@@bettyonaboat personally i would not use hammerite paint, as imho its crap, and flakes off, speak to classic car repairer's to what the use now, but i used to use rustoleom primer, and a good dulux or similar normal house hold gloss black paint on all of my car chassis, as it hardens as it ages
As a former barge owner, my advise is to remove all the scrap and paint the iron with a rust blocker like owatrol oil. I love you being genuine and as long as you are so genuine I will follow your channel.
I spend half my life fixing other people's narrowboats - what you're doing there is more than most would do for themselves! Hats off to you for getting stuck in and sorting it out for yourself.
As a former livaboard boater of 6 years, let me. First say that I admire your courage in tackling the floor problem,on your own. Don’t be afraid ask fellow boaters for their advice and you will find that help will be readily available . I do wish that I was 40yrs younger and more able than I am now, I would come and find you. As a mechanical engineer all my working life I have “fixed” all kinds of problems and I would love to show you some tips. However, best wishes Betty, keep in touch with Heidi the Pirate, I believe that she is a woman whose word and advice can be depended upon.
Ɓe careful with the plywood floor. It looked like it was growing mold on it. That could be detrimental to your health, breathing the spores. Get it dried out very good, and paint the new floor with a mold blocker, and use it on every thing that you can reach. A bit of good work now may save having issues later.
Hi Betty, unfortunately canal boats are never straight forward, I’ve lived on mine for 24 years and I’m constantly working on bits or repairing things, it’s all part of canal life and living aboard. Just a quick tip for the future, make sure you cut a small inspection lid ( about the size of a small dinner plate) in the floor as far back as possible either hinge it or make finger holes to be able to lift it up, screw 2 mall battens under so the lid has something to rest on, this will allow you to periodically check the baseplate for water, normally a certain amount will gather in colder weather due to condensation forming on the steel sides and running down, I buy a pack of cheap baby nappies and place 2 face down to soak up any water. Hope that helps and good luck !
Thank you, that's really good advice! I did have an inspection hatch before but the location was a bit of an issue. It was underneath my seating but it wasn't very close to the back of the boat, so I wasn't able to get all of the water out as a lot of it had gone further back than the inspection hatch, if that makes sense? I've since made a new inspection hatch that's further back, but if I could go back in time I would have made a new one a lot sooner. I could have got the water out quicker and it might not have caused as much damage. Oh well, you live and learn...
Hi Betty, on our boat there was a small inspection hatch right at the rear of the boat (60ft cruiser stern) and it was permanently full of water, I think due to condensation and also some terrible plumbing by the previous owner. It was full of quite serious rust issues also. The thing had been submerged 3 times in the past though and we had serious considered having a periscope fitted 😂. Really enjoying your channel mate, keep going Betty.👍 Take care.
When you started your journey you instantly joined a community of thousands. Don’t be afraid to ask your fellow boaters for advice or help, you’ll be surprised at knowledge and skills you will gain
Hi Betty, the condition of your base plate under the plywood floor looks to be in very good condition indeed, no problem there. The pieces of insulation, which looks to be spray foam were probably trimmings from when your boat was first fitted out. Makes sense to remove them and have a tidy up under there. Loving your channel, keep up the good work 👏 😊
It's reassuring to know the baseplate is OK as I was quite alarmed when I saw the rust! There weren't any flakes though so I think it was just a tiny bit of surface rust. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel so far! 🙂
With regards to the insulation,you'll find builders etc are lazy b#@tar# and won't clean up. Once had a new flat removed the bath panel and there I found empty pizza boxes and drinks bottles,off cuts of timber and pipe off cuts. The good thing about posting videos is the advice and help you'll receive,but with the internet and all good intentions don't take everything as gospel some people think they're the font of all knowledge but may not be. Goo luck young lady.
@@bettyonaboatI just came across your channel. I have watched several episodes. It’s all great videos. You do seem a bit nervous talking to the camera, that will get easier with time just like boating will get easier with practice. Never feel bad for any content you want to post. Remember it’s your thoughts creativity and experiences, if anyone complains it’s their own problem or they can move on. You are very beautiful and that might attract some trolls out there. Stay true to yourself and it will all turn out just fine.
Hi Betty. I'm not a boater and can't offer any pearls of advice like some of your contributors have, but I love your attitude of self-reliance and willingness to get stuck in. Nice one. Cheers.
Whenever I use plywood where it might get wet, I paint the edges with waterproof exterior PVA glue. Standing the board upright on it's edge so it soaks well in. The edge then dries really hard, and is good for sanding and filling.
I’m following your travails all the way from Colorado- and have been cheering you on as you run into the “occasional rakes in the grass”. The fact that you make the effort …to keep motoring -on makes your videos so relatable. Carry on M’Lady, and here’s something for your repairs kitty. Stay safe.
Hi, a word of caution for future repairs. If you need to cut flooring and you can't see what is underneath, use a circular saw set to the thickness of the wood you're cutting through. This way and pipes or cables hidden under the floor won't be cut.
Thanks that's good advice. I think a circular saw would have been better as I was worried about hitting the ballast too. In fact, I broke a jigsaw blade before I started filming this!
I honestly didn't think I'd become as interested in this series as I have. I remember subbing to show support for a very genuine creator being very honest on her first upload on a platform which let's be honest has far too many gimmicky channels. I suppose this is where some people just have that ability to grab people's attention without the need to go over the top with production and editing or clickbait titles. I have a feeling that many of us are truly invested in this journey now. Brilliant ! I also firmly believe that if I could fit a recording studio into a narrow boat I'd pack up and find the nearest canal 🤣
@@bettyonaboat your more than welcome sorry it’s not much but am sure it’ll help somewhere all I ask is you vlog your progress with your lovely narrow boat 👍👍👍
Well I just gotta say it! The fact that you're rolling your sleeves up, getting stuck into it, solving the problem, keen on DIY, you look amazing (even when you think you're not looking your best) so Kudos to you girl!! You've impressed the hell out of me, and your videos really are a pleasure to watch. Keep being cool ❤
Hello Betty, Marine plywood does not delaminate, even when it gets wet. What you have been sold is interior plywood. This is much cheaper and has no place on a boat.
Hi, while you have the floor up, vacuum all the rubbish and paint the bare metal in the bilge with a rust preventing paint or Waxoil. It will be horribly smelly for a while, but will prevent further expensive rusting.
Wow! you do a great job there. I would avise you to buy a bilge pump and put the hose on the deepest part of your boat. If any water leaks under the floor, you can remove it with this pump. So your boat stays dry. Good luck!
Well done you for taking on such a job that many people would shy away from. The more you do the more skills you will pick up. I loved your DIY video and if you're able to film more I'm sure many would love to see you also fixing your boat too. Another lovely video Betty, thank you.
Good luck! When I worked on my classic car I found a facebook group for it and people on there could literally answer any question, even the most obscure ones. I wonder if there is similar for your boat make and model or just narrowboat maintenance in general? I suspect you have looked already and have joined them but just thought I'd mention in case you haven't as for me I found them so incredibly valuable!
Not sure if you can use it on boats, but caravans have the same issue and you get a resin floor repair, you drill holes into the damaged floor and inject two part expoxy to repair it as it rebonds the wood, as it’s only the glue that has failed, the wood is still ok.
