Anybody else on CD that lives on a boat or is planning to.  We are planning to buy a boat in a few months or so and move in by this time next year as we need to convert it and repairs etc. We are planning on a trawler to convert. Anyone else who has experience of this sort of thing may have hints tips unforseen problems etc.

Not a clue but, bl**dy hell, how wonderful!  Just wanted to express my drooling envy.  Not much use I know, but at least you know you're living someone else's fantasy...Keep us up to date with progress - but be sure to put in the bad as well as the good or it might all prove too much... Oh God, I'm off again...

Hi I will keep you all posted on it. My last adventure was moving up a mountain and bringing a house from norway to build. Now its a boat.
Looking for a trawler to take out the water and rebuild into a house and back in by next year. People tell me Im mental. Ive always known that anyway.

I've lived on a narrow boat some years ago - nothing as exotic as a trawler though! :D

Im sure you will have great fun, nothing really to say other than make sure you install all of the modern comforts you enjoy at home so it is easy to live on :)

Sounds excellent, im sure we would all love to keep up-to date with what you are planning/doing :)

Hello. All mod cons is the thing. Thats why I am looking to convert myself so I can have room size rooms and real furniture central heating etc etc
Ive been wanting to do this all my life. It was last year we decided that it was on for real so been working towards it. Got my eye on a few boats just now. hoping to buy before end of october if things go to plan. Going to see a 60 foot trawler in Oban this weekend. We arent going to live on a land attached mooring. I will base my boat in Loch Goil for winters and all summer will be spent anywhere I want.
I cant wait. The wife says I am acting like a teenager the closer it gets.

I do know someone (friend of my fathers) who has done pretty much what you are planning to do (ok some sliiiight differences)

He bought Spinaway Isle as a fairly knackered ex scottish trawler in the med, did her up with the aid of his teenage sons so that she was safe, and brought her home.

She then spent a fair while in Gloucester docks being converted and turned out a very classy ship, berthed about 8 people possibly more.

I cant remember much very useful though, but if you want me to find out more i can do (i think), as i was just a child at the time.

I know they had dogs and spent a fair amount of time away on the boat with the dogs and it worked pretty well for them. Not sure if its a craft that can be used singlehandedlyALL the time, but then most things are possible when you get into a routine, i never thought id be able to manage a 70ft narrowboat on my own and i can! (although locks are a bit hairy)

Em

ETA -- some of my details abotu Spinaway Isle miiiight be off, but out of curiosity i just googled her name and THIS IS HER...
http://www.planadive.co.uk/Ireland_Live/Resources/faithful.jpeg

Now a charter boat for diving, in scotland.

Em

Hello any info more than welcome and that boat is  exactly what I was thinking of when I am done.
My wife and myself have had boats for years. last one was a 36 foot twin screw all older classics that we worked hard on so we are up for handling it between us. Scary yes great isnt it.

I am quite possibly 'uncool' for my age group (25) in my liking of boats.

Dunno what Spinaway Isle looks like inside these days but if you can, id go and have a look round her and see if there are ideas you can transfer to your own boat.
My mum and i have spent many hours doing that with narrow boats as she intends to buy and do up a live-aboard one in the next few years,a nd is currently making up her mind what she does and doesnt want (there is a narrow boat called Jazz which she LOVES).

The few things i know about Spinaway Isle and her type (could be written on a postage stamp tbh)...

Slow and steady is her thing, she's not a speed machine! 10 knots is about max, probably slower in rougher waters. Plenty of engine maintenance on these old boats (spinaway is around 50's built i think) -- great if a/you lurve getting up to your elbows in engines and the boat has a nice accessible engine room, not great if you dont (although ex MFV/Trawlers are better for this than narrowboats).

Personally, i feel FAR more confident on the canal ta, i know i wont get eaten by anything but a large carp, and these days my narrowboat fun is limited to steering the butty when taking a pair up and down a short stretch to advertise Wooden Canal Boat Society. Surprising how hard it IS though, steeringa  boat being towed, the slower it goes the longer it takes to correct any mistakes!

Em

Yes. we lived on a boat for a few years - 32 foot contessa (racer/cruiser) so not a lot of room.  I think it is important to make sure you moor where there are good facilites - laundrette, shops and decent showers - and other people moored there that also live on board.  Also try to keep a basic wardrobe - there isn't much room to have lots of clothes and of cousre good heating for the winter.  But we had great fun - a real community spirit - especially when bad storms came.  Good luck.

Hello we are planning to live offshore on mooring instead of pontoons etc. Planning the full house idea with the gas central heating and laundry bathroom etc all on board.
Best laid plans springs to mind though