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Living aboard a canal boat
LIVEABOARDS' BLOG - a life afloat
Donna, Mark and Inky (their greyhound)
recently took the giant leap of
giving up their cosy three bedroomed life on dry land, disposing of years of
accumulated 'stuff', to become 'Liveaboards'; and they are
going to keep us up to date with their experiences. Make sure you read their very
informative and amusing
Liveaboards' Blog.
1. Leaving Dry Land
2. Towpath Foraging
3. The Crick Boat Show
4. The Journey Begins
Becoming a canal 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 almost idyllic, conjuring up images of brightly painted cosy craft tied up alongside sunny country fields or in handy, friendly, economic city centre marinas, able to move on whenever the mood or the weather or the job may take you.
However the reality of being a 'liveaboard' is not quite so straightforward. There are still 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'. You have to find the right boat, work out how to get the supplies and services you will need and consider how you will keep in touch with the rest of the world (assuming you want to!). Above all there is a great shortage of permanent 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 would love to be able to help - but we can't! All the advice and helpful information we have is right here, we are holding nothing back! Unfortunately finding a residential mooring, especially in cities, can be desperately difficult!
First you need ..
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.
Now the boat
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?
The tricky bit
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.
What it costs
What does it cost to liveaboard? Nick Scott is an experienced liveaboard, now running training cruises for would-be liveaboards. He answers common queries for us.
More information
- 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. And Scott Marine Services.