That's interesting, I'm going to look into this in case I find any other bits which have failed in areas where it would be more difficult to replace the subfloor.
Bless you Betty, what a horrible thing to happen so soon after getting your boat and now all this work to repair it. I love how brave you are to just get stuck in. You popped into my feed this evening and I'm instantly hooked for all the reasons so many have already said. I've binged watched all your videos and look forward to seeing more. I hope the repairs go smoothly and you get back to enjoying your space. 😊
Hi again i would hover the mes out paint the bilge with a rust preventer and treat the underside of the cabin floors with epoxy just brushed on that will help in future and rap ya heater hose in exhaust rap !! Keep going you're doing good little lady ❤
Ha, maybe I'll try to show more of my mishaps in future then! This was only my second time using a jigsaw but I quite enjoyed it. I've decided I like sawing things.
Hi Betty. Awrite bab! Don't beat yourself up about the damage to the floor, the delamination has been caused by previous damp/flooding in addition to the most recent one. Also that is not marine ply, which would not have delaminated because of water - that's why its called marine ply. What you have is probably WBP ply. Knowing boatbuilders it will be cheap indoor rated ply. Any leaks will find their way to the back of the boat, where you should make sure you have an access panel - where you can pump the water out with a wet and dry hoover or bilge pump.
I think you're right about it not being marine ply - I just assumed it was because it seems ridiculous to use normal plywood for a boat subfloor! I've made a new inspection hatch further back in the boat now but I wish I'd done it sooner so I could have got all the water out. The problem was that my old inspection hatch wasn't far back enough. It's great getting advice on here from people like you though. If I have a mishap in future I think I'll post a video about it to get advice!
Thanks for the update Betty - so fascinating look at what's under a narrow boat floor! I used to use a jigsaw to cut floorboards in my first house - I graduated to using a circular saw as the depth can be set so I only cut the floor, not the joists (vertical wooden beams) ... I don't think this matters in a boat at the whole length of the beams is supported by the steel base of the boat. Hope this is useful info and not seen as 'mansplaining' as my daughter would call it! I've done far too much DIY, as I'm sure others have, and I'm now a bit too 'old & knackered' to do much now - so if any info / advice I can give is useful I'd be happy to help! Hope others advice on your DIY is also helpful - if the steel is 10mm thick treating the rust will be cosmetic - it takes many decades for 10mm steel to be weakened by rust! I don't know if treating the beams would be a good idea - I presume they have some protection as they are in contact with the hull, so will get wet from condensation for some of the year. Good luck with finishing this repair - hope you get time to enjoy the boat before the next repair!
Hello Betty .. first off, well done on your videos so far .. ! On your own, too.. Your journey so far has really resonated with us, we bought a 46ft narrow boat in 2022 .. had to get it home with no no experience ( we had a GRP cruiser initially) ..193 miles, all sorts of disasters, 😂.. hot weather, stupidly getting the centre line tangled with prop, necessitating a trip into canal to try and untangle, which it eventually did after he had gotten back on board with a struggle (we were adrift and next to a mud bank, thank goodness no one passing to see our embarrassment..) All Mike could say was ‘the canal is warm !! ‘ A real heatwave that was..At Nottingham Castle locks I fell (jumped off too soon) and with a deep cut to my elbow, bled all over those nice cobbles, a trip next day to Newark walk in emergency dept and Specsavers to repair glasses (lens had fallen out), then Mike was unable to steer for lengths at a time as he had damaged his neck and was getting dizzy spells..It was down to crocked elbow me .. first time tidal and it was the Trent..Delay arriving at lock due to engine overheating twice (we found out later that it was a loose fan belt, kicked ourselves for not checking before voyage! ), lock keepers, (bless them) kept watch for us and gates open, it was full tide and hairy but they gave us great advice and got us in like a experts! We made it home (ten days) just in time to make our mooring before our home lock was shut because of water shortages.. Great times ! Since then we have had a similar water disaster like yours ..ours due to a slow leak from water pump, drip drip over a long time and we sucked out many gallons .. found loads of insulating foam bits too, so that must be the case with loads of boats .. A Titan Wet/Dry hoover was the best at getting all that water out, and we bought a Jackery solar electric generator to run stuff like that as it’s heavy on electric if you haven’t got current access to mains.. You will have such an interesting journey ahead, absolutely no doubt you will get help (and saved) by our lovely CRT lockies out there, and the boating community .. you are a lovely lass, all the very best of luck ! Helen and Mike of Bijou.
Oh my goodness, your journey sounds very similar to mine, although I managed to avoid a trip to the emergency department! I think a wet/dry hoover would have been great. I'll make a note of that make in case this ever happens again, although hopefully it won't!
You are gaining confidence in your vids .. well done ! We found Mercia Marina scary too with all the people there.. we went there on our ‘ trip to take the boat back’ out of necessity as the Thetford loo we’d bought from Amazon turned out to be damaged ..found that out on the day we set off ! Our planned trips at the mo are shelved due to me falling over while cleaning the boat ..distal radius fracture 🙄😬.. cast comes off in two weeks.. Loved that swan ..😀
So sorry to hear all of that, that's the joy of boats (I've four friends on NBs and I grew up around boats). Sadly 'marine' ply isn't what it used to be either - don't ask me how I know🤕 Remember to treat and seal the replacement ply. You're doing a good job - game girl, keep up the good work. Brave of you✌️💜 Nearly all boats have ballast (especially above a certain size/weight). Good luck💜💜✌️😊
I wish I had something constructive to say but I am a one man DIY disaster zone. I nearly took my eye out once trying to put up a curtain rail. So alas, all I can offer is words of encouragement Betty. Well done on your YT success, and keep your fingers away from that jigsaw blade...I would have cut one mine off doing that.
People like to see genuine people, doing things they love, even if they aren't too comfortable doing so. Enjoyed all your videos, and your personality works really well. Keep it up!
@@bettyonaboat You are tackling narrowboat life with all its challenges. You have loads of confidence!🙂 If you feel a bit nervous speaking to camera, just imagine you're talking to just one person.
@@bettyonaboat Doesn't matter a jot! First episode you did EXACTLY what I would do... "Oh, there's people coming", and "I don't want them to think I'm insane". You come across as normal and relatable.
Once you have replaced all the spongey floors, at least you will know you have a good solid floor instead. Credit to you for tackling this work, and I hope you get it all sorted soon! Take care!
You've noted a few times about your confidence level. You will find your confidence as your series progresses... when you realise that whatever you do, you are just you being you and that is what people love about you. Even though I don't live on a boat, your life relates so much to my life. I live in a tiny house and have challenges of trying to find space to cook in the kitchen, somewhere to hang out my washing while trying to prevent the air in the house getting too damp, and what to do when the damp comes through the walls or a pane of glass cracks. I wish my bedroom window looked out onto a riverbank instead of a car park, but otherwise, I can see so many similarities, and I enjoy seeing how you tackle your daily challenges while I'm trying to tackle my own in my tiny house. :)
I bet living in a tiny house is nice. I think I'd like to live in a tiny house in the middle of the countryside one day. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. 😀
Best of luck with repairing your boat. Maintenance comes with the territory. It's hard work but you are getting to know your vessel on an intimate level - which is really good.
