35. Too Old for Narrowboat Life? 

17 yrs I have lived on the canals. I'm solo with two slipped discs. Lessons learned : never cruise in gusts exceeding 30mph ! Always cruise slow ( never above 3mph ) , Open a sluice 6 clicks to begin with, wait 30 seconds and the rest will be very simple. When opening lock gates always bounce on it first to balance it out hence Balanced lock beam and lean on the arm until it moves then wait 30 seconds and it will open with very lititle effort ... The problem with 96% of boaters is they are always in a rush especially operating locks .. also The majority wrongly use their engines to keep their boats from hitting the gates once in the lock. Any advice just ask , tc and safe journeying 😇

I am 76 and have been on my narrow boats for about 26 years, It’s harder know It just takes longer, coal/ logs etc But I still enjoy all of it

I have just found your channel and have subscribed. I am a retired Person of A Certain Age living in the USA. I live vicariously through many of you who are continuous travellers because I cannot be one. Getting the residency permit and a boat would be impossible at my advanced age, but yours is the first channel that appeals to me because of this particular video that focuses on age. I imagine it is one thing to be a 30-Something solo boater and something quite different to be me, in my 70s. So thank you for doing this one and I look forward to the others.

Have to say that's the most honest description of life on a narrowboat I have seen! Very helpful for someone intending to liveaboard. I've lived onboard for twenty-five years:))

Enjoyed the chat guys,..... Narrowboat life will keep you both young and fit. You are both looking good for another 20yrs continuous cruising, take care 🙏👍

This was timely and incredibly useful. I'm thinking (partially to make life simpler for my executors) of selling my house and spending a few years solo on a narrowboat, continuous cruising. I can see some positives and a number of negatives and this clarified some of both. Would like to learn more about medical arrangements, which are a concern. Lost my last dog recently, she lost her sight gradually and was completely blind for her last few years. She coped amazingly well. We underestimate how much more important is the ability to smell than to see with dogs. It's worth creating particular smells with particular locations to help her when she is completely blind.

Hi, this is Donna ( the silent partner to nighttime on still waters). Really enjoyed your 'narrow boat for a certain generation'. Our dog Penny was blind before she died and like you, because of the changes we introduced, she coped very well on the boat. This was a lovely and positive episode, thank you. Very realistic.

That was brilliant,,,,it was like chatting to my ex rugby buddies,,,,How are your knees, back, ankle etc!!!! My wife and I started watching NB videos during the first lockdown in Japan - I had been on several canal holidays when I lived in the UK. She has fallen in love with the idea of me returning to the uk and us buying a boat! I have too, but although she is in her late 30s,,,I am your generation with bolts in my ankles,,,,plates and so many broken bones from playing rugby,,I am dubious! Thank you for the videos, we truly enjoy them. As an aside,,,in Japan we have onsen - hot springs.......They are such a relief for me!! As always thank you for your uploads, we appreciate them so much! Best of luck, from the Oriental Webbs!

Being a previous continual cruiser for many years and of a certain age I posted previously on another vlog on the easiest way to moor up in windy weather. This entails bringing the back end to the bank and dropping a nappy pin hook attached to the boat on a short rope down the armco. A very gentle forward thrust will pull the front in and hold it there until you can tie up- hope this makes sense- it really does work. Best wishes 🦆💕

were are 68 and 65 respectively and have toyed with the idea of a barge . . . good video

I'm considerably older, and singlehanded I recruit passersby to help, always ask if they have a few minutes, or maybe ten minutes if necessary, I select on how they look.

Your not selling this to Debbie Guys. Lol. Great to see another video and some very interesting points. Hope to join you one day moored next to you

What a lovely, honest, informative vlog. Great sense of humour and a happy demeanour. Thank you so much for letting me find you. My daughter Rosie and I have had several narrowboat holidays. This year Rosie is doing her masters in Manchester so I suggested buying a narrowboat to live on in a marina for her 2 year course. Far, far less expensive than halls or house share. Anyway we and Rosie’s partner (a very skilled mechanical engineer) have been doing up a boat and it is nearly ready to go back on the water. Thank you very much for all the info’ which applies to me, as I am shall we say; getting on a bit. I have subscribed and will be following your cruising endeavours. As you were asking for feedback. I’m going to check your boat tour. Best wishes and I hope to see you again soon. Francis. OMG.

