Thanks for this brilliant guide. Being a single lady, I’m just waiting to meet the man of my dreams who also loves canals and narrowboats as much as I do. Then there will be no stopping me!!! Xxx
My wife and I made a canal plan with possible mooring places, travelling and break times. After the first day we realised we were trying to do so much that we were missing the scenery and wildlife. We threw our plans away and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the trip travelling at a slow speed whilst feeling relaxed and calm.
I would add; 1. Mooring. Only moor on the same side as the towpath unless it is specifically marked by CRT or the landowner that you can moor up on the other side. 2. Don’t overplan. If you are going to do a circular route you will need more than one week. A holiday is not travelling from dawn to dusk every day in order to get round.
Re: “Driving” on the left came from driving livestock along roads; majority of cattle drivers were right handed and that is the hand that would hold the whip… to stop passing pedestrians being accidentally whipped, the whip hand was to be in the centre of the road, hence driving on the left.
Goodness! we have always drunk the water from a narrowboat. Regardless of filters, boiled or whatever. Wonder if thats why my brain is frazzled. (Hired for 50 odd years) I would avoid August for hiring, prices go up considerably
If you are nervous about handling a boat try a canal like the Lancaster where there are no locks to worry about and only 1 working swing bridge. It's a great way to get used to a boat without having to worry about the locks.
For anyone who might be nervous a day boat hire can also be worthwhile. You may not be permitted to do locks due to insurance, but you will learn what its like to operate the engine, steer, open and close swing bridges, moor up etc. Day boats also take 8-12 people so if there's a few of you thinking about it the per person cost is quite reasonable, £15-20 each. Also good for overseas visitors who may want to do something different for a day.
It use to be it Friday it’s crackerjack now it’s Friday it’s fox’s. Good vlog again and I’d love to go boating but not now, I just dream. Keep well and stay safe
Hiya lads. We're 2 mature people that have been watching your vlogs and you have inspired us to go onto the canals. We have sold our house and now looking for a boat. We like to thank you and all the other vloggers out there that's helped us make our minds up to get out there and do it. Just to let you know we decided to hire a boat last march just to make sure that we liked it and believe it or not it was Juniper from Snaygill boat company. So hopefully we will see you on the cut in the near future. Best wishes to you both. Steve & Angie Baker
Look at Shaun doing a lot more talking or putting his ten penneth in as my pops used to say ! Keep it up Shaun ! Have a great weekend boys and Otis and also to my fellow subscribers ! Have a good one guys !!! Xx
My first experience of a hire boat I was so excited and really enjoyed it , mooring out in the middle of no where was just amazing . We went on to buy one called Little Gypsy and has so much fun on her but unfortunately money got a bit tight so we had to get rid of her . I really miss her !
LOL, I'm so American! I lived in the UK for a year and for 186 episodes I didn't think anything of the boats passing on the right till you brought it up...
great advice guys, been hiring for over 30years now and the only bit of clothing i think you missed is gloves. Maps are useful for when you want to wander around. But most importantly take a smiling face and a laid back attitude. You will always find people who are unhappy with people who hire boats and shout at you, but that’s their problem not yours! Just relax an enjoy, it’s great, you will not be disappointed.
Gloves? been hiring since 1983 and never even thought about gloves! not in Summer anyway. Best thing I did to protect my hands was to get a nice person to replace the plastic tube on my windlass with a nice wooden handle, that windlass is probably over 30 years old now and still going strong, no blisters ever with that one!
@@davidtomlinson1850 Ouch! maybe a shorter windlass will help? or one of those new fancy ratchet windlasses that have a second hole so you can use the short length for easy paddles or the long one for stiff paddles? they are very pricey though!
I miss being out on the cut, I so enjoyed boat life when I was young and daft. But what with me being disabled and having to use my mobility scooter it would sadly be impossible for me to get on and off a narrowboat, but I've always enjoyed living vicariously with you your travels. All the best my friends. Stephen❤
Oh gosh I love watching you two. This is my first video of yours; you remind me so much of my husband and me; I haven't laughed this much for weeks. We live in the US; my husband is from London and I was born here. I'm about to retire and we're planning on selling everything and moving to the UK to live. We recently hit on the idea of trying living on a narrowboat. It sounds great, because we really don't know where (or if) we'd like to settle down, and it seems like a great way to experience the country. We'll be watching the rest of your videos, for entertainment value if nothing else ;) and if we go the narrowboat route, I hope we meet you on the water! Love from Bill and Matt.
