A float on Miracle - 20ft narrowboat

yup i'm sure that the BW would love that! lol.

it like a giant floating legos, with enough funds, I reckon you can easily covered the entire canal with that.

Yep, it's visible, looks a cosy space.

Jacqui are you on canalworld.net?

I was just reading some threads about growing families getting a separate butty (non-motorised narrowboat shell) for their kids which they drag behind their boat!

Also, it's amazing for information but also full of some serious Daily Mail twunts.

Sadly the canal is full of Daily Mail twunts :-(

Getting my move on..
It was about 3 am and I was woken up by some commotion outside. Then, I felt the unmistakable rock of the boat and heard more banging about.
I was sure someone had boarded. My first thought was that they were stealing my bike.
The rocking continued as did the banging about so I got out of bed. Duckie was going mental. I have an attack cat I thought, how cool.
I left the lights out and went to the door and as quietly as possible I unlatched. Duckie was now by my side eagerly watching the door.
I swung the door open and came face to face with my intruder.
We stared at eachother for a stunned moment.
I quickly closed the door.
Our faces had been inches away from eachother and it was impossible to say who was more shocked.
Tentatively, I re-opened the door.
The intruder was still paralised and staring in the same way.
I was more calm this time and in the moments the door was open this second timeI noted many things.

He was beautiful and big. Much bigger than I'd imagined they'd be. He was also from what I could tell, very healthy. His eyes were bright, his coat a stunning and glossy red. His face and torso was full and fat.

I have just come face to face, with a fox.

Amazing.

Mental note, do not leave my bin bag on the back deck.

His face and torso was full and fat.

I have just come face to face, with fox.

nah can't have been Fox. Petes dead skinny like.

^^ I've missed Miracle!

Great piece, Jacqui.

Repped

Fantastic piece Jacqui.

Getting my move on..
It was about 3 am and I was woken up by some commotion outside. Then, I felt the unmistakable rock of the boat and heard more banging about.
I was sure someone had boarded. My first thought was that they were stealing my bike.
The rocking continued as did the banging about so I got out of bed. Duckie was going mental. I have an attack cat I thought, how cool.
I left the lights out and went to the door and as quietly as possible I unlatched. Duckie was now by my side eagerly watching the door.
I swung the door open and came face to face with my intruder.
We stared at eachother for a stunned moment.
I quickly closed the door.
Our faces had been inches away from eachother and it was impossible to say who was more shocked.
Tentatively, I re-opened the door.
The intruder was still paralised and staring in the same way.
I was more calm this time and in the moments the door was open this second timeI noted many things.

He was beautiful and big. Much bigger than I'd imagined they'd be. He was also from what I could tell, very healthy. His eyes were bright, his coat a stunning and glossy red. His face and torso was full and fat.

I have just come face to face, with a fox.

Amazing.

Mental note, do not leave my bin bag on the back deck.

That's pretty cool, although probably not so much the part where you thought someone was on your boat.

I hope you don't mind a slight thread-hijack Jacqui, but I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge/experience of boat builders in the South. Ideally somewhere near Reading, but willing to look a bit further afield.
I'm looking to get a boat built and do the fit out myself (I know, big job). I have spoken to one company so far, and have some more to investigate but any input appreciated.

That's pretty cool, although probably not so much the part where you thought someone was on your boat.

I hope you don't mind a slight thread-hijack Jacqui, but I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge/experience of boat builders in the South. Ideally somewhere near Reading, but willing to look a bit further afield.
I'm looking to get a boat built and do the fit out myself (I know, big job). I have spoken to one company so far, and have some more to investigate but any input appreciated.

Not sure if this is helpful but... I have a few friends that have looked into getting a hull built and doing the fit out themselves and it seems that hulls are much much cheaper in the netherlands and more options available.
Perhaps get in touch with the Pirate Castle in Camden, they had a custom boat built recently and have loads of knowledge and experience - think their last boat was built in the midlands somewhere

Hi

Liverpool boats hulls are built in eastern Europe I think but seem well received/reviewed. I believe Uxbridge boats sell them.

Gareth

10 May.

There's green slime on my jeans.
I unzip my jacket pocket, and my phone is dry and the light is flashing to let me know I've missed a call.
In a moment of facination I note that my bra is still dry.
**Brilliant. **

It's my birthday.

