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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to consider living in a canal boat?

108 replies

TheSeventhHorcrux · 14/03/2013 19:07

OH and I are saving and saving to buy land and build (and maybe for me to set up a business) and he would like to move from our rented house to a canal boat (we live near a lot of canals).
It would definitely save money though there would be certain sacrifices but I can't help but think that it would be a bit of a laugh...
We're in our mid-twenties and don't have any responsibilities, it could be a lot of fun (?)
AIBU to seriously think about it or have I got some extremely rose-tinted glasses on?

OP posts:
limitedperiodonly · 14/03/2013 19:12

My friend does. It's a larger than average boat and she's single. Do you want me to ask her and PM you?

PM me with your questions.

Geekster · 14/03/2013 19:12

There is no way I would live in a canal boat. I went on a canal boat holiday with my family as a teenager, it was cramped you had to pour water down the loo if you did a poo. And we all had asthma attacks at night from the fumes! We went home three days early which is unheard of of my Dad if he has paid for something! My MIL suggested me and DH going on a canal boat holiday with them I said NO! It was a few years ago things might have improved since then.

Librarina · 14/03/2013 19:13

Not at all. A friend of mine lives alone on a lovely narrow boat and I am very jealous of her life. There are if course complications, but it is warm and cosy, has everything within that you need and has the advantage of a quirky and interesting community on the mooring. I've stayed over for weekends and the odd week and have always loved it. It is particularly nice being gently rocked to sleep by the waves.

I have no idea as to the cost but it does work out cheaper than a house and it is definitely more fun!

RooneyMara · 14/03/2013 19:17

The thing wot worries me about this, and I LOVE canal boats - is that you'd have to vacate it for a certain amount of time each year for maintenance. Also all the things to do with registering for medical services and council tax and all that gumf.

Otherwise I'd say go for it.

TheAccidentalExhibitionist · 14/03/2013 19:18

I think it sounds lovely. I'm very Envy
If you get the opportunity, take it!

thebody · 14/03/2013 19:20

I know absolutely nothing about it but I do know that life without kids and responsibilities is the time to do stuff like this.

Sounds fantastic.

Camwombat · 14/03/2013 19:22

Do it! we lived on a boat for 8 years and loved it! Smile
A proper liveaboard boat is set up very differently to a hire boat.
We cruised around the canals and rivers.
It was a heartbreaking time when we moved off and sold it. Sad
PM me if you want more info on it.

TomDudgeon · 14/03/2013 19:23

Is it seeker who lives on a boat? There's a regular who does

CloudsAndTrees · 14/03/2013 19:24

I know a family of four that lives on a boat. I'm not sure if its what you'd class as a canal boat though, I'm pretty clueless when it ones to types of boats!

I think it would be a nice lifestyle if you weren't bothered too much by cold, wind, and lack of storage space. It is cold and windy every single time I visit this family, even in the summer. It would make me miserable.

PopeBenedictsP45 · 14/03/2013 19:24

Do it! Our friends live on one and love it. The only time they get a bit cabin feverish is in the winter because they can't sit outside. They have a lovely life and as Librarina says, the camaraderie along the canal is great.

MooncupGoddess · 14/03/2013 19:27

Narrowboats are lovely, and if you fancy a weekend away you can take your house with you!

But it helps if you're quite handy as minor issues often crop up. And check the heating and plumbing situation carefully before you commit to anything.

apolloduck is the website to check out.

LynetteScavo · 14/03/2013 19:28

Well I can't sit outside in the winter, and I have a large garden!

If you don't have any DC, I think it would be great. If you have toddlers, I imagine it would be difficult.

akaemmafrost · 14/03/2013 19:28

I would love this. Someone I used to know had a permanent berth and had a little garden cultivated on the river bank right next to her boat. It was lovely. Where my parents live is very rural and I go running along the canal there. Quite a few boats and when it's early and do quiet and beautiful I think it must be the perfect life getting up and sitting on deck with a cup of tea. I'd do it in a second if I could.

Magimedi · 14/03/2013 19:29

Do it! No responsibilities is the time to do crazy things.

Locketjuice · 14/03/2013 19:29

My parents live on a Dutch barge Smile

They love it, I also lived on it for years Smile

Original poster
TheSeventhHorcrux · 14/03/2013 19:33

I think it would be an adventure. No one would be surprised, we are quite "quirky" but the lack of space bothers me. I like space... but then maybe I would be more appreciative of space when we move to build a house?

OP posts:
TeacupTempest · 14/03/2013 19:34

I live on a boat. Not a canal boat though. Life can be more of a challenge in a day to day way but it definitely has benefits.

TeacupTempest · 14/03/2013 19:35

It's a bit like being a goldfish...you grow to the size of your pond. Its cathartic to get rid of so much stuff that you don't really need!

Camwombat · 14/03/2013 19:35

It is a wonderful lifestyle, there are lots of blogs to read of people who liveaboard.
We only moved off because we wanted to have baby in house and not on a narrowboat. Plus by time we moved off I was so big...
DO IT, DO IT, DO IT! (btw I love boat shopping)

NicholasTeakozy · 14/03/2013 19:38

I know a man who lives on a narrowboat, just him and his dog. He loves it, moors up for a few weeks in one place then off he goes to the next place. I do envy him a bit.

Original poster
TheSeventhHorcrux · 14/03/2013 19:45

I like this one! Canal Boat

OP posts:
Camwombat · 14/03/2013 20:06

also look at abnb, whilton marina (good for wide selection), Apollo duck.
that looks reasonably priced, I would want a bit more info about it.
I think I pm'd you.

seeker · 14/03/2013 20:09

I wouldn't live on a canal boat, I would- and do- live on our boat though!

Original poster
TheSeventhHorcrux · 14/03/2013 20:25

What kind of boat do you live on, seeker?

OP posts:
ihategeorgeosborne · 14/03/2013 20:32

I have a lot of friends who live on canal boats. There are many families at our local school on boats. Where we live is a high house price area and if you can't afford to buy and can't afford the high rents, many people don't have much choice. I would do it myself, but with 3 dc, I think it might just be a step too far! It would be lovely in the Summer though I would imagine.

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