How timely that your video popped up in my RU-vid Recommendations just after our towpath chat about our lovely old dogs! Very interesting vlog. We always tell people we will keep doing this continuous cruising thing until we don’t enjoy it or health issues prevent it being the best choice for us. So far we love it 😊

Great idea and tips for older boaters. I haven't come across this advice before - at least not so focused. Clearly a niche still to be tapped with so many views so far!

Very interesting; I assume that it’s all worth it as you have such a positive attitude. In many ways, it’s an enviable lifestyle. Take care. 💜😀

Okayyyyy. This resonates! My husband is a Brit, I’m an American. We live in Colorado and honest to goodness living on a NB is on our list for retirement. We took a holiday on one in May and absolutely loved it! (Plan to do another hol in ‘23. We live on a small farm and have a dog, horses and chickens. Hard work is familiar to us. I think you guys were so honest in this video. I have subscribed and will be following! This is great!

Great vlog as you said a bit of a change from normal but really interesting. Looking forward to seeing the before and after work you’ve done to make the boat your own. I must admit I think it’s really interesting to hear about different people’s opinions about living on the canals. You said shopping and getting things to and from the boat can be difficult I would think storage in such a small place would be difficult as well. It’s a life style I’ve thought about a lot myself but I’ll have to see what life brings. Thanks for taking the time to share 👍

This is a really good and probably one of the most useful vlogs iv set yet , I watch a few vlogs and I can't yet recall anyone else doing an honest review to deal with aging and living on a narrowboat ❤❤❤

Carol, Rob, and Tilley, this was such a unique vlog and so informative. I loved it. Thank you so much for doing this. I have watched numerous videos on solo boaters but none dealing with older boaters. You were both so open and honest, yet not discouraging. I will have to continue to travel vicariously with you three. At some point I hope to travel to the UK and walk the towpaths but the dream of being a solo boater at my age is unrealistic. So set an extra plate at the table 🤣😂😅 Again, thanks for this. Looking forward to more great vlogs to come. Glad to see you are wintering on the Llangollen, as it appears that there are several other vloggers doing the same. Sending the three of you 😊🤗❤️🐾 Kathy

Nice video honest down to earth and good to hear about coping with Tilly as most conservation's on narrow boats never mention that side on their pets 👍👍👍

Nice vlog from the bodyguard from John Lennon 1969-1971 in NYC USA also stowed away from NYC to England on the Queen Elizabeth when I was 14 new subscriber love your vlogs

This video was very useful. I have, of necessity, moved onto a boat full time in later life. GP is a bit of a challenge. Thank you both

Trolley is essential equipment. Nearly did myself in lugging 4 new leisure batteries down just quarter mile of towpath 😅😅😂

Thankyou for this video. I have been mulling over the idea of solo narrowboating with my dog. Your video gave me clarity which Has been very helpful. Really enjoy your channel.

Great episode! Thank you for honestie. Warm greetings from the Netherlands, Marco

What a delightful couple you seem

If you're too old, I've no chance 😂 Very informative and honest, this would be great viewing for all those people on the group who keep asking about what boating is really like. Yes, a little disappointing that there was no cruising this week but, on the plus side, we did get almost 20 minutes of Tilly! I agree on the running. If you ever see me out and about running, you'd better run too, cos there will be something horrible chasing me! 😂 Hope you are keeping warm, see you soon, Chris.

Hi. Am watching you from Arkansas,USA. 😊 My husband and I enjoy watching narrowboat channels, just discovered yours. After viewing this video will have go to your beginnings to catch up to you in real time.👍

Many Thanks!!!! Your talk was extremely helpful to me ☺️!

Hi, guys interesting video. Nice one.