Thanks so much for this excellent vid. I'm a four-time hirer to date, and absolutely love it. One thing's certain about canal boating: you never stop learning how to do it properly!
Some tips from own experiences: 1. Approaching a tunnel, (a) turn your light on, pointed up and to the right (so to illuminate the wall without blinding oncoming traffic), (b) sound your horn going in and going out, and (c) put on your rain gear, even if its fine out (tunnels drip). 2. Don't enter a staircase until the lockkeeper tells you to. At Foxton one year, we waited 20 minutes at the bottom and no one showed up so we went in. Halfway up the lockie taught me this lesson in no uncertain terms. 3. If you like pub lunches, many canalside pubs have short term mooring. Check your Nicholson's Guide. 4. As a hirer, I prefer wide canals as two boats go up or down the locks together, you share the work, and make good friends especially if it is a long flight as you will do all the locks together. I was wearing my Arsenal shirt and the other guy was a Sp*rs fan, conversation ensued, and we became great friends that day talking and enjoying a day on the canal.
Good to see you two, with all the information for people hiring boats, hopefully we can get back on the canals before too long. See you on the big screen soon. 💕🐾xxx
Great stuff guys. We did our first canal boat trip last July from Anderton. We were going to go to Chester and back but a broken lock put paid to that. We ended up on a magical mystery tour that took us to Wrenbury on the Llangollen and past Nantwich to the “secret nuclear bunker”. Our boys at 10 and 12, sadly were “bored” half way through as they’d done locks / lift bridges / steering etc. I think if taking kids, try and make sure there’s places for them to see and do that’s not just a canal boat!
Inspired by you my family of 7 hired a boat for a day last year and we had the most fantastic time! The weather was lovely, the children enjoyed it. But I couldnt steer that boat for my life!! There was lots of screaming from me! 4 miles an hour is quite fast when you are heading for the bank 😂😂
Renting a narrowboat in Great Britain is one of the options my wife and I are considering for a vacation in the UK. Your video with the basics is encouraging. Have been to Wales or Scotland many times now, by motorcycle. Even February with the motorcycle with a sidecar in Wales is actually not such a bad time. You get a different perspective with a narrowboat.
All good advice. We (me, my, husband and my sister) have done it twice on the GUC. Both me and my sister were into our 70s and we both managed the locks while husband steered. We found some of the locks a bit tough but we managed quite well. No problems or injuries. Would love to do it again but would be impossible now at my age. Great to see Silver Fox again.
Funny and very informative as usual! Most boaters are really friendly and helpful. We "grounded" once and a guy on a narrowboat coming the other way slowed down and shoved us off with his pole (Oo, Vicar!) - then fell headlong into our bow.... We were off before we noticed him and then he just popped up and said "Hi! Where are we heading then?" Hire a Narrowboat, everyone, you'll not regret it! 😃😂
Hi guys, another smashing video lots of interesting information, well put together,, We was the very first to hire Jimsonweed when it was built at weedon and went to it's lounch ,it was a very nice boat we hired it twice,we did the themes ring, witch took 2weeks and the Leicestershire ring witch took the same,,,, Great video look forward to your next video all the best to you both and of course a pat and a treat for Otis.
Well that was a well Informed Vlog. When you started I thought eh up this is getting a bit saucy💋can you Imagine queuing at the post office for a common sense Licence 🤣 it'll be a big que where I live😆 Great Vlog as always boy's. see you next week.
Most of the time we went around the 2nd and 3th week of September. Never had a rainy holiday. Even a rainy day was an exception. It also depends on the area, Manchester and north-east of it has more rain (raising land) hence all the old cotton mills.
