Complete newbie looking for advice

[jeff1980]

Hi,

I am looking to buy and live on a motorboat in the not too distant future but before I do so I need to know a number of things….

Location and Living costs

- The plan is to keep the boat moored somewhere nice and picturesque in the West Yorkshire area… Can anyone recommend anywhere in this area? I’ve heard Skipton is ok??
- What do I need to consider with regards to mooring fees? How much can I expect to pay? And are there any other additional costs to think about such as a boat MOT, special licenses or anything? (I really do know nothing at this stage!)
- Can you get a mortgage for a boat in the same way you can a house?
- What do you do with regards to water/electric/gas etc? and more importantly for me…. internet?

Boat

- The boat does not need to be massive but big enough for one person to live on. I do not want a barge and ideally (this may not be realistic I don’t know) I would like the boat to be sea worthy… not for long distance trips but to take out sea fishing once in a while and maybe to cross the channel to France. This leads me onto my first question regarding the boat… Is it possible to get a boat that is small enough to navigate canals and rivers in the UK and is also sea worthy?
- And what’s the minimum I can expect to pay for such a boat?
- Are there navigable rivers and canal all over the UK? Eg, If I wanted to get down to the south coast from where I am based in West Yorkshire would I be able to do it via canals and rivers?
- And how long would a trip like that take Ie. Are there speed limits on the canals and rivers?

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[sarabande]

Hi Jeff, and welcome.

Your post says you are an organised, planning sort of person, so I start with some of the basic websites like

http://www.canalboat.co.uk/

http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/home

http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/guides/thank-you/353a8d76c99b29baf91d7b79d18fa338


to show you how the canal network spreads over the UK, plus loads of inforamtion about living on baord.

Yes, there are any number of boats which will act as an office/home, and also be OK for crossing to France, or small sea fishing trips.

I suggest the best thing is to get to somewhere with a lot of boats (say the nearest marina to you) and wander round the pontoons asking your questions. You should get a myriad different answers, and see all kinds of mobos. Most importantly, you will meet lots of enthusiastic and knowledgeable people, and gain experience too. Go out and touch boats and talk.

(PS - don't go and buy the first one you fall for ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Come back and ask further advice...)

 

[DavidJ]

Hi Jeff and welcome.
Like all things there is a compromise and you will need to decide how important some things are to you. The seagoing/liveaboard/canal capable boat doesn't exist. Because of the canal lock width restriction you would be talking a very small livaboard boat which would not be safe seagoing or comfortable to live on. Canal boats don't work in the sea. I believe that you have to eliminate one of the three to make progress here.
best of luck

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

The size of the locks is not too big a constraint around Skipton. It is the Leeds Liverpool Canal in this area and the locks will take wide beamed barges but you will find the length is limited to about 62 feet, so unlike the midlands area you should not have too much worry about size of boat, the only real consideration is one of draught, most of the canal system is about 4 feet so for example my boat would not even get in with a draught of 5 feet! But a length of 60 feet and maximum width of about 15 feet would make a most useful vessel for all your needs. I know you said you did not want a barge but have a look at some of the wide beamed barges, very interesting. I did see a company down at the boat show who are based in West Yorkshire (I believe) I think their name was Dolphin, sorry I was just looking not seriously investigating.

Mal

 

[No Regrets]

Water: You need to be close to a Water source!

Power: Either shore power, or a good bank of batteries and power generator, Solar and Powered too.

Internet: Plug in USB wireless modem.

As the nice men said, do a lorra lorra research, and try hiring a boat for two weeks as a taster!

 

[hlb]

I'm not sure if being based in Skipton is conducive to sea boating. Besides theres a world of difference between sea boats and canal boats, for very good reasons. I think you have to decide which way you want to go.

 

[jeff1980]

Thanks for the replies.

I have talked to a few people and it seems (as on here) there are mixed opinions on whether or not I can get a boat that will do both canals and sea.

Basically, the main 2 requirements are that the boat must be big enough to live on but small enough to navigate UK canals, but, it would also be good if the boat was capable on going out to sea (not far out) for occasional fishing trips.

With the above in mind can anyone recommend a boat or type of boat that may be suitable? (I assume the sea fishing would rule out a barge)

 

[hlb]

It's not even a question of big or small. There are loads of big canal boats and many small sea boats. A sea master or a Freeman, might be your answer. But neither particulary roomy, or good on the sea.