Question for Liveaboards?

Question

Next week I will be viewing a narrowboat with the intention of living on board. As well as the usual questions regarding mooring fees etc what else should I be asking?

Answer 1

There are many marinas who allow live-aboard owners, particularly on the canals, it is very common. Some even offer a slightly reduced rate - because it is good for security to have people about at most times, though this is rare. You may, however, not desire a marina berth - preferring so-called 'continuous slow cruising'. Though, because of winter maintenance on 'the cut' by British Waterways, which creates annual 'stoppages' (well publicised in advance and, I believe, directly notified if you are a toll payer) you need to bear in mind where you plan to be for the winter and consider a berth for those months.

All the monthly magazines about the canals and inland waterways regularly carry features on living aboard and, if you are considering owning a boat on these waterways in any context, they are essential reading anyway.

Be sure the intended vessel already carries a Boat Safety Certificate, get a survey done on her (only the one you really want, not every one you look at) which will cost upwards of £300, depending on her length. If the engine compartment (particularly) looks like an oily "pickle-of-s**t" and spaghetti, forget it. And also, importantly - especially if she is already being lived on by the vendor - and a point often overlooked - be sure that the contract of sale ensures 'completion' on the agreed hand-over date "With Vacant Possession"!

Happy cruising and good luck.

Answer 2

What you're really asking is "I need to be able to do my own hull & engine surveys- how do I start?"

First, is the boat wood, fiberglass, steel or ferrocement? If its wood, take a small pen knife and go down near the bottom of the transom, and using the smallest blade, gentle poke the wood- what you're looking for is wood rot. Do this in a few more places where the wood is always wet- this gives you an idea of how sound the hull is

Fiberglass? Ask when the last time it was outhauled, painted and the zinc's replaced

Steel is its own killer- look behind the places where the steel has really bad rust.

Ferrocement- once again, you're looking for rust, has it been parked next to a large metallic mass, and has its zinc's been replaced every year? How thick is the hull? Tap on the concrete firmly but lightly- what you're listening for is hollow sounds which means holes in the hull materal.

Look around the portholes, and hatches- sighs of water damage, or water leaks?

Engines? Do they run? Are they freshwater or saltwater cooled? How old are the batterys? Signs of corrosion (Neglect?) or are they very clean? Squeeze the hoses- spongey, like they're going to blow open? Swollen, showing they need to be replaced? Pull the oil's dipstick- water in the oil, meaning theres a blown head gasket or possibly a cracked engine block?

Does the boat smell musty from lack of use? Or does it smell damp from water condensation?

Good Luck- oh, and please give me the 10 points! :)

Answer 3

Everything is a compromise what you need vs what you want vs what you can afford.
I have lived aboard a sailboat and cruised to from Norfolk, Virginia to Panama and back. You have to ask yourself will I be using the boat to go out as well. Power or sail what will it cost to live aboard? Will fuel be a large cost? Will I be cooking on Lpg stove or electric? Is the boat large enough and is there a need for air condition? How will I heat the boat when needed? Will I be living at anchor or at a marina? Will I need to work while living on the boat? Will I need a dink to get back and forth from the boat? Will I need a car or will a bike do? If at a marina will they allow liveaboards? All these are questions you need to ask yourself before you look at a boat.

Answer 4

Lots of good answers here (and quite a lot of silly ones) !

Problem is that the question as you asked it has not told us about:
1. your lifestyle, expectations, and where/how to accomodate your possessions on a vessel.
2. what area you are in, for local regulations, ordinances, taxation and insurance issues
3. the vessel condition, age, cost of purchase, cost of upkeep, and cost of berthing or mooring, etc.
4. your previous boating experiences

I want to give you good answers, from my own experiences living aboard boats in Europe and the USA, but so far, the answers from Bigpathome, fordguy, benthic_man, Stephen_H, Girly Brains, Tugboat, Michael_H, QuiteNew, 2Janus2, and a few others have really good opinions.

Please tell us a bit more about your background, expectations, and previous boating experiences, and we can add more specific things to help you make a decision.

