The Chaos of Unfinished Narrowboat Life: Off-Grid Experiment Gone Wrong
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Vlog 187
The Chaos of Unfinished Narrowboat Life: Off-Grid Experiment Gone Wrong
In this video, we take you aboard our narrowboat for our first cruise in over a year. But this isn’t your typical peaceful boatlife journey. With our narrowboat far from ready for off-grid living, we quickly discover the challenges of life afloat when your setup isn’t complete. From power issues to unforeseen obstacles, we’re sharing the raw, unfiltered reality of living on a narrowboat and navigating off-grid life.
Whether you’re passionate about narrowboat living, exploring the boatlife lifestyle, or dreaming of downsizing to a tiny house on water, this video gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the trials and triumphs of an unfinished boat adventure. If you’ve ever considered off-grid living or wondered about the practicality of surviving on a narrowboat, our experience will provide valuable insights-and a few laughs.
Join us as we embrace the chaos, troubleshoot survival tactics, and figure out what works (and what doesn’t) in the world of off-grid narrowboat life. Perfect for fans of tiny living, camping on water, or anyone curious about the real challenges of an alternative lifestyle. Don’t miss this chance to dive into the unpredictable side of life afloat!
#NarrowboatLiving #BoatLife #OffGridLiving #TinyHouse #Survival
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Hey guys just sounds like your alternator belt squealing give it a tighten and should be fine
Hi, I'm from 30 years in the future. 81 year old Peter Kay is UK prime minister, we have been banned from talking about the weather...and these two are still struggling to fix up their boat.
This actually sounds pretty spot on 😅🤣
I hate to reveal my mindset, but when Bex said,
"That's why he always shoves me at the back" a wry smile crossed my face 😏🤭
😂😂😂
Hi, it’s 3:40am, I’m going for a pee, you will too at my age, I’m not going to watch your video now, I’ll wait till breakfast time, cheers Frank
Thank you Frank ❤️
I was with you Frank but I fell back to sleep when I got back so had to rewatch it.
Bex must have the patience of a saint😂😂
oh yes 😂
Glad to see you two are having fun.
yayyy Thank you
It's good to see you cruising. ☺️
was great to get out Will...cant believe we decided to do it just as the big flood were coming from Bedford 😂
If the leisure batteries are duff or the wrong sort then it doesn't matter how much charge you put into them they won't hold the charge. This applies whether you are on a narrowboat, in a camper van or caravan......
The leisure batteries in the set should be the same rating and age, ideally the same make purchased at the same time.
One bad battery will drag the others down, the same as one bad cell in a battery will drag the whole battery down.
your absolutely right, I think we need a whole new set unlike most things on this Narrowboat
Never a dull moment with you two!! 😊😊
never😂
Always listen to your guts when you don’t feel safe. Bless you Chris for forgetting the keys maybe put them on a lanyard around your neck or belt so you can use them without removing them 😉 Also give your boat and prop a good brush to get rid of all the algae that may have built up whilst you’ve been on the mooring and you might need to get new belt, as they will stretch and warp over time. Don’t let this dull your confidence, good old Murphy’s law will always find a way to test you 😫 you both have got this hang in there 🤗🤗
Yes Bex was getting funny vibes, The key issue kept haunting me on this whole adventure.. I just couldn't quite get my head around it. The prop really needs a good clean..proably all those months just sat there.Thanks for all your advice and tuning in
Awww it could only happen to you two 🙏 you are ok now all the best the oldies 👍🤗👍🤗
😂😂 exactly, Thank you guys ❤️
You know you have everything thrown and you both still come out with smiles and wicked energy. Hope your both OK
Thanks were still trying 😂😅
Lovely to see you cruising. Always remember your keys Chris. Bex you are so patient xx
Thank you..its been lovely to get out, we knew there would be some problems surly, its boating after all
@ and it’s you, after all xx
Oh noooo a cliffhanger! Oh I hope you 2 are ok guys. You deserve all the luck in the world. Surely you’re due a bundle of it by now! Catch you next time. Lots of love and wishes 🥰🥰🥰
Sorry Estelle 😅 I didn't even realise it was on this one..I think I must have so used to doing it its just second nature now 🤣🤣
@
Haha aww as long as yr both ok Chris that’s the main thing. 🥰
You're my favourite narrowboat vloggers, you deserve way more subscribers! I cracked up at Dinghy man having to come to your rescue - seriously though, hope you're both ok?
