313. My old narrowboat just got a HUGE upgrade! 

Big thanks to the new owner for sharing the process with you and by proxy, us!

What a lovely, well put together story. The trips back to Wreyland must have been such a mix of emotions. How lovely to see her again, and being so well looked after and future proofed, and yet I suspect a tinge of sadness too. Thank you for bringing this to us and like I, I’m sure everyone will wish her new owner many many years of happy cruising on the cut. Al the best to you too of course.

We missed Wreyland! Glad to see the new owner loves it as much as you did.

In my opinion, David, this will in time be considered a premier community service video. Not discounting your videography or editing skills, the real good this work will do in encouraging people who may have had obstacles this video removed for them is huge. Fantastic! P.S. after watching you build all those components on Wreyland, it was difficult to watch it being dismantled. I can only imagine how you felt.

The mixed emotions of the 1st few minutes gave way to the realization that when the ICE days are in the rearview mirror, Wreyland will continue to provide years of enjoyment to anyone lucky enough command her. And, for those of us who've had so much joy "aboard" her, it was very nice to see her again. Splendidly done!

The electric experience just so soothingly matches the tranquility of the British canal, love the conversion, hope the other David gets to enjoy her as much as he desires!

The work on the raise/lower system to help with the weed hatch cleaning was a stroke of genius. Now folks like David (and others) just need Bluetooth controlled lock gates to stop the climbing about, and the canals would really be set free for everyone.

Good to know the old girl is in safe hands!

Appears to be a very lovely new chapter for Wreyland. I wish her an even keel and sunny days.

What brilliant adaptations! And nice to see your boat again David. The new owner was so generous letting you film it all for us. ❤

That's a great story on your last boat. The new owner seems delighted as he should be. Thanks for sharing. Cheers 🇨🇦

Have always loved the idea of refuelling as you go ;) Government haven't thought of a way to tax sunlight … yet.

That had to be a bittersweet experience for you. I am happy that the new owner seems to care for the boat as you did. Thank you for the vlog.

What a wonderful salute to your old transport! I can’t imagine a better individual owning your boat, with such fine updating. Bravo!

Wonderful ingenuity. Thanks for sharing. P.S. Good to see your old boat has fallen into good hands.

Such a pleasure to see the legendary Wreyland in such good hands, getting all the love it deserves and some more. May it keep traveling the canal networks for decades to come.

So nice to see your commanding gaze whilst steering your old boat on the cut. What a great video and best of luck to the new owner, quite the nice upgrades!

Such a nice surprise. Not only to see your old home again, but also expert Gary working on the upgrade.

I love seeing other folks spend their money on improving stuff ..!

I'm enjoying this video. Thank you for the update on your old Boat. I like most of the new upgrades half Smart.

The quiet of an electric boat harkens back to the early canals before steam and diesel took over. The advantage, of course, is that electric drives don’t have to be fed and don’t leave . . . ”fertilizer” behind.

What a great story.

Ah David, your baby is all grown up and beautiful. You must be so proud.

Love the name of the electric motor controller equipment...No Puttputt. It's almost good enough to be one of your world famous puns. 😂

Gary has come a long way since the early days, it's good to see he has survived the Christmas Dinner, as with all of you, haha 😊

Thanks for sharing. That was interesting to see all the new changes to the narrow boat.

I visited my old boat sold in 2010 and the money put to buying an SUV that doesn't need a mooring line. Now in 2023 she has changed ownership three times, the second one spent a fortune on her and she looks all the better for it. Going electric without a donkey engine is brave, now having to rely on the wonderful UK weather to top up the batteries. Or calling into marinas for an overnight recharge while touring will need perfect planning. Wreyland is looking good, and the conversion work is of a high quality, so should stand her well for many years to come. Well done the David's and it would be great to have some updates while cruising the cut. Stay safe out there and thanks for posting.

Love how he doesn’t let physical limitations dictate what he can and cannot do find a way to make your dreams come true

Good to see wreyland in the hands off an appreciative new owner and the huge upgrades he has had done It was good to see you at the helm aswell brings fond memories streaming back of your efforts to improve your famous boat

That was truly interesting, i agree that acoustic panels in “engine bay” would help! I can see a little 25’ electric canal boat looming on your horizon!!!

At the beginning I was hoping that David would go for the pod units from one of your other videos. Thanks for showing us things to come.

Now thats the Wrey to do it! What an upgrade!

"It's looking a little bare". I see what you did there at 5:09. No doubt anymore that going electric is the way forward. Prices will drop.