2 points: (1) Are you sure that's marine ply? Marine ply is denser and heavier than normal plywood and often has a green tinge to it. It shouldn't delaminate like that when soaked in water, unless for a very long time. (2) Many boats are fitted with a bilge pump to remove the water which inevitably accumulates at the bottom. The switch may be with the engine controls or more likely somewhere around the toilet or shower. Good Luck with the repairs.
I actually have my doubts about whether or not it's marine ply now as I've since looked up the Aintree boat specifications and it just says "treated plywood". I do have a bilge pump but it's in my engine bay which is separate from this bit of the boat. Thank you for the good luck!
Looks like excess trimmed from the spray foam just been left there . The ballast looks half arsed too. Typical. Good idea to tidy up and brush on some owatrol while you are there. Good work betty .
Yes I was confused about why the ballast was only in one area. I contacted Aintree (the people who made my boat) and they said it was to balance out the batteries on the other side of the boat, but I'm not sure I believe that.
Hey Betty, First of all, welcome to the world of boating. You seem to be successful so far, long may it continue. You may or may not be aware, but an old boaters trick for dealing with excess water in the bilge such as this you are experiencing now is to drain as much as you can out by whatever means you can. The remainder can be mopped up by having a supply of nappies on board. On babies, nappies are as you full know, are there to absorb unmentionables. The same principle applies with the use of them in bilges. Best of British, Peter.
"I look a state..." you are getting knee deep in life and smashing it. Nothing more amazing than that! And the yellow socks rock!! Great video as always 😊
Missed seeing you on here the last couple of weeks Betty but can understand why you haven't made a video until now as it looks like you have been busy. Hope you can get your floor sorted out without too many problems and too much cost. You are right about the bricks under the floor as they are used as ballast to stabilise the boat. Good luck with your floor, I will be thinking of you. By the way betty don't ever think you are boring as your not, your increasing subscribers and caring comments from your followers are proof of that ❤
Thank you, that's really nice of you to say! I think I'm going to aim to post a video every two weeks as they take me quite a while to make, but the next video should be longer than this one.
Great to see another video Betty. I don't have a boat, and have never even considered having one, but there is just something special about your videos. It's good to see not just the good parts of your boating, but also the equally interesting parts of the boat such as the maintenance & repairs. Even for marine ply, you should ideally seal the edges with something, such as varnish etc. I am sure though that your fellow enthusiasts could advise you of an ideal product. I generally use whatever I have in my shed - and whatever it is, is better than nothing. Looking forward to your next video, and well done with what you're doing ! Best wishes.
I didn't know that about marine ply so I'll have to look into that, thank you! In fact, the hatch that goes over my engine bay has gone a bit worn at the edges so that's probably why. I'm glad you think the videos are special! 🙂
Hi Betty, I don't have any knowledge of narrow boats but I do on buildings.you have some good advice here. I am glad you decided to tackle the problem as small problems can escalate. Look forward to sharing your experiences with you. Take care and hopefully see you soon.
Go Girl, brilliant DIY. Also saving money taking on the job in hand. We would clean out the crud. Surprised the concrete blocks are not fixed would they move about? Another enjoyable watch.
Keep them coming! So refreshing to see such a genuine human out there, 10k views in a week for just starting out on YT, doing great! Can’t wait for more
You may have sorted it already but Rustoleum is what my friend who builds house barges uses on the steel. Keep the DIY coming too Betty, variety is the spice of life as they say.
Great job you're doing there, it's one way to get to know your boat !! Once that's all cleaned out, dry and the floor is laid you'll know that part is 100% 👍🏻...Good work Betty 👏
The bits of insulation pieces are probably just leftovers that have been hidden away beneath the sub floor. You could get rid of them and have a tidyup down there. Loving the channel.
These things are sent to try us! As painful a situation this is, you have to look at the positive side of things otherwise you'll cry! At least now you can say you know your lovely boat inside out - literally! Good luck with the repair and be sure to give us an update when you can.
I have to admit I did cry when I first found the water in the bilge, particularly because it was so soon after getting the boat. But I'm trying to look at the positive side - I feel like I know my boat a lot better now and I'm learning new skills!
YAY look at you, you DIY'er you. All that junk under there is just lazy builders that couldn't be bothered to clean up and hid it, shame on them. I look forward to seeing the final result and as already mentioned below, make a small inspection hole/hatch to check now and again. That will help you to stay on top of things. Good luck getting it all done.
Yes I was disappointed to see all of that rubbish under the subfloor! I've since made an inspection hatch in one of the steps so it should be easier to check the bilge and also get water out more easily too. 🙂
Dear Betty, So many of our popular movies and stories are based on the pattern of The Hero’s Journey as described by Joseph Campbell, and you have a gift for storytelling! The hero ventures out from the ordinary world into the unknown, faces challenges and adversities, gains new insights and skills, and then returns transformed. Life on the narrowboat mirrors this journey: you leave behind conventional living, face the elements and technical challenges, discover new places, people, and wildlife, and grow through these experiences. It's a journey of personal transformation and adventure. And we can’t wait to see what happens in the next episode!
It's definitely a journey for me, and not just in the literal sense of a journey. I'm not sure where it's going to take me but it has been mostly positive so far, despite problems with the boat!
@@bettyonaboat Thank you for your reply! We don't have anything quite like narrowboats here in the US, so it's nice to share in your journey. I have seen some others commenting concerned about your safety. I follow some RV and camping channels, and one in particular I note, Nikki Delventhal either doesn't say where she is, or when she does, the episode is delayed by enough time so that she's moved on. Safe travels to you!
@@scottschram Yes, I only post videos once I've moved on - partly because it takes me ages to edit them! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos anyway; it's nice to know they're being enjoyed in a difference country!
You go, girl! Remember that when it's fixed, it's you that fixed it, and you have a more intimate knowledge of your boat and how it's put together. I'm pretty sure that if I started that, it would finish up with the boat on fire, while it sinks..... (mind you, I can do that while making toast). As I've said before - much respect to you
You are a true inspiration to other boat owners who would never attempt anything like this. Hopefully people will see it is possible to complete by applying some logic as you have. Loving your videos and your yellow dotty safety socks 🤣🤣🤣😉 Never be afraid to ask for help or advice, the only daft question is the one you don’t ask. 👍
They're my hi-vis safety socks! I hope it does encourage other boat owners to give it a go. It's more satisfying to do things yourself and it saves loads of money.
Great job, its not rocket science even tho its a big task, most jobs ive tackled in my time, I have took my time to figure it out and winged my way through, a good sense of achievement is felt when you do a job like this yourself and the money you save. keep up the good content.
That was clearly going on before you bought the boat And the old owner, shame on you you would’ve known that was happening . Great videos keep up and thanks for the great videos 👍
10 Thousand subscribers for 5 videos!!!! Amazing. Congratulations! I think it's because you are so natural. so authentic. Look forward to seeing more videos.
