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Buying a houseboat
Comments
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This could be fine, PROVIDING you are paying boat prices for the boat and not house prices.
A boat has a certain value, but stick it on a residential mooring and people start comparing it with a house. Sure, you can live there. The big problem is that you can get kicked off the mooring, and then all you have is the boat.
Even in the meantime, you have to pay to rent the mooring and any other fees the marina feels like imposing. Until they decide to fill it all in and build houses on the site.
You're probably okay if you are buying the boat cheaply enough, and not as in boliston's post above.No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?0 -
On the coast!
Not sure I fancy travelling on it anyway, to be honest
There are vast differences both in the boat type, and the sorts of considerations to take into account between a (liveaboard) narrowboat and a (liveaboard) coastal yacht!
The websites I linked earlier are applicable to narrowboats on the canals (hence my attempts to drag blood from a stone). There are other sources of information more appropriate to yachts/cruisers.0 -
Sorry G_M. Not trying to be difficult. As I said I am new to this
It's a narrowboat on a residential mooring on a marina on the coast
The boat is brand new.
I appreciate the comments about costs but, financially, it wouldn't be a problem for me. I am on my own with no children or family to take into account. My partner is independent
The marina, itself, will not be filled in for housing - that's for sure!0 -
Sorry G_M. Not trying to be difficult. As I said I am new to this
It's a narrowboat on a residential mooring on a marina on the coast
The boat is brand new.
I appreciate the comments about costs but, financially, it wouldn't be a problem for me. I am on my own with no children or family to take into account. My partner is independent
The marina, itself, will not be filled in for housing - that's for sure!
Buying a NEW narrowboat only guarantees it's value is going to go down. they don't last forever and will need repairs and maintenance, and as they get older their value drops. Buying a good old one, will likely give you less depreciation.
What are the toilet arrangements? Porta potti (self emptyiong) proper lo with a holding tank (have to pay for a pump out) or nothing, and a march to the marina shore facilities? All things to consider on a boat.0 -
Does the marina connect to the canal network?
If not, then as said, that is a very unusual situation and its really just a house substitute but resale might be problematic and I'd prefer to live in a nearby flat if you like the buzz of this place, which would appreciate in value unlike a boat.0 -
Here you go then
https://www.premierhouseboats.co.uk/fh33
Flats on the marina are out of my price range. Money isn't a big worry and I am very unlikely to want to go travelling on it0 -
So the boat is in Ramsgate?
Marina details http://www.portoframsgate.co.uk/royal-harbour-marina/201718-fees-and-charges/
Likely to cost you £6000 p.a. to berth that there, plus electricity etc. No mention of any residential moorings in that marina?0 -
So the boat is ion Ramsgate?
Marina details http://www.portoframsgate.co.uk/royal-harbour-marina/201718-fees-and-charges/
Likely to cost you £6000 p.a. to berth that there, plus electricity etc. No mention of any residential moorings in that marina?
Yep
I know the cost. Have an email in to the harbourmaster to find out more details about how it works/residential moorings etc0 -
Here you go then
https://www.premierhouseboats.co.uk/fh33
Flats on the marina are out of my price range. Money isn't a big worry and I am very unlikely to want to go travelling on it
Well practically speaking you couldn't go travelling on it anyway.
Personally Id rather live on land as I'd be getting all the disadvantages of a boat (needs much more maintenance, depreciates, difficult to sell, tied to the harbor fees so if they put them up what will you do*) with few of the benefits, eg cant just up anchor and drive away for a change of scenery.
I think you'll have to work out what your financial position will be in say 10-15 years time, assume you can get say £100k for this boat which cost £150k (whereas a flat bought for £150k might easily be £200k in 10-15 years) , add in say 10% increase in mooring fees every year and see how that works with what you perceive the benefits of living in that location would be and what you could do in 10-15 years time.
Also, how secure are you? Suppose you are given a years notice to move because they are going upmarket and bringing in superyachts?
Maybe you'd have a great 10-15 years and then move to a much cheaper flat ina cheaper area and regard it as worthwhilel
Of course, you might also look elsewhere. This is the SE , by the sea, obviously expensive. have you looked elsewhere in the country where there might be a similar vibe but much cheaper?
* the friend i referred to was moored in a marina when a new manager came in. Cost went up, facilities down, so he drove off to a different marina! You wouldn't really be able to do that.0 -
Thanks AnotherJoe
Just the sort of feedback I was looking for
I am financially secure enough to take that sort of hit. I'd have to research how Ramsgate marina works but I've lived down here for nearly 10 years and have heard little (if no) adverse comment. I take the point re being kicked off but that's a conversation to have with the harbourmaster and a judgement call on my behalf
Elsewhere isn't an alternative. My partner lives here - a lot of my friends live here - and I love it in Ramsgate
And it could be a lot of fun for some of my later years!0
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