Nicely explained and very much reflects our experience: umpteen trips to the midlands, northwest and southwest; scouring various media for boatyard details and brokerages. Ended up getting ours having seen it on eBay but - and this is crucial seeing as eBay is an auction site - ended up contacting the seller instead of placing an online bid in order to go and see the boat first. Also did a ton of research and got a survey done, which I was present as. Speaking to the surveyor really helped and, overall, we were very fortunate in knocking a significant amount off the price. In summary: research, visit and get a survey done
I’m on my second time through watching all your vlogs and enjoying them just as much. Really appreciate the professionalism and the quirky humour and the sheer delight of being able to vicariously live the narrowboat experience through you. Thank you SO MUCH for creating these gems.
Love your candor and humor. I'm ready to buy a narrow boat and move aboard! And I don't even live in the UK. (But you could tell that from my spelling.). Seriously, between the wood stove and the option of chugging off to a local pub at 3 mph, you've made a very enviable lifestyle choice.
In the States, even a canoe requires a Title of Ownership. I find this amazing the UK doesn’t require one for purchases that can equate in value to a house!
Hi David great vlog, I must admit the ownership issue or lack there off really is pretty vague in this day and age especially when you consider the money involved. Buyer beware takes a whole new meaning.
5.0 this is soooo accurate...!! After months of looking online, and a few viewings of boats high on my shortlist, it was an immediate feeling of "This one...this is my boat..!" as soon as I stepped on board - and a very different boat to my original criteria when I first started looking (was so sure I wanted a 'small' widebeam, but eventually fell in love with a 57' trad narrowboat...) If all goes well, will be proceeding with the purchase soon and joining the boating community - thanks so much for all the informative videos, I always learn so much from you!
Thanks for the information, a very interesting (and confusing) process to buy a boat! Glad you got yours as there'd be no vlog without it! :) Your vlog is great to watch as your demeanor in front of the camera is really comfortable.
We come at life in differing directions I suspect but I really like your candid approach and find myself looking for your next vlog Kind Regards Stuart Bell
I like your video's. I look forward for them . Keep them coming. I am learning so many things about your country through narratives. I do not speak like you. I have a Texas drawl. Of course we eat at an "Out Back Steak House" restaurant over here . The ads use words one only hears in the UK.. Cheers & mate are their Trade Mark sayings.
That is almost the same in the Netherlands, but her we can choose to handle it like a house. For 600 euro a guy from the registration office carves out a number in the hull and spreads a number of RF id tags and from then on, every change of ownership has to be done with the registration office (costing 600,- euro again). Very good video, you know your stuff! Amazing you can do this in one go!!
A fantastic information packed vlog.......well done. I’m surprised to learn that there is no registration or official documents to be had for a narrowboat. I seem to recall when I bought my boat (not a narrowboat) that I had to register it on the small ships register (SSR). Look forward to seeing the rest of these vlogs in this mini series.
Thank you so much David. My wife and I have decided to stop waiting for retirement to come and have started doing the research about buying a boat, income streams and living costs. Your vlogs are so informative and methodical. I would love to interview you for my channel sometime about canal boat life. We have a long way to go I think before we are ready to buy and live aboard but we have to start somewhere and after many holidays we know it’s definitely the life for us. Thanks again for your advice and guidance. Especially loved the price range cymbal sound effects on this one 😂🙏🏻
I see England just got the first snow of the season. May you always have fuel next to your stove and free of ice so you may go where you wish. Stay warm.
Great video. Best advice is to look at as many as you can, and bear in mind it takes a long time to go through the process.... life on the cut is at a snails pace, and that includes the buying process :)
Over half way through the vlogs. Still fascinating stuff and love the amount of information and tips you give about the good and not so good points of being an owner and travelling about. I’ve only had a week of ‘cruising’ but I can tell you it was very therapeutic. Here’s to the next 40 or so episodes to catch up on
once again a great vblog, so how long from start to finish, see the boat on the 1st month its yours on the ? of the month, we've been close but haven't quite got there yet, nothing we see is just right for us, and the cash is burning a hole!!! so anyone with a 58 foot reverse layout, with a full size cross double bed, and a pump out toilet, bowthruster, solar panels, travel generator, washing machine, granite worktops and a multi fuel stove, not that we are fussy of course, but this is a once in a lifetime deal, its out there somewhere and we will find it. Thanks for all your videos, as always looking forward to more
How long is a piece of string?! It could literally be as fast as you turning up to a private seller with a bag of cash, or to a broker with a bank transfer and the boat's yours. That presumes you don't bother with a survey etc. Or it could be weeks of negotiations, selling a house, survey etc. You didn't say what your budget is? I presume you're looking in all the usual places, brokers etc?
hi again, 50k, (and we are 'cash' buyers) we might be able to go a little bit more, but it would have to be really special, yes looking at lots of brokers and we are on their mailing lists, a survey I think is a must have, out and about again this weekend and we have one that, on paper looks very promising so fingers crossed, would be a nice Xmas present.
My dream of living on a boat just got more complicated and expensive. Glad you made this video though. At least I've got a while to learn as much as possible while I save enough money for my Dutch barge.
Happy to say, after nearly a nine month search David, I found a 47ft private sale narrowboat, put in an offer subject to an independent survey at Aquaduct marina, to which the current owner has agreed to knock off the work needed doing and I am just about to hand over a wodge of cash (well bank transfer) and it will be mine. Came here again for info / advice before it becomes mine tomorrow. Thank you for your essential guide!
@@CruisingTheCut After a grit blast and a bit of paint, well that should keep her tip top down the bottom and the insurers happy ;) V. little else for the survey so thankful and thank you David, to think how far I have come since first catching your channel in the Autumn of 2018, before that all my narrowboat experience was several holidays... you opened up the idea to me thinking... I fancy a bit of that liveaboard life. All the best.
In the US boats will have a Certificate of Ownership and a Hull Identification Number (HIN). I'm a little surprised that the UK does not have have any documentation for ownership of vessels. Especially when you consider that many people will call them home. Your story reminds me of when we bought an excavator a few years ago. Just a handoff of cash and zero paperwork. I kind of liked that minimalist process, but at the same time it feels more risky.