I watch a whole load of stuff on various subjects and learn from people like yourselves , you guys are really the kind for which youtube was made for . Best regards from the Forth & Clyde
You two are great advocates for canal boating…well done chaps, great vlog. Always appreciate the amount of time and effort you put into your vlogs. God bless xx
Apologies, been Strangling for a few week, Gig 10 of The Stranglers tour Catching up with what you've been upto, watching in my hotel room, chilling out before gig 11 🖤🎵
Just found you guys! Wow, not only narrow boats and all the technical stuff, but two people that we enjoy watching their antics and adventures (doin' it!!!???)! Good production values and video! Now on with the show!
Hubby has gone to see Toyah this evening so I am home ( on our boat) alone this evening. So I thought I would catch up with what you guys are up to. This got me thinking about my first time on a Narrowboat. It was 27 plus years ago and I bought him a 24 hour narrowboat cruise on the Brecon/ Mon. We had been married all of 3 weeks and a drove him through a low hanging tree! OOPS! 🙂
Enjoyed watching this from Yukon, Canada 🇨🇦 with cold temperatures and 4 feet of snow outside my window. We did a holiday trip on the Grand Union canal back in 2005 with our 3 (Yukon born and bred) young sons ...who became very handy running the locks), and my British in-laws (sadly gone now). But what wonderful memories were created for us all...brushing teeth alongside cows at the canal edge and wakening to castle views. Lucked out with hot sunny June weather. As we now head into retirement, we think it's time to do another boat trip...maybe Wales or Scotland this time.
We are hiring a boat yet again on the Norfolk Broads as the Caledonian canal is too adventurous for my wife. Well, I'll be on a boat, so that's fine! Love the vlog. Thanks, guys.
This vlog was a delight and so informative. I appreciate your explanation of narrowboat life. Always a delight to see your utube waiting for me every friday. As always hugs to Otis. Happy boating🤗
hi guy's, its strange not seeing you on the water. Great advice to first time narrowboaters. Looking forward to next weeks vlog. Take care, stay safe and well. With regards Derek.
Just come back from 7 days on a narrowboat. First time but most definitely not our last. Watched a load of your videos before we went and they were invaluable. Thank you ❤️
I remember the first time we hired a narrow boat in the 1980's, the staff at the yard said they would to us down to & through the first lock, what my crew hadn't realised was that the first lock was! about 100 yards in front of the boat, after that we were on our own for the first of a number of enjoyable holidays. Unfortunately these days I have the solo boater problem, wish I had bought a narrowboat some years ago instead of the house when I moved a number of years ago.
Is it common for narrowboats to have bow thrusters? I would have thought such long vessels would be hard to manoeuvre without? Sean makes it look so easy😊
Another good video! We hired a 42 foot boat out of Sowerby Bridge for a mid-week "out and back" in 2017. Loved every minute of it and decided we wanted to do it again for a bit longer, so in 2019 we booked a three week hire out of Chirk for the summer of 2020... but... COVID. Hopefully we'll be back in 2022!
I've just discovered your channel and absolutely loved your journey through the Caledonian Canal. Now I just have to convince my siblings to take the challenge . . . lol
I had once hired a boat om me own. I has some experience and the company allowed me if the base allowed it. I had a great time on the Montgomery canal out of Welshpool. I had the canal to my own most of the time.
As someone who use to help collect narrow boats when conditions got bad. and accompany hirers back to base with the boat. You video was spot on for anyone hiring well done as always guys. 👍
Hi, When we had a narrowboat, we made a rule not to drink alcohol while on the move. Saying that we did have some very early stop’s because it was hot, and passing a very nice pub. 🥰🤗
Hey fellas, great vlog thank you very much. I haven't been on a narrow boat yet but have been trying to persuade my wife for a while. Maybe this year will be the year! 🤞Been watching you guys for years now. Thank you for the great content. 👍
Very Entertaining. Beautiful Canals and places that you take us. I enjoy watching. My question is, When Are You Going To Get Your New Narrowboat ? Any thoughts of doing video of its build, etc.?
Hi guys. Last year we hired a 57ft for the week, me and her. This year 68ft with mother daughter son in law. Whilst glad of the extra help, how much more difficult is this length of boat on the GUC from Wheedon. Can't stop stressing🙊♥️
COLIN DOBSON-FOX, you are a very naughty boy. Doing "it" in the cold and greasing your stern gland... Its a good job we ALL know what your innuendoes are leaning to... It all adds to the entertainment of your vlogs, keep it up... Very informative and hopefully useful, just one snag, now it will be nigh on impossible to get a hire boat for love nor money. Enjoy your travels, stay safe, looking forward to the next instalment.
