Barge conversion for multiple live aboard

[karlm]

Hello ladies/gents,

I'm considering purchasing an old barge to renovate and convert into multiple family living aboard (4 self-contained dwellings) to site on a permanent mooring. Does anyone have any experience/advice in this field. Is it cost effective (running costs, maintenance, depreciation), are there any pitfalls, any recommendations for yards to do the work, budgets........ or would I just be better off buying 4 small flats? Anything offered, gratefully accepted.

 

[Nautorius]

Hello ladies/gents,

I'm considering purchasing an old barge to renovate and convert into multiple family living aboard (4 self-contained dwellings) to site on a permanent mooring. Does anyone have any experience/advice in this field. Is it cost effective (running costs, maintenance, depreciation), are there any pitfalls, any recommendations for yards to do the work, budgets........ or would I just be better off buying 4 small flats? Anything offered, gratefully accepted.

First problem is finding a suitable mooring and securing it as they normally have boats on it. Secondly you cannot get a normal mortgage on a boat and so it has to be cash or Marine Mortgage. Thirdly you would need to rent it out and fourthly there would not be room for 4 dwellings. lastly it is harder to convert a boat than a house and lastly buy 4 flats...resale on a boat (or barge) is not great...!

Sorry to sound negative but it is not really a good idea unless you buy a big ship and convert it....something like http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1966/Mega-Steel-Day-Cruiser--2189641/Greece#.UqGlm1Vwa70

But when where would you moor her?

 

[Shannoner]

Hello ladies/gents,

I'm considering purchasing an old barge to renovate and convert into multiple family living aboard (4 self-contained dwellings) to site on a permanent mooring.

Have to agree with Nautorius, It would want to be a very very big barge or a small ship for "4 self-contained dwellings". People tend to think the inside space of a stripped out barge is huge, but when fitted out you'd be surprised how the interior space shrinks. There are quite a lot of 70ft to 80 ft wide beam barges on the Shannon, and I have been on board a few, they are fitted out beautifully, but what always surprises me is, for their length the living space is limited, no bigger than a small 1 bed flat.