It is odd, yes. Ocean-going craft have some sort of registration but not inland ones. I believe the modern narrowboats have a Hull ID too but it's still not on any central register.
CTC great info. I've found when budgeting that somewhere around 80% on purchase price and 20% for everything else isn't far off. Many costs as you've mentioned can accounted or allowed for regardless. Throw in your wish list of new bedding/interior, solar, repaint, heating, etc and then budget and plan accordingly. Ha-ha on paper I've already spent well over half of the that 20%.
Oddly enough, that's roughly what I've just described in the Vlog I've just recorded, ready to go live tonight or tomorrow, a Vlog about what boats actually cost!
I had a question that I was going to submit about whether you ever used the coal stove to keep the kettle hot rather than use up tour propane, low and behold there it was right behind you.
I just want to say we've loved this series. Ex-Brit here, living in California. I dragged my husband and two friends over to Blighty last year for their first experience of a narrow boat, and they loved it - they survived a week generally not falling in, and not annoying the experienced local lady who had decided to act as lock-police on a flight. I used to hire boats regularly before leaving the UK. Anyway, we made it from Middlewich almost all the way up the Llangollen - wonderful trip! Since then, we've watched all your videos. Surprisingly, we even paid rapt attention to your toast making in this one! Thanks so much for all the fun and informative content. I'll be watching the BBC 1pm news tomorrow, thinking of you :-)
Someone stole my dad's boat, was about 20 years ago but they went the wrong way and got spotted by the lock keeper who knew my dad and were arrested by the time they got to Guildford lol.
cheers for your knowledge cruising the cut I want to make the transition to boat and live on one but have very little knowledge on these things I hope one day I can get one
You are brilliant x I love the way you explain everything so clearly, delivered with common sense and humour. I've newly subscribed to your channel as I hope to be a canal boat owner soon. Your first hand experience, advice and guidance are truly reassuring. Thank you x
Ps. Yes it's a buggar getting all round the country looking. Also yes I've realised that people don't want a deposit. Now i know exactly the type and layout. Also I'm keeping the searxh area with a certain radios. Hopefully be an owner of my own narrowboat before Noel. Thanks for both informative and lovely vlogs
Interesting thanks, I'm in the same boat as you (sorry) in that my house sale has not yet exchanged so I also had to borrow money to pay the boat off and had issues getting some resolution with owner and brokerage. Very fraught indeed.. I hadn't seen this video before despite being subscribed for a while so realise now I will now have to go back four years and watch the entire back catalogue of yours.. Oh well, better get the kettle on then :)
You're right, of course. The positive, however, was that it enabled me to add a few more hours' experience of solo cruising before pitching into the buying process.
Just for the Talley books: in the US, state registered boats just like cars and trailer defiantly have a Title of ownership. Boats over 5 tons can be flagged AKA documented with international credentials serving as Title managed by the US Coast Guard. Both can be searched to ensure “Clear Tile” prior to purchasing and financing. As a side note US documented vessels are territory of the US and can be seized In REM by a US Marshal anywhere in the world if the need arises. Such as default on financing. However, it also has the obligatory protection of the US Military such as the Maersk Alabama. Mark Fay US MMC Jr. Engineer QMED AS-E
I've watched all your videos this week and really enjoyed the content. One question, bearing in mind you are solo boater, when buying did you look at all sizes of boats. I think a lot of singlehanded boaters may have looked at smaller than your 56 ft thinking that longer narrowboats would be a handful. Although the videos didn't show any particular problems once you had sorted out a technique.
I wanted no more than 57 feet (for the locks) but many people advised that smaller boats weren't necessarily easier to handle. So I wanted 45-57 feet ish.
Great video David and I think it's a good idea to split it up in to the parts you have suggested because not everyone is going to live aboard a boat. Another thing worth considering is making sure there is no outstanding money owed on the boat. Not sure how you would check. For cars there is HPI check. A national registration scheme would seem to be a good idea, but who would set it up etc.
Great Vlogs! I find your explanations very clear, informative, well researched and extremely useful! I dream to have my own narrow boat. One question which I'm not sure has been asked already or not... How long did it take you until you got your narrowboat from the time you started going out to look at them, and how many boats did you look at until you found the one you have now?
Found this most useful, thanks. Living aboard a boat is still very much at pipedream stage for me, but it's got to start somewhere right? Haha. For me, I suspect like many, it's the idea of an alternative to housing with big deposits and mortgages. I'd much prefer to spend on a boat and live a simpler life and I'm quite lucky in that I run my own business (currently from home) in which all I require is a computer and an internet connection, so maintaing an income is still very much possible. Look forward to watching more of your videos.
reminds me of watching the two Ronnies when Ronnie Corbett would sit in a chair and tell a funny story and eventually, after lots of sidetracking he would reach the punchline !! Perhaps not as funny but equally entertaining !! Well done !!
when i got my boat i did things a little different . i sold the house first and stayed with my dad ect then then started looking for boats with the money burning hole in pocket. i think staying in hotel would be cheaper than a loan and i didnt need to store furniture (what House hold furniture can you get on a boat). its amazing how many coffees you get when they know you are cash buyer and the deals you get, ok it was easier for me the wife had passed on and i had no mortgage but i found it a good way. still had waiting time of a few weeks for surveys ect but wheni i found the boat i wanted the brokers seemed to go into overdrive compared to others ive heard of
The loan cost me very little because I only had it for two months while the house sold and two months interest was very little. Certainly less than I'd have paid in hotel fees. I didn't store furniture either because I got rid of it all once the house contract was exchanged. I didn't want to have cash from the house sale sitting in a bank earning no interest while I looked for a boat as you never know how long that'll take.
keep up the good work. as a man who can never live such a life, i am interested in your videos. i can only guess what can the ones that can able to live will make out of them. every bit of info counts. take care and bon voyage...
It's quite different in the USA. Far more complex, and therefore expensive.Survey costs are almost double. Registration does check out outstanding debt on the boat and the USCG (Coast Guard) gets involved for seagoing vessels at an additional cost. Varies by State but reckon on $5-7k for buying expenses.
