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Original poster

living on a boat. Is it possible? Anyone do it?

28 replies

hippoo · 21/01/2024 12:54

despite my eldest having a great graduate job in London, the cost of living is huge and she's looking at renting a room in a commuter town for £700 a month. She's just texted me this.
She's not thinking about doing it right now, but definitely exploring options and doing research for the future. A 3 bed semi in a commuter town is about 400k, so the mortgage on that would be eye watering. Does anyone live in a boat or know someone who does? Pros and Cons?

OP posts:
OP posts:
Original poster
hippoo · 21/01/2024 12:55

this is the article she texted

OP posts:
GeneCity · 21/01/2024 12:59

I always look at boats longingly now. I bet it would be a bit of a nightmare in reality though!

boathouse20 · 21/01/2024 13:08

These articles are very irresponsible (influencer giving the impression they're 'living the dream') - it's difficult, hard work, and more expensive than the article indicates.

Some things to think about:
....the article doesn't mention that you either need to pay marina fees (expensive) or be a 'continuous cruiser' ie move your boat a certain distance at regular intervals. And this is enforced.
... lots of other expenses - boat licence, regular Boat Satety Scheme inspections, insurance etc
... problems of not having a permanent home address if you're a continuous cruiser. Things like having difficulty registering with a GP or dentist, or receiving post, or being eligible for winter fuel payments. Not insurmountable but makes life harder.

Honestly wouldn't recommend it as a way to save money (but would recommend it for people who've always wanted to live in a boat & are prepared to put up with the difficulties)

Speckson · 21/01/2024 13:10

I knew someone who lived on a narrow boat moored in Little Venice in London - it was a long time ago so I don't know if you can do it now. AFAIK on inland waterways you have to pay band A council tax unless you move around a lot, also quite a hefty license fee to British Waterways and boat yard mooring fees if that's where you are moored. Also there is maintenance of the boat - it has to be hauled out of the water every couple of years or so to be inspected otherwise you can't get insurance. There is the danger of theft and vandalism as well, especially in city centres.
One of my ex-next door neighbours' daughters lives on a narrow boat with her husband and little daughter, has done for years.
Another friend lived on a boat moored in Poole harbour for many years; she loved it. I don't know what expenses are involved with being moored in the sea.

I used to work with someone who lived on a Norfolk wherry as a small child. The only clear memory he had was being tethered to the mast as a toddler so he wouldn't fall overboard!

I've been on quite a lot of narrow boat holidays. I'd say the main con is the plumbing - having to watch water consumption and having to have the loo pumped out every week or so. It can be very cold too, even in summer as the hull is sitting in water which leaches heat away from the boat.

GeneCity · 21/01/2024 13:12

Oh, @Speckson has cured me - I hate being cold!

Augustus40 · 21/01/2024 13:13

I had a gardener who lives on a boat. Just him and the wife. He retired and only had £5 electricity bill a month though this was two years ago now. It did sound quite idyllic.

Babyroobs · 21/01/2024 13:15

I think it's probably fine if you are on your own or in a couple. I've done a few visits to disabled people stuck living on narrow boats and it's a nightmare. I also found them very claustrophobic. I think I'd also be extremely anxious especially with recent flooding.

Silverbirchtwo · 21/01/2024 13:15

I had a friend who lived on a boat, but he was mad about boats, so was a lifestyle choice not an economic one.

Greenbike · 21/01/2024 13:18

We did it, in London. As pp say you have to choose between being a continuous cruiser or a permanent mooring. Latter much more expensive, but easier life - you can get plumbing etc, and a permanent address. We loved it but as already noted it can get cold. Occasionally permanently moored boats come up for rent. That’s a nice way to try it out. Riverhomes estate agent sometimes has a few. Don’t be tempted to buy a boat until you know it’s for you, as they can be hard to sell.

tealandteal · 21/01/2024 13:23

Why are the only options 3 bed semi or boat? A smaller flat or house in a commuter town would have a smaller mortgage. Tough to save whilst renting though.

Theresplendentemmaforbes · 21/01/2024 13:25

There's permanent moorings on the canal in my village. I don't live on one but from what I can see:-
You really need to keep on top of the maintenance.
They are difficult to sell on.
There are other charges.
Have parcels delivered to pick up points.

AnotherNC22 · 21/01/2024 13:32

My friend lived on a narrowboat in London for 6months as a bit of trial but decided it wasnt for her so went back to a flat afterwards. Your daughter could always try the same.

She was a continuous cruiser and found having to keep moving to be eating into her free time on a weekend, plus dealing with the toilet waste, watching water usage, making sure she always had logs for the burner and dealing with the cold.

