bedsit or boat???

[Micky]

Hi a pal of mine and his girl friend are living in a rented room 12ftx13ft at a rent of £49.00 per week. There is no cooking facilities they use a micro oven in the room, electric is on a metre etc.
They are thinking of buying a small 18 to 21ft cabin cruiser boat to live on, not very big but more space then their room + they say it will get them out and about. They have a rented mooring sorted out and the max size of boat restricts them to 21ft, however, they don't know what to buy, can you help and suggest the best type/make of boat you think would be suitable for their new adventure. They are on a tight budget of £5000.00. Thanks for any advice.

PS, they are claiming benifit, do you know if they would still be entitled to claim when they make the move. Thanks.

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[Talbot]

I would think that a 21ft boat would have a lot less space than their existing room. I would not even consider this at that size of boat. Presumably they are looking at a mooring that needs a boat to get ashore and has no electricity. Heating will be a nightmare, Living in such a small boat in winter is going to be terrible. Dont do it!

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[asj1]

I assume by Benefit you mean Housing Benefit. I thought this only pays for rent or possibly a mortgage, it is unlikely it will pay for a boat, unless rented.

I agree - don't do it

<hr width=100% size=1>Andrew

 

[Micky]

It is disability allowances DLA.

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[Courageous]

I should imagine a disability allowance would be unaffected by this move however if your friends have not looked at any boats and are unaware of the space limitations afforded by a boat of this size then I respectfully suggest they look now. A drive to any marina or boatyard would reveal many boats of this length and give some idea of the restrictions. This really is too small as Talbot says......

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[Andrew_Fanner]

Shortest Springer type narrowboat, 20' long, a bit under 7' wide. Only thing I can think of with much headroom. Fairly square bow/stern so not much space lost there.

Receipt of DLA does not suggest that a boat is going to be very suitable.

<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.

 

[Trevethan]

The nature of disability could affect the type of boat -- vision loss is a pain on somewhere where you have to duck and doge to avoid hitting head and you woin't standing headroom in anything under 25 - 27 foot.

Other physical problems can be tough to cope with on smaller boats too. Of course will depend on benefit officer, but I would wonder if the peron is able enough to live on a boat they might be able enough to get a job?

To get the soace they need they should be looking at 27 foot or so, and ideally should be in a marina -- all of which cost.



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[ccscott49]

Find a bigger room, a boat of this size will be smaller than the room they are in and a nightmare in the winter.

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[Sea Devil]

Try South Dock Marina on the Thames just down stream of Tower Bridge -

a few years since I was there but lots of live aboards - in unseaworthy but floating boats many on benefit which paid their moorings - may have changed in the intrim but there were frequently inexpensive boats for sale.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[ashley]

Is the MV picton still for sale or was it picked up fro £600?

<hr width=100% size=1>Live life to the fullest... think of all the people on the Titanic who passed up chocolate dessert.

 

[Trevethan]

I don't think Picton could make it to London -- I wonder how Noah is doing these days. Gone very quiet.

Most of the boats in South Dock appear fairly seaworthy.

The odd trawler project that seems to have ground to a halt and is gently falling apart.



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[kilkerr1]

Agree with others who say 21ft much too small to live on full-time. Our boat is 21 ' 7" and the thought of living for a serious amount of time in this space makes me shudder. It'll be a lot smaller than their room, plus they won't have standing headroom - not necessary for sailing but for living in..? Makes my back hurt just thinking about it. And then there's the heating. No, no, no! They will surely need something considerably bigger for living on.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://kilkerr.members.easyspace.com/santateresa_pics.htm>Santa Teresa and other t'ings</A>

 

[Micky]

Cheers chaps, have just shown Andy here, my pal, all your comments, they have got the message and they have decided to go for a 4 berth caravan. They also send their thanks for the advice.

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[Courageous]

Jeez lads! Can't believe we just steered a pair of potential yotties into the world of caravans........ Shame upon us!

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[davidfox]

At least you can stand up in a bedsit - dont do it

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