For readers unaware of what a narrowboat is, we’ll start there. Narrowboats are a specific design that allows them to utilize the canals in England and Wales. In the past, these specialty boats were an integral part of shipping. Like El Sooty, many people use a narrowboat as a home or recreational craft. El has documented her renovation, beginning with clearing out the mess on Day 1 of her adventure.
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The standard width is six feet, ten inches, so they will fit in the canals. They can vary in length, but do not exceed 70 feet. El’s narrowboat home is a 1986 46-foot-long Dartline boat named Sangoma. She found the boat for sale on Facebook and couldn’t afford a flat on her own after her breakup, so it was a good option. You can view a slideshow of the progress of the renovation on TikTok.
Taking a Leap of Faith
Progress has been slow but steady. The boat was a storage shed, so a lot of junk needed to go. Once she had the junk gone, she stripped the entire ship down to the metal hull to begin with rustproofing.
The project was plagued with delays and cost overruns. El’s Dad drove across the country to stay and help. Once the rustproofing was done, they laid the subfloor and added insulation. It finally began looking like they were making progress.
The renovations continued with the addition of flooring. El built a nice hearth for her wood-burning heater. She has daily videos up to Day 47. She has also added informational videos about living in a narrowboat home. One video details her monthly costs, and another discusses her renovation costs. She even talks about the pros and cons of a narrowboat home.
Take a virtual tour in the video below!
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