🚢 If you didn't catch the last part of our video, our good freind May's boat is up for grabs! Win May's boat here! - raffall.com/357522/enter-raffle-to-win-your-new-62ft-narrowboat-home-hosted-by-may
_Unwin tracking_ is the metal in your floor. Don't try to remove it - can of worms that'll do more harm than good. Go to a horse yard or farmer's Co Op and get heavy duty rubber mat and make a one piece liner. Then you can pull the whole thing out to clean or replace it as and when. Rugs on top, always leave boots by the door. Job's a good-un!
I think Emily you thrive on the excitement of the adventure. I thought all along you were more for the calm life but your face now is alive with excitement. You’re buzzing!
Try a CORK floor in the van - easy to clean, cushions against an uneven surface below, is naturally repellent to insects, and is hypoallergenic so resists mold or mildew building up.
That was my suggestion in their old boat cabin. As far as I know, they loved it on the wall. My music studio design has a lot of cork around on walls, ceiling and floor, mostly as a means to absorb soundwaves, but it's also great under foot as well. I initially suggested they do the floors of the boat with it, as well.
for the floor have you thought about those interlocking foam floor tiles? Durable, insulating and easy to swap one out if it gets damaged. Garage floor paint will lift it it gets wet unless it's the 2-pack epoxy type
Cork is still my suggestion, just like for the old boat. They did use cork in the old boat, but as a wall covering in the cabin. It would work well as flooring, and anything that sticks up from the floor, could have a relief indentation on the underside of the cork board.
I covered the floor of my old caravan with interlocking foam tiles. As mentioned already, good insulation, no cold feet either bare or in socks. I have a carpet runner on top in the "lounge" area, and car mats on top at the door and kitchen. I don't find them a problem to sweep or hoover! Easy to cut to shape with scissors.
Aww, so lovely to see Alan & hear she’s settled in & found her feet, well paws! 😂 I saw my local marina posted they have your boat ready to list! Definitely feels real now! I’m looking forward to seeing all your wonderful adventures together ❤
I think you’re both great.. it can take years to find a soulmate and I believe you’ve achieved that together, I love the fact Benny enjoys 1970’s music which I grew up with as a young man, Emily has a vulnerability but at the same time is one hell of a confident lady.. well done to both of you and I hope your future together is long and happy…😊
My husband and I replaced our horrible bedroom floor, using builders grade plywood. I painted the floor a beautiful dark blue green using porch/floor paint. The paint has a gritty texture which I rather like. It was easy to apply with a roller. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Love to you both and Allyn .❤❤❤
This has got to be my favourite video, I loved how long it was, how chatty you both were. And all you did and showed us how you both go about renovating/repairing your Van. And looking forward to your future adventures.
I think those knobbly bits are aluminum. You can probably rent a grinder with a heavy sanding disc on it and grind them down. Another idea is to put some 2.5 cm firring strips down in a grid that fits around the knobbly bits, then put down some dense foam insulation within the grid. That will give you a base to put down some 1.3 cm plywood. You only lose 3.8 cm of headroom. Then you can lay some foam back carpet down which is removable for cleaning and you’d have an insulated floor to keep your feet from freezing this winter😊. Or you can paint it or cover it with a nice vinyl floor.
You might try checking out either "Replacing my Camper's Floor (Converted Ambulance) by Project Amber" on RU-vid, or else "How to redo the floor in an ambulance for a camper van: the interior #03", also on RU-vid. Sorry about your leak, but hopefully Emily fixed it at the end of the episode. Allan looks happy and I'm glad she's doing well.
