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AMA
Original poster

We love on a boat (2 parents, 2 kids) AMA

38 replies

mumarooni · 29/03/2023 21:13

We have lived on a boat for 10 years. Kids are 3 and 5. Thought I'd do an AMA as anyone considering this way of life might want to find out more.

[Edited by MNHQ at poster's request]

OP posts:
Custardbanana · 29/03/2023 21:14

What type of boat? Do you move?

Original poster
mumarooni · 29/03/2023 21:16

A 55 foot x 10 foot widebeam narrowboat. We can move, and do often at weekends, but stay in a permanent mooring during the week as it's easier for school runs etc.

OP posts:
StopFeckingFaffing · 29/03/2023 21:19

Are you based in UK or elsewhere?

Original poster
mumarooni · 29/03/2023 21:22

Uk

OP posts:
MaraScottie · 29/03/2023 21:23

Do you worry about safety and the kids falling overboard, or how do you prevent that?

TomHanksIsFuckingAmazing · 29/03/2023 21:24

Do you ever pity people who don't have as awesome a life as you?! I absolutely LOVE the boat life ❤️

StopFeckingFaffing · 29/03/2023 21:25

Roughly how much are mooring fees and utilities per month?

Any other recurring costs? Insurance I guess and fuel?

Original poster
mumarooni · 29/03/2023 21:26

Once you are inside the boat, the front door isn't very accessible to them (kitchen Stargate between play area and door). Then there is a risk getting on and offthe boat, and walking by the river. But there are strict rules they are very used to. No running, hold hands on and off, life jackets when cruising. They are brilliantly behaved near water, but we worry a bit when friends kids visit and leap about!

OP posts:
Comii9 · 29/03/2023 21:28

Do you miss living in a house? Space wise?

Clymene · 29/03/2023 21:28

Why do you live on a boat? What do you do when the goat needs repairs?

I have friends who are liveaboards but they don't have kids.

Original poster
mumarooni · 29/03/2023 21:30

Mooring hugely varied, we have had 200 and 450 a month. But can be much more or less. Utilities very little. Water free with mooring, solar panels help with lecy, which is mostly 12v anyway. Heating is coal for stove. then there is river license and insurance.

OP posts:
AbsoIutelyLovely · 29/03/2023 21:30

I need to ask: rats? 😂

and do you make friends with tour neighbours or are they always changing

and so you get woken by drunks at nights 😂

Original poster
mumarooni · 29/03/2023 21:31

I only miss a house for having people over easily, and for the garden.

We do it partly for saving money, partly for being on the water which is just lovely and never gets old.

We are ruthless at regular decluttering! And don't allow much in in the first place.

OP posts:
Clymene · 29/03/2023 21:32

For goat, read boat! Sorry!

How big is your boat and how long have you lived on it?

Original poster
mumarooni · 29/03/2023 21:33

No issue with rats! At all. One mooring had mice but easily kept them out the boat once we worked out their route in! No mice at currentmooring. Lovely neighbours, you get to know who uses the same waterways. Generally very friendly.

OP posts:
Original poster
mumarooni · 29/03/2023 21:35

For repairs, bit of a nightmare getting anyone to do anything,waiting lists on everything! So you get quite handy.

OP posts:
Teapleasemilknosugar · 29/03/2023 21:37

What's it like to live on the water during heavy storms?!

1AngelicFruitCake · 29/03/2023 21:41

What’s a typical day in like?
what’s the set up like/where do you sleep and eat?
what is Xmas like on the boat? Do you have a little tree? Where do you put presents?

TheYearOfSmallThings · 29/03/2023 21:43

Is damp/condensation a problem? How do you do laundry?

Maxsmam · 29/03/2023 21:45

Can you get post delivered?
How do you wash? (I know someone who lives on a boat. He smells.)

ScribblingAlways · 29/03/2023 21:45

So many questions, can you be evicted from moorings? Are they hard to find, can you end up in a situation of permanently moving? Do you worry about security both while you’re on the boat and when it’s empty when you go to work etc. do you have to use a laundrette?

BornBlonde · 29/03/2023 22:05

Are you on the Voter's Roll? How did you prove address for kids joining school? Do you own a boat or rent it?

CherrySocks · 29/03/2023 22:31

Do you have a separate bedroom from the children? How do you manage privacy issues if not? Will you move once they are teenagers?

therescoffeeinthatnebula · 22/06/2023 01:01

I love boats. The two things that put me off living on one are toilet related (just how awful is it maintaining one?) and laundry related (how do you wash everything?).

How difficult is it to get a licence to
operate a canal boat? Presumably you need some sort of equivalent to a drivers licence in case you don’t have a permanent mooring.

I know how choppy it can be on a big boat at sea - what if you’re moored in a canal boat? Presumably you’re sheltered enough to not feel all scrambled up in bad weather?

I’m not sure I’m practical enough to live on a boat… I do love the water though.

Zippedydoo123 · 22/06/2023 04:51

I thought children were disallowed from living on a boat by Social Services...?