Great video and great questions from viewers! I think a lot of these questions would be great video topics. Thank you, Rob, Carol, and Tilly!!

just saw you for the first time today - have shown my husband and have subbed. such very helpful information. thank you

Hi, loved to hear your take on this. I'm 70, I don't live aboard/continually cruise but I do undertake long solo trips of two months or so. Eg to Llangollen (our former home) in 2019. 600 locks and 400miles round trip. I have a small (8M) GRP cruiser which is a lot easier to handle single-handed than a steel boat, not least because it only weighs about 4tonnes. We live in Bedfordshire so the boat is based on the Gt Ouse, so every trip starts with a week -10days just to get to the canal system! Comments about locks, spot on, some are in a really bad state and very hard to operate. I had to give up on a trip in 2021 in Manchester as the Rochdale 9 flight was closed and the gates on the Rochdale heading east were just too hard to do. Last year at a local lock I had to wait for someone passing by to help. The first guy I asked, a fit looking 20something on a mountain bike refused saying he wasn't strong enough. Eventually a woman closer to my age walking her dog helped me do it! In the past I've had to rope some open. swing bridges too. Lift bridges on the Llan are fun if you're solo, the landing stage is on the opposite bank to the mechanism! Bed is an issue too. I'm fine solo, occasionally with one of the grandkids but my wife can't cope with it it (she has fibromyalgia) hence the solo trips. Shopping I keep to a minimum by stocking up on dry goods before I leave and doing a lot of cooking, I even make sourdough bread as it's easier than trying to find a bakery. Injuries are definitely to be avoided. In 2020 I tore the cartilage in my knee (walking at home!) There's no cure on offer but oain killers and exercise keep it manageable, until I banged it on a safety barrier at a marina. Could hardly walk for two days and needed help at Rothersthorpe locks on the Nene. Regarding the sore heel, it could be plantar fasciitis (spelling?). Had that but it's curable. Try standing on a step on the balls of your feet, then drop your heels as far as you can, stretching your calf muscles (and the tendon over your heel). Hold a few seconds, repeat a few times. Get in the habit of doing it, for example, while waiting at locks (on steps not the lockside!) Hope that helps. More here: pthane.weebly.com

Love your honesty, great reality checks to consider for the older wannabe boaters 😃like myself 🤔thank you both, Tilly is adorable 🤗take care

Really good insightful vlog, look forward to the next

Hi, just subscribed!! Love the info.. Cheers!!

Great vlog, thanks, some very valuable advice. as a young 61 year old solo boater, I fully understand taking time at locks and thinking through every move. I'm just 3 years afloat and loving it .

I am 81. And I do something similar as I have to haul loads of wood up a hill . It makes my heart go like mad. But that strenuous excersize keeps me alive and I would miss it. Mind you , the winter makes it not so pleasant. Good diet, excersize and good genes will keep you going forever ,

Hi, just stumbled onto your channel, loved this topic, being older it related well, just a quick one, your mention of vets. Hope you have sorted it, but if not, look into "vets 4 pets" they are a national company, and you can change location but stay with the same company. Worth a look into possibly. Take care and stay healthy and fit.

This is a great video. Interesting to see all the different pro's and cons of living on a narrow boat.

New subscriber, very amusing and informative vlog. Look forward to the next one.

I have loved the idea of selling up and living on a narrow boat since holidaying on one a few years ago. I follow a few that live on board( 2 that gave up on it) there are one or two that have overly romanticised views on it, I think you're thoughts are accurate and more realistic, your rose tinted glasses firmly taken off. I no longer think this life is for me but thourly enjoy your content so have subscribed

Lovely video, keep up the good work 👍💙

Great Vlog! I think I'm of a similar 'vintage' to you guys, and also planning a new life aflloat. The info you give here is very useful, thank you!!!

Lovely vlog again you 3! Glad you're coping ok with everything that age brings along with it! X ☓ 🐾

I love the cruising vlogs but this was really nice . Tilly is very lucky to have you both. Do look into getting the meds for her delivered, it will save you a fortune. I paid about 25% of what the vets charge when I done it . Lovely to get to know you a little more 👍

Your video popped up today & I've subscribed & look forward to seeing you again soon. Being not a Spring Chicken myself, which came as a big surprise in the last few years, I've always thought boat life would be a challenge to my other half in particular but me too. Very interesting to hear everything you said, love your beautiful Tilly & so glad you take such good care of her.

