Since then, I’ve spent more time aboard, learning how the space works and, perhaps more importantly, how I want it to work.

One thing that quickly became apparent is that storage matters.

When you live in a compact space, every shelf, cupboard and storage area becomes important. It doesn’t take much for a boat to start feeling cluttered, especially when everyday items don’t really have a proper home.

The First Project

One area that caught my attention was the bow section of Sarang.

The existing open shelving is practical enough, but visually it can look a little untidy once it starts being used properly. I wanted to create a cleaner look while still keeping easy access to the storage spaces behind.

The solution seemed straightforward.

Purchase some plywood, cut it to size, fit magnetic fixings and create removable panels that would hide the contents while keeping everything accessible.

Simple.

Or so I thought.

The Reality Check

The plywood has now been purchased and the project officially began.

Unfortunately, it turns out that measuring accurately inside a narrowboat is perhaps a little more complicated than I first imagined.

After getting the wood cut and offering it up to the space, it became clear that my measurements weren’t quite right.

Not disastrously wrong.

Just wrong enough.

The sort of wrong that means the panels don’t fit properly and the project isn’t moving forward quite as smoothly as planned.

It’s frustrating, of course, but it’s also part of the learning process.

I’ve never claimed to be a DIY expert, and one of the reasons for documenting this journey is to show the reality of learning new skills and tackling projects that are well outside my comfort zone.

Calling In Reinforcements

Thankfully, I have a friend who is considerably more experienced with this type of work than I am.

I’m hoping he’ll be able to have a look at what I’ve done, identify where I’ve gone wrong and help me find the best way forward.

It may be a case of adjusting the panels.

It may be a case of re-cutting them.

Or it may simply be a lesson in measuring things properly before getting carried away with enthusiasm.

Either way, I’ll learn something from it.

And that’s really what this journey is about.

Small Steps Forward

Living aboard Sarang isn’t about creating a perfect show-home interior.

It’s about gradually turning a 39-foot narrowboat into a comfortable, practical home.

Some projects will go smoothly.

Others won’t.

This one appears to have landed firmly in the second category.

But that’s okay.

Every mistake teaches something, every challenge builds confidence, and every small improvement makes the boat feel a little more like home.

What’s Next?

The next stage is simple:

• Review the measurements

• Work out where the errors were made

• Get some expert guidance

• Adjust or re-cut the panels if necessary

• Finally install the storage covers properly

Hopefully, by the next update, I’ll be showing you a completed bow storage project rather than a pile of plywood and a lesson in humility.

Until then, it’s back to measuring, learning and taking things one step at a time.

Because life aboard Sarang isn’t about perfection.

It’s about the journey.

Liam & Sarang

Life afloat, one project at a time.