On the twelfth day of Christmas a partridge in a pear tree is not much use to your average boater. Forget Christmas shopping for your loved ones for a moment, with a hop, skip and a jump around the internet you can pick up some treats for yourself, and it won’t cost a thing.

1. Budget calculator

Narrowbudget is the world’s only budget calculator designed specifically for narrowboat owners. Paul Smith created this software to help boaters determine what costs you’re likely to incur when both buying and maintaining a narrowboat. Check out the free version of Narrowbudget.

2. Route Planner

CanalPlanAC is a free interactive waterways route planner - plan your trip, find out times and information and see photos of places along the way.

3. Narrowboat Families

Have you ever wondered what it is like to live on a narrowboat with children? Is it cold in winter? What if the children fall in the water? All of your questions answered in this eBook I wrote based on my own experiences and those of families I know. Check out the free e-book Narrowboat Families

4. Be part of a community

Gongoozled.com connects people who love boating and the inland waterways. Keep a cruise diary and log your route on the canal map. Meet local boaters in the separate groups for each waterway area. The founder Mark says, “It differs from a standard Forum in the way members can quickly post short sharp updates in their activity stream without the need to stay ‘on-subject’.”

5. Living on a boat

Over the years that Boatshed Grand Union has been selling boats on the inland waterways, several questions have recurred time and time again. That’s why Phil and I created an e-book about living on a boat, packed with information, advice and beautiful colour photographs. It covers costs, moorings, continuous cruising, finance, insurance, heating, internet, pets on board and much more.

Help yourself to our free ebook now and have yourself a very merry Christmas, from all at Boatshed Grand Union.

Peggy
www.narrowboatwife.com

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Living on a Boat: The Boatshed Guide (free) / Help! I want to sell my boat! / The Bargee - film review. / Don’t miss: The Boatshed Grand Union Daily/ a slideshow of our boat of the moment /More articles.

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