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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]

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Original poster
mumarooni · 22/06/2023 06:58

Teapleasemilknosugar · 29/03/2023 21:37

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

Lovely, after the first one! The rain is loud.

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Original poster
mumarooni · 22/06/2023 07:00

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?

2 bedrooms, kids have bunk beds. Tiny weeny Christmas tree, table top one. The kids pick it each year very carefully and decorate the whole boat with our one box of Dec's!

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Original poster
mumarooni · 22/06/2023 07:02

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?

Oh and kitchen with breakfast bar, sofa and toy space so a normal day is a lot like anyone else's really just smaller! And in winter involved coal and the fire, and there is filling water/getting gas occassionally.

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Original poster
mumarooni · 22/06/2023 07:03

Damp isn't a problem on our boat but it depends on the boat! Windows open almost all the time, to keep it breathing especially when showering or cooking.

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Original poster
mumarooni · 22/06/2023 07:05

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.)

Post is a pain and everyone manages differently, family, p o boxes, work, or some marinas will take it. Equally registering to vote or for docs can be tricky if you move a lot. Easy for us as we are in one place, and marina takes post.

Your stinky friend, that's on him! We have a great shower aboard as do most, strong water pump and hot water!

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coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 22/06/2023 07:10

Will you carry on living on a boat when your kids are older and perhaps in need of more space and privacy?

How do you think they'll feel about it when they're older?

Original poster
mumarooni · 22/06/2023 07:11

No problem with social services, why would there be?! We had midwife visits to the boat, and kids school have been to visit. No issues.

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Original poster
mumarooni · 22/06/2023 07:12

Yes I think kids will want more space to study and have friends over so we will move ashorefor a bit (and maybe back when they leave home!)

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Original poster
mumarooni · 22/06/2023 07:14

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?

Yes you can be evicted, depends on the contract you are on at marina, but it's often not really a proper landlord one and you can end up with less rights than Tennant's. Some people love moving all the time and don't have a permanent spot, others the opposite! Laundrettes in villages or marina's is where we used to go, but then got a washing machine on the boat, bliss!

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Caterpillau · 22/06/2023 07:24

Do you own a house as well?

Zippedydoo123 · 22/06/2023 07:34

mumarooni · 22/06/2023 07:11

No problem with social services, why would there be?! We had midwife visits to the boat, and kids school have been to visit. No issues.

On ok as somebody I knew a good few years ago lived on a boat with his girlfriend and she brought over her son in Russia once they moved to the house. The friend said they would not be allowed to keep her son on the boat. The boat was quite small though so maybe this was the reason.

Maxsmam · 22/06/2023 09:28

Thanks for coming back OP!

Original poster
mumarooni · 22/06/2023 11:41

No, don't own a house as well.

Yes, the social service thing must have been about the nature of that boat specifically.

no worries, sorry I got distracted and then forgot for ages!

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