Thanks for the video I always enjoy watching them !! That’s a lot of good information…thanks for being kind to nature !! Take care and stay safe !! If one gives love and respect I believe a person can get along with 90% of the world 🌎
As I would be going solo, my general plan is to try to find someone else going solo, so we can team up for a week (and hope we don't end up hating each other in the process).
A few extra tips. 1)You should moor on the tow path side. The opposite is usually private land. 2) Steer the boat by positioning its centre of gravity (usually half its length) along the line you wish to take 3) remember when manoeuvring, you can never go too slow. 4) in moving water, manoeuvre against the current. Happy days.
We have always found that boat owners have been friendly and helpful to us as hire boaters. Really, the only time we experienced canal rage - it was aimed at me and the person from the other (OWNED) boat that we were traveling the flight with...Anyway, boaters have always answered our questions, provided great advice about mooring, pubs, etc - and always had lots of advice when they found out we wanted to get our own boat. We also have found the tutelage at the hire companies we've used to be top notch. We always shopped to provision ourselves before we arrived at the boatyard and topped up along the way at shops in towns. Oh, and of course we went to pubs! It's a great holiday - relaxing, peaceful, and so much fun (even in the pouring rain)
We were rescued by a live aboard couple (thank you) on a very windy day on the Ashby canal, we got a 35 ft boat stuck across the canal, needed an extra pair of hands to pull the rope. Cheers for the vid' guys 🙂
Excellent. Thanks guys! We are making the journey from Denver to the UK and have arranged to hire a boat for our very first narrow boat holiday. Visiting the midlands even though my husband is from the Somerset area.
Thanks for this brilliant guide. Being a single lady, I’m just waiting to meet the man of my dreams who also loves canals and narrowboats as much as I do. Then there will be no stopping me!!! Xxx
My wife and I made a canal plan with possible mooring places, travelling and break times. After the first day we realised we were trying to do so much that we were missing the scenery and wildlife. We threw our plans away and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the trip travelling at a slow speed whilst feeling relaxed and calm.
Excellent advice!
After a very stressful week at work. Pulling my hair out. Watching you 2 really calms me down.
"it helps to be able to get on and off the boat.." - inserting a video of Shaun rolling over the grass 😆
I would add; 1. Mooring. Only moor on the same side as the towpath unless it is specifically marked by CRT or the landowner that you can moor up on the other side. 2. Don’t overplan. If you are going to do a circular route you will need more than one week. A holiday is not travelling from dawn to dusk every day in order to get round.
No addy-ons! 😂
Re: “Driving” on the left came from driving livestock along roads; majority of cattle drivers were right handed and that is the hand that would hold the whip… to stop passing pedestrians being accidentally whipped, the whip hand was to be in the centre of the road, hence driving on the left.
Goodness! we have always drunk the water from a narrowboat. Regardless of filters, boiled or whatever. Wonder if thats why my brain is frazzled. (Hired for 50 odd years) I would avoid August for hiring, prices go up considerably
If you are nervous about handling a boat try a canal like the Lancaster where there are no locks to worry about and only 1 working swing bridge. It's a great way to get used to a boat without having to worry about the locks.
The only advice I would offer is, if you are a couple, be sure that both of you want to do it.
For anyone who might be nervous a day boat hire can also be worthwhile. You may not be permitted to do locks due to insurance, but you will learn what its like to operate the engine, steer, open and close swing bridges, moor up etc.
Day boats also take 8-12 people so if there's a few of you thinking about it the per person cost is quite reasonable, £15-20 each. Also good for overseas visitors who may want to do something different for a day.
It use to be it Friday it’s crackerjack now it’s Friday it’s fox’s. Good vlog again and I’d love to go boating but not now, I just dream. Keep well and stay safe
Hiya lads. We're 2 mature people that have been watching your vlogs and you have inspired us to go onto the canals. We have sold our house and now looking for a boat. We like to thank you and all the other vloggers out there that's helped us make our minds up to get out there and do it. Just to let you know we decided to hire a boat last march just to make sure that we liked it and believe it or not it was Juniper from Snaygill boat company.