On the plus side, she loved the weeks that she could get moorings on canals close to central london for a nice easy commute, she found the whole community to be really welcoming and she really enjoyed the peace and quiet.

If i remember rightly, overall she didnt find it hugely cheaper in the end. But maybe thats because she was renting rather than owning.

IvorTheEngineDriver · 21/01/2024 13:33

My BIL lives on a narrow boat and this is on the basis of what he's told me. Downsides are constant loo emptying and refueling with gas (cooking) diesel (engine) and water. Plus a lack of storage. If something new comes in chances are something will have to be chucked out to make room for it. Also you have to be able to do your own electrical and mechanical repairs as getting someone out to a boat can take weeks - literally.

It is something that needs serious consideration and - in terms of gas and diesel - is not cheap.

Having said all that, he loves it.

Augustus40 · 21/01/2024 13:44

I would hate to cope with severe weather on a boat. We get so many storms these days.

Datdamndamp · 21/01/2024 14:03

Have friends that bought a tiny narrowboat and lived in it for 2 years to save for a mortgage. Seemed to work for them but they had toilets and shower on the quay that they could use. They sold it on no problem.

My uncle lived on a narrowboat for 30 years with his wife. Became very hard when he was old for the last few months. He was immensely practical and could fix everything and the boat was immaculate. Suited him completely.

Your daughter should probably give it a try first. A decent sized boat would be very expensive. Is she the sort of person that likes that lifestyle.

TousBous · 21/01/2024 14:08

I would also add that the only times I have ever been seasick were on moored Dutch barges on the Thames. I’ve never been sick at sea, even when it has been quite rough, yet I have felt nauseous on quite calm days on my friend’s houseboat. It can get surprisingly rough on the Thames too. I once went to an event on a moored boat pub where the chandeliers were swinging, things were rolling off tables and most of the guests left because they felt sick.

I imagine it’s not so bad on the canals as there is less traffic and they aren’t tidal. I’m not sure I would fancy it tonight in the storm though!

boathouse20 · 21/01/2024 14:14

TousBous · 21/01/2024 14:08

I would also add that the only times I have ever been seasick were on moored Dutch barges on the Thames. I’ve never been sick at sea, even when it has been quite rough, yet I have felt nauseous on quite calm days on my friend’s houseboat. It can get surprisingly rough on the Thames too. I once went to an event on a moored boat pub where the chandeliers were swinging, things were rolling off tables and most of the guests left because they felt sick.

I imagine it’s not so bad on the canals as there is less traffic and they aren’t tidal. I’m not sure I would fancy it tonight in the storm though!

You're right about the storms, they aren't helping, especially after last week's flooding 😲

My boat (on the Thames, not a liveaboard) is currently dancing around on its moorings - I've just added some extra ropes & suspect it's in for a rough night!

PictureFrameWindow · 21/01/2024 17:25

What put me off is walking down dark canal paths to get home. I got mugged for my bike in broad daylight on the canal paths once.

beetlebrain · 21/01/2024 17:34

DD1 lives in a cabin cruiser on a permanent mooring on the Thames at Imperial Wharf; she rents, and the rent is so much cheaper than anything else she might have gone for. She loves it. I could see her buying her own boat eventually.

PermanentTemporary · 21/01/2024 17:49

What mortgage could she afford?

I'm finding 2-bed flats in various commuter towns for £150k. Why is she not looking at that level?

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 21/01/2024 17:53

Lived in one for 23 years. Been a continuous cruiser, a liveaboard leisure moorer, (technically illegal but happens all over the system) and a residential moorer both online and in a marina.
It is expensive! For anything you want to buy/fix eg a fridge or a water pump, it will be at least twice the price of the same thing you bought for a house.
She will need to get to grips with basic 12 volt and (depending on the boat set up) 240vikt electrics, plus have a basic understanding of a marinised diesel engine. Then she will need to understand basic plumbing and how toilets get emptied.
Yes she can pay people to do these things, but it won’t be quick or cheap or easy to find someone competent. Think finding a plumber for a house is difficult ….. ha!!

it is a lifestyle choice not an economic choice. It’s cheaper for me to run a mid terrace 2 bed house than a 58’ narrowboat - and I can fix a gearbox insitu, upside down !

CurlewKate · 21/01/2024 17:54

@hippoo
I've lived on a boat for nearly 30 years. AMA

Almostwelsh · 21/01/2024 17:55

A boat is a depreciating asset, unlike a house. And even if you own the boat, there are still mooring rentals to pay. These are expensive on the Thames and not easy to get.

Boat living is best for people who really want the lifestyle, it's not an easy way to save money.

SerendipityJane · 21/01/2024 17:57

Who remembers : (e2a: It's not a documentary 😀)