Karen and Tony Ainley have embraced a life on the water, trading a traditional home for a bespoke canal boat named Brisighella. Their journey, which began after living in Italy for eight years, is featured in the latest season of the More4 series 'My Floating Home.' The couple are 'continuous cruisers,' navigating approximately 60 miles of the Shropshire Union Canal with their rescue cat, Mia.
Their previous narrowboat, Firenze, served as a stepping stone to their current unconventional lifestyle. While they enjoyed their time on Firenze, they opted for a new build to perfectly suit their needs, staying within a budget of £184,000. This decision allowed them to incorporate specific features that would have been complex to retrofit.
Specialist boat builder Ian Kinvig managed the construction of the nine-tonne steel hull in Liverpool. The build process included significant costs, with the steel hull alone costing around £40,000, and an elaborate paint job amounting to £8,000. The new boat, Brisighella, named after an Italian town cherished by the couple, was completed in November 2024, just in time for Christmas.
The Ainleys desired specific amenities for their floating home, including lithium batteries and solar panels to ensure consistent energy supply without relying solely on the engine. Their new boat also features a new fridge and freezer, a hot water tap, a full-size oven, handmade shutters, and a lift-up bed for enhanced storage. The galley kitchen was designed to complement the boat's exterior color, contributing to its stylish aesthetic. The 60-foot narrowboat is equipped to sleep up to six people.
'It's really made a huge difference to our lives,' Karen Ainley stated. 'It is a home, as opposed to a house now.' Her husband Tony added, 'She looks first class' upon seeing the completed vessel.
The continuous cruising lifestyle offers perks such as a strong community among boaters and immersion in nature. However, it also presents challenges. Without a car, logistical tasks, like taking their puppy to the vet, require careful planning. As continuous cruisers, they must move every two weeks, necessitating foresight in their travel plans. Adverse weather conditions, such as frozen canals, can also complicate their movements.
The story of Karen and Tony Ainley is one of several featured in 'My Floating Home.' The series follows individuals, couples, and families as they pursue their dream of living on the water, documenting the design, construction, and challenges involved in creating these unique homes. Presenter Mark Evans explores various water-based residences, from bespoke traditional narrowboats to high-tech houseboats and DIY restorations, using drone footage and CGI to illustrate the building process. 'My Floating Home' airs on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on More4.