So hopefully we will see you on the cut in the near future.
Best wishes to you both.
Steve & Angie Baker
Loved the informative video and the cheeky boating humour. 16:00 on a Friday is a great time of the week. Thank you Foxes.
Re: your decision: We will follow your vlog wherever you go. Love you both, thank-you!
This is a dream of mine!!! Super helpful information. Thank you so much! Living vicariously - Maryland USA...
Look at Shaun doing a lot more talking or putting his ten penneth in as my pops used to say ! Keep it up Shaun ! Have a great weekend boys and Otis and also to my fellow subscribers ! Have a good one guys !!! Xx
Haha we hired a boat last year to see if we liked living aboard but bought one inbetween waiting for our hire. We are now happily living aboard
You guys compliment each other in so many ways...love these videos. You both are the best, great experiences and the knowledge you share is priceless!
Mine of information and delivered with panache. Thanks gentlemen
My first experience of a hire boat I was so excited and really enjoyed it , mooring out in the middle of no where was just amazing .
We went on to buy one called Little Gypsy and has so much fun on her but unfortunately money got a bit tight so we had to get rid of her . I really miss her !
LOL, I'm so American! I lived in the UK for a year and for 186 episodes I didn't think anything of the boats passing on the right till you brought it up...
Not just the UK canals, all boats and ships pass to starboard, everywhere with a few exceptions when other rules apply.
I was just about to comment the same thing. I'm watching from Germany...
great advice guys, been hiring for over 30years now and the only bit of clothing i think you missed is gloves. Maps are useful for when you want to wander around. But most importantly take a smiling face and a laid back attitude. You will always find people who are unhappy with people who hire boats and shout at you, but that’s their problem not yours! Just relax an enjoy, it’s great, you will not be disappointed.
Gloves? been hiring since 1983 and never even thought about gloves! not in Summer anyway. Best thing I did to protect my hands was to get a nice person to replace the plastic tube on my windlass with a nice wooden handle, that windlass is probably over 30 years old now and still going strong, no blisters ever with that one!
@@TheFilwud i keep knocking my knuckles on the lock mechanism!!
@@davidtomlinson1850 Ouch! maybe a shorter windlass will help? or one of those new fancy ratchet windlasses that have a second hole so you can use the short length for easy paddles or the long one for stiff paddles? they are very pricey though!
Excellent again ,informative and good sound advice
I miss being out on the cut, I so enjoyed boat life when I was young and daft. But what with me being disabled and having to use my mobility scooter it would sadly be impossible for me to get on and off a narrowboat, but I've always enjoyed living vicariously with you your travels. All the best my friends. Stephen❤
Is there a video of you lubricating your stern gland?
Oh gosh I love watching you two. This is my first video of yours; you remind me so much of my husband and me; I haven't laughed this much for weeks. We live in the US; my husband is from London and I was born here. I'm about to retire and we're planning on selling everything and moving to the UK to live. We recently hit on the idea of trying living on a narrowboat. It sounds great, because we really don't know where (or if) we'd like to settle down, and it seems like a great way to experience the country. We'll be watching the rest of your videos, for entertainment value if nothing else ;) and if we go the narrowboat route, I hope we meet you on the water! Love from Bill and Matt.
Thanks so much for this excellent vid. I'm a four-time hirer to date, and absolutely love it. One thing's certain about canal boating: you never stop learning how to do it properly!
A lot of sense in this vlog hope anyone that tries boating enjoys it, it is great fun, thank you
Good advise think you’ve answered most questions
Brilliant advice with humour 👏😘🧡
Shaun - @ 15:10 - did you have special training on how to do the parachute roll ? 🙂
Thanks for the info. You answered a couple of questions I’ve wondered about in the past. X
Some tips from own experiences:
1. Approaching a tunnel, (a) turn your light on, pointed up and to the right (so to illuminate the wall without blinding oncoming traffic), (b) sound your horn going in and going out, and (c) put on your rain gear, even if its fine out (tunnels drip).