Nicely done, Lady B. The insulation duff in your bilge is leftover from the boat build. Whoever (whichever tradesperson) was "responsible" for cutting back the excess foam (prior to wall paneling installation) really should have tidied after their gig. Unfortunately, often, mass production co.'s cut their costs in 'unseen' areas (leaving construction waste where it lays - beneath floors, behind walls, in attics and crawl spaces, etc). DIY = adaptability + creativity + ingenuity (resourcefulness) ☜ and that there makes for compelling entertainment. 🙌❤⚓🖖
I think you're right but I was really disappointed to find it under there - it wouldn't take someone very long to clear it away, surely? I'm glad you found the video compelling though! 🙂
One problem with jigsaws, they don't cut very neatly! they have a real tendency to cut stuff all wavy and ruin it, an oscillating multi cutter tool might be better, and do please be careful to find out where all your pipes and cables are under your floor before cutting any of it as you don't want to end up with a miles bigger job on your hands to fix all the damage, this is something I know from working on lots of old houses fixing and fitting wiring and plumbing etc. and fitting full kitchens and bathroom suites and more recently my central heating.
Betty, Re: Floorboards. Keep the warped ply as templates to be cut at a lumber mill. Later, allow ventilation below the boards to release moisture to help prevent mold, etc. Good luck from Colorado ❤️
Hi Betty, you seem to be an alround talent. Unfortunate with the job you are having to do. Would love to help you, but as I live in Germany it’s not possible, hope you get it sorted soon. Love your videos, Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪
What a great video. That looks like a lot of work, but you are right to deal with it, it would only get worse. If you want to buy some tools, look at the centre ailes of Lidl and Aldi. Their tools are great value. A powered drill / screwdriver is a very useful starting point. Do you look a mess? No, you look like someone busy getting a job done, with beautiful eyes. Keep making these videos Betty, I look forward to the next one.
I did end up buying a cordless drill in the end, although I didn't want to use it on some of the screws as they were rusted and I was worried about stripping the heads. Some of them were so bad I thought they might never come out!
Soldier on Betty your doing well, don't worry about the waste under the floor, just a case of lazy builders, dust pan & brush if you wish to clear it out, don't use a Hover it may damage it. Good luck, nice video.👍
I found it fascinating to see your DIY explanations Betty. Quite a challenge taking this on. I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. Also good to see you using Bosch power tools. I work for them and I know they may good gear. Looks forward to when you have "Little One" ship shape again.
Just subscribed, You go girl, can tell you not many would attempt that floor repair using just hand screw driver, rather than a battery drill, must have taken an absolute age to do all that manually, hard work for sure.. Well done
Ha, I just got started with the screwdriver I had and got carried away, but then I ended up needing to borrow a drill anyway to make a hole in the floor to put the jigsaw blade in.
It's really interesting to see what efforts go on behind the scenes to owning a narrow boat. I hope your followers can give some sound advice. Top job :)
Sorry to hear about the leak, but hats off to you for tackling the problem yourself. Keep up the great videos and I look forward to seeing more of your adventures.
Towards your narrowboat repairs and maintenance. Thank you for being genuine and for sharing your experiences with us.🥰
Oh my goodness, that's really kind, thank you! You have officially paid for all of my rust converter and Hammerite paint!
@@bettyonaboat personally i would not use hammerite paint, as imho its crap, and flakes off, speak to classic car repairer's to what the use now, but i used to use rustoleom primer, and a good dulux or similar normal house hold gloss black paint on all of my car chassis, as it hardens as it ages
@@stevem7868-y4l 100%
@bettyonaboat I will strongly second Rustoleum primer. I used it and a topcoat on my horse trailer. No more rust and it has stuck for over 10 years.
As a former barge owner, my advise is to remove all the scrap and paint the iron with a rust blocker like owatrol oil. I love you being genuine and as long as you are so genuine I will follow your channel.
well said, that's exactly as I see it. Betty stays genuine, and we stay with Betty.
Thank you both! 🙂
Try and pick up a wet and dry vac,karcher etc.great for sucking up that water
Your channel get more and more interesting. Keep on the good work ❤
I hope you managed to sort it out Betty.
Good call with regards to replacing the damaged subfloor. Superb job Betty👍
It was a pain but definitely worth doing!
I spend half my life fixing other people's narrowboats - what you're doing there is more than most would do for themselves!
Hats off to you for getting stuck in and sorting it out for yourself.
Thank you, it's been a bit more difficult than I expected but it's quite satisfying too! 🙂
@@bettyonaboat I look forward to seeing it all done, that's if you do make a video showing us all!
As a former livaboard boater of 6 years, let me. First say that I admire your courage in tackling the floor problem,on your own. Don’t be afraid ask fellow boaters for their advice and you will find that help will be readily available . I do wish that I was 40yrs younger and more able than I am now, I would come and find you. As a mechanical engineer all my working life I have “fixed” all kinds of problems and I would love to show you some tips. However, best wishes Betty, keep in touch with Heidi the Pirate, I believe that she is a woman whose word and advice can be depended upon.
Thank you for your encouragement! 🙂
Ɓe careful with the plywood floor. It looked like it was growing mold on it. That could be detrimental to your health, breathing the spores. Get it dried out very good, and paint the new floor with a mold blocker, and use it on every thing that you can reach. A bit of good work now may save having issues later.
Hi Betty, unfortunately canal boats are never straight forward, I’ve lived on mine for 24 years and I’m constantly working on bits or repairing things, it’s all part of canal life and living aboard. Just a quick tip for the future, make sure you cut a small inspection lid ( about the size of a small dinner plate) in the floor as far back as possible either hinge it or make finger holes to be able to lift it up, screw 2 mall battens under so the lid has something to rest on, this will allow you to periodically check the baseplate for water, normally a certain amount will gather in colder weather due to condensation forming on the steel sides and running down, I buy a pack of cheap baby nappies and place 2 face down to soak up any water. Hope that helps and good luck !
Wonderful advice!
Thank you, that's really good advice! I did have an inspection hatch before but the location was a bit of an issue. It was underneath my seating but it wasn't very close to the back of the boat, so I wasn't able to get all of the water out as a lot of it had gone further back than the inspection hatch, if that makes sense? I've since made a new inspection hatch that's further back, but if I could go back in time I would have made a new one a lot sooner. I could have got the water out quicker and it might not have caused as much damage. Oh well, you live and learn...
Hi Betty, on our boat there was a small inspection hatch right at the rear of the boat (60ft cruiser stern) and it was permanently full of water, I think due to condensation and also some terrible plumbing by the previous owner. It was full of quite serious rust issues also. The thing had been submerged 3 times in the past though and we had serious considered having a periscope fitted 😂. Really enjoying your channel mate, keep going Betty.👍 Take care.
Oh.. plus I had to remove and reseal all of the leaky windows. I forgot about that little nightmare.
Honestly, I found this video really interesting. Please continue to show us the DIY days as well as the travel days. :)
In that case I will try to show more DIY... I certainly have a lot to do!
When you started your journey you instantly joined a community of thousands. Don’t be afraid to ask your fellow boaters for advice or help, you’ll be surprised at knowledge and skills you will gain
That's a good point, I've learnt so much from people already! 🙂
Hi Betty, the condition of your base plate under the plywood floor looks to be in very good condition indeed, no problem there.
The pieces of insulation, which looks to be spray foam were probably trimmings from when your boat was first fitted out. Makes sense to remove them and have a tidy up under there.