Ok, well not really; I was born in the fall.
But today marks my birthday as a proper boater, er because of my fall; into the river Lee that is.

It's windy.
It's also pretty wet out.
But I failed to notice both of these things a few hours ago.
It wasn't relevant until I was coming back from getting water.
A more experienced boater would have noted both these things,and known.

It's so windy that Miracle didn't stand a chance of staying against the river bank once I'd cut the engine.
Instead in the 30 odd seconds it took me to get the rope and try jumping for the bank we were already a drift a good metre out.

No, I didn't jump.
My ankles are too dodgy for that.
I started to walk backward along the gunnel to the stern.
I started, as did the rain.

I'm clumsy at the best of times.

Other boaters laugh that I hold on at all times.
Today, I was holding on but I slipped off what are probably the widest gunnels on the river.

Classy.

I'm hanging by one arm up to my thighs in the river.
Behind me I can hear the BMC engine of the Norwegians 58 footer approaching.
I can't see his boat.

I'm thinking of his prop.

I can't get sucked into it.
**
That.would.be.bad.**

I'm slipping.

I've only got three fingers on the rail.
My waist is now submerged.
My blackberry is in the pocket of my coat and my mind flashes back to the conversation I had with the designer..
"completely taped and waterproof, even the zips" he'd assured me.
I'd bought the coat partly because I wanted to show him I believed in him, partly because I didn't own a waterproof.

God. I hope he was right.

I hear the engine of the approaching boat slow.
Miracle, with me clung to her side are now nearly in the middle of the river.
The wind is pushing us quickly.

Please let him notice I'm not on my boat.

"Pull yourself up" clearly he's noticed.

Helpful, I think to myself. I'm annoyed. I want to yell back "No Shit" but I am to tired to argue and this isn't the time.

I wrap my other hand around the fender rope, and try to do just that.
I can only manage my elbows on the gunnel.
I'm kicking my feet to try and tred water and raise myself.
My jeans are flailing around my legs, my shoes are heavy and feel like weights.
It's cold.

I'm losing my strength and sink lower.

Then, I breathe.

I need to think.

I can't get up on the gunnel.
I've got to find another way.
My engine is off.
That's a grace.
I pull myself to the stern.
I should be able to get up here.
It's a few inches lower.
The outboard has metal bars around it and supports at 45 degrees.
I swing my body and try to get purchase on the supports.
I fail.
I try again and get my foot against it.
The Norwegian is yelling directions at me.
I can't make them out over the wind.

I'm getting this though.. it's gonna be ok.

The next thing I remember is sitting on my deck.

The Nowegian's lashing Miracle to his boat.
I'm panting, unable to move.

There's a lot of swearing and three tries before he manages single handedly to moor us.

When he gets back onboard he just looks at me and shrugs.

• "I guess women don't have a man's upperbody strenght"*
  
  

Well, I don't.

Outstanding.

And I'm glad you didn't get minced by the Norwegian's prop!

Thanks Luci.
Me too. Pretty sore today.
I'm psyching myself up for moving today, alone.
If i'd fallen off my bike, I'd just get back on - same thing here I guess.

10 March.

10 May?

Loving the updates :)

Not sure if this is helpful but... I have a few friends that have looked into getting a hull built and doing the fit out themselves and it seems that hulls are much much cheaper in the netherlands and more options available.
Perhaps get in touch with the Pirate Castle in Camden, they had a custom boat built recently and have loads of knowledge and experience - think their last boat was built in the midlands somewhere
Thanks, thats useful to know. Do you know if they managed to get over for a visit to see their handiwork/progress before or during the build? Or the costs associated with shipping to the UK?

I've seen that boat! very distinctive paint work. So much so that I took a photo:
[URL="https://www.lfgss.com/album.php?albumid=1280&pictureid=13100"][/URL]https://www.lfgss.com/picture.php?albumid=1280&pictureid=13100

Hi

Liverpool boats hulls are built in eastern Europe I think but seem well received/reviewed. I believe Uxbridge boats sell them.

Gareth

Thanks Gareth, good to know.

10 May?

Loving the updates :)

err, yes... MAY.

22.May 2012

**Jacqui of all trades **

I've been giving Miracle some love. I spent the entire weekend sanding, and varnishing the wood surround of her hearth and her doors. I've repaired a bit of wood and preventatively treated the exterior hatch frame for wood rot.