Answer 5

Where was it made, when it was made are two important ones. Those made in the temperate zones, are built to withstand weather, has enough insulation for cold winters ( very important) ."When" determines the maintenance requirements as type of materials, type of maintenance also come to the negotiation table. Ask for the last maintenance checklist and who did it. When is the next scheduled maintenance, drydock location, how much did he pay for the last one, what were the problems found?

Check the plumbing, the electricity source, water source, sanitary/sewage etc requirements. During winters, what moorage services can be expected? Planks can be icy and slippery, who salts them, back up generators, how much extra to hook one up? Does the water around the boat ever freeze up? How often do the moorage fees change?

That is usually a problem. Check the other places you can moor the boat, ask other boat owners which one they recommend.

What are the rules for this particular moorage site? You might not like no christmas lights, no alcohol on deck, no undershirts or nudity nor profanity, no barbeque smoke?

People who live on boats normally complain a lot about the perpetual motion of the waves in the beginning, bathroom facilities, or its absence , noise by the next door neighbor, icy gangplanks during winter and no space to hang laundry throughour their stay. A house boat is said to be more comfortable.

Answer 6

1. When was the last time it was bottom painted?
2. Did it have any blisters on the gel coat under the water line?
3. Has it been surveyed , and may I review it?
4 Are the engines fresh water cooled? (very important if in salt water)
5. Check engines for leaks because if the engines or generator was exposed to freezing temperatures the engine blocks can be cracked.
6. air conditioner/ heating works well and water pump is in good shape.
7. potable water system has no leaks.
Spend a little money to have it surveyed, it will save you money and give you piece of mind.

Answer 7

Questions relating to the material condition of the hull would include
Last changeout of the cathodic protection.

Service history of the engines (Look at the engine logs for maintenance and repairs, and # of hours on the engine) If there IS no engine-log, you'll need to have a marine mechanic look it/them over.

Inspect the masts and rigging.

Volume and condition of all tanks, (fuel, PW, grey, and CHT) and all associated plumbing and equipment..

Generator output, battery history, (Old batteries will be needing replacement sooner than newer ones) and wiring condition.

Presence and condition of Coastguard-required items that the owner will not be transfering to a new boat.

Hull condition, inside and outside. Check for wear and cavitation damage to the rudder and screw, and electrolosys damage to any hull fittings below the waterline.

The latter group is going to require a hauling-out and the attentions of a marine surveyor. If they have recently had this done, they will have on-hand a signed surveyors report for you to review. That report will cover a lot of te afforementioned items. These are things that I, as a retired Navy "snipe" would look at heavily. The rest are comfort items such as ventlation, galley, and living-space matters. If something is not to your liking, temember that making changes other than minor/cosmetic ones are far more involved and expensive than to a house.

Answer 8

If you contact Virginia Currer Marine Ltd
Delta House
Delta Way
Thorpe Egham
Surrey TW20
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
Mob [phone]
They have a fact sheet which is very informative
I work for a charity which caters for disabled and we have
four boats based at Harlow in Essex.
If you want advice we have several people who have their own boats who are very knowledgeable.
If you would like to come and see our boats you would be
welcome.
It is The Canal Boat Project
Based at the Moorhen Pub
Harlow.
Phone [phone]
Phone first to find the best time
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Michael

Answer 9

When was the last time it was dry docked. Is there any rust below the water line. Can the boat get underway. how often do you start the engines. Do you have a list of the maintenance procedures that was done to the boat and when they were done. Has there ever been a fire on-board.
These are just a few questions that you should ask the owner especially if your planning to buy it.

Answer 10

Have you thought about buying a real boat and keep it on the sea.
Narrowboats are over priced for what you get.
You are dictated to where you can go, have to pay for every inch of water you sail over (if you can call it sailing).
The waterways are over crowded and many of the narrowboats are driven by people who don't their stern from their bow.
For the same sort of money you can get a decent yacht or motor yacht, go where you like (subject to weather) and the mooring fees can be very minimal.