Tilly looks so beautiful and peaceful today. I so envy you at times and then at other times when you are out in the rain opening those locks...not.

I really enjoyed your video, you two are an amazing couple and Tilly. You are really living your best lives. Thank you for sharing.

I always use the bollard to pull the boat in, not my body strength. Swaging is a technique to adopt. I take vitamins every day, and I am very careful not to slip or fall

Interesting discussion about life as a full time boater, I haven't seen your channel before but the subject caught my eye. I have been continuously cruising since March 2018 on narrowboat Bandoneon with my cat Flann, my partner still works so she is a part time boater coming to join me when she can. I have gradually modified my way of working the boat over time to minimise the effort and risks to match my limitations now that I am 71 years old. I think winter cruising has the highest risk due to wet and frozen lock surrounds and fewer people being around if you do need help so my smartwatch has an emergency call function that sends an automatic message to my partner and turns on GPS tracking when activated. As for heavy balance beams and awkward swing or lift bridges, if I really can't manage them on my own I just ask for help from other boaters, dog walkers, fishermen, or whatever. I remember a Japanese visitor once taking pictures of the boat and he was delighted when I gave him a quick lesson on how to operate an electric swing bridge for me.

Hi, I have just subscribed and although the vlog was brilliant, it was your gorgeous dog that made me do it! :)

Give Tilley an Oscar she obviously loves it . Great video , very honest and informative . You all look happy . I look forward to more .

Fab video, you guys are an inspiration. I'm sure my Vet could sort out something with Tilly's meds i will pop round tomorrow and have a word with them. Keep safe & warm cheers Rick, Kerry & Bella (The wired haired Jack Russel)

Great vlog. I'd love to have a narrowboat though not as a permanent liveaboard. I wouldn't be able to cope with a 4ft bed.

This was a very enlightening eye opening discussion on living full time on a narrow boat . Been following NB vlogs since the pandemic but this is my first introduction to your chanel - will subscribe . Greetings from Canada

Thank you so much for uploading this video , I'm 38 and I'm selling my house next year and buying a narrowboat no continuous cruise with two dogs so youv answered alot of questions as I am quite concerned with vets and two dogs and no address etc

Just found your channel, interesting vlog, informative. Tilly is adorable.

Thanks for age comments it's nice to know as we are senior xx

Loved this vid, very important. We're with Animal Trust who will give us a 3mth prescription that we post to an online company for our cats medication, but we still have to see a vet with her to get the prescription (they weigh her etc to see how she is), but we have a choice of Animal Trust Vets in the North. Noise cancelling ear plugs are pricey but amazing. Loved how Tilly was well aware when you were talking about her. That stomach strap thing looks great. What you're doing on a boat and the physical hardships you're facing will probably extend your health and well being in the long term. Looking forward to your next vid.

We currently live in our RV so I love it when we get an Airbnb with a bathtub also😍

💕Lovely video...great info...so interesting! Looking forward to all future videos. Future topic suggestions: Canalside wildlife, Narrowboat cooking, What NOT to do on a Narrowboat...

Lovely.

You guys aren’t old. You need to think 49 and keep on boating. Enjoyed your talk. Take care of that puppy. All dogs are puppies to me.

Nice vlog. Made me smile and subscribe. Perhaps I’ll use your insight to persuade my other half into boat life, she currently says “I’m not livin’ on no boat” (she can’t help it, she’s from Essex). Happy Xmas 🎄. Simon (Suffolk)

Get some treats for Tilly and the ducks, and a coffe for you two. m

What an interesting video, very informative and your dog Tilly is adorable especially the way she looks at you both, they really are a joy to have. Have a great week and keep the old bones warm 😀

Looking cozy in there !

Thank you both, very interesting 🙏✝️🙏🇨🇦

Enjoyed

I know it might sound strange, but I have been trying a cold shower (cold water therapy). I still have my normal shower but finish with it cold. I will admit to not lasting long, but when I have body pain it makes such a difference.

