Has anyone ever lived on a Housboat/Narrow boat?

Southern Scouse

Well-known member

Jul 21, 2011

2,024

• Jul 26, 2013

• #1

After recently being told that I am surplus to requirements after 20 odd years of marriage, I have taken a look at my lifestyle choices and am seriously considering buying a livaboard boat. I have been looking at Dutch Barges as they are wider than the normal narrow barges and as I intend to leave it permanently moored feel it would be a better option.
I am based in the fens so have a few mooring options nearby but it is the day to day information I'm after. I've read lots of blogs and articles about how wonderful and peaceful it is living on a houseboat but nothing about the cons.
If anyone has any knowledge about the subject it would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

Southern Scouse

Well-known member

Jul 21, 2011

2,024

• Jul 26, 2013

• Thread starter
• #2

Mustafa said:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...fortune-selling-house-moving-NARROW-BOAT.html

Click to expand...

Thanks that was interesting. As its only the cat and myself space shouldn't be a problem, and a Lot of them have wood burners, bikers etc for heating. Could be a go-er.

 

perseus

Broad Blue & White stripe

Jul 5, 2003

23,457

Sūþseaxna

• Jul 26, 2013

• #3

Wooden frame in a Humber iron/steel barge is best. Wooden planking is dodgy on dry moorings. Double diagonal is best. Do not rule out concrete (but not if old).

Repair costs are a killer and mooring fees can be as well. I would want a minimum of 14 ft wide inside in the widest part or saloon, living area. Only had seven years. It seemed much longer.

 

Barrel of Fun

Abort, retry, fail

Aug 22, 2005

52,833

Sūþsēaxe: The Land of the South Saxons

• Jul 26, 2013

• #4

A good friend of mine did for a year. I can direct some questions to him.

 

Lord Bracknell

On fire

Jul 5, 2003

39,499

104 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair

• Jul 26, 2013

• #5

I knew a couple of families who lived on houseboats in Shoreham Harbour. They were both completely mad to start with and became madder the longer they lived there. Both gave up eventually - Brian Behan (for it was he) became a professional madman, well known in Brighton and beyond as what his Guardian obituary describes as a "writer and self-publicist". The other family tried to escape from Shoreham by patching their house up with a view to chugging off to France. They were rescued by the RNLI somewhere between Peacehaven and Newhaven.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2002/nov/05/guardianobituaries.booksobituaries