Another great Vlog .... very informative open and honest. The Vlog and in my case the blog was an aid to selling my last boat - lots of history of maintenance etc plus a nice diary of ownership, so buy and blog I say. Also I think now you cannot transfer the boat license so you do have to register the boat to yourself via the license? Keep em coming .......
Perfect timing for us. We are returning to the UK in Jan to start serious boat shopping. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Is there a list of brokers anywhere? Or it is it simply case of scouring all the ads? We will be continuously cruising and so have the luxury of being able to look anywhere on the network, I imagine we will be up and down the country on our search like you said!
Good advice about the survey, only boat I bought without getting a survey was the wooden dry rotten boat I already mentioned to you. I wouldn't buy a boat from St Peter without a survey after that. The present boat I have has full Ships Registration, which is not the same as SSR which is not regulated. Anyway thumbs up and subscribed, I like the format of the videos I've watched so far, and if by liking and subscribing you get a warm loved feeling then all the better.
WOW quite an eye opener. To take on buying a boat "on good faith" is really scary. Here in Michigan, every car, boat or RV has a title stating if the title is clear with or without any liens on the vehicle. It would be unnerving to think you own your boat and have the original owner show up and say "that's mine" and have no legal recourse. Always watching, Dennis from Lansing Michigan
Very informative and strangely comforting video, thanks! What forums can you recommend for a newbie to start gathering info, friends/contacts in the boating world? Also, could you suggest places I should concentrate to advertise my own services as gas engineer for boats & yachts? Where would you look to get any gas work or gas servicing done? Hot water heater, gimbal stove/hob etc...? Look forward to the next video! Or Vlog...
Best is canalworld.net but beware some of the forum members can get really rather bitchy. I tend to read, not contribute these days. I'd ask other boaters / marina staff for recommendations. You could advertise on my website ;-)
How does CRT licencing play into it? It the license attached to the boat, the owner, or both? When you finish the transaction do you immediately have to buy a license? Can you look up who's licensed the boat in the past years?
@Jasper In 99% of cases, yes, the marina pays the CRT for a connection to the network and you're obliged to be licenced to use it. That said, there are some very old marinas that pre-date the CRT and they have no such obligation and I believe boats there can be un-licenced (but can therefore never come out of the marina)
Kettle on the stove and a fleece jumper on indoors. Looks like the big chill has settled upon you already. What is the insulation status on your narrow boat home. Are the hull and cabin BOTH made of metal?
All modern boats are fully metal but some very old classics have a wood cabin (largely replaced or overplated with metal by now). It was -4 Celsius last night.
That is certainly on the chilly side! Kettle be damned. Put on a small cast iron pot of stew. Perfect for a single gentleman who doesn't cook because it cooks itself. We aren't due to get below freezing for a couple of weeks. It has been a very warm Autumn. Rainy but well above freezing. Keep coal on the fire and stay warm. Do you have central heating as well on your boat?
Hi I'm looking at buying a narrow boat very soon, this video has been very helpful. As to the proof of ownership if someone asked you to prove your ownership of you're car other than a recpt how would you do it? .
Technically you can't of course, the V5 is merely the car's keeper. But normally the receipt from a supplying garage/dealer or a prior owner would do, as you imply.
Once again love the vlog, i shudder at the thought of giving money to a guy who says "yep she's mine". Back in the day the deal probably would have been done with a handshake and a pint but times have moved on and maybe boat buying may need to take a step into the modern world. I like your suggestion about asking questions relating to the boat, as every boat owner will have a tale of what "she" is like first thing you go to start her in the morning etc etc, goes without saying really if they don't know intimate bits of their boat then best to leave them alone and move on. Cheers from Australia
That's not going to prove anything. My father took a picture of me in front of a Jaguar car, because it was the nicest thing in the immediate area to stand next to. I didn't own it, it was my father's boss's car. LOL I "could" use the picture to say to people, Hey, check out my Jag!
SpiritBear12 No, granted a single photo is meaningless. But if they have assorted family pics of them on board as it goes along etc, it's better than no pics at all. It all adds to a sheaf of ownership evidence.
Could a potential canal boat buyer research the canal river trust ledgers for previous owner's records in order to establish a valid proof of ownership? Provided the actual owner kept receipts, would other items such as insurance receipts, slip fee receipts & even mooring receipts provide validity of ownership?
It all helps, definitely, but there's nothing categorically definitive. Licence registration itself is not proof of ownership, just who paid the licence fee!
Thanks David...I look forward to each of your releases....But each boat I have been on or seen has an individual "number plate" and you pay an annual fee to the (what was ) the Waterways... so they have a list to chase late/non payers? or am I missing a point (or two)...or jumping the gun! You will cover running costs. I'll be patient ;o)
I do find it immensly difficult to navigate around your UA-cam pages. Yesterday I started with No1 to about No5, but now I cannot find No6 to continue onwards. There seems to be no index.
HI. Just click on any channel's name, then you have the option to click on Videos and all their videos are in order, newest first (and you can sort it by oldest first if you prefer). For mine, go to ua-cam.com/users/CruisingTheCutUKvideos
I'm having the same problem. I subscribed to David's UA-cam channel, but I can't for the life of me find where the settings are to play things in order.
There is a playlist that contains everything in order. The one that currently is at 208 episodes. ua-cam.com/channels/6SNxiLzSlh8e0yjndE9o_A.htmlplaylists
Excellent vid answers many questions and even demonstrates that there are things unknown to us that needed to be able to ask sensible questions, very worrying this proof of ownership thing. When dealing with a broker can you ask to meet the vendor and are you provided with the name and address of the vendor to help you judge if they do really own the boat, and question them regarding the history of the boat and their ownership of it even info about the previous owner from whom they got the boat, you know a chain of history the sort of things for peace of mind if you visit their home for a natter you at least have. Another good video many thanks.
It may depend on the broker, I think (and presumably the seller's willingness to be contacted). I think some brokers offer indemnities against fraud etc as well.