Loving your channel, keep up the good work 👏 😊
It's reassuring to know the baseplate is OK as I was quite alarmed when I saw the rust! There weren't any flakes though so I think it was just a tiny bit of surface rust. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel so far! 🙂
Top effort, well done you, great mind set, great video 👍
With regards to the insulation,you'll find builders etc are lazy b#@tar# and won't clean up. Once had a new flat removed the bath panel and there I found empty pizza boxes and drinks bottles,off cuts of timber and pipe off cuts.
The good thing about posting videos is the advice and help you'll receive,but with the internet and all good intentions don't take everything as gospel some people think they're the font of all knowledge but may not be. Goo luck young lady.
Not boring at all Betty, don't undersell yourself. I found it interesting and it's brevity is a blessing 👍
Thank you, I think a 20-minute video of me doing DIY would have been too much! 😂
@@bettyonaboatI just came across your channel. I have watched several episodes. It’s all great videos. You do seem a bit nervous talking to the camera, that will get easier with time just like boating will get easier with practice. Never feel bad for any content you want to post. Remember it’s your thoughts creativity and experiences, if anyone complains it’s their own problem or they can move on. You are very beautiful and that might attract some trolls out there. Stay true to yourself and it will all turn out just fine.
For the maintenance of your narrowboat and camera. Thank you for taking us along your scenic, and very informative, cruising.🪛🛥
Oh my goodness, that’s so kind, thank you!! That will really help.
Wow very generous.
I suggest you replace the plywood with marine grade plywood and seal it with an exterior varnish being careful to saturate the edges. Good luck!
Thank you, that's a good idea about sealing it!
Hi Betty. I'm not a boater and can't offer any pearls of advice like some of your contributors have, but I love your attitude of self-reliance and willingness to get stuck in. Nice one.
Cheers.
Ah thank you, that's really kind of you to say!
Whenever I use plywood where it might get wet, I paint the edges with waterproof exterior PVA glue. Standing the board upright on it's edge so it soaks well in. The edge then dries really hard, and is good for sanding and filling.
Continue to "show it as it is " Betty. Every bit as interesting as cruising. You're doing a great job!. 😀👍👍
Thank you, maybe I'll do a mix of videos in future then! 🙂
Exactly what I thought, said it for me👍
I’m following your travails all the way from Colorado- and have been cheering you on as you run into the “occasional rakes in the grass”. The fact that you make the effort …to keep motoring -on makes your videos so relatable. Carry on M’Lady, and here’s something for your repairs kitty. Stay safe.
Thank you, that’s so kind of you! I’ll put this to good use with my repair and maintenance costs!
We are interested in you .we feel a protective feeling towards you. We want to see you have a fun time and to be happy😅
Hi, a word of caution for future repairs. If you need to cut flooring and you can't see what is underneath, use a circular saw set to the thickness of the wood you're cutting through. This way and pipes or cables hidden under the floor won't be cut.
Thanks that's good advice. I think a circular saw would have been better as I was worried about hitting the ballast too. In fact, I broke a jigsaw blade before I started filming this!
I honestly didn't think I'd become as interested in this series as I have.
I remember subbing to show support for a very genuine creator being very honest on her first upload on a platform which let's be honest has far too many gimmicky channels.
I suppose this is where some people just have that ability to grab people's attention without the need to go over the top with production and editing or clickbait titles.
I have a feeling that many of us are truly invested in this journey now.
Brilliant !
I also firmly believe that if I could fit a recording studio into a narrow boat I'd pack up and find the nearest canal 🤣
Same but I’d probably be too worried about thermal movement 🙄
@@troytempest290 I left England a while back and came to the Highlands, the thermal movement up here is constantly sideways 🤣
@@R1PPA-C You did WHAT..! Well I suppose you like relics. ✌️🤣
@@troytempest290 well I'm heading in the right direction to be a relic myself so why not join the museum early ?🤣
@@R1PPA-C 🤣👍
Thanks
A little bit more to help you on your way good luck with your work on a lovely narrow boat you’ve got a really big thumbs up from me👍👍
@@philkennedy342 Thank you very much, that's really kind of you! 😀
@@bettyonaboat your more than welcome sorry it’s not much but am sure it’ll help somewhere all I ask is you vlog your progress with your lovely narrow boat 👍👍👍
Thank you, I don’t plan to stop! 😀
Well I just gotta say it! The fact that you're rolling your sleeves up, getting stuck into it, solving the problem, keen on DIY, you look amazing (even when you think you're not looking your best) so Kudos to you girl!! You've impressed the hell out of me, and your videos really are a pleasure to watch. Keep being cool ❤
Thank you, that's really kind of you to say and I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!
Hello Betty, Marine plywood does not delaminate, even when it gets wet. What you have been sold is interior plywood. This is much cheaper and has no place on a boat.
Yes I realised this after I filmed the video! I’ve replaced it with marine ply now so that should be better.
Hi, while you have the floor up, vacuum all the rubbish and paint the bare metal in the bilge with a rust preventing paint or Waxoil. It will be horribly smelly for a while, but will prevent further expensive rusting.
Waxoyl is not a good plan. It dries out over time and cracks, letting any water get behind it. I speak from experience sadly.
Wow! you do a great job there. I would avise you to buy a bilge pump and put the hose on the deepest part of your boat. If any water leaks under the floor, you can remove it with this pump. So your boat stays dry. Good luck!
Well done you for taking on such a job that many people would shy away from. The more you do the more skills you will pick up. I loved your DIY video and if you're able to film more I'm sure many would love to see you also fixing your boat too. Another lovely video Betty, thank you.
Thank you, I'll try to film more DIY in that case! 🙂
Good luck! When I worked on my classic car I found a facebook group for it and people on there could literally answer any question, even the most obscure ones. I wonder if there is similar for your boat make and model or just narrowboat maintenance in general? I suspect you have looked already and have joined them but just thought I'd mention in case you haven't as for me I found them so incredibly valuable!
That's a good idea. I'm in a few Facebook groups but I just tend to read other people's posts rather than posting my own!
best way to learn - just do it! - you may make mistakes but you can correct and still save some money - all the best
Yes I'm definitely learning a lot by doing this! I'm glad I decided to tackle it myself rather than paying someone a fortune to do it! 🙂
Love watching do-it-yourself stuff. You're doing a great job! Once it's finished you'll feel proud of what you've done.
We missed you Betty
Thanks, that's nice of you to say!
Not sure if you can use it on boats, but caravans have the same issue and you get a resin floor repair, you drill holes into the damaged floor and inject two part expoxy to repair it as it rebonds the wood, as it’s only the glue that has failed, the wood is still ok.
That's interesting, I'm going to look into this in case I find any other bits which have failed in areas where it would be more difficult to replace the subfloor.
Bless you Betty, what a horrible thing to happen so soon after getting your boat and now all this work to repair it. I love how brave you are to just get stuck in.
You popped into my feed this evening and I'm instantly hooked for all the reasons so many have already said. I've binged watched all your videos and look forward to seeing more.
I hope the repairs go smoothly and you get back to enjoying your space. 😊
Thank you, it was quite upsetting when I discovered the problem but I'm OK now. 🙂
@@bettyonaboat Your resilience is a great credit to your character! 🙂
Hi again i would hover the mes out paint the bilge with a rust preventer and treat the underside of the cabin floors with epoxy just brushed on that will help in future and rap ya heater hose in exhaust rap !! Keep going you're doing good little lady ❤
Thank you for the advice and encouragement! 🙂
I'm sure you will stick it out Betty. Be proud of what you've done so far. Best wishes
Thank you, I'll keep going! 🙂
Well done having to deal with it all by yourself. You'll feel and think great after your achievement.