on the floor you could lay thin batten down that's the same hight of the anchor rails etc, lay thin insulation between that then lay thinner ply on that and you have a flat floor, you can paint, lay new floor ... your choice but with no bumps
I absolutely love your vlogs and really look forward to them, everyone who I follow seems to be selling their boats, but so glad we will still see you guys in your travels, you are my favourites and are so entertaining ❤
Oh I have loved this video so much. I so wish I could be a little bit like you both, it is so nice to see two people look so happy with life and not want the most expensive things in life. Keep going and keep bring out more videos. Xxxx
You two really are married already, you just need to make it official. You fit together perfectly and were clearly made for each other. It doesn't get any better than that! Though I'll miss the big boat, it's great to see you guys so excited and filled with enthusiasm for this next chapter in your lives. Thank you for staying online and allowing us to go with you. You guys are one of the few bright spots in this crazy world we're in right now! Oh, and if you think you want children, don't wait too long. It's gets magnitudes more difficult once you get around 40. You need tons of energy to be able to cope with the strain of it all, and even though emotionally it might be worth it, physically and psychologically the strain is enormous and you don't have the same vitality at that age that you did 20 years ago..
Good luck with your upcoming ventures🎉. Glad you have sorted out most jobs on the van. Loved the Q and A's you answered. Thanks for sharing your lives with us. Your lives are amazing and so varied and love watching and seeing them but it's not for me. Yours is a totally different way of life and you obviously love it as do other narrowboaters. I often thought how nice it was but never gave any consideration to. Water, Toilet/bathroom, space, washing machine, getting rid of rubbish, shopping etc but yet i find it very interesting and have learned a lot. Look forward to seeing your next video, take care and stay safe. 🙋🙏❤️
FYI... they make shower tents. They are great for privacy and shelter against the elements. Gyms are definitely a perfect solution for the main showering, saunas and swiming, etc. Also there are solar water bags that you store on top of your vehicle and warm the water. They fold down so you can storage away when not in use.
When cutting foam, don't cut as if it's bread (up and down in short movements), score long lines over and over. You'll get a much nicer, smoother cut. Great vid!
I’ve tried floor paint and find unless you do loads of prep work it just comes off, having that existing flooring down would make it a nightmare. I’d probably do a couple of layers of cheap foam underlay for laminate flooring, cutting holes around the metal lumps. Then interlocking laminate flooring on top which gives you a firm smooth surface to work with. Then rug it to your liking :)
Hey Ben & Emily, personally I wouldn’t paint the floor, yes u can get floor paint but it works out quite expensive as you have to prime and undercoat before applying the top colour; colours available are limited! It would make your floor cold and very slippy when wet unless you use a non slip coat on top… just my advise on paints, had a lot of experience in renovating pubs and clubs so have used the floor paint in a variety of areas 😊 hope this helps ❤
Love the excitement in your faces so let the next episode of your journey begin, we are here and holding tight so let’s go. Wheeeee 🎉❤❤. Trevor & Linda
What a great vid!! Was anyone else singing when the question came about the hurdy gurdy? Benny, You'd love my record collection!! A-Z Alessi to ZZ Including Marc bolan and Neil Young on the way! That was really fabulous thank you 💜 Really hope you find that pesky leak!!!
Hello from Australia 🇦🇺 My flooring solution is Epoxy resin I have found a local UK site microcement supplies UK, it is ideal for Industrial and Commercial projects but also for Domestic areas such as kitchens, living areas and bathrooms. Its high gloss finish reflects light beautifully and can be mixed with Metallic Pigment you can create a unique one of a kind floor. What makes this product ideal is its strength and bonding characteristics not only hard wearing, easy to clean with a minimum depth of 2mm and its self-levelling properties installing this product couldn’t be easier making it ideal for DIY enthusiasts.
Great to see you both and those lovely bulldogs. I hope the leaks are sealed, fingers crossed for no more wet bedding! Looking forward to seeing how van and Rambler life unfolds, I can’t imagine how two people will be able to live permanently in such small spaces! Lovely to see Alan, I still miss her presence. Good luck, I hope it works out for you both. xxxx
I can see you getting married in a open field, Emily wearing a ring of flowers in her hair and a mod retro short dress with bell sleeves. Benny wearing a vintage tunic and comfy pants. Friends playing music in the background . As far as having a kid, just strap em to your back and off you go on your travels. They're flexible and adaptable.