Great video David. To be fair the DVLA registration of vehicles is only proof of keeper and not necessarily the owner so not that different to our boats but I know what you mean. Thanks again Stuart
It’s certainly arguable that it’s worth doing, indeed possibly to have a surveyor visit on several occasions throughout the build to ensure it’s all being done correctly.
Hi David. Having been an avid follower for some years, I am in the process of looking for a narrowboat. In your vlog you mentioned that you stayed in an area near a “clutch” of brokers/marinas. Would you care to tell me where that was? I’d be most grapefruit. Thank you again for your brilliant vlogs
How much of your time would you guess you spend on maintenance? Not simply cleaning, arranging, etc., but true maintenance ... electrical, plumbing, painting, engine, etc.? My parents owned large motorhomes that were about the size of medium narrowboats. It seemed to me that my father spent close to fifty percent, or at least a quarter, of his time doing one thing or another. He was an electrical engineer so nearly everything was simple to him. I have no such background. I can change the oil on my car, change batteries, and such simple things. I would imagine I would have to pay others to do any work on the engine, plumbing, electrical.
I'm really surprised that you don't have any kind of title or deed document that declares ownership of a boat in the UK. In the US every major piece of property, a boat, a car, a house, etc has some kind of document that declares legal ownership without question.
Cars and houses do, boats, depends on the state. And lots of other pieces of million dollar machinery do not. You basically have to do your own due diligence - when buying, ask the owner for the original bill of sale and documentation of any previous transfers of ownership, and make sure you get those documents. With that chain you can establish title in court if a dispute arises.
@@JasperJanssen I think my biggest concern there is that some people will simply throw away paperwork or lose track of it because they are careless. Even if they do legitimately own the boat, there's no guarantee they'll have that paperwork. Plus if you're a liveaboard, where are you going to keep said paperwork that is easily retrievable to the owner but not to any would-be thieves? You couldn't use a safe on the boat because someone who stole the boat would have theoretically all the time in the world to crack it open.
I'm aiming to move onto a boat in september, I've been doing research and looking online at boats for the past few months. When do you reckon I should actually start viewing boats? I'm aware the process takes a while..
ah cheers for getting back to me :D I am potentially in a position to buy, just not in a position to move aboard just yet. So maybe looking asap would be a good idea
Oh yes. And if you buy before moving aboard it gives you time to get any works / upgrades / changes sorted rather than doing them once you're full timing.
I appreciate your journalistic research and integrity. also your plain talk explanation.
Thank you.
I’ve got no intention of buying a narrow boat, but the entertainment value of your videos’s is immense and much appreciated!
Same here. I'm living vicariously watching you cruise the canals of England, and camping out in the wilds of Wales.
My life has in some small but important way been improved for discovering you and your channel. Thank you
A real pleasure to watch, you are so conscientious and such a good presenter. Great relaxation after lunch with a nice cup of tea!
You're a Darling for posting these highly informative videos. Thank you so much!
Nicely explained and very much reflects our experience: umpteen trips to the midlands, northwest and southwest; scouring various media for boatyard details and brokerages. Ended up getting ours having seen it on eBay but - and this is crucial seeing as eBay is an auction site - ended up contacting the seller instead of placing an online bid in order to go and see the boat first. Also did a ton of research and got a survey done, which I was present as. Speaking to the surveyor really helped and, overall, we were very fortunate in knocking a significant amount off the price. In summary: research, visit and get a survey done
I’m on my second time through watching all your vlogs and enjoying them just as much. Really appreciate the professionalism and the quirky humour and the sheer delight of being able to vicariously live the narrowboat experience through you. Thank you SO MUCH for creating these gems.
Love your candor and humor. I'm ready to buy a narrow boat and move aboard! And I don't even live in the UK. (But you could tell that from my spelling.). Seriously, between the wood stove and the option of chugging off to a local pub at 3 mph, you've made a very enviable lifestyle choice.
Cheers; yes I'm enjoying it very much!
Very helpful videos. :) Planning to buy a narrowboat once I finish university...
Thanks. I hope you find a lovely one :-)
In the States, even a canoe requires a Title of Ownership. I find this amazing the UK doesn’t require one for purchases that can equate in value to a house!
Hi David great vlog, I must admit the ownership issue or lack there off really is pretty vague in this day and age especially when you consider the money involved. Buyer beware takes a whole new meaning.
Fantastic series of vlogs, thanks. It's answered so many questions and helped to educate me for when we make the 'plunge' and buy our boat.
Excellent; glad it's been useful. Good luck with your purchase.
Watching this from my place in HK. Great series, very helpful. I keep boat in Lichfield. Oh, love it.
Thanks for the vlog.
Cheers!
5.0 this is soooo accurate...!! After months of looking online, and a few viewings of boats high on my shortlist, it was an immediate feeling of "This one...this is my boat..!" as soon as I stepped on board - and a very different boat to my original criteria when I first started looking (was so sure I wanted a 'small' widebeam, but eventually fell in love with a 57' trad narrowboat...) If all goes well, will be proceeding with the purchase soon and joining the boating community - thanks so much for all the informative videos, I always learn so much from you!
Excellent, good luck!
Thank you for being so forth-write. A rare commodity in today's world. Cheers.
Thanks, I like to try to give useful info!
Go to Dave. He's a walking encyclopedia. 👍👍👍
I’m not in for a boat, but this was so thorough. Fun just watching/listening!
Thanks for the information, a very interesting (and confusing) process to buy a boat! Glad you got yours as there'd be no vlog without it! :) Your vlog is great to watch as your demeanor in front of the camera is really comfortable.
Thank you Doug
We come at life in differing directions I suspect but I really like your candid approach and find myself looking for your next vlog Kind Regards Stuart Bell
Thanks. All the vlogs are listed in order on my UA-cam channel "Videos" page and on my website.
I like your video's. I look forward for them . Keep them coming. I am learning so many things about your country through narratives. I do not speak like you. I have a Texas drawl. Of course we eat at an "Out Back Steak House" restaurant over here . The ads use words one only hears in the UK.. Cheers & mate are their Trade Mark sayings.
Haha, cheers indeed!