2. Don't enter a staircase until the lockkeeper tells you to. At Foxton one year, we waited 20 minutes at the bottom and no one showed up so we went in. Halfway up the lockie taught me this lesson in no uncertain terms.
3. If you like pub lunches, many canalside pubs have short term mooring. Check your Nicholson's Guide.
4. As a hirer, I prefer wide canals as two boats go up or down the locks together, you share the work, and make good friends especially if it is a long flight as you will do all the locks together. I was wearing my Arsenal shirt and the other guy was a Sp*rs fan, conversation ensued, and we became great friends that day talking and enjoying a day on the canal.
Good to see you two, with all the information for people hiring boats, hopefully we can get back on the canals before too long. See you on the big screen soon. 💕🐾xxx
Great stuff guys. We did our first canal boat trip last July from Anderton. We were going to go to Chester and back but a broken lock put paid to that. We ended up on a magical mystery tour that took us to Wrenbury on the Llangollen and past Nantwich to the “secret nuclear bunker”.
Our boys at 10 and 12, sadly were “bored” half way through as they’d done locks / lift bridges / steering etc. I think if taking kids, try and make sure there’s places for them to see and do that’s not just a canal boat!
This was very informational. Thank you for clarifying so many of my concerns. ❤️🤗
Inspired by you my family of 7 hired a boat for a day last year and we had the most fantastic time! The weather was lovely, the children enjoyed it. But I couldnt steer that boat for my life!! There was lots of screaming from me! 4 miles an hour is quite fast when you are heading for the bank 😂😂
A 15 ton boat doing 4 miles an hour has the same momentum as a 1 ton car doing 60 - and no brakes.
Renting a narrowboat in Great Britain is one of the options my wife and I are considering for a vacation in the UK. Your video with the basics is encouraging.
Have been to Wales or Scotland many times now, by motorcycle. Even February with the motorcycle with a sidecar in Wales is actually not such a bad time. You get a different perspective with a narrowboat.
All good advice. We (me, my, husband and my sister) have done it twice on the GUC. Both me and my sister were into our 70s and we both managed the locks while husband steered. We found some of the locks a bit tough but we managed quite well. No problems or injuries. Would love to do it again but would be impossible now at my age. Great to see Silver Fox again.
Omg boys - just discovered you’re on Amazon ‘Britain by narrowboat’ brilliant !! great to see you on the big screen - superstars hey - well done !!
Funny and very informative as usual! Most boaters are really friendly and helpful. We "grounded" once and a guy on a narrowboat coming the other way slowed down and shoved us off with his pole (Oo, Vicar!) - then fell headlong into our bow.... We were off before we noticed him and then he just popped up and said "Hi! Where are we heading then?" Hire a Narrowboat, everyone, you'll not regret it! 😃😂
Great post as always guys 😇
Thanks really good info
Hi guys, another smashing video lots of interesting information, well put together,,
We was the very first to hire Jimsonweed when it was built at weedon and went to it's lounch ,it was a very nice boat we hired it twice,we did the themes ring, witch took 2weeks and the Leicestershire ring witch took the same,,,,
Great video look forward to your next video all the best to you both and of course a pat and a treat for Otis.
Well that was a well Informed Vlog. When you started I thought eh up this is getting a bit saucy💋can you Imagine queuing at the post office for a common sense Licence 🤣 it'll be a big que where I live😆 Great Vlog as always boy's. see you next week.
Most of the time we went around the 2nd and 3th week of September. Never had a rainy holiday. Even a rainy day was an exception. It also depends on the area, Manchester and north-east of it has more rain (raising land) hence all the old cotton mills.
Didn't realize you guys have been together so long. That is great, you seem very happy together. Great information on renting a narrow boat.
I watch a whole load of stuff on various subjects and learn from people like yourselves , you guys are really the kind for which youtube was made for . Best regards from the Forth & Clyde
Shaun, I give that dismount a 9.5! Useful vlog.