This is what people love to see - the reality of narrowboats and leaks. Great work with the jigsaw and good luck with the repairs. :)
Ha, maybe I'll try to show more of my mishaps in future then! This was only my second time using a jigsaw but I quite enjoyed it. I've decided I like sawing things.
Hi Betty. Awrite bab! Don't beat yourself up about the damage to the floor, the delamination has been caused by previous damp/flooding in addition to the most recent one. Also that is not marine ply, which would not have delaminated because of water - that's why its called marine ply. What you have is probably WBP ply. Knowing boatbuilders it will be cheap indoor rated ply. Any leaks will find their way to the back of the boat, where you should make sure you have an access panel - where you can pump the water out with a wet and dry hoover or bilge pump.
I think you're right about it not being marine ply - I just assumed it was because it seems ridiculous to use normal plywood for a boat subfloor! I've made a new inspection hatch further back in the boat now but I wish I'd done it sooner so I could have got all the water out. The problem was that my old inspection hatch wasn't far back enough. It's great getting advice on here from people like you though. If I have a mishap in future I think I'll post a video about it to get advice!
@@bettyonaboat you're welcome 😊
good for you it very satisfying when you diy something oh and be carefull walking round in socks when your wood working splinters are nasty
Yes it's definitely more satisfying, even though I'd rather not have to do it!
Thanks for the update Betty - so fascinating look at what's under a narrow boat floor!
I used to use a jigsaw to cut floorboards in my first house - I graduated to using a circular saw as the depth can be set so I only cut the floor, not the joists (vertical wooden beams) ... I don't think this matters in a boat at the whole length of the beams is supported by the steel base of the boat.
Hope this is useful info and not seen as 'mansplaining' as my daughter would call it! I've done far too much DIY, as I'm sure others have, and I'm now a bit too 'old & knackered' to do much now - so if any info / advice I can give is useful I'd be happy to help!
Hope others advice on your DIY is also helpful - if the steel is 10mm thick treating the rust will be cosmetic - it takes many decades for 10mm steel to be weakened by rust!
I don't know if treating the beams would be a good idea - I presume they have some protection as they are in contact with the hull, so will get wet from condensation for some of the year.
Good luck with finishing this repair - hope you get time to enjoy the boat before the next repair!
A circular saw is a good shout, thank you! The wooden beams are on raised bits of steel (if that makes sense) so that hopefully they'll be OK.
Hello Betty .. first off, well done on your videos so far .. ! On your own, too..
Your journey so far has really resonated with us, we bought a 46ft narrow boat in 2022 .. had to get it home with no no experience ( we had a GRP cruiser initially) ..193 miles, all sorts of disasters, 😂.. hot weather, stupidly getting the centre line tangled with prop, necessitating a trip into canal to try and untangle, which it eventually did after he had gotten back on board with a struggle (we were adrift and next to a mud bank, thank goodness no one passing to see our embarrassment..) All Mike could say was ‘the canal is warm !! ‘ A real heatwave that was..At Nottingham Castle locks I fell (jumped off too soon) and with a deep cut to my elbow, bled all over those nice cobbles, a trip next day to Newark walk in emergency dept and Specsavers to repair glasses (lens had fallen out), then Mike was unable to steer for lengths at a time as he had damaged his neck and was getting dizzy spells..It was down to crocked elbow me .. first time tidal and it was the Trent..Delay arriving at lock due to engine overheating twice (we found out later that it was a loose fan belt, kicked ourselves for not checking before voyage! ), lock keepers, (bless them) kept watch for us and gates open, it was full tide and hairy but they gave us great advice and got us in like a experts! We made it home (ten days) just in time to make our mooring before our home lock was shut because of water shortages..
Great times ! Since then we have had a similar water disaster like yours ..ours due to a slow leak from water pump, drip drip over a long time and we sucked out many gallons .. found loads of insulating foam bits too, so that must be the case with loads of boats ..
A Titan Wet/Dry hoover was the best at getting all that water out, and we bought a Jackery solar electric generator to run stuff like that as it’s heavy on electric if you haven’t got current access to mains..
You will have such an interesting journey ahead, absolutely no doubt you will get help (and saved) by our lovely CRT lockies out there, and the boating community .. you are a lovely lass, all the very best of luck !
Helen and Mike of Bijou.
Oh my goodness, your journey sounds very similar to mine, although I managed to avoid a trip to the emergency department! I think a wet/dry hoover would have been great. I'll make a note of that make in case this ever happens again, although hopefully it won't!
You are gaining confidence in your vids .. well done ! We found Mercia Marina scary too with all the people there.. we went there on our ‘ trip to take the boat back’ out of necessity as the Thetford loo we’d bought from Amazon turned out to be damaged ..found that out on the day we set off ! Our planned trips at the mo are shelved due to me falling over while cleaning the boat ..distal radius fracture 🙄😬.. cast comes off in two weeks..
Loved that swan ..😀
So sorry to hear all of that, that's the joy of boats (I've four friends on NBs and I grew up around boats).
Sadly 'marine' ply isn't what it used to be either - don't ask me how I know🤕 Remember to treat and seal the replacement ply.
You're doing a good job - game girl, keep up the good work. Brave of you✌️💜
Nearly all boats have ballast (especially above a certain size/weight).
Good luck💜💜✌️😊
I now have doubts about whether or not it really was marine ply. I didn't realise the quality has gone down though?
Hi Betty, good for you for tackling this job , you’ve got a lot of followers to give advice. The more you do the more your confidence improves.
Yes I love how people are giving me advice! I think I might have to make some more DIY videos so I can get tips from people.
I wish I had something constructive to say but I am a one man DIY disaster zone. I nearly took my eye out once trying to put up a curtain rail. So alas, all I can offer is words of encouragement Betty. Well done on your YT success, and keep your fingers away from that jigsaw blade...I would have cut one mine off doing that.
Ha, I did manage to avoid injuring myself fortunately!
People like to see genuine people, doing things they love, even if they aren't too comfortable doing so.
Enjoyed all your videos, and your personality works really well.
Keep it up!
Thank you, that's really encouraging to know as I'm not the most confident person but maybe that doesn't matter?
@@bettyonaboat You are tackling narrowboat life with all its challenges. You have loads of confidence!🙂
If you feel a bit nervous speaking to camera, just imagine you're talking to just one person.
@@bettyonaboat Doesn't matter a jot! First episode you did EXACTLY what I would do... "Oh, there's people coming", and "I don't want them to think I'm insane". You come across as normal and relatable.
On the plus side yer ship's got plenty of spare oars now. It's galleon time!
🏴☠
Once you have replaced all the spongey floors, at least you will know you have a good solid floor instead. Credit to you for tackling this work, and I hope you get it all sorted soon! Take care!
Thank you, I hope I get it sorted soon too!
Wow I'm impressed. I don't know any of this stuff.
Neither do I really!
