning ITV.

[@TazTaurus]

Awesome video 😊 Sean and the wine rack 😂

[@FoxesAfloat]

😂

[@sherrionboardsunflower97]

Love your vlogs! I had my first weekend cruising on my boat , I really love it but I’m not sure I’ll ever learn all that I need to Know!!!

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thanks for your comments Sherri 😘 It was a boating holiday that set us on this path years ago. You’ll learn it 👍 keep going. x

[@linesbylisa3557]

These were some really nice boats, my favorites. I could picture myself living in one of those if I lived there. I wish the US had canals like yours. 😁💕 Love you guys - your brighten up my day and make me laugh! Thank you for making these videos and sharing your life with us. ❤️

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thanks, Lisa!

[@stephenlittle7534]

"TAKE 1. 2. 3. MORE". Yes I am laughing again. Goox info guys. Well done. There's a lot to looking and buying a boat.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thanks! 👍🏻

[@sighthoundamaral]

Hi guys, I`m curious to your next narrowboat and I'm looking for your next video. Bye

[@SusanLH]

That boat was lovely but especially the colours. I really liked the blue. I loved your enthusiasm for what you can take away from each narrowboat and apply to what you want. Such a good way to go. :) PS I'm really on your side with what you want even after knowing what you went with. I'd just want some overhead cupboards in the kitchen and I'm not seeing those.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Yeah, we saw them on a couple of earlier boats and it really made the boat feel closed in.

[@matthewcoon1836]

:) thank you for numbering your videos

[@FoxesAfloat]

You're welcome 😊 We also have a playlist of them all in order from the beginning. It remembers where you left off too! bit.ly/2RZOA12

[@benwilson9150]

Colin likes that muff more than Shaun likes a good bung I think! What can you not make smart these days and that sort of system would have leaped ahead I tech since you filmed this, hope to see a newer version the prototype!!

[@FoxesAfloat]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jameshambrick7918]

Ah ha ha, you two are so funny 🤣 😂 😆

[@FoxesAfloat]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@RedDoor888]

Can you tell me anything more about the boat systems monitoring tech? Really intrigued! Getting back to beating after a lengthy absence and believe me ,there was nothing like this back in the day! Who is the supplier?

[@FoxesAfloat]

It would be best to chat to the guys at Ortomarine x

[@TheSkskitey]

The next vlog you will be showing us your new boat , well the one you choose . One thing is don't get to many large windows as they let in the heat and cold too . Funny i'm talking about heat in England but you've had a bit lately :-)

[@FoxesAfloat]

Hey Stephen! Thanks for the comment. We’ve got one more boat builder to visit before we make our decision 🤗 We’ve seen two boats that we love, so a decision is imminent 👍🏻

[@jaesedin]

Hey guys. Loving the videos, rally entertaining. Could you pop a link to the electronics management thingy. I’m interested in installing it on my own boat.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Hi. The best thing to do is contact Rob at Ortomarine at www.ortomarine.co.uk/contact/

[@rickharris894]

Hi, guys! I just love watching your VLOG! You are two lovely and lovable men. You obviously love each other and work hard to maintain your relationship. I envy you that. If I was over there I'd be trying to catch up with you for at least a meal of a pint or both. Colin, a couple of vlogs back you apologized for your meltdown. I would not have noticed anything if you had not said it. Don't apologize for being you. You are both great guys and lucky to have each other.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thank you so much!

[@mimilion6072]

Love the out takes... if that's the right word ? hehe

[@FoxesAfloat]

It is. Thanks 😂

[@gavanwhatever8196]

3:27 Fifty degrees isn't off the mark for a hot summer's day here...

[@FoxesAfloat]

Ah, but we're acclimatised to about 18c, so it was almost double. So if you're acclimatised to 50c and it reached near 100c, you'd feel the difference, yeah?

[@Funkyk2]

Those bun/bums are well decorated

[@FoxesAfloat]

'Bungs' 😂

[@negativelybuoyant5835]

You two are so funny 😉 hope to meet you both one day 👍

[@FoxesAfloat]

Funny - ha ha 😂 or... Funny - “MATT! CALL THE POLICE! 👮‍♀️

[@negativelybuoyant5835]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@joannebowen6760]

👍🍺that is nice that boat

[@FoxesAfloat]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@larinvermont3271]

Having watched most of your videos on "Silver Fox" before seeing this one, and getting a glimpse of what looks to be a 10 or 12 foot wide moored next to the first narrow boat you viewed, I have a practical question: Realistically, how much cruising can you do on a 12 foot wide live-aboard? Are you effectively limited to the rivers? Or can you manage to get out into the country and wander? I have seen several vlogs by ex-pats who have moved to G.B., taking residency on board narrow boats, and, as a retiree, the lifestyle looks much more relaxed than current status in the States [having spent my career in U.S. Government, G.B.'s government would not impact me as strongly].

[@FoxesAfloat]

Hey 👋 You are pretty restricted with a wide beam boat. Most of the canals are maximum 7 foot, so you couldn't get into the centre of Birmingham or from north to south, unless you go via the sea (not recommended). Wide beams are okay if you don't want to explore the network.

[@larinvermont3271]

@@FoxesAfloat Thank you so much! Your vlogs have been a wonderful source of entertainment and information for a newbie on the western side of The Pond, where there's no such thing as a privately-accessable canal system or narrow boats. And I especially appreciate your willingness to answer questions and share your experience! As an early retiree, your sharing has been part of the impetus for seeing relocation and narrow boat living as a viable lifestyle.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Aww, thank you. You’re more than welcome

[@CampervanTales]

Going around stroking tops, you'll be getting a reputation 😀

[@FoxesAfloat]

Campervan Tales 😂😂

[@keithr1814]

My money is on you both settling on a SH boat in the end, lets watch this space Another great vid by the way.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thank you for your comments Kev. Watch this space x

[@davehollingworth5537]

A proper hob.....AND a wine rack!!

