Living on a narrowboat or barge

flossykins

Hi,
I am just wondering how many people on this site have looked into buying and living on a boat as an alternative to the more traditional mortgage/ house route?

I was really surprised not to find any discussions about this when I was considering my first boat. I realise that boat life isn't without its risks/ costs, and certainly that money alone is not enough reason to justify such a huge decision. But I've noticed so many people in my situation (income insufficient to pay rent, completely prced out of housing market...) make the same decision, and wondered if this is becoming part of a wider trend?

I would be really interested to hear people's thoughts/ opinions on the subject as I felt this sort of information was lacking when I was making the decision.

Thanks for reading!

G_M

There are plenty of forums and specialist websites on boating in general, narrow-boating on the canals in particular, and also on the even more specific topic of live-aboard narrow-boating.

BigAunty

I'm with G_M on this one - many of these specialist forums have threads especially for beginners. I used to browse them because I love narrow boats.

I got the impression that boats cost a lot in terms of maintenance and repairs, it was hard and expensive to find a berth (and getting harder through the higher demand as more boats are built) and that it took a certain type of person to put up with some of the privations and nuisances that come with a mobile lifestyle in a cramped boat, unreliable services and so forth.

Also, that once you hop off the property owning ladder and sink your savings into a boat, you can pretty much kiss good bye to affording to rejoin it.

That it is very hard to make a living - there are high costs associated with residential marinas close to urban areas where a person can work and very little ways of making money if you are truly mobile and don't berth anywhere for longer than a couple of weeks.

flossykins

Thanks for replying!

I know what you mean- I have seen lots of forums/ sites, but I felt they are really helpful up to the buying stage, and then not so great after that (except for much more experienced narrowboaters). But I'd love to know what sites you've found that differ- always keen to learn more as I have new questions all the time!

In terms of cruising/ berthing, I know many boaters who hold down steady jobs while moving (and yes, many who chose not to)- but I suppose it does require some planning, and might not work for all types of job.

I'd have to disagree about not being able to rejoin the housing market- if your living costs go down, surely that makes you more able to save, no? And it's likely you'd be able to sell the boat on (for most of what you paid) in future, assuming you've looked after it.
Either that or I've made a HUGE mistake!!

For me, buying a (small, cheap) boat was the only feasible way of having a space of my own, and it seems realistic (so far) to upgrade in a couple of years to something more roomy/ comfortable.

And yes, boating requires some resilence and resourcefulness, I've no doubt about that.

tbs624

Some previous threads on here, for example:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/423328
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/958133
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1046771
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3162876

tbs624

BigAunty wrote: »

That it is very hard to make a living ........and very little ways of making money if you are truly mobile and don't berth anywhere for longer than a couple of weeks.

.. but pointing people to your blog and making some money from links/sponsors ads can all help

flossykins

Well, that would be true if I had any ads/ sponsorship!! My situaton is slightly different as I'm still a student, so my income is regular (if small) anyway. I doubt the £2 per year I'd get from ads is going to change that!

REally, it's my first blog, and seeing as this site was one of the first I looked at when deciding to buy, I thought it would be a good place to go for inspiration. I feel a bit of perspective besides my own would help give me a bit of guidance!

Thanks for the links!

cte1111

I own a narrowboat, although we don't live on it. Have you ever hired a boat for a holiday? I would suggest doing that first, preferably out of season, e.g. in the cold wet months, to find out how it works for you.

Not sure what information you are really looking for? There are obviously costs associated with living on a boat, e.g. mooring, British Waterways license, compulsory insurance, Marine Safety Certificate, regular blacking, diesel, pump out (unless you go for a portable toilet that you empty yourself).

If you are serious about living aboard, the first thing you need to find is a mooring - bear in mind that they don't all allow live aboards.

Are you handy / know your way around an engine? I'm not and this has been a real problem for us, we've had to rely on the kindness of other boat owners with minor problems that in a car you would just take to the garage. For more major problems, you have to call out marine engineers (when you can find one) and pay a high rate per hour plus parts for them to fix it.

We had a major fault (propellor damage leading to water leaking into the engine compartment and destruction of large parts of the electrics / starter motor etc) within a few months of first owning the boat which cost the best part of £4,000 to fix. In the end, I got most of that back from my insurer, as I had collision insurance. However problems like this can just crop up whenever and are rarely covered by insurance, e.g. if the damage on the boat is caused by wear and tear as is often the case.

SouthCoast

In my dreams.


http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-35272178.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32238616.html

flossykins

Wow, pretty pricey!!! I know you can get liveable, if small/run-down boats for as little as £10,000. And some that IMO look as nice as those two for £40,000-£80,000.

I found a site called Apollo Duck qute helpful for boathunting. Well, that and Ebay.