Ever thought of living on a boat?
As you sit with your coffee or glass of wine, and look through your many photo memories, you may consider making a more permanent lifestyle change to live on the water. If you want to “try out” a narrow boat then you could hire a narrow boat for 1 or 2 weeks.
The narrowboat holiday experience
carefree Fox Narrowboat holiday
A narrowboat break offers a carefree experience. Many basic amenities are included in the cost, such as fuel for the boat, car parking while you are away cruising, towels, bedlinen and WIFI. Much like when you check out from a hotel room, at the end of your holiday, you return your narrowboat to the pickup point, where it is checked over and maintained, refreshed and replenished for use by the next customer. You can find the answer to many of your questions about what costs are covered on a narrowboat holiday at:
https://www.foxboats.co.uk/faq/
Living full time on a narrowboat
permanently living on a narrowboat
However, the reality of full-time living on the water, requires more planning. Once you have decided to make a narrowboat your permanent home, when looking for your ideal residence, the price you pay for your boat, reflects the level of convenience and luxury you are looking for.
How much does it cost to build a narrowboat?
How much does it cost to live on a narrowboat?
You’ll be responsible for fuel, mooring fees, licensing, and maintenance. Consider making a list of your current living expenses to look at how the day-to-day running costs compare to those of living on dry land.
narrowboat mooring couple
Mooring fees
Mooring fees are calculated by the length of your boat and the area it is to be located. Like house prices, they can be much higher in certain parts of the country than others, so you could check to see how these compare to the Council Tax you pay if you own or rent your current home.
Annual boat licence
Much like any vehicle where you will currently pay for road tax, MOT and insurance, to cruise your boat on inland waterways, you are required to have an annual boating licence along with a Boat Safety Scheme certificate – valid for four years and a current insurance policy. Information on licencing can be obtained at:
Canal & River Trust Long Term Licence PDF
Middle Level Commissioners
Specialist boat insurance
Specialist insurance companies can advise on the appropriate cover you will need. However, if you are not looking for permanent moorings and want to be a ‘continuous cruiser’, do bear in mind you will need to move your boat to a different neighbourhood at least every fourteen days. This can involve additional costs like taxis or public transport if you maintain a car and need to move it to your new mooring location.
Fox narrowboats recommend Yacht Master Insurance
Other costs
As well as the cost of fuel (diesel) to run your boat and Wi-Fi connection, there is heating to consider.
When at a permanent mooring, you might have the option of paying for plug-in electricity onsite. However, many owners opt for the cosiness and ambience of a dual fuel system, with coal and wood burning stoves or a separate Calor gas water heater. Using a generator when the engine is running, is a reasonably cheap way to produce electricity when cruising, with just the oil to pay for.
More minor expenses taken for granted on land also add up. Emptying a pump-out toilet comes with a charge, although using a cassette model is usually free and can be emptied when you fill up your water tank. Laundry can be done on board if you have a portable washing machine, although drying is also important as condensation might be a problem, particularly in the colder months. So another essential expense could be using a launderette.
So, to summarise, the cost of living on a narrowboat varies and depends on your individual choices. One couple’s experience that might be helpful, can be found at:
https://barryandsandra.com/the-costs-of-living-on-a-narrowboat/
Maybe you would want to consider a trial period or “hybrid” living situation initially to get a better sense of ongoing expenses. While the financial aspects are important, the unique charm of life on Britain’s waterways is a priceless experience, unlike any other.
