New Video: Newbie boater gets confused onboard a narrowboat

Issue 2: What do I need? What does that do?

Exploring the inner workings of the Grey Wagtail

I now had the keys to my boat. While I had looked around the boat and had it surveyed when purchasing it, I had not been through all its cupboards, nooks, and crannies. It was now time to take an inventory before my first cruise, as I needed to know what kit to get.

This video captures my entire experience, from my initial doubts, the marina handover to my first boat exploration. There was plenty to see and learn along the way.

In this episode, I take you on board for a tour and a look around the narrowboat. I peek in all the cupboards and try to work out what all the kit I see does.

The good news is that I found all the gear I needed for my first cruise. I had the windlasses I needed for the locks and all the pins and chains for mooring.

The bad news was that I did not know what most equipment did or how to use it. I had no idea how to start the engine, turn on the diesel stove, get the water, electrics and gas running, fire up the heating, run the solar chargers, or what all the different switches and tanks did on the narrowboat.

Having been through the boat, I took a quick look at the challenge that awaited me. That is, getting out of the marina and tackling the seven locks of the Buckby Flight in the first mile and a half.

Thanks for following along with me on this journey. See you on the canal.

All the best,

Nick