Bless you thanks so much for joining us...sure it will get easier 😅
Time to get off the rivers and on a canal!!!
Hope the engine will be okay.
we would love to get to the canals. That would be amazing
hey guys... loved the halloween thing, amazing effort♥. Im confused why there was footage of you turning around (winding) @ 15.00 but ended up going the same way? well confused. pl explain
Thanks for watching, we had gone back on ourselves toa mooring spot that we had just gone past,but then realised we couldn't get in so turned back, does that make sense?? Tha ks for letting us know.. maybe we should have explained 🤔 🤣
Gotta love the genteel dulcet tones of a screaming Ford York DI engine
maybe its meant to do it 😂
@@TheNomadicCrobot it is! These engines are basically indestructible. The only things left after nuclear holocaust, will be cockroaches, and a Ford Transit rattling away in the corner...
Another fab vlog. Kept me enthralled, evry turn is another adventure.... you could write a book and make some money.
Stay safe. Hope, you had enough food on board 😊
Thanks so much that means alot 😊
Hello Chris and Becca, What a lovely cruise you are having on the Great Ouse. Poor Becca stuck at the noisy end of the boat. Interesting lock. How nice was that for the Rib boatman to catch you up with your lost keys. At that point had you not realised your keys were lost? I'm glad everything was OK when you went the wrong side of the warning notice. Hope your engine is OK. Really enjoyed this weeks Vlog. Thank you. Spoolbox
Its lovely to finally get out, though the rain has made things very complicated, our experience so far is everyone is so lovely and helpful whatever size of the boat. I only realise when he brought them to us and the made me realise I probably left my last ones behind too as I couldn't find them, how silly of me Thanks so much have a great week
Great Vlog. You pair really show the fun of narrowboats.
All that has been happening to you often happens. I assure you it gets better.
I am up around Nantwich. Hopefully one day we will meet up. I will buy you both a couple of pints.
Thanks Dave,we really pulled the short straw on this boat but we're sure things will get better, rumor has it narrowboating is normally lovely ,thanks we look forward to meeting you
@ it normally is with great people who want to help.
We were stuck for five days on the River Weaver. This was because of flooding. No signal for television. Boot the boozers were twenty minute walk away. So there is always an upside. 🍺🍺
If the boat gets stuck, try reverse immediately. Normally the front gets stuck first. Also reverse pushes water under the hull which also helps free the boat.
That's so interesting Thank you
You should always keep your engine running in locks. Even if you're using lines, it can get you out of trouble. 15 minutes running is about ¼ litre of diesel.
We have wondered if we are doing it wrong, but we have found on the rivers there's actually signs in the locks saying to turn it off, maybe its just preference and what works for each boater ??
@@TheNomadicCrobot Ah right, sorry, I've not been on that river. Yes, best follow instructions.
Hi Chris and Bex. I think you’ll soon get the hang of locks and the key situation the more that you do of them. Sounds like the flooding situation was really bad. Take care. Nick
Thanks Nick , its trying to get used to everything again, the keys kept becoming a big problem on this trip 😅
Hi Guys, Great to see you both out and about. No crashes Just a concern about engine Loud?
Anyway keep up the good work and we look forward to more of your vlogs. xx
it was a bit worrying , no crashes as of yet..iv been a very good boy 😂
Hi Guys, you both make me laugh, thank you for everything, keep up the good work. Lots of appreciation Logan City Queensland Australia 🇦🇺 I’m on the big island 🏝️
Hi from the uk, Thank you for watching
Dear Chris and Bex, remember that bad things come in threes.