That is almost the same in the Netherlands, but her we can choose to handle it like a house. For 600 euro a guy from the registration office carves out a number in the hull and spreads a number of RF id tags and from then on, every change of ownership has to be done with the registration office (costing 600,- euro again).
Very good video, you know your stuff! Amazing you can do this in one go!!
That sounds like an excellent idea and maybe we should have something like that here!
A fantastic information packed vlog.......well done. I’m surprised to learn that there is no registration or official documents to be had for a narrowboat. I seem to recall when I bought my boat (not a narrowboat) that I had to register it on the small ships register (SSR). Look forward to seeing the rest of these vlogs in this mini series.
They have to be registered with the CRT but the register is not a legal record of ownership
Thank you so much David. My wife and I have decided to stop waiting for retirement to come and have started doing the research about buying a boat, income streams and living costs. Your vlogs are so informative and methodical. I would love to interview you for my channel sometime about canal boat life. We have a long way to go I think before we are ready to buy and live aboard but we have to start somewhere and after many holidays we know it’s definitely the life for us. Thanks again for your advice and guidance. Especially loved the price range cymbal sound effects on this one 😂🙏🏻
I know its 4 years later ,But this video has given me a big help in knowing what to do for a first time buyer .
Great advice!.... if we ever get out of lockdown I’m looking for a boat!!
Great advice... great delivery too. Thank you.
Glad you liked it, cheers
I see England just got the first snow of the season. May you always have fuel next to your stove and free of ice so you may go where you wish.
Stay warm.
Thank you. No snow where I am - in fact it just turned milder - but no doubt chillier weather to come!
Great video.
Best advice is to look at as many as you can, and bear in mind it takes a long time to go through the process.... life on the cut is at a snails pace, and that includes the buying process :)
Very true!
Its enough to make go grey, mine is getting there already.Its very good of you to talk about your personal circumstances.
Cheers Keiran.
Over half way through the vlogs. Still fascinating stuff and love the amount of information and tips you give about the good and not so good points of being an owner and travelling about. I’ve only had a week of ‘cruising’ but I can tell you it was very therapeutic. Here’s to the next 40 or so episodes to catch up on
Glad you're still ploughing through them ;-)
Great advice. I'm now consoled that the boat I travelled many miles to see was already sold! I await your next vlog with impatience.
Oh, how infuriating that must have been. It wasn't "meant to be"! Cheers
once again a great vblog, so how long from start to finish, see the boat on the 1st month its yours on the ? of the month, we've been close but haven't quite got there yet, nothing we see is just right for us, and the cash is burning a hole!!! so anyone with a 58 foot reverse layout, with a full size cross double bed, and a pump out toilet, bowthruster, solar panels, travel generator, washing machine, granite worktops and a multi fuel stove, not that we are fussy of course, but this is a once in a lifetime deal, its out there somewhere and we will find it. Thanks for all your videos, as always looking forward to more
How long is a piece of string?! It could literally be as fast as you turning up to a private seller with a bag of cash, or to a broker with a bank transfer and the boat's yours. That presumes you don't bother with a survey etc. Or it could be weeks of negotiations, selling a house, survey etc.
You didn't say what your budget is? I presume you're looking in all the usual places, brokers etc?
hi again, 50k, (and we are 'cash' buyers) we might be able to go a little bit more, but it would have to be really special, yes looking at lots of brokers and we are on their mailing lists, a survey I think is a must have, out and about again this weekend and we have one that, on paper looks very promising so fingers crossed, would be a nice Xmas present.
Steve Hester Excellent; good luck!
Many thanks...great content!...my first video on the subject, and I'm going to start digging deeper...
My dream of living on a boat just got more complicated and expensive.
Glad you made this video though. At least I've got a while to learn as much as possible while I save enough money for my Dutch barge.
Oooh, that won't be cheap - but it will be lovely! Good luck.
Happy to say, after nearly a nine month search David, I found a 47ft private sale narrowboat, put in an offer subject to an independent survey at Aquaduct marina, to which the current owner has agreed to knock off the work needed doing and I am just about to hand over a wodge of cash (well bank transfer) and it will be mine. Came here again for info / advice before it becomes mine tomorrow. Thank you for your essential guide!
Fantastic! I hope the survey is good and the boat is everything you're hoping for. Have a wonderful time aboard!
@@CruisingTheCut After a grit blast and a bit of paint, well that should keep her tip top down the bottom and the insurers happy ;) V. little else for the survey so thankful and thank you David, to think how far I have come since first catching your channel in the Autumn of 2018, before that all my narrowboat experience was several holidays... you opened up the idea to me thinking... I fancy a bit of that liveaboard life. All the best.
In the US boats will have a Certificate of Ownership and a Hull Identification Number (HIN). I'm a little surprised that the UK does not have have any documentation for ownership of vessels. Especially when you consider that many people will call them home.
Your story reminds me of when we bought an excavator a few years ago. Just a handoff of cash and zero paperwork. I kind of liked that minimalist process, but at the same time it feels more risky.
It is odd, yes. Ocean-going craft have some sort of registration but not inland ones. I believe the modern narrowboats have a Hull ID too but it's still not on any central register.
CTC great info. I've found when budgeting that somewhere around 80% on purchase price and 20% for everything else isn't far off. Many costs as you've mentioned can accounted or allowed for regardless. Throw in your wish list of new bedding/interior, solar, repaint, heating, etc and then budget and plan accordingly. Ha-ha on paper I've already spent well over half of the that 20%.
Oddly enough, that's roughly what I've just described in the Vlog I've just recorded, ready to go live tonight or tomorrow, a Vlog about what boats actually cost!
& this chap knows his stuff... top guy I reckon...
IMO the best person to follow, certainly knows his stuff, no one out there that does it better 👍
I had a question that I was going to submit about whether you ever used the coal stove to keep the kettle hot rather than use up tour propane, low and behold there it was right behind you.
