A float on Miracle - 20ft narrowboat

A* thread.... nice cat.

Good choice of stove, I have one in my house (Arthur) and it has been great for the last 4 years. Great thread by the way. If the porta potti is of the cassette type, the thought of emptying it is far worse than the reality, once you've done it once you will cease to worry about it.

@ oliver. YES she's the second smallest size you can get (to my knowledge) but she has everything. I lived as a couple in a flat that was a little more than twice her size for over a year.
People adjust to anything. That's my theory.

It's an economical pied à terre for one.

I agree. Downsizing has its definite advantages (feel less burdened, less encumbered) and it's by no means the case that only lots of space has advantages. And, after all, this is the houseboat equivalent to getting on the housing 'ladder'. When I was a student, I had an absolutely wonderful tiny little garret room for about a year. It was very much like your houseboat situation except for the houseboat bit. The toilet was three floors down, I had to shower at the public baths (very close by), but it was just incredibly cosy and the rent was minuscule. You'll wish for more space again at some point (trade up to the next biggest boat :) ), but for now I can imagine exactly how you feel and I'm sure it's really exciting!

I'm also with you on the 'VW Beetle' aspect. If I ever had to learn to drive or to get a car, that's the car I would get (the original Beetle, of course, not the recent abomination).

Out of interest, what is the smallest size of houseboat you can get? Are there any pictures on-line?

End of a Very Successful Day.

Right now I am seated on my bed looking out at my newly fitted American Oak doors. I've spent all day slowly doing them myself. It would have been much quicker had they done it for me but Paddy seems super busy and amicable to showing me how to use his tools. Ehem. I am super chuffed with my first attempt at hanging doors. I am also super happy to notice that my inside lock is mostly straight. (off about 2mm i expect) hmmm. It may be a do over in the a.m.

This post will be. Today was totally worth the long story being written and shared... but its 19.35pm and I am exhausted.

well done jackie, great little boat and read

Good choice of stove, I have one in my house (Arthur) and it has been great for the last 4 years..

Good to hear someone has one, I fell in love with it then worried when I didnt hear from Jon right away. Guess I just have to keep hoping it stays mild until it gets here.

^ thanks Murts!!

@oliver - I saw one that was 17ft. but only the one. A lot of 20fters are just a sitting space and kitchen. Me I wanted it all :)

Jacqui, great thread and great house! I'd LOVE a houseboat but probably need to get the 7yr old all growed up and left home first.

Can't wait for next installment...

well done jackie, great little boat and read

Wow, Murtle, I didn't realise that you had one, too. You've kept that quiet.

(Or maybe, maybe, you did talk about it ... :) )

There are some very cute little narrowboats around.

^ This one looks very similar to Miracle, Jacqui--is it the same model?

Slightly larger ones:

Oliver - that first one HAS GOT TO BE SMALLER THAN MIRACLE
the second one looks the same size, but its not the same make. If you look at Miracle's bow you'll see the bit that's painted white, its called the Springer "Moustache". It's the easiest way to identify my builder - sort of like a Mercian barber pole or a Gilliot by its intricate lug work.
I know its not a springer by the bars on the top and the gunwales. (aka walky bit how you get to the front of the boat)

This one's for Duckie ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SxmqTQfnlc&feature=player_detailpage

L&W -- this made me laugh out loud, thank you :)

Amazing thread! Following eagerly for the next installment.
Miracle is very dinky, never seen one that small being lived on full time, only as day boats. have you got any way of uploading photos of the inside? I think you can attach photos from a phone directly to a post on this forum?
Traveling on boats before I've always had a fear of one of the dogs going overboard in a lock, and with water sloshing in (and out) of the gates and motor running back & forth it would be bad news all round. every lock would make sure they were kept in by at least one door and windows shut etc.

Is your motor an outboard? photo looks like it would go on the back? easy & hopefully cheap to run and service :)

^10hp yamaha outboard. good for 4.3mph!
(had the garmin with me)

the cuteness factor of that video is off the scale.

Jacqui. Re Econodog's lovely photo of Miracle moored up next to another boat. I've seen this a lot obviously but often wondered what the protocol / etiquette is? Are you at liberty to 'double park' like this in a marina and use your neighbour's boat to access your own? How does it all work out? I often see boats three or more abreast and figure that if you are the owner of the shoreside boat everyone has to walk over yours to get to theirs.

There are some very cute little narrowboats around.

^ This one looks very similar to Miracle, Jacqui--is it the same model?
I've seen this one on the Thames, just outside Reading. Should have known you'd like it, what with the pun-tastic name!

My Newt brings all the boys to the barge...

I've seen this one on the Thames, just outside Reading. Should have known you'd like it, what with the pun-tastic name!

Slander, pure slander. :)

I thought it might be Ken's narrowboat.

@brickman. the currently acceptable size for a liveaboard is around 40ft. Waterbugs however when equipt as mine (toilet & shower) can do this with some adjustments. I'm not having any parties aboard anytime soon obviously but as a place to live economically she's pretty perfect. When I am back in london with reliable signal I will upload pics. in the meantime:

From Bow - small make up double bed that transforms to seating for four / larger dinette for anyone 5.8or below it would not be small.
1ft full height closet with two shelves (using wire hangers about 20-30 at a push)
7ft kitchen counter including 2 burner hob single sink and built in tray. 2 closed cupboards, 3 shelves (2 extend below the stern) - the lowest is duckies private area with his food and water and blanket although he prefers next to me)
the higher is for additional dry goods (rice, pulses, canned goods etc.,)
(opposite) 4ft shower / toilet wet room
2ft seat with drawer below
and soon a wood burner

re boat parking etiquette: at the dock yard it is acceptable to "double moor" as needed - which is decided by the boat yard manger (in my case Paddy) the boat I am moored with is a project - no one's been around to work on it since I've been here. It may even be owned by the boat yard.. I've not asked.

When I was getting Miracle craned out of the water for inspection we had to wait. At this time the boat yard manager (Steve at that yard) allocated me a space next to two others so we were 3 deep. In congested areas like these its allowed.

I would expect in general the boats you see doubled or tripled in the canal or river know each other and are together for convenience. In emergencies or when there's no options then its also acceptabel to use anothers boat to cross over to the land but refrain from looking in doors or windows its a HUGE NO-NO

I would expect in general the boats you see doubled or tripled in the canal or river know each other and are together for convenience. In emergencies or when there's no options then its also acceptabel to use anothers boat to cross over to the land but refrain from looking in doors or windows its a HUGE NO-NO

haha yes, after all its people lives you are looking in on, equivilent is climbing into someones front garden and cupping your hands to the glass, not socially acceptable!
Theres plenty of 'cut etiquette' and it varies between the regions, but generally use your common sense and it'll be fine.I've found genuine canal folk are amongst the friendliest and most generous there are (wheras the land based nomads in caravans with wheels are mostly miserable stuck up types).
I'm not sure I'd be able to live on such a small boat, I have too much 'stuff'. When I was looking at boats I was looking at a 60-70ft liveaboard + matching butty with front converted for workshop space. Live-aboard for me & mates, butty for all my junk!

AFAIK you can get small diesel outboards which make a fair amount less noise (and use less fuel) if you ever get bored of the relentless buzz from the petrol job ;)

???

???

that's not a knife!

this is a knife!!!!