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Original poster

Big boat, help!

41 replies

boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 11:11

Our neighbour has kindly parked a monstrous boat on their shared driveway during the night. It's huge. They can't even park their car in front without the car hanging onto the cul de sac.

It's even weirder as we never see them, they always have the blinds down and lights on all night so this boat adds to their mystery Grin

Is this even allowed? It's bloody ugly!!! Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 11:28

Oh I hope someone comes along to advise ha ha!

OP posts:
ArcticLingered · 21/09/2023 11:35

"Shared driveway" as-in shared with you? I assume even if shared you have a half each, or can you just park anywhere on it?

If they've put it on their side I can't see what you can do about it really. You could complain if their car then overhangs the pavement or goes onto your side - but that's their car not the boat itself, even if it's the boat causing the situation.

boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 11:37

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Oakbeam · 21/09/2023 11:38

That is not a big boat.

cocksstrideintheevening · 21/09/2023 11:40

As long as you have your access you can't do anything. It's not a big boat!

They can't block the pavement though.

Original poster
boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 11:49

It takes up 2 car spaces. It's a big boat. It's an eye sore too!

OP posts:
ArcticLingered · 21/09/2023 12:09

It looks like it might block light to the window it's outside of. They'll soon get fed up with that and move it somewhere else.

Or you could try asking them about it, in a friendly way, given they're your neighbours? It might turn out it's just there as a mate bought it and wanted to find somewhere for it before they take it to a marina or whatever. Or it might have been an ill-advised late night ebay purchase and they're already regretting it.

Duckswaddle · 21/09/2023 12:13

I couldn’t get worked up about this. As long as it’s not on your side or blocking access.

ArcticLingered · 21/09/2023 12:13

Sorry I've just realised this is MumsNet... I have some new suggestions:

Phone the police as the boat is almost certainly being used for something illegal, probably drugs

Draw a chalk line down the middle of the drive, or better still dig up a strip of it and plant a leylandii hedge to make sure the ugly boat doesn't intrude

Write the neighbours a "kind letter" that is unbelievably passive aggressive about how the boat is affecting your MH and post it through their door when they are out / asleep

Original poster
boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 12:15

@ArcticLingered I don't think it's theirs, I think they're letting someone store it there as someone dropped it off around 9-10pm.

Unfortunately they don't talk to anyone, we've tried to strike a convo before but they're very quiet people. I don't think they were born here so I'm not sure if English is their first language.

OP posts:
Original poster
boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 12:16

@@ArcticLingered there's no need to be rude. Just wanted to vent and also make sure it's all above board. I know you can't store certain things outside your home, at least that's what I was told.

OP posts:
ArcticLingered · 21/09/2023 12:18

boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 12:16

@@ArcticLingered there's no need to be rude. Just wanted to vent and also make sure it's all above board. I know you can't store certain things outside your home, at least that's what I was told.

I was being rude about MN generally, rather than you, IYSWIM. Sorry.

Curious about which items may not be stored outside your home though? What types of thing?

Original poster
boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 12:26

@ArcticLingered good old google! https://www.godownsize.com/boat-parking-rules/

Maybe I'm just shocked to see a boat when we have absolutely no water within 2 hours of us Grin

OP posts:
WildCherryBlossom · 21/09/2023 12:30

You can sail on lakes and reservoirs. Doesn't have to be the sea.

It's smallish as these things go. Wouldn't bother me.

Original poster
boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 12:31

@WildCherryBlossom of course. I'll do my best to ignore the boat and admire it instead. Makes a change from my GP desk

OP posts:
ArcticLingered · 21/09/2023 12:35

boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 12:26

@ArcticLingered good old google! https://www.godownsize.com/boat-parking-rules/

Maybe I'm just shocked to see a boat when we have absolutely no water within 2 hours of us Grin

That's for the USA. I had assumed you are in the UK? USA has lots of petty rules about upkeep of gardens etc. - things like frequency of lawn mowing. UK is generally a bit more relaxed.

Original poster
boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 12:36

@ArcticLingered yes I'm in sunny UK. That's bizarre, I might do some evening reading on the wild and wonderful US rules.

OP posts:
bopbey · 21/09/2023 12:37

I was expecting a yacht, that's a canoe!

notprincehamlet · 21/09/2023 12:39

Have you noticed anyone who looks like this putting out the bins or turning up to Neighborhood Watch meetings?

Big boat, help!
Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 21/09/2023 12:39

That’s a beautiful tiny boat. You should see my 60footer!! I would be over there wanting to have a good look at that beautiful boat. Can you tell I’m slightly ever so jealous?!
Really you are upset over nothing, but if it bothers you that much, download the deeds to your and your nextdoor neighbours houses and see if there are any covenants restricting use of the driveway. Then find out who gets to invoke the covenants and get them to deal with it.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 21/09/2023 12:39

notprincehamlet · 21/09/2023 12:39

Have you noticed anyone who looks like this putting out the bins or turning up to Neighborhood Watch meetings?

Where did you get my picture 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Original poster
boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 12:40

@notprincehamlet ha ha! Looks like someone I know.

OP posts:
Original poster
boatfiasco · 21/09/2023 12:41

@@Alphabet1spaghetti2 maybe I'm secretly jealous there's a boat on their drive and all I've got is a car!! Thanks for your advice. Cake

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 21/09/2023 12:45

As PP says check the deeds. Often there is a permanent right of way over a shared driveway so of the boat is causing an obstruction that could be an issue.

trulyunruly01 · 21/09/2023 12:50

Were the houses built at the same time by the same company? Often there are clauses in the deeds forbidding a few random things - over my house-owning years I've had all sorts from no livestock to no washing to no caravans.
But it's not a big boat, it could be an eyesore banger of a camper van with Aunt Nelly and Uncle Nosehair living in it.