You've noted a few times about your confidence level. You will find your confidence as your series progresses... when you realise that whatever you do, you are just you being you and that is what people love about you. Even though I don't live on a boat, your life relates so much to my life. I live in a tiny house and have challenges of trying to find space to cook in the kitchen, somewhere to hang out my washing while trying to prevent the air in the house getting too damp, and what to do when the damp comes through the walls or a pane of glass cracks. I wish my bedroom window looked out onto a riverbank instead of a car park, but otherwise, I can see so many similarities, and I enjoy seeing how you tackle your daily challenges while I'm trying to tackle my own in my tiny house. :)
I bet living in a tiny house is nice. I think I'd like to live in a tiny house in the middle of the countryside one day. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. 😀
fair dos to you Betty, you have a go at anything. Bravo
Thank you! 🙂
Best of luck with repairing your boat. Maintenance comes with the territory. It's hard work but you are getting to know your vessel on an intimate level - which is really good.
Yes I didn't expect to be doing something like this so soon but I definitely feel like I know my boat better now. 🙂
I feel for you. Leaks and water damage are a pain to track down and fix but well done for tackling the problem and getting it sorted. Happy cruising.
Thank you, I hope I don't get any more leaks for a good while!
2 points: (1) Are you sure that's marine ply? Marine ply is denser and heavier than normal plywood and often has a green tinge to it. It shouldn't delaminate like that when soaked in water, unless for a very long time. (2) Many boats are fitted with a bilge pump to remove the water which inevitably accumulates at the bottom. The switch may be with the engine controls or more likely somewhere around the toilet or shower.
Good Luck with the repairs.
I actually have my doubts about whether or not it's marine ply now as I've since looked up the Aintree boat specifications and it just says "treated plywood". I do have a bilge pump but it's in my engine bay which is separate from this bit of the boat. Thank you for the good luck!
Looks like excess trimmed from the spray foam just been left there . The ballast looks half arsed too. Typical. Good idea to tidy up and brush on some owatrol while you are there. Good work betty .
Yes I was confused about why the ballast was only in one area. I contacted Aintree (the people who made my boat) and they said it was to balance out the batteries on the other side of the boat, but I'm not sure I believe that.
Hey Betty, First of all, welcome to the world of boating. You seem to be successful so far, long may it continue. You may or may not be aware, but an old boaters trick for dealing with excess water in the bilge such as this you are experiencing now is to drain as much as you can out by whatever means you can. The remainder can be mopped up by having a supply of nappies on board. On babies, nappies are as you full know, are there to absorb unmentionables. The same principle applies with the use of them in bilges. Best of British, Peter.
Those bits of insulation might be the surplus they scraped off the battens and were too lazy to sweep up. Best cleans up and painted with anti-rust.
Yes, I think that's what they were! I've tidied them away now.
love Betty in her yellow socks!
Thanks! 🧦
They are safety socks
Good to see all sides of life on a narrowboat.
I'm glad you appreciate it!
"I look a state..." you are getting knee deep in life and smashing it. Nothing more amazing than that! And the yellow socks rock!! Great video as always 😊
Ha, thank you, I should probably have put some shoes on! 🧦
@@bettyonaboat definitely not! Go with what suits 👍 ....I hate wearing shoes and spend most of my time bare feet or in socks when at home
A very brave lady taking on this task!
Missed seeing you on here the last couple of weeks Betty but can understand why you haven't made a video until now as it looks like you have been busy. Hope you can get your floor sorted out without too many problems and too much cost. You are right about the bricks under the floor as they are used as ballast to stabilise the boat. Good luck with your floor, I will be thinking of you. By the way betty don't ever think you are boring as your not, your increasing subscribers and caring comments from your followers are proof of that ❤
Thank you, that's really nice of you to say! I think I'm going to aim to post a video every two weeks as they take me quite a while to make, but the next video should be longer than this one.
Great to see another video Betty. I don't have a boat, and have never even considered having one, but there is just something special about your videos. It's good to see not just the good parts of your boating, but also the equally interesting parts of the boat such as the maintenance & repairs. Even for marine ply, you should ideally seal the edges with something, such as varnish etc. I am sure though that your fellow enthusiasts could advise you of an ideal product. I generally use whatever I have in my shed - and whatever it is, is better than nothing.
Looking forward to your next video, and well done with what you're doing ! Best wishes.
I didn't know that about marine ply so I'll have to look into that, thank you! In fact, the hatch that goes over my engine bay has gone a bit worn at the edges so that's probably why. I'm glad you think the videos are special! 🙂
Wishing you every success with the renovations ❤
Thank you! 🙂
Hi Betty, I don't have any knowledge of narrow boats but I do on buildings.you have some good advice here. I am glad you decided to tackle the problem as small problems can escalate. Look forward to sharing your experiences with you. Take care and hopefully see you soon.
Yes, the advice is all really useful! Thanks for the good wishes and see you soon!
Replacing the sub floor is quite a mission. You are a brave lady! Love from Denmark :)
Thank you! Hello from England! 🙂
Go Girl, brilliant DIY. Also saving money taking on the job in hand. We would clean out the crud. Surprised the concrete blocks are not fixed would they move about? Another enjoyable watch.
I don't think the blocks would move but I was surprised they were only on one side! I'm glad you found it an enjoyable watch. 🙂
Keep them coming! So refreshing to see such a genuine human out there, 10k views in a week for just starting out on YT, doing great! Can’t wait for more
Thank you! I'm glad people are finding the videos interesting! 🙂
You may have sorted it already but Rustoleum is what my friend who builds house barges uses on the steel. Keep the DIY coming too Betty, variety is the spice of life as they say.
Ah thanks, I've bought some Hammerite but I'll look at Rustoleum too as there are various other bits of rust on the boat I need to see to!
Great job you're doing there, it's one way to get to know your boat !! Once that's all cleaned out, dry and the floor is laid you'll know that part is 100% 👍🏻...Good work Betty 👏
Yes I definitely feel like I know my boat better now! I was quite intrigued to see what was under the subfloor.
The bits of insulation pieces are probably just leftovers that have been hidden away beneath the sub floor. You could get rid of them and have a tidyup down there. Loving the channel.
Yes it's definitely worth tidying everything up while I can. I'm glad you like the channel!
Fascinating betty. i am not sure what breakdown of your audience is but guys love all this stuff. Hope you keep up the good work.
I'm not a guy, and I loved it too. :)
@@happybunny1329 Thank you, that's good to know! 😀
I'm glad you found it interesting!
Insulation would help stop condensation from forming when there is a difference in water temp on the bow of the boat and the ambient air temp.
Good job.
Thanks!
Good on you Betty for having a go at the repairs yourself, and you dont look a mess 😉 Nick 🏴x
Thanks for the encouragement!
These things are sent to try us! As painful a situation this is, you have to look at the positive side of things otherwise you'll cry! At least now you can say you know your lovely boat inside out - literally! Good luck with the repair and be sure to give us an update when you can.
I have to admit I did cry when I first found the water in the bilge, particularly because it was so soon after getting the boat. But I'm trying to look at the positive side - I feel like I know my boat a lot better now and I'm learning new skills!
YAY look at you, you DIY'er you. All that junk under there is just lazy builders that couldn't be bothered to clean up and hid it, shame on them. I look forward to seeing the final result and as already mentioned below, make a small inspection hole/hatch to check now and again. That will help you to stay on top of things. Good luck getting it all done.
