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Original poster

I really want to buy a boat!

29 replies

FuckingNoise · 22/05/2022 18:25

I absolutely love being by the water, anything involving a river or canal and I'm there. I had a breakdown last year, am still recovering and being near the "boat life" is most definitely my happy place. I would like to buy a small boat, possibly a little narrowboat or something similar to spend weekends and holidays on. It doesn't have to be pristine as I would have fun doing it up over time. I wouldn't want to moor it inside a marina as the costs would be too high, I'd moor it along the canal. I know it won't be as secure but I walk along the canal near me every weekend and plenty of others appear to do this. I presume I'd need a river license. What other costs am I missing? Annual service etc? It's all new to me and perhaps it's just a pipe dream but I'd like to seriously consider this!

OP posts:
Ladyelizabeth · 22/05/2022 18:28

I don't think you can just moor your boat anywhere.....but it sounds fab

Original poster
FuckingNoise · 22/05/2022 18:29

I think you can as long as you move it every fortnight but I could be wrong

OP posts:

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General sports
LaurieFairyCake · 22/05/2022 18:31

You have to think about where to empty your shit if you're not paying mooring fees

QuestionableMouse · 22/05/2022 18:34

I'd say join a boat owners' forum and ask on there! Ime boats are expensive, especially to insurance and need near constant upkeep.

Ladyelizabeth · 22/05/2022 18:35

I would like to take some time out and explore the canal system one day!

Ladyelizabeth · 22/05/2022 18:37

But do your homework well!

AnotherDelphinium · 22/05/2022 18:37

We joke that “boat” stands for “bung on another thousand” because that’s what it feels like!
A mattress? £500, oh, a marine mattress, that’ll be £1500.
Why not look at renting one for a fortnight and see what it’s like and whether you enjoy it? You can get a bit bored of having the same bit of river every other weekend!

PaddleBoardingMomma · 22/05/2022 18:38

I've been around boats my whole life, and I can tell you that there's a saying that is incredibly true;

"The second happiest day of a man's life is when he buys he's boat, the happiest day is the day he sells it!"

It can bring a lot of joy, relaxation, memory making, but honestly unless you have incredibly deep pockets and are willing to make it a near enough full time endeavour, just steer clear.

A marina usually has gated access to the jetty or security on site, that's really what you're paying for. Keeping a boat safe moored on the canal if you don't plan on staying there isn't wise.

Blugh · 22/05/2022 18:39

There are some very good Facebook groups where you can ask for advice

prampushingdownthehighst · 22/05/2022 18:40

Break Out Another Thousand
I'd hire before you commit to buying

motogirl · 22/05/2022 18:45

Why not move to by a marina. I have met several boat owners who need crew and I don't have the costs of a boat but I do have a double kayak and rent a sailing dinghy

DeedlessIndeed · 22/05/2022 18:49

My in laws felt the same and went on and on about getting a boat. Bought one in their early 50s when they'd paid off their mortgage. Honestly, they only had average incomes, (maybe ~70K combined) and they simply couldn't afford the upkeep and costs. It eventually became such a stress point that they sold it for a loss.

Personally, I'd save the cash and hire one for a couple of weeks each year. I imagine you'd save A LOT! Unless, you are quite wealthy.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 22/05/2022 19:01

I live on one. We reckon £10k a year in insurance, licence, mooring, maintenance (annual, BSC and long term maintenance) and diesel. We do all our own maintenance too. - so painting, engine and generator Mai remove etc. That’s not being in a marina.
it really isn’t cheap or anything romantic! Not to mention the problems dealing with nhs/council/bank dwellers assumptions etc.

Original poster
FuckingNoise · 22/05/2022 19:35

Thanks everyone. Unless I win big this is pretty unfeasible isn't it 😔

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 22/05/2022 19:44

Ha ha. You didn't even give me time to post one of my favourite ever Viz Top Tips (remember them)?

Recreate the experience of owning a boat by stand in a cold shower ripping up £50 notes.

Original poster
FuckingNoise · 22/05/2022 20:07

BarbaraofSeville · 22/05/2022 19:44

Ha ha. You didn't even give me time to post one of my favourite ever Viz Top Tips (remember them)?

Recreate the experience of owning a boat by stand in a cold shower ripping up £50 notes.

Hey? Viz what?!

OP posts:
Flaunch · 22/05/2022 20:10

It’s my dream too OP ❤️

BarbaraofSeville · 22/05/2022 20:20

Oh sorry, showing my age.

Viz was a satirical comic from the 1990s that probably hasn't aged well that had a section poking fun at trashy magazine 'tip' sections, the ones that suggest using sanitary towels as substitute insoles, with their own version of the usually silly and impractical tips.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 22/05/2022 20:42

It isn’t infeasible, but you do need to do a lot of homework first and know exactly what your physical and mental limits are. A healthy budget helps. When anyone proposes what you are, we always say, hire a boat in the middle of winter for a week. Ideally January and on the northern or welsh canals. If you enjoy that, then you will probably be ok. It really helps if you know your way around an engine and are prepared to get to grips with basic electrics and plumbing. Things like welding you really need a person who’s qualified and insure and works on boats. Never ever get someone who has never worked on a boat, to do work on your boat!!

MrsAvocet · 22/05/2022 21:34

I'm going to go slightly against the grain here and say that whilst boat ownership certainly can be very expensive, it doesn't have to be. It depends a lot on what type/size/age of boat you have, where you keep it and how much work you are willing and able to do yourself. And in terms of value it makes a big difference how much you sail it. If you only spend a couple of weekends a year aboard then obviously it works out a lot per sail, but if you are out on it regularly then it's not necessarily any more expensive than lots of other hobbies/holidays. Lots of our friends spend more on a fortnight in the sun than our entire boating budget for the year. I imagine quite a lot spend more on wine and meals out than we spend on sailing in fact, but it's us that are thought extravagant as sailing is perceived as "posh".
But to own a boat on a relatively modest budget you really do need to know what you are doing, or at the very least have good support from someone who does. Mistakes can be extremely expensive.
So don't give up your dream just yet, but don't let your heart rule your head. And definitely don't rush into anything. Do lots of research, go on a course or hire a boat to see what it's really like. Make friends with other people who have the kind of boat you are interested in if possible as you will learn a lot and hopefully avoid a few pitfalls along the way!

turkeyboots · 22/05/2022 21:42

Another boat saying is boats are "holes in the water you throw money into".
Save your money and hire one for a weekend or a week a few times a year.

Original poster
FuckingNoise · 22/05/2022 21:46

I think I'll just buy an inflatable kayak instead 🤣

OP posts:
Haggisfish3 · 22/05/2022 21:46

There was a really good thread recently about owning a canal boat. Put me right off! 😬