Practical Boat Owner – May 2018

Unwilling to contemplate a life ashore on

retirement, sailing enthusiast David Young

cast his eyes towards the inland waterways

W

hat is the mysterious
attraction of water?
Anyone reading this
probably suffers from the
addiction. Even
non-boaters unwittingly demonstrate the
magnetic attraction by taking holidays at
the seaside and buying premium-priced

waterside houses. So what to do if you

feel you are getting too old for sailing?

There’s nothing nice about the thought of

going cold turkey, having sold your sea

boat and moved inland to Fiddlers Green.

Well there is a part way stage –

something that enables you to be near

water but doesn’t involve so much

physical work and provides a bit more

comfort too. Swap your sea boat for a

canal boat!

I found myself in this position a few

years ago and have since discovered a

whole new hidden world with many

attractive advantages. These include the

ability to get out of the wind and rain at a

moment’s notice and make a cup of tea in

warm, comfortable surroundings, standing

upright, and watching the (usually)

interesting view through big windows.

I have listed a few of the specific

advantages and disadvantages (see

panel, top right) but, in my view, if you are

28 Practical Boat Owner • http://www.pbo.co.uk

Canal boat convert

BOATS