I just want to say we've loved this series. Ex-Brit here, living in California. I dragged my husband and two friends over to Blighty last year for their first experience of a narrow boat, and they loved it - they survived a week generally not falling in, and not annoying the experienced local lady who had decided to act as lock-police on a flight. I used to hire boats regularly before leaving the UK. Anyway, we made it from Middlewich almost all the way up the Llangollen - wonderful trip! Since then, we've watched all your videos. Surprisingly, we even paid rapt attention to your toast making in this one! Thanks so much for all the fun and informative content. I'll be watching the BBC 1pm news tomorrow, thinking of you :-)
Someone stole my dad's boat, was about 20 years ago but they went the wrong way and got spotted by the lock keeper who knew my dad and were arrested by the time they got to Guildford lol.
When I borrowed my b-i-l's boat, the first time I stopped for gas the boatyard gave me the 3rd degree.
cheers for your knowledge cruising the cut I want to make the transition to boat and live on one but have very little knowledge on these things I hope one day I can get one
I'm in the process of looking at boats find this vlog extremely informative. Thanks
You are brilliant x I love the way you explain everything so clearly, delivered with common sense and humour. I've newly subscribed to your channel as I hope to be a canal boat owner soon. Your first hand experience, advice and guidance are truly reassuring. Thank you x
Thank you
Ps. Yes it's a buggar getting all round the country looking. Also yes I've realised that people don't want a deposit. Now i know exactly the type and layout. Also I'm keeping the searxh area with a certain radios. Hopefully be an owner of my own narrowboat before Noel. Thanks for both informative and lovely vlogs
Interesting thanks, I'm in the same boat as you (sorry) in that my house sale has not yet exchanged so I also had to borrow money to pay the boat off and had issues getting some resolution with owner and brokerage. Very fraught indeed.. I hadn't seen this video before despite being subscribed for a while so realise now I will now have to go back four years and watch the entire back catalogue of yours.. Oh well, better get the kettle on then :)
Caveat Emptor! - Buyer Beware. Thanks for all the information you gave. Buying on trust is very difficult. Great video David - thank you
solid advice, you answered all the Q's i was trawling on the net for, again thankyou
Excellent, glad I could help. Have fun in your search!
Fab advice, possibly the best ever I've seen about the boat buying process 👍
It's not quite a Coen Bros film but I'm glad you liked it ;-) Hope your trip is going well.
David, absolutely love the chats. Keep them coming please
Wonderful the way of life you have chosen! Congratulations!
You're right, of course. The positive, however, was that it enabled me to add a few more hours' experience of solo cruising before pitching into the buying process.
"Always look on the bright side of life ..."
♫, ♫♫♫
Just for the Talley books: in the US, state registered boats just like cars and trailer defiantly have a Title of ownership. Boats over 5 tons can be flagged AKA documented with international credentials serving as Title managed by the US Coast Guard. Both can be searched to ensure “Clear Tile” prior to purchasing and financing. As a side note US documented vessels are territory of the US and can be seized In REM by a US Marshal anywhere in the world if the need arises. Such as default on financing. However, it also has the obligatory protection of the US Military such as the
Maersk Alabama.
Mark Fay US MMC Jr. Engineer QMED AS-E
Incredibly interesting! Frightening that there is no license of ownership...
Time for the HIN (like modern boats have): Hull Identification Number. It's the equivalent to a VIN on a motorvehicle...
Modern narrowboats do have one but it doesn't prove ownership
I've watched all your videos this week and really enjoyed the content. One question, bearing in mind you are solo boater, when buying did you look at all sizes of boats. I think a lot of singlehanded boaters may have looked at smaller than your 56 ft thinking that longer narrowboats would be a handful. Although the videos didn't show any particular problems once you had sorted out a technique.
I wanted no more than 57 feet (for the locks) but many people advised that smaller boats weren't necessarily easier to handle. So I wanted 45-57 feet ish.
Very good advice , that bloody fan thingy on the stove behind you was a big distraction for me , love your vlogs :-)
It keeps me warm!
Great video David and I think it's a good idea to split it up in to the parts you have suggested because not everyone is going to live aboard a boat.
Another thing worth considering is making sure there is no outstanding money owed on the boat. Not sure how you would check. For cars there is HPI check.
A national registration scheme would seem to be a good idea, but who would set it up etc.
Therein lies a problem, checking debts on a boat is pretty much impossible I think (but happy to be corrected)
Great vid CTC, looking forward to the rest..
Ta
interesting info... i want a narrow boat
Nothing to stop you buying one but you've probably a scarcity of canals in Quartzsite..? :-)
Great Vlogs! I find your explanations very clear, informative, well researched and extremely useful! I dream to have my own narrow boat. One question which I'm not sure has been asked already or not... How long did it take you until you got your narrowboat from the time you started going out to look at them, and how many boats did you look at until you found the one you have now?
Hey mate! Good to see that your boat is still running! ;) Goodluck for the cold winter! Greetz from Holland!
Haha, thank you! I've got the stove all fired up with coal so it's nice and warm!
Found this most useful, thanks. Living aboard a boat is still very much at pipedream stage for me, but it's got to start somewhere right? Haha. For me, I suspect like many, it's the idea of an alternative to housing with big deposits and mortgages. I'd much prefer to spend on a boat and live a simpler life and I'm quite lucky in that I run my own business (currently from home) in which all I require is a computer and an internet connection, so maintaing an income is still very much possible.
Look forward to watching more of your videos.
reminds me of watching the two Ronnies when Ronnie Corbett would sit in a chair and tell a funny story and eventually, after lots of sidetracking he would reach the punchline !! Perhaps not as funny but equally entertaining !! Well done !!
brilliant stuff Canal & River Trust should have you as a roving ambassador...
I'm happy to accept such a commission for vast amounts of cash :-)
Excellent and informative once again, good work keep it up! I'm looking forward to some winter scenery.
Brrrrrr, feeling too cold to go out at the moment!!
