And perhaps that feels quite appropriate, because today’s update is really about what happens behind the scenes of boat ownership — the less glamorous but very important jobs that every boat owner eventually has to deal with.

Time for Some Serious Maintenance

I’ve got quite a few things to organise with the boat at the moment, which means a lot of phone calls, planning, and speaking to the right people.

The biggest decision I’ve made is this:

I’m going to get Sarang blacked.

For those who aren’t familiar with narrowboats, blacking is the process of applying protective bitumen coating to the hull below the waterline. It helps protect the steel from corrosion and is one of the most important maintenance jobs for keeping a narrowboat healthy long-term.

Technically, Sarang isn’t actually due for blacking until September.

So you might reasonably ask — why do it now?

The answer is fairly simple.

The weather is currently very good. Yes, windy — but warm and dry overall, and that makes this feel like the right time to get the work done rather than waiting and potentially battling worse conditions later in the year.

The Practical Challenge

Of course, deciding to do the work is one thing.

Actually organising it is another.

Because I’m currently working full-time, time is one of the biggest challenges I face with boat ownership right now.

That means I need help.

This is where I’ve already had a really lovely reminder of what the canal community is like.

A young gentleman moored just a couple of boats down from me — a genuinely lovely guy who happens to be a blacksmith — has very kindly offered to help.

And I’m extremely grateful for that.

He has agreed to take Sarang to the dry dock for me.

The dry dock I’ll be using is in Ratho, which is local to me and seems well regarded.

The journey there should take somewhere around four to six hours along the canal.

Into Dry Dock

Once Sarang arrives at the dry dock, the real work begins.

I’ve hired the dock for a week, which seems fairly standard for this kind of work in this area.

The plan is to do two major things while the boat is out of the water:

• Inspect and survey the hull
• Get the hull fully blacked

I’m actually quite excited about seeing Sarang out of the water for the first time.

There’s something slightly nerve-wracking about it too.

When a boat comes out of the water, you suddenly see everything that normally remains hidden.

And for a new boat owner like me, that’s both fascinating and a little intimidating.

The Hull Survey

I’ve also decided to get the hull surveyed while the boat is in dry dock.

I think this is incredibly important.

Even though the boat seems fine, I want proper peace of mind.

I want to understand the condition of the hull, identify any issues early, and make informed decisions going forward.

As a first-time boat owner, I’d much rather know too much than too little.

Learning About Blacking

I’m still very new to all of this.

Actually, scratch that.

I’m completely new to all of this.

From what I understand, the blacking process usually takes at least three or four days.

The first coat goes on.

Then it dries.

Then another coat.

And so on until the hull is fully protected.

Once everything is complete, Sarang will need to make the return journey back to my mooring.

Thankfully, the same neighbour who is taking the boat to dry dock has also agreed to bring her back.

I’m hoping that on the return trip, I’ll be aboard with him.

And I’m really looking forward to that.

Not just because it’ll be enjoyable, but because it should also help build my confidence with actually handling the boat.

That’s something I still need far more experience with — manoeuvring, steering, and especially mooring properly.

So I’m viewing that journey as both practical and educational.

Another Upgrade?

There’s one more thing I’ve started thinking about.

The stern cover.

It’s beginning to show its age and there’s definitely some wear and tear there.

It probably needs replaced.

Initially, I was just thinking about getting another standard stern cover.

But now I’m considering something different.

I’m thinking about a pram cover.

For anyone unfamiliar, a pram cover creates a framed canopy over the stern deck, giving extra covered space and more protection from the weather.

Given Scottish weather, that sounds rather appealing.

The big question is whether one can actually be fitted to Sarang.

That’s something I’ll need to discuss with specialist cover manufacturers because the frame and layout need to work properly with the boat.

So that’s still in the thinking stage.

And Yes… The Plywood Is Still There

I know some of you will be wondering about the bow storage project from the last update.

Yes…

The plywood is still sitting in the boat.

No, I still haven’t fitted it.

I will get around to it.

Eventually.

That project hasn’t been abandoned — it’s simply waiting its turn while higher-priority jobs take centre stage.

One thing I’m learning very quickly is this:

Boat jobs always take longer than you think.

Much longer.

They take time.

They take effort.

And they usually cost more than expected too.

That’s simply the reality.

Life Afloat, One Step at a Time

Because of my current full-time job, I’m not able to spend as much time aboard Sarang as I’d like.

That’s something I hope will change in the future.

For now, I’m balancing work, planning, maintenance, learning and gradually adapting to this very different way of life.

It’s not always easy.

But it is exciting.

And every week I feel like I understand this world a little more.

Hopefully the next update will include:

• Dry dock footage
• Hull survey results
• Blacking progress
• Possibly plans for a new pram cover
• And maybe… finally… the plywood project

Thanks for following the journey.

See you all soon.

Liam & Sarang
Life afloat, one project at a time.