If you have not resolved the engine issue, do check the belt(s). Often they will stretch and slip on their pulleys.
Having all of that crud on the prop is not a good thing, if possible try to knock as much off as possible. Maybe it will chip off with a screwdriver?
Take care until next time.
Mark
Alberta, Canada
Thank you Mark, I think your right the prop needs to be cleaned up, maybe from where we havent been moving its jus built up alot of grub, one thing after another here at planet crobot 😂
AAAHH guys don't get too discouraged. Some day you will look back on this and laugh at it. Just remember ALL of the friends you have on this side of the screen that care about you two. You do make us laugh. Just go safely and don't take any risks.
Mark
Alberta, Canada@@TheNomadicCrobot
If you get Bex to drop you off at the lock landing, you can then walk to the lock while Bex brings the boat in. You then operate the lock, let Bex and the boat out, she then picks you up at the lock landing (there’s one each end of the lock) and away you go. A phone number on your key fob is also a good idea 😉
There both great ideas, I think because its all new to us again were trying to find ourselves with it all again, Thanks for your suggestions
My boat started squealing / losing power
I noticed your revs sound high
I had to rev mine and
it’s took me weeks finding and replacing the clutch friction plates in the gearbox
we have a ford transit engine so there alot louder but supposedly very vert reliable
I'm treading water at this very moment,but rest assured I am slowly making my way towards you.
we look forward to meeting you
I can relate to the flooding situation. We had some flooding in the Vancouver area after a few days of constant rain. The videos you see of salmon crossing streets were not Ai--they were actually real. Weather reports suggest another atmospheric river coming our way.
Had to chuckle about Chris's casual reaction to a massive flock of Canada Geese. Canadians may seem chill, but over here, we have a secret ceremony where we all transfer our aggression and nasty feelings into the geese, then set them off into the world. Even David Attenborough can't explain that one.
oh wow, hope you were all ok, haha...so they were killer geese??? maybe I should have got Bex to mow them all over 😂😂
Great vlog guys, entertaining as always!
Thank you❤️
I wish you done this video longer, as I was just getting into it, as there is a lot of good places and memories for me, when my brother who recently passed away, had his last boat. Its not really that bad in huntingdon lol, you stopped at the bad one bad spot. Cheers, keep up the good content, but a little bit longer. Cheers. Tel
Thanks for watching Tel, sorry were still new to putting cruising videos out so they take quite some time to edit
No worries bruv 😊 maybe on your back, whenever that might be 🤔 meet up at the rivermill for a sherbet or two 😉 your such a funny couple 😂 ps chris i hate those 8 legged 🦆'ers aswell 😂
Try to clean as much crud from the prop as you can. It will cause issues, hence the vibration.
thats interesting thanks
When Becks chucked the mooring pin I was expecting a Crobot speared Arrrrgh complete with tomato sauce blood and gore. Oh well maybe next time 😂
😂😂 dont give us ideas
@ guess we have just got to wait a little while for the real thing 😂😂 (hope not)
Losing the spare set of keys you brought in case you lost your keys is so Chris. Hang a hair scrunchy on you key ring and slip it over a couple of fingers on your off hand whenever you have to leave your keys in a device. You shouldn't forget then. But then we're talking about Chris.
we were actually told to put the engine key on then there would be no way of leaving the key behind, which seams like a great idea
Jebus guys …..😂 Crobot comedy vlog ….don’t give up you’ll get there someday 😊
Thanks, its been fun getting the boat out finally
One could say that you got into a squeaky situation? Hope you sorted the engine & are both OK!
absolutely haha
I have the same t-shirt as you in the start. It was a gift haha
Mine was a gift too 😁
Always looking forward to an adventure with the Bickersons, lol, just kidding. I think the best question here would be, “Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?” Were you not aware the stormed would be so bad? Living here in South Florida the rain storms can be horrific as we have experienced increasingly some really bad ones over the last several years. Please be safe, be careful and in the words of the Great British Explorer ask yourself, “What would Beck’s do?”