Yes I was disappointed to see all of that rubbish under the subfloor! I've since made an inspection hatch in one of the steps so it should be easier to check the bilge and also get water out more easily too. 🙂
Dear Betty,
So many of our popular movies and stories are based on the pattern of The Hero’s Journey as described by Joseph Campbell, and you have a gift for storytelling!
The hero ventures out from the ordinary world into the unknown, faces challenges and adversities, gains new insights and skills, and then returns transformed.
Life on the narrowboat mirrors this journey: you leave behind conventional living, face the elements and technical challenges, discover new places, people, and wildlife, and grow through these experiences. It's a journey of personal transformation and adventure.
And we can’t wait to see what happens in the next episode!
It's definitely a journey for me, and not just in the literal sense of a journey. I'm not sure where it's going to take me but it has been mostly positive so far, despite problems with the boat!
@@bettyonaboat Thank you for your reply! We don't have anything quite like narrowboats here in the US, so it's nice to share in your journey. I have seen some others commenting concerned about your safety. I follow some RV and camping channels, and one in particular I note, Nikki Delventhal either doesn't say where she is, or when she does, the episode is delayed by enough time so that she's moved on. Safe travels to you!
@@scottschram Yes, I only post videos once I've moved on - partly because it takes me ages to edit them! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos anyway; it's nice to know they're being enjoyed in a difference country!
This Scott says that Scott makes a good point about the journey!
You go, girl! Remember that when it's fixed, it's you that fixed it, and you have a more intimate knowledge of your boat and how it's put together. I'm pretty sure that if I started that, it would finish up with the boat on fire, while it sinks..... (mind you, I can do that while making toast).
As I've said before - much respect to you
Thank you for the encouragement! 🙂 And I'm sure you wouldn't sink the boat!
You are a true inspiration to other boat owners who would never attempt anything like this. Hopefully people will see it is possible to complete by applying some logic as you have. Loving your videos and your yellow dotty safety socks 🤣🤣🤣😉
Never be afraid to ask for help or advice, the only daft question is the one you don’t ask. 👍
They're my hi-vis safety socks! I hope it does encourage other boat owners to give it a go. It's more satisfying to do things yourself and it saves loads of money.
Great job, its not rocket science even tho its a big task, most jobs ive tackled in my time, I have took my time to figure it out and winged my way through, a good sense of achievement is felt when you do a job like this yourself and the money you save. keep up the good content.
Yes, it saves money and there's definitely a sense of achievement!
Good on you. I admire your tenacity. Good on you for taking on the task and doing it properly 👍
Thank you, I'm definitely glad I decided to do it rather than just leaving it. 🙂
That was clearly going on before you bought the boat
And the old owner, shame on you you would’ve known that was happening .
Great videos keep up and thanks for the great videos 👍
Well done you , who needs a Mr Fixit when Betty is around , good stuff young lady👍
Ha, thank you! 😄
10 Thousand subscribers for 5 videos!!!! Amazing. Congratulations!
I think it's because you are so natural. so authentic.
Look forward to seeing more videos.
Thank you, it's quite a shock but it's really nice! 😀
Please do more, your content is amazing, informative and relaxing 😎
Thanks, I'm glad you like the videos so far! 🙂
Nicely done, Lady B. The insulation duff in your bilge is leftover from the boat build. Whoever (whichever tradesperson) was "responsible" for cutting back the excess foam (prior to wall paneling installation) really should have tidied after their gig. Unfortunately, often, mass production co.'s cut their costs in 'unseen' areas (leaving construction waste where it lays - beneath floors, behind walls, in attics and crawl spaces, etc). DIY = adaptability + creativity + ingenuity (resourcefulness) ☜ and that there makes for compelling entertainment. 🙌❤⚓🖖
I think you're right but I was really disappointed to find it under there - it wouldn't take someone very long to clear it away, surely? I'm glad you found the video compelling though! 🙂
One problem with jigsaws, they don't cut very neatly! they have a real tendency to cut stuff all wavy and ruin it, an oscillating multi cutter tool might be better, and do please be careful to find out where all your pipes and cables are under your floor before cutting any of it as you don't want to end up with a miles bigger job on your hands to fix all the damage, this is something I know from working on lots of old houses fixing and fitting wiring and plumbing etc. and fitting full kitchens and bathroom suites and more recently my central heating.
easy subscription, that rabbit in the headlights look always gets me. Sincerity cannot be bought.
Betty, Re: Floorboards. Keep the warped ply as templates to be cut at a lumber mill. Later, allow ventilation below the boards to release moisture to help prevent mold, etc. Good luck from Colorado ❤️
Your surveyor should have warned you about this issue.
Thank you, that's really good advice!
Awesome work, keep us update. We love your videos.
Thank you, that's really nice to hear!
Hat’s off to you Betty you are doing great. Loved the video and your yellow socks !
Thank you! 🧦
Hi Betty, you seem to be an alround talent. Unfortunate with the job you are having to do. Would love to help you, but as I live in Germany it’s not possible, hope you get it sorted soon. Love your videos, Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪
What a great video. That looks like a lot of work, but you are right to deal with it, it would only get worse. If you want to buy some tools, look at the centre ailes of Lidl and Aldi. Their tools are great value. A powered drill / screwdriver is a very useful starting point. Do you look a mess? No, you look like someone busy getting a job done, with beautiful eyes. Keep making these videos Betty, I look forward to the next one.
I did end up buying a cordless drill in the end, although I didn't want to use it on some of the screws as they were rusted and I was worried about stripping the heads. Some of them were so bad I thought they might never come out!
clean up all the bits under the floor. wash down any mold....maybe scuff up the hull and paint with anti rust paint...you are doing a good job
Thank you for the advice and encouragement! 🙂
Nothing looks too bad at all Betty. Hopefully just some new ply and you’re sorted. 👍
I think it could have been much worse!
Soldier on Betty your doing well, don't worry about the waste under the floor, just a case of lazy builders, dust pan & brush if you wish to clear it out, don't use a Hover it may damage it. Good luck, nice video.👍
Thanks for the advice and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! 🙂
I found it fascinating to see your DIY explanations Betty. Quite a challenge taking this on. I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. Also good to see you using Bosch power tools. I work for them and I know they may good gear. Looks forward to when you have "Little One" ship shape again.
Thank you! I'm really not a DIY expert but I'm glad you found it interesting.
Just subscribed, You go girl, can tell you not many would attempt that floor repair using just hand screw driver, rather than a battery drill, must have taken an absolute age to do all that manually, hard work for sure.. Well done
Ha, I just got started with the screwdriver I had and got carried away, but then I ended up needing to borrow a drill anyway to make a hole in the floor to put the jigsaw blade in.
It's really interesting to see what efforts go on behind the scenes to owning a narrow boat. I hope your followers can give some sound advice. Top job :)
Yes I've had some good advice already! 🙂
You are doing great. Keep going!
Thank you!
I can't cut a straight line to save my life. Impressed by your good cuts. I hope you get it all squared away soon.
It was as straight as I could get it! I find sawing things strangely enjoyable.
Sorry to hear about the leak, but hats off to you for tackling the problem yourself. Keep up the great videos and I look forward to seeing more of your adventures.
Thank you, I hope you like my future adventures! 🙂
@@bettyonaboat Can’t wait! ☺️👏🏻