Cary Grant and Sophia Loren found romance on one, and Damien Hirst recently bought one. Critics wonder why anyone would want to live in a glorified broom cupboard where a small misstep means banging your head painfully or drowning. For enthusiasts, it’s a fantasy-alternative to traditional homes and holidays and one of the last expressions of a traditional folk-culture. Stephanie Thomson tests the water and asks whether it’s really worth it to live on a houseboat.
Faced with rocketing property prices, pollution, the daily commuter gridlock and routine, living on a houseboat seems like an attractive alternative lifestyle – particularly in the overcrowded city. But is reality as romantic as the dream? For those not put off by basic amenities, cramped quarters, a lot of work and a lot of water, a houseboat may seem worth considering – but it’s worth weighing up the facts.
In order to navigate Britain’s 2,000 miles of internal waterways, boats have to have a strict size limit. A Dutch barge may be as wide as 14ft, but to get through the narrowest locks on the system, you will need a narrow boat – often up to 60ft long, but less than 7ft wide. And even on the larger boats, the lack of available space will mean doing without all but the barest necessities.
The other main issue for most houseboat owners is the cost. It’s true that buying a houseboat is significantly cheaper than buying a flat – prices can start as low as £20,000 – but necessary additional costs quickly add up. Along with a boat, you’ll find yourself paying for:
Moorings – Residential moorings are limited, especially in London, and can cost upwards of £2,000 a year.
A licence – You need one to travel on canals and rivers run by British Waterways (the largest navigational authority) or other agencies. The cost will vary depending on the size of your boat and the provisions of the licence.
Insurance – You will need both boat insurance and third-party insurance in order to get a licence. The cost can vary, but a general rule-of-thumb is about 0.5 per cent of the value of the boat.
A Boat Safety Certificate – Your boat will need to meet a certain standard for waterway licencing. If you are buying a boat, check whether it has a current valid certificate or be sure you know exactly what work’s required to bring it up to standard.
A Survey – A mortgage lender will require a valuation and hull integrity assessment before extending you a boat loan. As a rough guide, this can cost £250–£300.
And don’t forget other running costs like fuel, heating, engine oil and repairs or maintenance.
Quick Contacts
British Waterways: www.britishwaterways.co.uk or 01923 226422
Details on all canals and waterways run by the authority, information and advice on all aspects of boat ownership and canal safety, as well as a database of boat hire companies and links to other sites.
Environment Agency: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Acts as the navigational authority for the River Thames.
London Tourist Board: www.londontown.com or 020 7932 2000
Information about holidays, short breaks and events in and around London.
London Walks: www.london.walks.com or 020 7624 3978
Regular guided walks along London’s canal banks
Canal Junction: canaljunction.com.
Entertaining and useful site about all aspects of canal boating.
The Inland Waterways Show is being held from 29 June – 1 July this year at the NEC National Indoor Arena in Birmingham. Ring 0121 767 4430 for ticket information or visit the NEC website at www.necgroup.co.uk for further details.
Getting on the water
If you want to try boating for yourself, there are several options for getting your feet wet.
Many companies offer day trips, restaurant boats or ‘hotel cruises’ on canals. Local tourist boards, mooring centres and the nearest British Waterways office all have details on boating holidays. Specialist boating magazines can also provide useful contacts.
Boat hire companies are a good first port of call for novices looking to gain experience on the water. You don’t need any previous experience, but you will need to be fairly fit and energetic and have at least one other person on board to help with navigation and locks. A reputable company will offer you instruction and support in handling a boat as well as insurance and service backup. Contact your local tourist board or British Waterways for help in finding licenced companies.
If you decide you want to buy a boat, there are several issues to consider. New boats are often built to order by specialist boat builders – canal boat magazines are useful for making initial inquiries. However, most new canal boat owners choose a second-hand boat as their initial investment is lower. While it’s true a second-hand boat may need more maintenance initially, it is also more likely to have the basic fittings and facilities you need – including things a novice may forget to arrange for when buying a new boat. Again, British Waterways and specialist publications are excellent places to start looking. Second-hand boats are available from marinas and boatyards, through brokers and estate agents in areas around canals and by private sale.
To consider when choosing a boat:
· Which waters will you be navigating? Some of the smaller locks on canals measure only 60 or 70ft long and 7ft wide. Your boat will need to be smaller than this if you plan to navigate these areas.
· What will you use the boat for? How often will you use it? You can get away with very basic facilities on board if you only plan to use your boat for day trips or short stays, but if you plan to use it more often or live on the boat, you will need many more amenities.
· How much work are you prepared for? All boats need regular maintenance and upkeep, but some are more demanding than others.