Living aboard a Canal Boat

Becoming a liveaboard, residential moorings, continuous cruising, choosing a liveaboard boat, finding a mooring

Many people live on boats on the UK canal system, and most people do it because it is the life they choose and love.

Living on a canal boat can seem to be a very pleasant existence when you conjure up images of brightly painted cosy craft tied up in alongside sunny country fields or in handy, friendly, economic city centre marinas, able to move on whenever the mood takes you.

However the reality of being a 'liveaboard' is not quite so straightforward. There are a multitude of rules and regulations that you have to be aware of and a range of things to consider that you would not have to bother about if you were 'ashore'. Above all there is a great shortage of residential moorings.

And, right here at the start, a heartfelt plea from Canal Junction!
Please don't email us to ask if we can help you find a residential mooring - we can't! All the advice and helpful information we have is here, we are holding nothing back! Finding a residential mooring can be desperately difficult!

life afloat
So who wants to live on a canal boat?
Retired people wanting to see the countryside sell the house, buy a boat and invest the rest. People opting out of the rat race and downshifting, especially if they can work from home.
Anyone wanting budget accommodation in an expensive area such as a city centre. People who just like canals and wanting a view of water from their window.
Overseas visitors wanting an economical extended tour of the real UK. Anyone wanting or needing to be mobile.
We've got information about finding moorings, finding a boat and some useful contacts.
You may want to be based in a city, countryside or regularly move. Deciding on where to moor your boat is probably the most crucial decision you have to make. What does it cost to liveaboard? Nick Scott is an experienced liveaboard, now running training cruises for would-be liveaboards. He's answering common queries for us.
You also have to find the right boat. A boat designed for a family holiday will not meet the needs of a couple living aboard. How do you find your right boat? Buying your boat, how to buy, does it need a survey, how to finance it? More practical advice from experienced liveaboard and course provider Nick Scott.
Contacts
There's a Residential Boat Owners Association at www.rboa.org.uk  and also the National Association of Boat Owners at www.nabo.org.uk . British Waterways have a site at www.waterscape.com . The canals newsgroup uk.rec.waterways has many contributors who live or have lived aboard and is a good source of advice and information.
Scott Marine Services offer boat handling & maintenance training and narrowboat design & purchase consultancy specifically for intending 'liveaboards'.


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