Hi guys and idea for you, on the floor put pennies in the round holes, whichever denomination fits and then epoxy resin them in place giving a smooth flat flooring 😊
About the floor: I would not remove the hardware or paint. Instead, I would use two or three cow hides (real or faux), as they are thick and would probably make the floor very comfy. Additionally, the real ones can be wiped down and the faux ones can be thrown in the wash. Love you guys!
You are an amazing couple. Well done on your move from the big boat to Rambler and the van. Do hope it all works out for you especially in winter. Take care.
Those floor rails allow for safe transport of people who use wheelchairs. Or moving seats for different configurations. If you don't need them, no problem to remove, but there will be holes!
I have mobility problems and can no longer get upstairs. I found a USB rechargeable shower on ebay and use it downstairs. It uses a standard bucket and a half for a full shower and hair wash. I love it and get at least 3 showers before recharging. I think you will be very pleased with yours.
You could put some self levelling compound over the existing floor, and then put one of the epoxy garage floor paint systems over the top, with a bit of the carpet in the ‘seating’ area to make it cosier in winter like a rug. The epoxy will be hard wearing and take the spills and grease from the kitchen, with any water that comes from your shower which normal floor paint won’t.
Saunas and baths saved my life in the winter - especially hot/cold baths. Changed my mind about previous advice. I would resin and sand the long middle seam on the floor, otherwise it will get gunged up. Leave the circular floor tabs as they are, if you can tolerate that. Hope you have your saw and tools somewhere in storage - not sure why I said that, i hate the idea of giving away tools
Hi Ben & Emily, You could try putting a layer of thick foam, enough to stop you feeling the nobbly bits through and then lay your choice of lino on top of that.
I’d suggest penny dot rubber flooring. They do it in a variety of colours and it comes in either 3mm or 5 mm. It’s very hard wearing and easily cleaned. It does smell when new but soon looses the pong. Lay it when staying in Rambler.
Years ago I gave my mate some 50mm kingspan for his bed when his was living in a van. Was a huge LDV van he slept in the back and used it to sell potato`s at car boots to make a living. It was minus 5 outside.
Thank you guys, for your fun responses to the questions. You are a wonderful inspiration. That checklist is getting shorter. Enjoy the life. Love, Freddie ❤
I’ve tried floor paint and find unless you do loads of prep work it just comes off, having that existing flooring down would make it a nightmare. I’d probably do a couple of layers of cheap foam underlay for laminate flooring, cutting holes around the metal lumps. Then interlocking laminate flooring on top which gives you a firm smooth surface to work with. Then rug it to your liking :) Love the channel!
Great to see you looking so happy with life! On your flooring, given you dont' need much, have you tried asking at the flooring shops for roll-ends? You might not get the best choice, but you can get some quality stuff at bargain prices because it saves it going to waste!
Thanks for answering my question about the instruments. Sounds like it's not as bad as I had feared. I keep a solid mahogany ukulele on my boat in a hard case; it's nice, but it's not valuable. If your guitar shop man is right, it might improve it!
Keeping my fingers crossed for the last minute repair to the roof. Maybe worth putting a small demedifier in the boot area to clear out all the water so it doesn’t go moldy!
Hang some moisture absorption pouches to help keep the wood drying out and condensation adding to the issue... Consider a vinyl plank flooring material with a foam underpayment. 👣🕊👽
I got some laminate floor underlay from b&q they are green boards. I've put some vinyl over the top and it's great. You could cut the underlay to fit around those bumps
Thank you so much for your wonderful videos which are so much fun and interesting. God bless you both for your continued adventures. Much ❤️ from Melbourne Australia 🦘 🙏❤️
Ozric Tentacles!!! I remember buying cassettes from them in the late 80s - not really listened to anything newer than Swirly Termination (2000), though. Never encountered anyone else who liked them either! Yay, Emily!
Hello to you two from Stephen in Canada. For your floor you might want to consider using a heavy fluid which some chaps use as a bed liner in their pick up trucks. There are also some marine products which might also work for you. You might have to fill in the uneven bits first but this may work for you - warm regards from Kingston Canada - Stephen
