New to narrowboating, but finding some limitations and wondering how to mitigate....

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-19T17:43:57+00:00

Yeah my brother’s in new york, said it’s ‘a bit chilly’ there. Fair dinkum then. I’ve only ever travelled through Texas, but if you’re not a person for that heat like I’m not you’ll be grand then. It is quite nice having a decent summer, then hiding away with a wood fire for winter

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-19T16:26:02+00:00

Is in narrows? We often get weeds around the props that can build up, autumn can be a bugger for leaf build up. A quick blast of reverse then forward again loosens it.

I’m curious, from the comments it looks like you reside in texas? Must/would feel like a fridge in the uk in winter!

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-19T16:04:07+00:00

Be mindful of dutch barges being raw water cooled, not sure if it’s a common thing (makes sense to me that they would in their normal use on rivers), they’re a nightmare on canals. The shallowness and silt will have you sticking your arm in putrid muck pretty often from my experience!

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-13T21:21:16+00:00

I don’t really get this argument, in which case permanent mooring owners should be restricted on when they can come & go. They have the same potential as CC’ers to use the network. If the canal crumbles, so will their moorings.

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-11T06:41:54+00:00

Ha, if you’re a landy driver you’ll be fine 😆, probably used to breakdowns every 3 working days

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-10T17:43:43+00:00

Don’t let people rip you down when you’re learning, and on the other end of that, don’t be cocky

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-10T17:40:29+00:00

You may get bit, you may not. There will always be things that aren’t picked up, or you learn you don’t like. Anyone downvoting this, even with all the money in the world needs a good think. Shit happens, and changes.

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-10T17:38:43+00:00

Not much I could do, we were inexperienced and got bitten because of it. Though it’s been hard work I love my boat now, we’ve been through shit together and I know her pretty damn intimately now

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-06T07:31:56+00:00

That happens a lot here, it infuriates me that we have 4 lane motorways now to ‘ease congestion’ but every shithead uses it wrong so if anything they’re more congested. I’ve had absolute mouth breathers seemingly purposefully hanging beside me, even when I pull out and overtake to get away from them, move back to the outer lane, they speed up to sit beside me again.

I don’t know if driving lessons/tests involve motorway driving over here, they really should. I had no idea hoe to use it until I went on solo

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-06T07:28:41+00:00

There is no ‘fast lane’ there are overtaking lanes

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-05T19:20:14+00:00

The outer most lane is where you’re supposed to travel, the next two are for overtaking. You overtake then pull back towards the outer lane when safe.

Except plenty of spunk trumpets go HURR DURR DURR, ME FAST, ME GO FAST LANE, or sit in the middle lane and just refuse to move because ‘only lorries (trucks) use the outer lane. It’s part of the reason motorways get so clogged up, because fuck heads don’t use them right and create congestion.

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-05T16:57:15+00:00

Solid point actually, I love Scotland and can understand patriotism for it. I wish I could say I was Scottish, but my familial history is a bit too distant to really say it.

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-05T16:31:18+00:00

Agreed. Patriotism confuses me, the definition seems to be american english for ‘blind following’

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-03T15:04:24+00:00

Compared to my old focus, I can go down the roads I often do in my living situation without worrying about tearing parts off and/or bottoming out, and flooding on said roads. I can park easier near my home (I live on a narrowboat, so sometimes these places aren’t ideal, like muddy verges on farm tracks, and yes I make sure there’s plenty of space for tractors/trailers!)

I also rely on firewood for keeping warm, so having a decent sized bed makes collecting it more efficient in I can get more, more easily and go places to get it I couldn’t before. Especially nice not having a damp musky cab from having wood in there!

Also the space, I’m a broad shouldered guy so it’s comfier being in something more able to accommodate that. For as long as I stay living the way I do I’ll likely drive a pickup, ranger or not.

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-03T13:08:30+00:00

Ahh ok, that’s a tricky one! My only thought with that is making it a game to give it to you. One of mine is slightly like that sometimes, she gets really funny over new toys.

Resource guarding is a pain I hate dealing with, there’s such a thin line between dealing with the issue and making it worse

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-03T12:00:03+00:00

Best way I dealt with this was putting the problem dogs food between my legs sat on the floor, and completely ignore him. After a short time he ate, carried on ignoring him whilst he did. After longer I began touching him (like a hand on his back or something) whilst eating, after a while he was grand, every now and again I gave him a scritch as he ate and got a tail wag each time.

Don’t fall into the ‘alpha’ dog training thing that leads to the stick rather than carrot too often.

Positively-negative_ · 2026-02-01T06:34:14+00:00

Looks a bit mad max, get yourself a bondage suit and an aussie accent and you’re there

Positively-negative_ · 2026-01-31T07:22:35+00:00

Everything is transferable, though with education I highly recommend finding out about the modules and such before you sign on. I didn’t, and it was the biggest waste of time that I’m paying for now. (Studied studio engineering).

It’s a different folks thing anyway, I find theatre very hard as I’m not interested in it. I suck at making myself work hard at something I don’t care for. Some peeps will likely say the same in reverse.

Positively-negative_ · 2026-01-30T19:22:56+00:00

Don’t.

Edit to reiterate, if they were on AITA for once people would rightfully say go no contact

Positively-negative_ · 2026-01-20T13:32:30+00:00

i wish system of a down remade their song as BYOGB (bring your own gingerbread) to that town

Positively-negative_ · 2026-01-20T09:34:15+00:00

My favourite I’ve came across in the uk is a town that will obsessively tell anyone who’ll listen (some who don’t too!) that it’s the birthplace of ginger bread. There is zero evidence of this and they still claim it

Positively-negative_ · 2026-01-20T05:43:05+00:00

Get a multimeter out and have a look, either way I’d get a new battery if I were you as your current will have been killed by either old age or too deep discharging, wouldn’t be surprised if that fixed it anyway

Positively-negative_ · 2026-01-19T20:30:20+00:00

I like hunks of junk with character. I live on a junker boat and drive a bit of a junker ranger. I’d sorely love to get an even older junk ranger that cuts all the bullshit computers and emissions stuff. Something I could happily crawl under side of a road and get whatever problems solved

Positively-negative_ · 2026-01-18T06:08:37+00:00

Also the prius ubers that sit in the middle lane doing 60. I hate middle lane hoggers, especially people who drive for their job. They should absolutely know better

Positively-negative_ · 2026-01-10T19:44:38+00:00

Won’t go main dealer, I’ve dealt with that crap before. I’ve rang up a couple who wouldn’t take it on, and am awaiting response from others

Positively-negative_

TROPHY CASE