Houseboats / Boatlife / Canal Cruising / Mooring Chat / Boat Porn

Crossing the Channel is easier if you lash two narrowboats together. Haven't tried it myself though. I've had neighbours get in trouble in the Thames.

@moocher - that boat is proper porn - I paid more for significantly less, but that included a central Ldn mooring.

That one would be £8540 per year in mooring fees at Tingdene marina just outside Reading. I assume since they are the seller that they would have a berth.

Mooring elsewhere on the river is free of course.

That's pretty expensive for Reading, would hope the facilities are excellent. I pay £12k for a 75x9 footer in Limehouse, for comparison. Looking at the map, I used to live 500m from that marina, and didn't know it was there (in fairness, 20 years ago, it might not have existed).

I think it's relatively recent. You used to live in Newtown? Ever drink in the Eastgate?

I guess nothing is free, but part of the attraction for me of a boat is not paying rent. Mooring fees are kind of the same.

Filey Rd, Wokingham Rd and Blenheim Rd are among my Reading addresses. Drank in the Eastgate, Anglers, Fisherman, Up The Junction, Granby and Jack of Both Sides. Not sure which ones are still open...

Eastgate got knocked down, which was a sad day. The fisherman's now sells hipster ales, Granby is an ice cream parlour. Jack of both sides is now a reputable family pub. Not sure about up the junction. I'm not over that side so much these days.

I was on London Road Cholmeley Road and Norton Road

anyway, obscure local pubs thread >>

Didn't the narrow boat that did the channel have "special adaptations"? Like big plates welded over openings to stop waves coming through the front door. It's got to be easier on the back of a lorry.

I live in Amsterdam. I really, really want a boat. I should really not get a boat.

It certainly had the sides built up, not sure about welding up 'oles. Makes sense though
Terry Darlington was the gadgy, it's all in his book, Narrow Dog to Carcasonne. Can't say I recommend it, it's not very well written but an easy read
It's got to be easier to stick it on the back of a lorry.....but where's your sense of adventure?

Visiting some boats today. Plan is to see a big boat, see a little boat, ask some dumb questions.

I saw this beaut today. On the Kennet and Avon just west of Reading.
That’s my sort of boat.

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Went to the marina, saw some boats

What I learned:

There's no short route from the Marina to Reading, even though its only hundreds of meters away access is only via a circuitous road route. I exaggerate a bit, but there is no quick popping into town on the bike.

They wont allow you to just turn up and pay for their facilities. So I couldnt moor for free nearby and then get water / empty tanks on their site.

Wide beams are wide. And long. And would be terrifying to navigate alone as a first time. Sadie - the boat porn I posted a page or so back, was an amazing shape but on closer inspection was a bit sad and in need of a lot of TLC

Some of the narrow boats in the 50k range were plenty big enough.

Lots to think about.

Out the marina, left along Henley road, left down Lower Henley road, left into Star lane, right at the end along a path into Hills Meadow, then Christchurch meadow, then over the new bridge and you are at the station, no more than 10 minutes on a bike and pretty leisurely at that.
But if you have a boat you can cruise to Queens road and moor there for bit while you pop into town. (still EA navigation, not CRT at that point)
Caversham Boat services does pump outs and stuff. There's a tap in Christchurch meadows near the tennis courts. There's a lot of places on the Thames (and one not too far along the Kennet) for all those supply things.

thanks for the info. i've just measured from the marina bar to reading bridge, and its 3.6 miles via your route. Direct along the river is just over 1. It's just a shame this shorter route isnt possible.

I need to read up on constant cruising and the 14 day rule and how strictly it is implemented. ideally i'd just moor up near christchurch meadow.

also need to investigate fuel costs, etc etc

I think that the magic length is 57' for a boat....that will let you navigate any lock in the country, I think?
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong....

Wow, doesn't seem that far to me! (I used to have a friend living on a boat there, used to make that journey once a week or so)
Most of the places in Reading you'll have to pay, even the public parks have fees, some of them (the prom for example) it's £100 to moor there (because mooring is actually prohibited) The fee is the way of making sure people don't actually stop there.
Anyone who owns a bit of riverbank wants some return for allowing people to moor there! The EA moorings opposite the marina entrance on the Thames and the Tesco mooring are used by long term liveaboards and there has been a lot of effort to keep them moving. There are a few folk who have come close to court but who have moved at the last minute. It's been great for years, but has been abused a bit, and the authorities only really want the tourists!
Here's the shyster Cllr Page (the enemy of cyclists in Reading too) on the plans to destroy the riverside there:
https://youtu.be/OShjMZAKYmU

I was wondering how those people opposite Tesco / the marina were lasting so long. I like the semi sunk pirate ship opposite too.

I supported SOAR at the last application and am doing so again. Cllr Page isn't my favourite :)

Been down a rabbithole this weekend watching youtube canal boaters, now makes me want a narrow boat

Space looks so limited, where would you put a wet bike after a commute?

I want to buy this. It has a bar.

https://www.premierhouseboats.co.uk/princess-pocahontas

Funny this thread pops up, I'm just back from 3 days on the Thames on a Campiboat. Sort of like a fancy garden-office but floats. Absolutely dreamy cruising between Goring and Clifton Hampden, would recommend to anyone interested...

Life's a fucking headache right now - nobody allowed to work on boats during lockdown and boat specialists are hen's teeth at the best of times, so now it's almost impossible to get work done. And as for getting blacking/painting done, you're looking at winter/2021.

On the positive side, I've more or less moved in with partner/toddler (two separate humans) on land, so may just use boat as a ludicrously expensive floating office from now on.

I have a cruiser stern narrowboat (bigger back deck) and a porch. Have often left it in there to dry off. Although it's living on the roof at the moment as the porch has become my office and studio during lockdown and working from home.

Did you play Scrabble on deck? That would have made me very nervous. :)

On the roof - to rot

Let me know if you ever wanna sell! Still keen on the idea and saving atm..