Lovely that the new owner will love and care for the boat as you did!

Now that was a surprise and a half(!). And what a nifty set-up! Blimey, that lift thing is inspired!

I loved the speed estimation when you looked at the bank to adjust it from 1.5 to 2mph....you still got it! 😂😂😂

Just wanted to say your bilge paint still looked good David. David, many years of Happy Cruising in a boat everyone would love to have.

How wonderful to see you at the helm of Weyland again! It was kind of David to give you the tiller for a while. I enjoyed seeing the alterations bringing the boat into the 21st century - but most of all, enjoyed seeing Expert Gary overseeing the transformation. A man that can cook a turkey dinner in a narrowboat can do anything! He seems to be doing quite well. Thanks again David!

@ 5:10........"It's looking a "little bare (bear)"........good one David !!

Thank you David and all. A very satisfying conversion. I think Wreyland will be up for countless years to come, bringing quiet enjoyment to her new owner. The rising steps to assist the owner to do the weedhatch is a brilliant solution and may be repeated once others with a similar disability find out about it. Congratulations to all on a first-class upgrade. David, perhaps bring us back in a year or so and lets take a revisit to your old travel partner.

Did I read that correctly? The casing over the electric engine had the words 'No Puttputt' on it? what a marvelous name., for the company that provided all the electricals. As usual I have really enjoyed this video, David. My favourite part was when you said, 'Ah boaty, I've missed yo boaty' I hope Gary, the manager of North Kilworth Marina gets a lot more enquiries about sales and conversions, they seem like a reputable company. Forget about installing acoustic paneling over the engine bay, I love the sound it makes, it should be embraced.

Wreyland looks extremely spiffy! I’m so happy that someone who loves her is again her caretaker. Thank you, David. 😎🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😎

The Christmas dinner video with Expert Gary is one of my favorite videos to watch during the Christmas season.

What a remarkable conversion. Many thanks to the new owner for sharing this experience. Very much appreciated. Be well and stay safe.

It’s nice to see the boat again and to also see Expert Gary’s appearance again brings back memories

Lovely video, mate. Nicely done.

What a nice bloke, and wonderful to share the process with you and us.

David, you always produce such well presented and interesting videos, so thank you! I always look out for more.

Oh no!!! Breaks my heart to know you are not on it!! 💔💔💔💔💔 My apologies, I’m a sentimental old thing! I’m glad the new owner is going to have years of pleasure.

Fascinating to see your old home and what the new owner has done. Must have been some hearty mixed feelings for you. Great vlog as always. Your Christmas cookery vlog is one of my all time favorites! Cheers!

Excellent watch.

I am a big fan of tranquility, but there is something to be said about the steady thumping of a Diesel engine. Great update.

Thanks David… as someone who’s followed your many adventures throughout the last few years, it’s nice to see the old girl again. It’s as if we’re seeing an old main character return for a cameo.❤

From Canada - I've dreamed about narrow boating on British canals for years. Now at age 77, I know it will never happen. With electric technology, it is amazing to think what the future holds and I have Narrow Boating channels to enjoy the experience vicariously. Thank you.

That was interesting and fun to watch. Thanks Cruising the cut. From Highland falls New York

"Ah, Boaty! I've missed you, Boaty!" 😆 Thanks for sharing this!

What a lovely conversion, and I'm pleased to hear that battery technology has advanced to make them much safer.

Loved this! Cheers, David.

Great to see "Boatie" again, David. I remember how impressed I was watching you figure out and install all of your solar gear on the wall. Thanks for the reunion!

Good luck with climbing the lock ladders !

10:08 "no puttputt" That's an adorable name for an adorable motor :)

Missed you David. I love how quiet the boat is, too bad all the other boats aren't.

David, all these years and the memories of watching your exploits…it just never gets old. Thanks for another one;) Jeez, that affected me and it's not even my boat! 😂

It's always cool when you get to see a vehicle or project that you once owned again. I've sold vehicles that I didn't think had any useful life left, only to see them restored and re-imagined years later and it's a great feeling seeing something you've known get a new lease on life.

What a joy to see your good old boat back again in her new life. Funny how we get attached to these large steel hulls. Thank you for sharing new and old owners.

This is a great video, David. Thanks.

always a delight to watch and listen to your vlogs.

Congrats to the Gentle Gent! Nice to see the boat getting another life with a new owner!

Oh wow! The quiet splish-splash of his prop is such a soothing sound!

You’re right about the acoustic panelling though….quiet as electric motors are, that noise would drive me crazy!

