How to live on a canal boat

11th January 2021

Considering living on a canal boat with family, a loved one or perhaps solo? Read up on our ultimate guide on how to live on a canal boat now – and consider whether living aboard is the right option for you, or whether multiple canal boat holidays instead would satisfy the inner waterway craving inside you!

Costs of living on a canal boat

Firstly, it’s important to consider the cost implications of living on a canal boat. You’re likely to be expected to pay for the following things:

 

Canal boat equipment

In order to successfully own and manage a canalboat, there is a number of pieces of equipment you will need. They often are provided by various canal boat supplies, and include:

…as well as many more pieces of equipment to keep your afloat home working!

Mooring – fees and availability

Knowing where to moor your narrowboat and whether you’re likely to incur any costs of mooring is an important part of living afloat. Our canal mooring FAQs guide is the best port of call for any queries you have regarding mooring – including if you can moor your canal boat anywhere, residential canal boat mooring spots, and canal mooring fees.

This also refers to service moorings – which are moorings next to water, sewage and refuse disposal points. These types of moorings are a standard part of your living afloat routine – and it’s important to always consider where your next service mooring stop is if you’re travelling on the waterways.

Living on a canal boat vs hiring a canal boat

There are many considerations regarding purchasing a narrowboat – so it’s worth asking yourself whether you’d prefer instead to embark on a canal boat holiday? Our detailed guide which examines the prospect of living on a canal boat vs a canal boat holiday can help you here. Understanding both the financials surrounding buying a canal boat, the general maintenance and management aspect of owning a narrowboat and more.

If you’ve decided a canal boat holiday is the right choice for you, browse our canal boat routes, and canal locations now. Alternatively, get in touch with a member of our friendly team.

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