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Original poster

Am I mad to live in a boat with 2 DC for a month?

26 replies

bringon2020 · 16/11/2019 15:32

I know lots of families live in boats, so I would like some advice here. I'm moving to Lisbon in January, and planning to rent a temporary flat for me and my 2 DC, 9 and 7yo, for the first month, until I rent something.

I came across this boat, that is exactly in my desired location, and is almost within my budget. However, I have zero experience with boats.

Are the DC likely to get motion sickness? Younger DS, who is 7, gets sick when we travel by car.

Does it get too cold in a boat? There is no central heating, but there is a small heater, and Lisbon is not very cold - but it is humid.

Is there anything else I should consider? Thanks a lot!

OP posts:
Finchy19 · 16/11/2019 15:35

If you have no experience don't do it. Electrics don't work the same as in a house. It's constant maintenance and not always a kid friendly environment. I lived on one for 3 years.

BertrandRussell · 16/11/2019 15:40

Could you link to the spec? Difficult to give a view without more info- every boat is different! I’ve lived on a boat for nearly 30 years- you would be fine on mine- but probably not on my neighbours for example!

Purpleartichoke · 16/11/2019 15:48

If your child gets sick when you travel in the car, asking them to live on a boat is abuse, plain and simple. You can not even consider this option.

I say this as a lifelong motion sickness sufferer. This condition is absolutely miserable, even when you are lucky enough to not be actively vomiting.

Also, turn up the air conditioning in the car and get your child an assortment of crackers and hard candies for car trips. Fizzy, sugary drinks can help too. Ginger helps too, but you can’t eat enough of it to keep it at bay on longer trips.

SpinneyHill · 16/11/2019 15:51

Yes. It could easily end up with you needing to pay for emergency accommodation, lovely idea but I know D's grandma had to spend a fortune on things she didn't expect and then the mooring/docking? Charge went up and she ended up in a shit state in a BnB with a boat she couldn't profit from

BertrandRussell · 16/11/2019 15:52

“If your child gets sick when you travel in the car, asking them to live on a boat is abuse, plain and simple. You can not even consider this option.”
She’s living on it, presumably tied to the land, not sailing the Atlantic!

Ohyesiam · 16/11/2019 15:54

I’ve only visited Lisbon once. As far as I remember party of its coat is on the estuary and part is sea coast. I imagine this makes a difference to motion?
Or will it be a harbour or Marina where there will be very little motion.

orangecream · 16/11/2019 15:57

Would you be comfortable sharing a link to the listing for it?
Are your kids confident swimmers?

EL8888 · 16/11/2019 16:00

I get terrible motion sickness but l haven’t found house boats a problem

SpinneyHill · 16/11/2019 16:00

None of us can answer the motion sickness query. Only your kid can when they're on the damn thing!.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 16/11/2019 16:01

I think it sounds great for a month if you can trust your children around water and if they are confident swimmers. The motion sickness will definitely depend a little on where it's moored - the sea is different to a canal, for example, so that's something to check.

It's only for four weeks, I think it'll be fun!

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 16/11/2019 16:01

Although there probably won't be much space, so you may have to factor storage into the costs.

Molteni · 16/11/2019 16:06

If you have zero experience with boats I wouldn't do it. Also, depending on isolation etc, if there's only a small heather it could get cold.

raisinseverywhere · 16/11/2019 16:10

What type of toilet does it have? Some boats have toilets that need to be emptied yourself. Would you be able to do this easily with your DC with you?

Purpleartichoke · 16/11/2019 16:21

Living on it tied to land is still a problem for a motion sickness suffered. Even standing on the dock with its light bouncing could be a trigger.

TreacherousPissFlap · 16/11/2019 20:35

This is why I feel I am not really an adult yet. I would think it a terribly exciting thing to do and would never consider most of the admittedly very valid points raised.
So yes OP I think it would be fun. I take it this would be to rent for a month, so the maintenance etc would not be your issue?

Finchy19 · 16/11/2019 22:53

I don't know about abroad but over here it's illegal to rent boats for living so, maintenance would be down to the person living on it. Which also means no security, no insurance, no come back if it goes wrong.

Crunchymum · 16/11/2019 22:57

Lisbon ain't warm in January!

boringornot · 16/11/2019 22:58

Thanks a lot everyone! I'm wondering that perhaps it's not th wisest idea, and maybe I should book a couple of days in a boat before I commit with a full month.
@treacherous, I feel just like you! Thinking that my boys would love the experience!
I'll think about my options, thanks everyone who posted.

Ginfordinner · 16/11/2019 22:59

There is no central heating, but there is a small heater, and Lisbon is not very cold - but it is humid.

Average temperature in Lisbon in January is 8 degrees. A small heater is insufficient.

OldMotherHubbardsBigBottom · 17/11/2019 00:51

For a month? Even if it was chilly and we needed extra layers 24/7 and decent sleeping bags? In a flash! God can you imagine the things you'd have to look back on together with the children- it's only 30 days.

I'm excited on your behalf!

Witchend · 17/11/2019 08:46

I knew some people who lived on a boat as students. They admitted that in the winter, despite having the heating on full blast all the time, they were so cold that even things like working were done in a sleeping bag u der a duvet and wearing coat gloves and hat... And we're still cold.
Their heating bills were horrific.

You've said it's almost within your budget. That means it isn't really. If you're paying heating on top you may find them it's too expensive.

Yoollyball · 17/11/2019 09:05

I would link it would be cramped, cold and isolated. It gets dark early in January even in Lisbon and you will be stuck on a small cold dark boat most evening. Marinas often tend to be a bit isolated too.

Surely there is a nice cosy 2 bed flat on airb&b you can take for 4 weeks. January is the low season so there should be lots.

BertrandRussell · 17/11/2019 09:36

It so much depends on the boat. I’ve got an Aga on mine!

Singlenotsingle · 17/11/2019 12:39

Sounds like fun. You're not actually having to travel around on it, are you? I lived on a houseboat for a few weeks once. So long as it's safe for the DC, that's the main thing.

bigflowerdog · 17/11/2019 12:45

Can they swim? Well? I lived on boats and honestly you have to be CONSTANTLY vigilant. Life jackets AT ALL TIMES when outside/up top and on docks.

If you think your kids (and you) will be difficult with this then don't even consider it.

I lived on a boat when it was -15 for two months. Not much fun, Portugal would be fine.

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