Moorings for narrowboats?

Question

I want to live on a narrowboat within London; what's the best mooring to rent/are there any moorings to buy?

Something within easy commutable distance to central'd be lovely, as would a lot of greenery. Thing is, I don't want to be on a stuffy mooring, as I'd like to host a couple of parties. That said, I don't want security to suffer.

What's the best thing for me to do?

Answer 1

I am sorry but "get real" comes to mind.

Moorings are hard to find, very expensive, within places which do not like "parties" and unless within one of the more secure marinas are open house for the rogue element who will wish to remove your belongings.

If you wish to pursue the quest then approach British Waterways who will advise you and who will be the landlord if you are on the canal system.

Start by going to the British Waterways website below and follow through the links to get the info you need.

Answer 2

May I ask why you want to live on a narrowboat? Do you already have a narrowboat and just want a mooring? Or are you hoping that living on a narrowboat will be cheap? If the latter, you will be disillusioned.

Moorings are very expensive in the London area because that's where a lot of people would like to more their boat. Available residential moorings are as rare as hen's teeth. So it is more likely that you will have to accept the first mooring opportunity you come across rather than actually have a choice let alone a choice of the best mooring to rent/buy! Commonly the mooring is sold with a boat which is often a poor buy at the lower end of the market.

Look here for examples : http://www.vcmarine.co.uk/fsres.htm
and read these: http://www.canaljunction.com/boat/liveaboard1.htm
http://www.mike-stevens.co.uk/metrocuts/moorings.htm (Mike Stevens is an acknowledged expert on London canals)
http://www.rboa.org.uk/qa.html (Residential Boat Owners Association)

Good luck with your search for an affordable mooring!

Answer 3

Hi,
Don't moor up in London.
It is full of bandits.
I used to moor up on the GU in rural Bucks.
A short drive in the land machine to the local tiny station, and I am in Kings Cross in thirty minuutes.
Whoopee, I said to myself one morning, jigger this.
Back on the boat, now semi-retired with a decent pay-off,
operating what I used to do via a laptop & mobile.
Oh, and the boat batteries. Always the bank is fully charged !
Much more fun, more achieved without silly distractions, no coffee machine, but a fine view of the surroundings, whrAh, that wevever I may be.
Trouble is the fish spawning between me and the bank at the moment. It creates a flapping noise
Hold on. I will go and crank the engine up.
Ah, 2-3 mins later, they have gone away.
Flapping away elsewhere.
So go for a rural mooring, I would not leave my narroboat off season in London. It is is in a rural location. All is well, despite The short drive to load it up up with goodies, and go for a two or three week chug is no problem.
Anyway, from here , I stock up a bit with grub & beers tommorrow morning., and I am currently on a "sparce" part of tyhe system. No worries.

All the best fellow boatie,

Seasoned Bob the Boat.

Oh, feel free to email me on the tub.
It is [e-mail]/boat
This system doesn't give you the hyperlink.
Hey Ho, and on we go !

Answer 4

Anywhere on the Thames or inside the London area would incur amazing mooring charges!

Have you considered somewhere like Aylesbury which is an easy train journey into London?

Answer 5

Liverpool in the UK is easy to reach by motorway, rail and air, and the Liverpool Marina is just minutes from the city centre, which includes a number of fine hotels, should you wish to stay overnight. Our marina berths for yacht, canal boat is plentiful and you can relax in the knowledge that we have excellent security facilities monitoring the car park and surrounding areas.
http://www.liverpoolmarina.com/

Answer 6

Contact the Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA). They have all the info on living afloat. Start by buying their book "Living Afloat". Membership is £15 per year.

http://www.rboa.org.uk