What are they smoking?

Narrowboats are a whole different ball game to aeroplanes. I know about aeroplanes, it has been my job for over thirty years. I will have some problems with the ins and outs of a boat, but my thirty years of experience in electrical and mechanical engineering will stand me in good stead.

OK I have worked on jet engines most of that time and there are differences with diesels, but suck, squeeze, bang, blow applies to either. Electrics too are a different kettle of fish, I am used to far bigger systems, but not that different that I will not be able to cope. The physics never change just the mechanics.

I cannot believe that I will be out of my depth. I will just apply the same logic to what ever problems that occur and should be able to deal with most if not all problems that come up.

What I cannot get my head around is that people who have only the experience of filing a broken nail or replacing the ink cartridge in the printer are contemplating buying a boat.

Hello my name is Fred I have decided to buy a narrow boat to live on. I am in insurance and can operate a fairly complicated retractable ball pen, but have no other technical ability. I have never had to replace so much as a fuse. I will be asking some very dumb questions. I hope all you 'experts' here will be able to point me in the right direction.

Most people never stop learning, some have never started. I certainly don't want to suggest they shouldn't buy a boat if that is what they want, it really is their choice, but I have to ask what are they using for a brain cell. What are these people thinking?

I know when I first thought about having a boat I was thinking probably a couple of batteries and a hurricane lamp to read by. It didn't take long for those ideas to be dashed and to have the new Battersea Power station installed in the back of the boat. My learning curve is going to be quite steep but these people will have a curve off the chart. Blue Peter never sets you up for owning a boat.