Owning a Boat

There is an old expression used by ancient mariners. “The Anchor holds the chain, the chain holds the ship.”     How does 15kg of anchor hold 2/3 tonnes of boat?     The answer, friction and catenary. The anchor digs into the seabed and secures the end of the chain/warp. The friction and catenary effect of the chain/warp does the actual holding. To get the maximum hold the anchor must be lowered, ‘hand over hand’ until it ...

Sailing is never a lukewarm affair. Whether you’re setting out on your starter boat or reflecting on many thousands of nautical miles, most of us are quickly hooked on the sea’s call to freedom and continue to be inspired by its invitation to embrace vitality. Once you fall in love with boat life, it’s not something you can easily let go of. Yet many do wind up having to hang up their oilskins. Over time, between the costs of mooring, winter storage and boat maintenance, no...

Top 5 Tips For Getting The Best Value Boat Insurance Your boat is a great source of pride and joy. It’s your never-ending adventure; an escape from the stresses of everyday life. However, there’s very little fun to be had with an uninsured boat. We’ve put together five tips to help you properly insure your boat whilst keeping costs down. All aboard!   • Keep your boat in a dry environment over winter • Invest in an RYA course for certification ...

Maybe you’ve purchased a fixer-upper, or maybe your boat is starting to look a little rough around the edges. You could even be looking to get a better price, in order to put the money towards your new dream vessel! Tackling the big job of restoring an aging boat can seem daunting, but these 11 tricks can help you get the most out of your time and money.   • Talk to other boat lovers about tool sharing • Laundry detergent is great for cleaning the hull •...

Winter’s over, so that means it’s time for some new season boating. But wait, there’s a few key things to check before getting out on the water! Check out our 10 essential checks for new season boating below.   Key things to check:   • The engine and fuel tank • The sails • Belts and cables • Elecetrical connections • Various fluid levels • Propellers • Life saving equipment • Ropes ...

Paul Smith has carved out a successful and fulfiling life on the water. Here he describes the day to day experience of living on a narrowboat, sharing the joys but also warning against idealising canal boat living.  Spring is a wonderful time of the year to live on the inland waterways. As I slowly cruised along the combined Grand Union and Oxford canals on the sinuous route between Napton and Braunston junctions two weeks ago, I spotted what I thought was a muntjac deer bolting away fr...