I am 62 and relatively fit but I like my comfort and space. I love camping, especially when on sea kayak trips around NW Scotland, but as a home I don't think I could survive in a camper van or canal boat sized space. You are enjoying it, so keep it going as long as you can. Have you ever tried electric bikes ? They could take a lot of the effort out of transporting yourselves and shopping on canal paths. They are heavier than normal bikes but if you have space to store them then they would transform a slog into an enjoyable trip each time.

Love your videos, could you have bow thrusters fitted to keep the boat against the banks when morning against winds.❤

Your dog is lovely

Aww, interesting vlog guys. Think you love your life really! Take care x

You may have plantar fasciitis in your foot!make sure you are wearing really supportive footwear .Sketchers sorted my horrendous foot pain xx

I'm an older boater. Never said that before 🤣 A folding bike can fit in your supermarket trolley. Then hang your bags off the handle bars and ride it all back! Buy knobbly tires. Leaking bottom gates or bottom paddles not fully down are the usual cause of gates that can't be opened by one person.

Great video. Aging is not for the faint of heart

I will co opt passers by, otherwise I'd struggle at some swing bridges, you have to judge folks quickly if you want them to do those road barriers! I take the boat to places where I can get coal delivered. Unfortunately my cycling days are over, no strength in leg muscles.

I think that you could weld up a U shaped frame that slotted over the 'unbalanced' beams, with a spigot welded on one end that you could slide a piece of light aluminium scaffold tube over, to give you a little more leverage. Just a thought, but only if all beams are of standard width.

What a nice couple! and dog 🐶

When I started, three years ago, age 74 I used to think half the paddle gear was broken but I discovered I was giving up too easily. I go dead slow and stop, this makes people imagine I am decrepit, but going slow means I don't slip,, so far.

I’ve just discovered your channel and very interesting …..

Hi you three I’ve only just found you on RU-vid fantastic advice I’m 66 and widowed 4 years ago so as life is short when I have the funds I’m thinking of living the narrow boat life it’s always been a dream as when my wife was alive we went on many narrow boat hire’s by the way what age group are you guys if you don’t mind me asking thanks for sharing your journey I can’t wait to get started happy cruising.

Hi guys love the vlog for Tilley check out narrowboat chef their doggie has a cracker harness with handle. Subscribed on the spot

It could be worth getting the controls of the boat modified so that you have the option of driving remotely. I'd certainly do that if I was solo boating, I don't know how they manage with only one pair of hands.

I love that lampshade behind you. Did you make it?

Brilliant and insightful information. Thanks! I have never seen a vlog on what it is like to be as a not 20 person. Super to see! Out of curiosity, any idea if most of the live aboard boaters are young somethings or older generation? I sort of assumed the older version. PS. Would love some insight into cost of living (apologies if you have already done this, this is my first seeing of you (and now subscribed!) )

Very interesting video plenty of information for anyone of a certain age considering a narrowboat. I keep thinking about having one but I struggle with my hip and knee joints, if I kneel down it can be difficult getting back up. Is it the trad stern that have an engine room where the engines is more accessible than the cruiser stern type boats?

My house is on the market and yours is one of the life changes I'm considering. As continuous cruisers, what do you use as an address?

What breed is Tilly?

All that exercise you have to do, will keep you young.

We are considering selling up in France and moving back to UK and buying a livaboard narrowboat ,my main concern is registering a car ,and car insurance , any information would be appreciated .

OK I've been on a 70ft Springer for 4 years and just gone in the cut this week for the first time! The wife was first 12 months ago. Have you been in the cut??

May I ask , how you are able to work while continuously cruising please

my collie is 17 years old , he is nearly blind and deaf , but he follows me by smell

Tilley is gorgeous .. We plan on doing the boat life in 5 years, what do you think about not having a car ? Is it doable ?

You two are so informative. I am currently selling my house to purchase a narrow boat and live the boat life. Any information you can give is much appreciated. I am also looking for a mooring as i still work so do not think continuous cruising would be viable. What do you guys think? I work in a hospital x

We are a couple of active 75 year olds spinning 3 times a week we live i south Africa but are thinking of coming back to UK we are British with British pensions we can not afford a house but think we would enjoy a narrow boat what are your thoughts for us kind regards. Dennis and sue pike