If you’ve been thinking about living onboard or investing in your own canal boat then you’ve come to the right place.
Moving your life onboard is a huge change and lifestyle choice. It’s a great way to enjoy the picturesque countryside views and be amongst the wildlife, however, on the other hand, the winters could be a lot harsh and there may be issues with electricity and heating.
So there’s a lot to consider and it’s well worth researching and speaking to other boat owners to understand what you are getting into and what to expect living on a boat.
We’ve put together a handy checklist for anyone that’s interested in taking the plunge and investing in buying a narrowboat or wide-beam.
1: Take a boating holiday. Living onboard is not a lifestyle for everyone, so it’s best to take a boating holiday for a couple of days to get a feel of what it is like living on a boat.
2: Research. There are lots of things to learn when purchasing a boat, including license, mooring fees, marina fees, insurance, fuel etc. Doing some research around the financial commitments you’ll need to make will help with budgeting and you’ll know exactly how much owning a boat will cost you.
3: Boat size. There are many different types of boats available to choose from depending on your requirements and needs. If you are looking for a boat with extra space, then a wide beam boat is what you need. However, for cruising and travelling along the English waterways buying a narrowboat might be your preferred choice. they offer less storage space but are great for navigating canal systems that wide beam vessels may not be suited to.
4: Mooring. If you have a normal job and the children are still at school then continuously cruising will unlikely be the right option for you. In this case, you’ll need to consider residential moorings so that you can stay at a fixed place, but then also have the freedom to move around if you need to.
5: Boating as a business. Do you want a life afloat because you want to start a business? Head over to the Canal River Trust website to learn more about business boating.
The Canal River Trust is a great place to start to research and look for information that you need to make an informed decision about buying a boat. The Canal River Trust is a charity that looks after the English waterways, and the wildlife habitats and also offers a community space for enthusiasts who enjoy the outdoor spaces.
