Living in on a narrow boat in the UK? Canal Boat Diaries
Posted by CanalBoatWannabe@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 6 comments
I’ve been watching the Canal Boat Diaries on iplayer and was wondering what it’s really like to live on a canal boat or narrow boat.
Has anyone here ever spend any time on the canals of the UK?
What’s it like?
Being constantly on the move sounds great, but maybe mooring up for a while at each stop is better?
Second hand narrow boats seem to go for around £20 to £80 k. Does that sound about right?
How much do they cost to run?
How much are they to hire for 6 months?
What sort of facilities do they have on board?
Any one done this?
Honey-Badger@reddit
I live in London and have a few friends who have done the boat thing, viewing it as a more reasonable option to paying shite loads in rent. I think all of them did it for a year (maybe one guy did it for 2 years) then left, winters were just too harsh for them.
OwnDriver5269@reddit
Why not bring the boat out of the water in winter, rent a seasonal apartment, then after Winter go back into the water?
Honey-Badger@reddit
Then your paying to keep a boat in a dry dock and rent and thus not saving any money
thirdtimesthecharm@reddit
I've been living aboard my narrowboat for 2.5 years now. I'd say it can be a rewarding experience but it requires sacrificing a few comforts. You're also solely responsible for the safety and maintenance of your home. Things do break. Even with maintenance expensive things can and do go wrong. Lack of experience and you'll break your batteries. Lack of planning and you'll be ice cold in the height of winter.
There's a few groups on Facebook (London boaters). I'd strongly suggest reading up a great deal. It won't fully prepare you, there's just too much to cover, but it'll get some of your questions answered by searching.
Above all, make sure you get a survey of you buy. Caveat emptor!
bobstay@reddit
That's true for houses too, though.
Have you looked into LiFePO4 batteries?
No_Reception7275@reddit
It's true to an extent, for things like gas/sewerage/ electricity infrastructure bodies have a certain amount of responsibility to supply your house/keep you safe from things like gas leaks power cuts etc. In a boat you are just on your own