Thank you Craig, we actually had no real idea of the bad storm coming , I imagine a Florida storm can be quite the experience, maybe we could of done with your help?
I’ve just finished watching your video, and I’m concerned about a few things, firstly your engine sounds very rattly, how’s the oil level and viscosity? I do hope you’ve managed to dodge the flooding, and are moored up in a cozy spider free, needle and cigarette butt free area. Did you remember to turn the gland grease tap Chris? 😊
I think the rattle sound is more the navigation light on the back but I could be wrong, we have been checking the oil and the greasers too. Thank you...it wouldn't be a typical crobot cruise if things didnt go wrong 😂😂
Hi. I am going to give you a tip or two because the world will be a darker place without either of you. Never, never walk up the side of a moving boat when mooring. 17 tonnes of moving boat going towards, often, an immovable object skin and bone have no chance if you slip and fall in. Always get off at the back when the boat is almost or stopped. The other tip - don't forget your keys. Best entertainment on my tv.
Thank you for the advice, its all new to us again so trying to get my head around it all, Thanks so much for watching 😊
Could that have been a belt slipping, making that noise? Yes, certainly can be stressful when you are struggling to find a mooring, usually on a river. Floods are the most dangerous times for boats of course - people tend to think it is the ideal place to be in such circumstances, but far from it.
it could well have been, it seams ok now though we havent been able to drive the boat to check fully, flooding can be very stressful...even on a boat
Oh God!!! Here we go again.
oh yes😂
Imagine that, a cliff hanger, Chris you have to stop doing that we’ll still come back, we just end up worrying between episodes. You know you do such a great job editing these, sometimes I think how bloody cleaver was that, and it was funny. OK Bex has the know how to get things done and keep things going, she’s a great organiser, she’s a brilliant builder but you do great editing. Take care and see you next week. 🥰
Im sorry I cant really help myself at this point, my cliffhanger obsession is hitting new lows 😂😂Thank you for your kind words we really appreciate it ❤️
I feel your pain Becs, I feel your pain 😋
😂😂
Just 1 job!!😂 Probably should get that squealing looked at which means lifting the boat out.
That could be a good idea
At this point is it even Crobot if it all goes right 🤪 my opinion there are to many channels that get it right I would much rather watch how not to do it on this channel the best channel on RUclips 💪💪❤
exactly....its just how it is for us 😂😂 Thanks, thats such a lovely thing to say
My quick tip for this video you have probably too many keys on your floating keyring making it a sinking keyring them keyrings don't float as well as you would expect check it out before your caught out
we have wondered that at times 😂
'A nest'😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂
Bex why are you not insane with him 😂
😂😂
That made my day seeing the super duper crash again and why don't you buy your very own key cutting machine, might just come in handy, every day😂
its always. good one to run back 😂
Treeser Green, do you know her? And your wearing shorts Chris, I dare you to go cruising now in your shorts 🤣🤣😎🥶
its getting very cold...the shorts have now been disqualified
and huntingdon used to be a nice place lol. 50 years ago
They have a nice bridge 😀
Great vlog guys
Thank you ❤️
Buy a boat they said it’ll be fun they said. 😂
😂😂
Was it the alternator belt that was squealing?
Thanks it could well be
great vid on cut thanks lee
Thanks Lee
Did you grease your gland bearing Bex?❤
we have been turning them, maybe not enough
Oh crap ! X
😂😂 here we go x
Fancy waterboy losing two sets of keys
😂😂
Does Chris do anything 😂?
I make the odd cup of tea😅🤣
So you're saying that Huntingdon has a silent C...?😊
Ask Bex 😅🤣
You did this to be poorer and have an interesting life, Ok then, mission accomplished 😜🍻
😂😂 spot on
I´m not convinced that your name is quite correct, No Madic is it?
exactly 😂😂
Xx
Another piece of unsolicited advice ... Put a label with your mobile number on your keys.
what a cracking idea
Such a loud boat is that normal
It's a Ford transit engine...so a bit louder really,but there are ways to dampen the sound