There is a lot of information on the internet about living on narrowboats, barges or canal boats. We have a selection of narrowboats for sale on the inland waterways and we also have Dutch barges and more unusual boats, barges and project boats for sale. Some of our customers have questions about which kind of boat is most suitable for living aboard?

I have been living on a narrowboat for twelve years and so I thought it would be helpful to provide a simple list of pros and cons as an introduction into this subject.

The debatable downsides to living on a boat can include;

Cold
Damp
Vandalism
Burglary
Limited privacy
Limited storage space
Getting rid of your own sewage
Filling the water tank
The cost of engine maintenance and repairs
The cost of blacking the hull
Trips to the launderette

However, not all boaters experience these problems. Many of these issues can be resolved for example, by reviewing your heating and ventilation systems, and knowing safer places to moor. In twelve years I have not been vandalised, and was burgled once: when I had a mooring. Costs are manageable if you research your budget and keep emergency savings for surprise repairs. As for the chores it can be a matter of attitude. A friend of mine used to enjoy his regular cruise to the Elsan sewage disposal point, as he said it always included a stop at a canal side pub on the way!

If you don’t have a mooring you may miss having a postal address, a land line and an electric supply at 240 volts. But this can be surmounted by paying for a mail box service, budgeting for a mobile phone and mobile internet and running a generator.

The Pros.

The people you meet, and the friends you make
Swans and ducks as your neighbours
Keeping fit by walking and doing locks
Views of rural landscapes
Freedom
Tranquillity
Taking your home and possessions travelling
The romance of roses and castles
Moving your home to the town or country as the whim takes you
Feeling a bit special when someone says, “Ooh, you live on a boat! That’s interesting!”

My two lists are by no means exhaustive, and one man’s cons are another man’s pros. So much of it is down to the individual and what you want out of life. Some of it is down to the size and style of the boat you can afford and whether you are travelling or moored up. Each option offers its own ups and downs.

If you’re simply curious to see the different décor and layouts inside narrowboats and other boating homes then try browsing our liveaboard boats for sale. There are up to 80 photos of every boat, and they can be viewed as a slide show. Even though I’ve got a lovely boat I still enjoy looking at boats for sale on our website, it’s a good alternative to nosily peering into narrowboat windows on the towpath….

Peggy Melmoth
www.narrowboatwife.blogspot.com

You may also like:
Living on a Boat: The Boatshed Guide / Who Works on the Waterways in 2012? / Canal Diary 2012 / A slideshow of our boat of the moment. / Blog Archive

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