Winter on a Narrowboat!

One of the first things we noticed about boaters when we moved to water was that when asked how long they had lived aboard they often responded in winters; 'Three winters'. It all seemed a bit extreme at the time but life does get a little bit harder on a boat at winter. We made it easy it on ourselves though and now I'm beginning to see snowdrops coming up I feel we may have survived our first one!

OUR TIPS FOR SURVIVING WINTER DANS LA BOAT

1. If it is safe to do so, leave your fully serviced stove on ALL the time. Boats loose their heat so quickly. At first we'd turn our diesel fire off every time we left the boat and it would take hours to warm up the steel shell. Gradually/through desperation we began to leave it on. Just make sure there is nothing flammable near it -  we also applied heat reflective tape to areas that got a bit warm and concerned us. 
2. Get a winter mooring if it's your first winter. Pay online on the CRT page on the morning the moorings are released .We woke up at 6am to do this to make sure we got where we wanted! I think it just gives you a chance to make your observations about winter so next year you can chose if you want to CC or settle. You don't have to book for the whole winter either though we took the maximum stay and are moored up now until April. 
3.  Make sure you are fully stocked and have a few 'emergency contacts' for diesel/logs/whatever it is you need - we were bemused one morning when we woke up to a very cold boat and found that our infinite diesel tank does indeed have a bottom. Luckily we had a few contacts lined up who would deliver to us. 
4. Seal up any rust before the rainy months if you can! This should be done before it gets too cold - just sand back the chipped paint and apply rust treatment and then a primer to stop any further damage.
5. If you are going to keep moving consider an engine service. We booked a training session with the diesel whisperer who will visit your boat and show you how to service your own engine. This is really helpful and will be a worthy investment in time! 
6. Turn the fridge off. It's 1 degree outside and a perfect natural fridge in the bow. You'll save a tonne of power.  
7. Buy a hot water bottle. The coldest it's been this year was -4 and with our stove on the boat was a mild 25 degrees but at the back of the boat (furthest away from the stove) the bed felt quite cold and buying a good pair of slippers and a hot water bottle was a worthy and small investment. 

Fresh Winters Day taking our trusted Liem to her winter moorings

Winter was usually a season I would  dread when I was a land liver - but it's been very special to see the season from a sort of birds eye view - with the fire on and the cabin toasty and lit by candle light it's been absolutely magical most of the time and now I'm hyper aware that little buds are forming on the trees and snowdrops are pushing up through the mud. Spring is on it's way and soon we'll be on the Bow again soaking up the rays on this very special boat.