Finally! Someone like me who takes a pillow every time they go anywhere! 😀
Looks like you are both enjoying the change in atmosphere. Watching you in Scotland was great. Sending you both continued blessings from
Las Vegas, 🇺🇸
You two are great advocates for canal boating…well done chaps, great vlog. Always appreciate the amount of time and effort you put into your vlogs. God bless xx
That's quite a hill in back of you both. Lovely secret garden. Thanks for all the awesome info and laughs. Xo
Apologies, been Strangling for a few week, Gig 10 of The Stranglers tour
Catching up with what you've been upto, watching in my hotel room, chilling out before gig 11 🖤🎵
have a great time .
@ 10:52 I thought the question was going to be 'can you drink the 'canal' water'.....
🤣🤣🤣
Oh you boys always turn up when I need you. Covid has hit this house so 5 minutes escape has been very much appreciated 👌 xxxx
Just found you guys! Wow, not only narrow boats and all the technical stuff, but two people that we enjoy watching their antics and adventures (doin' it!!!???)! Good production values and video!
Now on with the show!
Hubby has gone to see Toyah this evening so I am home ( on our boat) alone this evening. So I thought I would catch up with what you guys are up to. This got me thinking about my first time on a Narrowboat. It was 27 plus years ago and I bought him a 24 hour narrowboat cruise on the Brecon/ Mon. We had been married all of 3 weeks and a drove him through a low hanging tree! OOPS! 🙂
Loved your show!! Beautiful relaxing scenery and you gents are delightful! I never knew of the canals.
Very good information delivered with some delicious innuendo 😜
Enjoyed watching this from Yukon, Canada 🇨🇦 with cold temperatures and 4 feet of snow outside my window. We did a holiday trip on the Grand Union canal back in 2005 with our 3 (Yukon born and bred) young sons ...who became very handy running the locks), and my British in-laws (sadly gone now). But what wonderful memories were created for us all...brushing teeth alongside cows at the canal edge and wakening to castle views. Lucked out with hot sunny June weather. As we now head into retirement, we think it's time to do another boat trip...maybe Wales or Scotland this time.
We are hiring a boat yet again on the Norfolk Broads as the Caledonian canal is too adventurous for my wife.
Well, I'll be on a boat, so that's fine!
Love the vlog. Thanks, guys.
"We've picked some things up over the years, especially Shaun but the cream gets rid of most of it"
"It does..."
You guys crack me up too much!
This vlog was a delight and so informative. I appreciate your explanation of narrowboat life. Always a delight to see your utube waiting for me every friday. As always hugs to Otis. Happy boating🤗
hi guy's, its strange not seeing you on the water. Great advice to first time narrowboaters. Looking forward to next weeks vlog. Take care, stay safe and well. With regards Derek.
Just come back from 7 days on a narrowboat. First time but most definitely not our last. Watched a load of your videos before we went and they were invaluable. Thank you ❤️
I remember the first time we hired a narrow boat in the 1980's, the staff at the yard said they would to us down to & through the first lock, what my crew hadn't realised was that the first lock was! about 100 yards in front of the boat, after that we were on our own for the first of a number of enjoyable holidays. Unfortunately these days I have the solo boater problem, wish I had bought a narrowboat some years ago instead of the house when I moved a number of years ago.
Try buying a share in a boat.. I did and can solo if nobody fancies joining me
Great vlog guys very useful hope you have a great weekend
Is it common for narrowboats to have bow thrusters? I would have thought such long vessels would be hard to manoeuvre without? Sean makes it look so easy😊
Yes
You two are the best and that says it all. Thanks for getting me through lockdown and beyond!
Great amount of information and very useful for the starters.
Evening Faffers. Informative and well delivered as we have come to expect👍🍷🍷
Another good video!
We hired a 42 foot boat out of Sowerby Bridge for a mid-week "out and back" in 2017. Loved every minute of it and decided we wanted to do it again for a bit longer, so in 2019 we booked a three week hire out of Chirk for the summer of 2020... but... COVID.
Hopefully we'll be back in 2022!
Good vlog lads a lot of good info.
Fantastic vlog guys lots of brilliant advice on what you should do as always.🏴
I've just discovered your channel and absolutely loved your journey through the Caledonian Canal. Now I just have to convince my siblings to take the challenge . . . lol
Great vlog!
Now I need to convince my hubby to make a nice tour on a boat with me!