Very good video as always can't wait for the next one
Cheers
Thanks. You always do a good job with your narrative
Cheers Stephen!
when i got my boat i did things a little different . i sold the house first and stayed with my dad ect then then started looking for boats with the money burning hole in pocket. i think staying in hotel would be cheaper than a loan and i didnt need to store furniture (what House hold furniture can you get on a boat). its amazing how many coffees you get when they know you are cash buyer and the deals you get, ok it was easier for me the wife had passed on and i had no mortgage but i found it a good way. still had waiting time of a few weeks for surveys ect but wheni i found the boat i wanted the brokers seemed to go into overdrive compared to others ive heard of
The loan cost me very little because I only had it for two months while the house sold and two months interest was very little. Certainly less than I'd have paid in hotel fees. I didn't store furniture either because I got rid of it all once the house contract was exchanged. I didn't want to have cash from the house sale sitting in a bank earning no interest while I looked for a boat as you never know how long that'll take.
what an awesome video. you are such an extraordinary youtuber. kudos to you.
That's extremely kind, given that all I did was sit and blather on in front of a camcorder for 15 minutes :-) But I'll take it!
keep up the good work. as a man who can never live such a life, i am interested in your videos. i can only guess what can the ones that can able to live will make out of them.
every bit of info counts. take care and bon voyage...
:-)
After all that commercial stress......I can see why just tootling along being overtaken on the blindside by a duck is good for ones soul.😀😀
This is great information captain.Thanks very much.You speak lots of sense
Brilliant!
Great advice! Thank you 🙏🏻 for sharing.
It's quite different in the USA. Far more complex, and therefore expensive.Survey costs are almost double. Registration does check out outstanding debt on the boat and the USCG (Coast Guard) gets involved for seagoing vessels at an additional cost. Varies by State but reckon on $5-7k for buying expenses.
Ouch! That's costly! I think maritime vessels here do have a registration process, it's just the inland waterway craft that don't.
Another great Vlog .... very informative open and honest. The Vlog and in my case the blog was an aid to selling my last boat - lots of history of maintenance etc plus a nice diary of ownership, so buy and blog I say. Also I think now you cannot transfer the boat license so you do have to register the boat to yourself via the license? Keep em coming .......
There's nothing quite like a big folder of documents!
Perfect timing for us. We are returning to the UK in Jan to start serious boat shopping. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Is there a list of brokers anywhere? Or it is it simply case of scouring all the ads? We will be continuously cruising and so have the luxury of being able to look anywhere on the network, I imagine we will be up and down the country on our search like you said!
Just scour the ads, Google search etc. The popular ones all advertise in the usual magazines. Cheers.
Jo Morehouse I'd like to add, that once subscribed to various narrowboat vlogs , you'll find narrowboat dealers popping up on your UA-cam reccomends
Good advice about the survey, only boat I bought without getting a survey was the wooden dry rotten boat I already mentioned to you.
I wouldn't buy a boat from St Peter without a survey after that.
The present boat I have has full Ships Registration, which is not the same as SSR which is not regulated.
Anyway thumbs up and subscribed, I like the format of the videos I've watched so far, and if by liking and subscribing you get a warm loved feeling then all the better.
Thank you. Yes, a little bit of UA-cam love is always appreciated :-)
WOW quite an eye opener. To take on buying a boat "on good faith" is really scary. Here in Michigan, every car, boat or RV has a title stating if the title is clear with or without any liens on the vehicle. It would be unnerving to think you own your boat and have the original owner show up and say "that's mine" and have no legal recourse.
Always watching,
Dennis from Lansing Michigan
It's rare but it can and does happen. And yes, it is bizarre. Cheers.
The fact there is no title or registration is astounding. Caveat Emptor takes on new meaning! Very informative video, thank you.
Very much so!
Very informative and strangely comforting video, thanks! What forums can you recommend for a newbie to start gathering info, friends/contacts in the boating world?
Also, could you suggest places I should concentrate to advertise my own services as gas engineer for boats & yachts? Where would you look to get any gas work or gas servicing done? Hot water heater, gimbal stove/hob etc...?
Look forward to the next video! Or Vlog...
Best is canalworld.net but beware some of the forum members can get really rather bitchy. I tend to read, not contribute these days. I'd ask other boaters / marina staff for recommendations. You could advertise on my website ;-)
Very informative ,cool stuff!!
Interesting stuff - all in all it sounds like it comes down to caveat emptor and is a rather archaic process.
Very much so!
How does CRT licencing play into it? It the license attached to the boat, the owner, or both? When you finish the transaction do you immediately have to buy a license? Can you look up who's licensed the boat in the past years?
It's attached to the boat; if you sell, you get a refund and the next owner buys one immediately.
CruisingTheCut do you need a license to be moored in a marina or just when you actually go onto the network?
@Jasper In 99% of cases, yes, the marina pays the CRT for a connection to the network and you're obliged to be licenced to use it. That said, there are some very old marinas that pre-date the CRT and they have no such obligation and I believe boats there can be un-licenced (but can therefore never come out of the marina)
Kettle on the stove and a fleece jumper on indoors. Looks like the big chill has settled upon you already. What is the insulation status on your narrow boat home. Are the hull and cabin BOTH made of metal?
All modern boats are fully metal but some very old classics have a wood cabin (largely replaced or overplated with metal by now). It was -4 Celsius last night.
That is certainly on the chilly side! Kettle be damned. Put on a small cast iron pot of stew. Perfect for a single gentleman who doesn't cook because it cooks itself. We aren't due to get below freezing for a couple of weeks. It has been a very warm Autumn. Rainy but well above freezing. Keep coal on the fire and stay warm. Do you have central heating as well on your boat?
-4c..........wow for us tomorrow it is going to be 36c lol...............!!!!
Too hot!!
Hi
I'm looking at buying a narrow boat very soon, this video has been very helpful. As to the proof of ownership if someone asked you to prove your ownership of you're car other than a recpt how would you do it? .
Technically you can't of course, the V5 is merely the car's keeper. But normally the receipt from a supplying garage/dealer or a prior owner would do, as you imply.
Once again love the vlog, i shudder at the thought of giving money to a guy who says "yep she's mine". Back in the day the deal probably would have been done with a handshake and a pint but times have moved on and maybe boat buying may need to take a step into the modern world.
I like your suggestion about asking questions relating to the boat, as every boat owner will have a tale of what "she" is like first thing you go to start her in the morning etc etc, goes without saying really if they don't know intimate bits of their boat then best to leave them alone and move on.
Cheers from Australia
It is terrifying isn't it?! I saw someone on a forum suggesting asking to see photos of the "owner" on board as extra proof.