Nice to know what happened to the old girl, and that she's in the hands of the right owner. I've always maintained that the only real stumbling block to full electric power on boats is being able to fully charge them when away from an outlet. The advances in solar panels, plus better (and safer) batteries make me more of an electric supporter than ever. As someone with dodgy knees themselves, seeing the boat adapted to make things easier was interesting. I imagine it must have been with some mixed emotions that you took the tiller; reuniting with your old boat, but it no longer being the same boat you left. But it's in the best of hands, and will do what it does best for years to come

Brilliant Video David. Nice to see your old boat has been given an upgrade and bless David, the new owner. 👍🏻

Simply excellent in every respect. Needs a wider audience than just RU-vid.

Good to see both the boat, and Expert Gary again!

nice video and good to know the Wreyland is upgraded to be around for much longer. Also respect for the ingenuity with that lift, always good to see new ways to create access for people with handicaps in hobbies which often just excluded handicapped people not so long ago. I wish the new captn best of health so that he gets to enjoy the Wreyland for a long time.

Glad to hear that the Wrayland has got a new lease of life and will continue to sail along the UK's canals like she always has. God speed :)

1) Great to see your former boat (and you, as always) back! 2) I'm in awe for that lift that started the whole electrification process. Great application of an old idea. 3) I must say that the previous electric narrowboat has raised the bar with me: I'd fancied a propeller pod here, too. But then, the total cost could have gone through the roof, damaging the solar panels...

"A little bare." 😅😅😅 No pun left unturned.

Good to see the old girl. Miss all your canal travels videos of you and her.

How amazing is that lift! I too am not a fan of Hellraiser. Seeing your joy driving your old boat gave me smile. All around good vlog per usual but it had that extra something that some of them have.

Ingenious design, best thinking outside the box....

David - like most , i miss you and the Wreyland excursions

LOVED this video! Amazing what electric has done for the narrow boating industry! It really is a perfect upgrade for cruising at a constant low speed especially!

Very cool that he did that and bought it because it was yours. Much love from the USA 🤙

What an interesting conversion!! Wow!! Must make you so happy to see Wreyland upgraded and loved by the new David. Fantastic video!! ❤

Good one, thanks.

Brilliant conversation job. Hopefully in time conversion costs come down and towpath charging infrastructure develops.

looks great - fair play to the new owner for his commitment to the project - fantastic

Another excellent video David, but I can't help feeling a tad sad, having travelled with you for 263 + diesel powered episodes!!!

That was a very educational, entertaining, and nostalgic story. I think many of us miss Wreyland, so it's nice to see your old boat found a good home - and has a new lease of (electric) life!

It has be a great feeling to know Wreyland is going be taken care of for a long time. That electric upgrade means it will be loved beyond our time.

Lovely to see her again and she looks wonderful with her new bits and pieces. Fascinating to see how adaptations can be made for people who need them and who can then take part in the pleasure of, well, cruising the cut.

I remember the episode where you upgraded the solar panels and rewired the essentials. That was a master class in understanding kilowatts per hour usage. It was good to see you back on the water. By the way, the bread baking video is still one of my favorites. I still laugh 😂😂😂. Stay safe and be well. 👍🏾

And with "those words - I missed you boatie...." - we now wait to see a video of David, looking at the camera a nd saying - "I have brought another canal boat"! - Electric of course.

I can see why the traditionalist amongst the community may frown upon the electrification of narrowboats. I think what brings a lot of people into narrowboating is the soft chug of a disiel narrowboat engine. It's almost become cinomanous with the British canal network. However, as with all things, times change, as David has proven on a number of occasions on the chanel disiel engines can be an incredible pain to deal with and need regular in depth maintinance to keep them running smoothly something a battery powered system simply doesn't need. It's amazing to see how narrowboats are modernising and also becoming accesable to not so able bodied people with the invention of small lifts and the like. Nice video, as always, David. Looking forward to your in-depth tour of your fibreglass boat soon 👍

Excellent video David,how ironic that one of the reasons you moved off the boat was you considering getting older and mobility issues in the future.the old girl is looking fabulous,Chris

This is so great! I love the conversion! It's great that the state of the art has progressed this far. And we could probably all do with a more peaceful stress free lifestyle, like narrowboating haha

I can see electric conversions for existing boats becoming a more viable option as battery and solar tech improves with continuous cruisers going the hybrid route.

I'm so pleased that the new owner has given Boatie a lot of love and I hope he will enjoy her as much as you did, David.

Great to see you on the tiller again..