I needed to prove to myself that I could maintain her.

Over the past few weeks I've been hunting for a new narrowboat.
It feels a bit wrong, like cheating.
It's not that I'm unhappy with Miracle, I'm not.
I just want to move up now.
I am making the life afloat commitment.

I found a superb 30 footer in my price bracket, but its got a wooden top.
Most people will tell you to stay as far away from a wooden top boat as possible. They require dedication. They require constant upkeep, without it they deteriorate and you lose your investment and home.

The boat I found is owned by a carpenter.
A very good carpenter.
She's 10 feet longer than Miracle, with ton's of storage. There are two closets!
My heart lept.
I'm a sucker for nice wood work.
Maybe it's because I grew up in Canada, but it's always been something I've loved.
I want this boat.

Most of the refurbished boats I've seen on the market are of the same ilk.
They're "open plan with freestanding furniture."
Exactly what a home owner wants these days. I see why they do it.
**It's great in a flat; rubbish in a boat. **
Boat's are tiny.
You need storage.
Built in sofa's aren't cool looking, but they provide this.
The other thing about the modern refurbished boat is that people have taken to painting over the wood.
Tongue in groove is a beautiful thing, with age it acquires a lovely warmth.

**Paint does not. **

There was a nigle in the back of my mind even though she is perfect.
I've never looked after a thing like her.
I don't know if i have the skill?
*
If manual aptitude is inherrited, I've about a 50/50 chance. *

Consider my parents:

When I was six years old, my father and I decided to build a dog house.
That weekend was one of the most exciting times I've had with my father, we planned, we drew pictures, we cut wood.
I handed him tools.
I pinched my nose with the needle nose plyers so hard I still remember them hanging off my face.
*It was fun. *
We got it all together, brought it outside to the dog and put the lid on.
The dog took one look, whined and ran.
I asked if we should wall paper it for him.
I was too young to notice my father's pain.
That was the only building project I ever remember my father taking part in.

My mother on the other hand, has always been handy.
She's very stubborn and believes she is capable of anything.
This tenacity led to her build her own house. The land was purchased with a cement foundation, on which was a tar paper shed.
It took her 3 years of after work, weekends and holidays but she did it. Plumbing, electric, roof and all. Now, every summer she takes on another project.
One year she decided to build a deck.
The next she rented a digger and re-dug the pond and lined it.
This year she expanded the pond and added an island.

I called my father and he laughed out loud.
Don't buy her. You'll screw it up and you'll end up on the bottom.
When my silence followed, his tone changed to a grave seriousness.
Were you calling me for advice?
Yes.
Oh.
*Yes. Well, you should talk to your uncle about that. *(pause)
*Or your mother. *

My uncle has been sailing racing boats for the better part of thirty years. He'd know more than anyone in our family, if the boat that was tugging on my heart strings was gamble or a good deal.

Instead of calling home to dicuss it with him, I set myself a task.
Fix some little things on Miracle, if I can, consider the boat.
If I can't, forget her.

Now I'm 3 coats of varnish into my hearth surround and it looks beautiful.
I've fixed my cill, and it's ready for paint.
I don't know if I'm ready to take on a whole wooden top boat, but at least I know I'm handy.

Since this discovery, another boat has taken my fancy.

Anybody fancy a week of sailing? I may be bringing a boat back from Birmingham.
(there's quite a few locks)

Wondering, will Miracle soon appear in LFGSS classifieds?

Would the person need to know what they're doing? Or would they just be muscle?

company and help I suppose Sparky, it's not like I'm an expert, lol.
There's a particular lock flight that's a bit intimidating - 21 locks in a row... but it could be easy if they're set up already.

you didn't buy a boat called New Prospect did you?

Thanks, thats useful to know. Do you know if they managed to get over for a visit to see their handiwork/progress before or during the build? Or the costs associated with shipping to the UK?

Not sure on shipping, my friend was studying in holland at the time so he was spending plenty of time there, got to meet some builders. Will see if I can get more info

I've seen that boat! very distinctive paint work. So much so that I took a photo:
[URL="http://www.lfgss.com/album.php?albumid=1280&pictureid=13100"][/URL]http://www.lfgss.com/picture.php?albumid=1280&pictureid=13100

That's not the Pirate Castle. This is: http://www.thepiratecastle.org/