boating information

Living Aboard

Ahh the dream! It is remarkable how many people sell their house and take to a life on the water with no previous experience of boating. Mooring up at a tranquil spot might seem like a heavenly way to escape the rat race. However being iced in with the water running low, the toilet tank overflowing and the nearest shop a three mile walk along a wet boggy towpath might not be quite what you had in mind. Sadly people do find that after a few months they realise that life afloat is not how they want to spend their time. For most people though, a life afloat is everything they dreamed of and the proverbial wild horses would not persuade them to go back to a house on land.

If you do fancy living on a boat, pay careful attention to where you will moor. Residential moorings can be extremely hard to come by, particularly in the south of England, and can cost much more than renting a flat. A marina mooring may have the convenience of facilities close at hand, but you have to be prepared to live a few feet from your neighbour. The alternative is to be a Continuous Cruiser and move progressively around the system. Be aware, however that this is not compatible with fixed schools or places of work. If you are fortunate enough to be able to work from your boat, or have escaped the confines of a place of work, then the freedom this lifestyle entails can be a very rewarding experience. Some people choose to combine the freedom of continuous cruising during the summer months with a fixed mooring during the winter months when many locks are closed for repairs. Winter moorings are often available at marinas or through British Waterways.

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