[@FoxesAfloat]

A proper hob...... Oh I cringe when I look back at that old video 🤣

[@mimilion6072]

Hiya, any chance you could tell me the size of the double bed please.

[@FoxesAfloat]

It pulls out to a full King size. I think it’s 6ft

[@mimilion6072]

@@FoxesAfloat Thank you. x

[@grahamwilliams9877]

Think you need to add a big food larder to house all Pauls's cake..... 😂

[@FoxesAfloat]

😂

[@carolley9705]

Okay lads, what are the porthole covers called. You said it, but my ph doesn't pick it up.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Bungs 😂

[@mikemann2053]

I would love to hear some prices as you compare these boats. It would be most helpful.

[@FoxesAfloat]

They change frequently so it's not an accurate reflection 👍🏻

[@JWINDSOR]

did i miss an episode? i thought they were custom ordering their new boat?

[@FoxesAfloat]

If you're watching them in order then you haven't missed one xx

[@Nonnietoseven]

Sometimes you might want to leave a couple of outtakes in your video...they're hilarious!!

[@FoxesAfloat]

😂

[@charlesalberts]

Love you boys and going on the journey with you! :) And learning a lot too - thanks! PS someone else has probably asked, but what's the obsession with a walk through bathroom all about? Is it because it has more space by design? X

[@FoxesAfloat]

Yeah, that's basically it. More room to swing around 😏

[@charlesalberts]

@@FoxesAfloat ... 😂

[@pocketchange1951]

what a pair

[@MRIRISHLAD]

Ahh great video and well edited!! New subscriber here!

[@FoxesAfloat]

Ah, thank you and welcome 👍🏻

[@krisbassett4636]

So what does a narrow boat prices start from?

[@FoxesAfloat]

New ones from about £90K

[@ruthmichigander]

So dumb question. Why no captains chair for you to sit in while steering?

[@FoxesAfloat]

The tiller can fling one side without warning, knocking you off a chair. people have died after banging their heads during the fall.

[@ruthmichigander]

@@FoxesAfloat so all narrow boats are made so you have to stand up at all times while steering. Had no idea.

[@jesthepainter]

you've said it several times, but you haven't explained - WHY do you like walk-through bathrooms? also, y'all are awesome, thanks for the videos!

[@FoxesAfloat]

Because they're bigger, offer more space to move and it's a full room rather than a waste of corridor.

[@markbutton3886]

Loving the process I'm hanging in there with you...I also say "more tea vicar". Just back from Uk from a wedding and managed of course to strangely, to my gf annoyance, fit in a pilgrimage to crick for my NB fix. It's a minefield choosing a boat.. it's like dating, falling in love, the decisions, is this the one, do I love this. Abnb, Whilton marina both great. Thought I'd found her...no it's too soon, I'm not ready for this relationship yet blah blah. The new Ortomarine's are super smashing...good luck...so nervous...got to laugh, good for the soul.

[@FoxesAfloat]

More tea Vicar? 😂 Hope you had a nice time at the wedding and the weather over the weekend didn’t spoil it? Yeah, the Ortomarine boats we’re very cool 👍🏻

[@daneenmcdermott48]

Ah, I see you're still pointing at things for the camera!

[@FoxesAfloat]

😂

[@christinewatts2]

What made your decision about getting a new boat

[@FoxesAfloat]

I don't understand?

[@christinewatts2]

It seems as though for a time you were toying with used or new,I was wondering what made your decision new over used, I'm interested

[@johnjohn6486]

i defo would want a separate sofa bed.

[@FoxesAfloat]

👍🏻

[@LeClaw]

hold up.....nearly 3 years to the day this video went out and no one has noticed the Michael Jackson tribute duck at 0:42? 🤣

[@FoxesAfloat]

🤣

[@krislarsen1224]

I thought I would share this here. I started watch the vlogs months ago. It was about here as I started up the roster, that my wife asked me what I was watching... I told here it was a British Narrowboat Vlog... she comes back saying, more Narrowboat porn... I shrug her bit of comedy off and describe how you two guys were looking at buying a Narrowboat... she asks... two guys... I tell her you two are a couple... she goes... OH! so you're watching Gay Narrowboat Porn... giving me an odd look... I think she trapped me! Everybody keep watching! it gets better and better as they settle into their Narrowboat Life.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Ha Ha Ha.... Love it xx

[@johnnypsycho9628]

Who wins the Anneka Rice bum award

[@FoxesAfloat]

Colin. Always Colin. 👍🏻

[@stalbirdjessiah6457]

Hello, Gentleman.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Hello!

[@floydskifloyd2870]

Thanks guys great video my head's about to 🤯 do I buy my house or do I buy a boat and get back on the cut I'm torn like hell now 🤔

[@FoxesAfloat]

Haha! Follow your heart ❤️

[@iamsteviedee]

Hahaha, the bloopers cracked me up. Learn the script, Colin!

[@FoxesAfloat]

Lol - Cheeky! I don’t have a script 😂😂😂

[@davidarnott3597]

Loving the vlogs guys - could you email me your email address, just wanted to suggest somewhere to look at boats but not on open forum - cheers and keep them coming - good luck with the search

[@davidarnott3597]

If I included my email it may help !!!! [e-mail]

[@FoxesAfloat]

Got your email, thanks!

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

Nice colors but hah....

[@FoxesAfloat]

🤣

[@carolley9705]

Great vlog. Shaun you have lovely legs.

[@FoxesAfloat]

🦵 😉

[@mikes10663]

Do you guys laugh this much off camera?

[@FoxesAfloat]

Yeah, but usually with more swearing 😂