That's not going to prove anything. My father took a picture of me in front of a Jaguar car, because it was the nicest thing in the immediate area to stand next to. I didn't own it, it was my father's boss's car. LOL
I "could" use the picture to say to people, Hey, check out my Jag!
SpiritBear12 No, granted a single photo is meaningless. But if they have assorted family pics of them on board as it goes along etc, it's better than no pics at all. It all adds to a sheaf of ownership evidence.
Totally agree there
Very useful information. Thankyou..
Great! Cheers
Well done David, Good info for the future. : )
:-)
Could a potential canal boat buyer research the canal river trust ledgers for previous owner's records in order to establish a valid proof of ownership? Provided the actual owner kept receipts, would other items such as insurance receipts, slip fee receipts & even mooring receipts provide validity of ownership?
It all helps, definitely, but there's nothing categorically definitive. Licence registration itself is not proof of ownership, just who paid the licence fee!
Thanks David...I look forward to each of your releases....But each boat I have been on or seen has an individual "number plate" and you pay an annual fee to the (what was ) the Waterways... so they have a list to chase late/non payers? or am I missing a point (or two)...or jumping the gun! You will cover running costs. I'll be patient ;o)
Yes, they're all numbered and licensed but that's not proof of ownership, just that someone has paid to licence boat number XYZ.
I do find it immensly difficult to navigate around your UA-cam pages. Yesterday I started with No1 to about No5, but now I cannot find No6 to continue onwards. There seems to be no index.
HI. Just click on any channel's name, then you have the option to click on Videos and all their videos are in order, newest first (and you can sort it by oldest first if you prefer). For mine, go to ua-cam.com/users/CruisingTheCutUKvideos
I'm having the same problem. I subscribed to David's UA-cam channel, but I can't for the life of me find where the settings are to play things in order.
Hi Mike, see the answer I wrote above, they're all in order on my channel's Videos tab.
There is a playlist that contains everything in order. The one that currently is at 208 episodes.
ua-cam.com/channels/6SNxiLzSlh8e0yjndE9o_A.htmlplaylists
I just go on to UA-cam, then use the "Search" function to find the next one. I'm up to 66 (evidently!) and it's working fine for me.
Excellent vid answers many questions and even demonstrates that there are things unknown to us that needed to be able to ask sensible questions, very worrying this proof of ownership thing. When dealing with a broker can you ask to meet the vendor and are you provided with the name and address of the vendor to help you judge if they do really own the boat, and question them regarding the history of the boat and their ownership of it even info about the previous owner from whom they got the boat, you know a chain of history the sort of things for peace of mind if you visit their home for a natter you at least have. Another good video many thanks.
It may depend on the broker, I think (and presumably the seller's willingness to be contacted). I think some brokers offer indemnities against fraud etc as well.
Great video David. To be fair the DVLA registration of vehicles is only proof of keeper and not necessarily the owner so not that different to our boats but I know what you mean.
Thanks again Stuart
Between you, me and the gatepost I do know that but it was the easiest analogy I could think of! Cheers
Regarding the surveying, is it still a good idea to get one if you buy a boat brand new from the manufacturer?
It’s certainly arguable that it’s worth doing, indeed possibly to have a surveyor visit on several occasions throughout the build to ensure it’s all being done correctly.
Hi David. Having been an avid follower for some years, I am in the process of looking for a narrowboat. In your vlog you mentioned that you stayed in an area near a “clutch” of brokers/marinas. Would you care to tell me where that was? I’d be most grapefruit. Thank you again for your brilliant vlogs
Crikey, I don't recall offhand but there are loads in the east Midlands eg ABNB, Rugby Boats, various marinas with brokerages etc
Very informative video on buying a used boat. Did you do any research on having one built for you?
I could never afford that so no but I've picked up info about it since, just casually. Will be mentioning it in the next video.
Nice channel. Mads from Sail Life sent me. :D
Thank you. He's a lovely chap :-)
How much of your time would you guess you spend on maintenance? Not simply cleaning, arranging, etc., but true maintenance ... electrical, plumbing, painting, engine, etc.?
My parents owned large motorhomes that were about the size of medium narrowboats. It seemed to me that my father spent close to fifty percent, or at least a quarter, of his time doing one thing or another. He was an electrical engineer so nearly everything was simple to him. I have no such background. I can change the oil on my car, change batteries, and such simple things. I would imagine I would have to pay others to do any work on the engine, plumbing, electrical.
Not that much time really though I couldn't quantify it.
I'm really surprised that you don't have any kind of title or deed document that declares ownership of a boat in the UK. In the US every major piece of property, a boat, a car, a house, etc has some kind of document that declares legal ownership without question.
Not with farm tractors.
Cars and houses do, boats, depends on the state. And lots of other pieces of million dollar machinery do not.
You basically have to do your own due diligence - when buying, ask the owner for the original bill of sale and documentation of any previous transfers of ownership, and make sure you get those documents. With that chain you can establish title in court if a dispute arises.
@@JasperJanssen I think my biggest concern there is that some people will simply throw away paperwork or lose track of it because they are careless. Even if they do legitimately own the boat, there's no guarantee they'll have that paperwork. Plus if you're a liveaboard, where are you going to keep said paperwork that is easily retrievable to the owner but not to any would-be thieves? You couldn't use a safe on the boat because someone who stole the boat would have theoretically all the time in the world to crack it open.
That was pretty good, you should put your knowledge for hire, there is probably lots of people out there that would greatly appreciate it.
I'm more than happy to accept money for advice!!!
I'm aiming to move onto a boat in september, I've been doing research and looking online at boats for the past few months. When do you reckon I should actually start viewing boats? I'm aware the process takes a while..
Oh, as soon as possible. Even if you're not in a position to buy, the more you see the more you learn. It's just not the same looking at them online.
ah cheers for getting back to me :D I am potentially in a position to buy, just not in a position to move aboard just yet. So maybe looking asap would be a good idea
Oh yes. And if you buy before moving aboard it gives you time to get any works / upgrades / changes sorted rather than doing them once you're full timing.
sounds like a plan!