I had once hired a boat om me own. I has some experience and the company allowed me if the base allowed it. I had a great time on the Montgomery canal out of Welshpool. I had the canal to my own most of the time.
As someone who use to help collect narrow boats when conditions got bad. and accompany hirers back to base with the boat. You video was spot on for anyone hiring well done as always guys. 👍
I must hasten to say it was very rare to have to collect them
Hi, When we had a narrowboat, we made a rule not to drink alcohol while on the move. Saying that we did have some very early stop’s because it was hot, and passing a very nice pub. 🥰🤗
Going through bad depression I always watch you guys for some wholesome guilt free entertainment.....helps me switch off......
Hey fellas, great vlog thank you very much. I haven't been on a narrow boat yet but have been trying to persuade my wife for a while. Maybe this year will be the year! 🤞Been watching you guys for years now. Thank you for the great content. 👍
Very funny beginning yet again. Like the way you SLIPPED it in like you did.
Oh my, that beginning was like going down the rabbit hole. Great info and suggestions.
Very Entertaining. Beautiful Canals and places that you take us.
I enjoy watching.
My question is, When Are You Going To Get Your New Narrowboat ?
Any thoughts of doing video of its build, etc.?
Watch our last live chat and find out 👍🏻
Hi guys. Last year we hired a 57ft for the week, me and her. This year 68ft with mother daughter son in law. Whilst glad of the extra help, how much more difficult is this length of boat on the GUC from Wheedon. Can't stop stressing🙊♥️
You’ll be fine 😉
Thanks boys. Nice to here your voices.I look forward to this every week.
Great Videos. One of my favourite Bowie songs, what a great combination.xx
The start of this had me howling. Love the content lads!
How timely. Our plan is to hire a narrow boat for the first time. Thank you for your advice. Let’s see what happens.
COLIN DOBSON-FOX, you are a very naughty boy. Doing "it" in the cold and greasing your stern gland...
Its a good job we ALL know what your innuendoes are leaning to... It all adds to the entertainment of your vlogs, keep it up...
Very informative and hopefully useful, just one snag, now it will be nigh on impossible to get a hire boat for love nor money.
Enjoy your travels, stay safe, looking forward to the next instalment.
😂😂😂😂😂
Thanks for the video I always enjoy watching them !! That’s a lot of good information…thanks for being kind to nature !! Take care and stay safe !! If one gives love and respect I believe a person can get along with 90% of the world 🌎
As I would be going solo, my general plan is to try to find someone else going solo, so we can team up for a week (and hope we don't end up hating each other in the process).
Great to see you guys very relaxed & having fun. I'm catching up on a couple of missed vlogs.
Hope you have a great weekend!!!
A few extra tips. 1)You should moor on the tow path side. The opposite is usually private land. 2) Steer the boat by positioning its centre of gravity (usually half its length) along the line you wish to take 3) remember when manoeuvring, you can never go too slow. 4) in moving water, manoeuvre against the current. Happy days.
A Yank lifetime boater here. Hiring a narrowboat in the UK is a pipe dream (as I've said before on your vids). This is great information!
We have always found that boat owners have been friendly and helpful to us as hire boaters. Really, the only time we experienced canal rage - it was aimed at me and the person from the other (OWNED) boat that we were traveling the flight with...Anyway, boaters have always answered our questions, provided great advice about mooring, pubs, etc - and always had lots of advice when they found out we wanted to get our own boat. We also have found the tutelage at the hire companies we've used to be top notch. We always shopped to provision ourselves before we arrived at the boatyard and topped up along the way at shops in towns. Oh, and of course we went to pubs! It's a great holiday - relaxing, peaceful, and so much fun (even in the pouring rain)
We were rescued by a live aboard couple (thank you) on a very windy day on the Ashby canal, we got a 35 ft boat stuck across the canal, needed an extra pair of hands to pull the rope. Cheers for the vid' guys 🙂
Great advice and well presented in your own special way Colin & Shaun........stay safe..........thanks for sharing
Excellent. Thanks guys! We are making the journey from Denver to the UK and have arranged to hire a boat for our very first narrow boat holiday. Visiting the midlands even though my husband is from the Somerset area.