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Similar to my adventure so far. Bought a boat with vintage engine from Whilton in July this year (2024) and moved it to the marina with the wind blowing me side on to the front of half a dozen moored boats. A couple came out and gave me a hand to get into my berth.

What I would have done when the wind was pushing me to the bank ......... Reverse at speed and steer the boat parallel to the canal close to the windward side of it and then forward at speed to avoid the leeward bank. And docking using the wind.....you found that out.

Would have liked to have seen the refuelling operation etc.

Hi Nick. The wind, as you have found is your worst enemy, if helpful occasionally. What seems like a gentle breeze on the mooring can feel like a storm out in the marina. Experience will tell you when its a good idea to navigate or stay put until it dies down.

There should be diesel paste somewhere that goes on the stick to show depth clearly?

I was having all sort of pain in my back and feet while watching you steer. I was pressing and twisting my body and it wasn't helping at all.

Watching this makes me feel much better, feel less alone! I was struggling with wind and maneuvering last week. Felt like I was going to crash into boats (luckily no damage done to anybody) Dont think I realised how powerful the wind is even on a day it is not that windy. Thanks for sharing! We can all learn.

Really enjoyable video to watch, makes a really nice change for the RUclipsr not to beg for money all the time. I look forward to your next adventure.

Nik. Well done on keeping calm. I purchased a boat with a defective bow thruster. So many people opined that they are unnecessary. Well having fixed it, my life as a zig fag boater is much more controlled.😂Well done

Oh ... 99.5 % of the time is where the eye is for your center line is your pivot point

Good use of the wind .... everyone hits things now and again , but yours was very slow compared to some ... my little bit of advice would be to toot your horn when leaving and entering marinas .. i almost had a canoist once as i could see enough for a boat but not low down for canoes

Hi Nick. As a former moorer for two years at Cropredy marina I can tell you, you did a great job. It very often windy on the marina even if it is not out on the cut. The boat will normally pivot around the centre so just keep that in mind as the back needs somewhere to go. I have had all of the problems you encountered maneuvering at Cropredy. It's not you it's the wind. All the best.

Nick, keep a piece of chalk handy to rub up and down your fuel dip stick when you dip your fuel tank, you will see the level that much better.

I think you're still not giving it enough beans. Could you maybe recruit one of the more experienced boaters in the marina to give you some manoeuvring coaching?

Sometimes a little more forward momentum will help cut through the wind effect. Much better viewing with the forward facing shots. Great video

You have to keep in mind that everyone has hit something, everyone feels like everyone is watching and everyone was inexperienced at the start of their canal boating journey. You did great! 👍🏻

Hi Nick narrowboats do not have any steering in reverse so moving the tiller won't make any difference. You need revs on when moving forward for the propellor wash to hit the rudder which gives you the turning ability. (No propulsion no action).

It looks like when you need to be in reverse you have the tiller opposite where you need it.

I haven't driven a narrowboat for a good while, but I think if I were in such a predicament i.e. single-handed, no bow-thruster with an unfavourable wind that I might have kept the bow pressed against the bank, used as a fulcrum and used the tiller and engine to turn the boat until parallel with the bank. And then pushed off at the bow and completed the manoeuvre. There may be good reasons for not doing this. I'll probably get told-off for my suggestion.

Nick your pivot point will be midships.

Triumph!

I think you did OK, not really sure what you could have done differently. If I was there and needed fuel urgently on a windy day perhaps use a 10L or 25L fuel container assuming they allow those, four trips with the 25L and you'd have 100L.

When running out a coiled cable, always turn the coil like a wheel as you walk it out to prevent a spring forming.

From Idle Advance the throttle while the rudder is already turned. This will give you a spurt of sideward motion.

Stop pointing the camera at yourself so much.

I have seen cables like that in motorhomes. It happens when people are parked with the output and input points close to each other so they use the cable coiled up. This generates heat in the cable which makes the sheathing soft. When it cools down it retains the shape it had when coiled up. To straighten it, wait until you have been drawing maximum power from the mains on your boat for 30 minutes and you will find the cable is warm. At that time secure one end and pull on the other to straighten it.

I have some thoughts regarding the tunnel passage. What about carbon monoxide poisoning in high season when multiple boats are in the tunnel simultaneously?

Previous owner did keep her clean att all times. She’s in mint condition. I’m new to the channel (thanx the algorithms😊) and will joyfully follow your journey

it would be helpful if you had a camera facing in the direction of travel to see what you were talking about. Sometimes it is better to stay wide as possible but not always. Another thing is by being unsure people reduce speed and volume of water over the rudder and this causes the boat to snake making steering less responsive.

It’s quite comical when people say “ oh not another narrow boat video “ if you think that way don’t watch then. I’ve always loved narrow boats and enjoy people like yourself telling us of your experiences. So thank you for that.

You need more revs on when you go round a corner. The more water flow you have over the rudder, the more effective it will be.

Buy yourself some solar power

Great vlog and we'll done for having a go, your getting the boat sorted out bit by bit that's great. I'm no owner of a boat but we did have a classic camper for a number of years, I noticed when you lit up your cooker one of the quarters was not lighting up as it should you need to keep an close eye on that as it might/could be releasing unbernt gas into the cabin. It was trying to burn but flickering on the quarter might just want a clean with wire brush make sure jets are clear...... That could be dangerous to you being on your own keep us updated on your cooker I'm sure other spotted that. Great vlog.....

Awesome

Hi Nick, started watching you from the start, yo will be an expert in no time 😂😂 haha 9:17

It would be good if you could periodically turn the camera for a forward shot. You could follow one of the boats that passes you and look at what line they take round the corners and how they blip the throttle in conjunction with the rudder. Also, as many of them look to be double manned, if you ask, one of them might have an experienced crew/helm who would jump aboard for half an hour. You will be moored up for winter, and it might also be an opportunity to get a 'driving lesson ' from somebody in the mooring. Good luck

20 of us hired two coal boats from Braunston back in 1969. We were told increase the engine speed when you need to get better steerage. (It does work but it also makes you go faster!) I did but still didn't get through bridge 122. Hit it fair and square. Still on the canals but very wary of that bridge and some other bends on the summit particularly bridge 131! In shallow water and close to the bank there are additional forces on the boat that make steering difficult. A helmsman course would be a quick way to learn or RUclips or practice. Good luck

When going round tight corners try and cut the corner off more. You look like you're too near the middle or edge and therefore have little room too drift out as you go round.

Might be best to hook up to the electric and stay there

Check out the narrowboat the james built he did a full video about the reflex heater you have which will help you set it up perfectly and maybe write a user manual for your boat with all of the user guides from all the products you have onboard This will really help you for servicing and maintenance

Great videos! Thank you, from Federal Way, Washington State.

Interesting to see that the meter is on the cable and not inside the boat as in a house. Why is the meter on the shore end of the cable , and not on the boat end?

It was going to be a tunnel but due to a collapse they left it as a cutting.

Wish you would have taken us through the locks and how you did it. Other then that, it was an interesting walk through, seeing all the parts and equipment. Thank you !!

Just curious, did you any sort of training to drive your narrow boat or did you just jump in at the deep end. I walk the Grand union near Foxton locks and see Helmsman training boats going out regularly,Judy wondered if you did that training.

Your boat seems to move fast compared to the engine speed. It sound really nice too.

Would have been nice for the boat yard/mariner staff to offer some help. It's a daunting task to do on your own on a new boat.