East coast marinas/ yards that permit 'liveaboarding'?

N

NealB

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 Feb 2006
Messages
7,674
Location
Burnham on Crouch
Visit site
Enquiring for a friend (yes, really!).

They want to 'liveaboard' a shoal draft TSDY.

They want easy, walk ashore, access.

Does anyone know of any east coast locations where that is permitted, please?

I would guess that the twin props will sit quite happily in nice soft, east coast, mud, so a drying berth could well be viable.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
Hull marina and both ones at Goole definitely allow live aboard suspect Grimsby do too.

Although judging by everyone else on this "east coast" forum you mean Lowestoft and south rather than the actual east coast. ?
 
This has been done to death, hasn't it?

I don't know of any marina that formally allows you to live aboard, as they don't have residential planning permission, they are classed like holiday caravan parks.

You will need to have a land based address to keep the marina happy and to satisfy your doctor and bank.

It is best not to declare your intention lest you are tuned away from the start.

You live under the radar and have no security, so it is best not to rock the boat, or you will be asked to leave.

Your berth is a simple commercial contract, not a tenancy. A contract, licence to occupy or lease, protects the landlord, only a tenancy protects a tenant.

That is, unless you can find a freehold mooring with planning to buy.

All the same, many people manage to, despite the difficulties. The only way, is to try it and see how you get on.

“Definitely allow live aboard,” most likely turn a blind eye to as does Brighton.
 
hinch said:
Hull marina and both ones at Goole definitely allow live aboard suspect Grimsby do too.

Although judging by everyone else on this "east coast" forum you mean Lowestoft and south rather than the actual east coast. ?
Click to expand...

Leighb said:
Lots of liveaboards in Ipswich Haven, don’t know if they just turn a blind eye or give explicit consent.
Click to expand...

Thanks to hinch and Leighb.

I'll pass them on.
 
The discussions are usually on the Liveaboard forum, although Lucy52 has summarised it well. I would, however add that there are all sorts of places other than marinas on the east coast where it is possible to berth a boat and live aboard, although not easy to find as they don't advertise. It is however a marginal existence where essentially you have no residential rights and in may cases it is not easy to combine living on a boat with a more conventional working and social lifestyle. In particular winter living - even in a posh marina can be a real challenge!
 
Tranona said:
The discussions are usually on the Liveaboard forum, although Lucy52 has summarised it well. I would, however add that there are all sorts of places other than marinas on the east coast where it is possible to berth a boat and live aboard, although not easy to find as they don't advertise. It is however a marginal existence where essentially you have no residential rights and in may cases it is not easy to combine living on a boat with a more conventional working and social lifestyle. In particular winter living - even in a posh marina can be a real challenge!
Click to expand...

Thank you Tranona.

I'm not sure that I've ever noticed the 'liveaboard' forum: I'll take a look.
 
Tranona said:
The discussions are usually on the Liveaboard forum, although Lucy52 has summarised it well. I would, however add that there are all sorts of places other than marinas on the east coast where it is possible to berth a boat and live aboard, although not easy to find as they don't advertise. It is however a marginal existence where essentially you have no residential rights and in may cases it is not easy to combine living on a boat with a more conventional working and social lifestyle. In particular winter living - even in a posh marina can be a real challenge!
Click to expand...

Is it not possible to have heating on a boat ?
Lucy52 said:
This has been done to death, hasn't it?

I don't know of any marina that formally allows you to live aboard, as they don't have residential planning permission, they are classed like holiday caravan parks.
Click to expand...

They do exist, for instance, St Kats is full of them, other places on the Thames too. I also know of small boatyard type places that allow liveaboards, as well as more than one marina. I wouldn't publicise them on an open forum though, just in case some of them don't have official planning.

You will need to have a land based address to keep the marina happy and to satisfy your doctor and bank.
Click to expand...


Incorrect.

It is best not to declare your intention lest you are tuned away from the start.

You live under the radar and have no security, so it is best not to rock the boat, or you will be asked to leave.

Your berth is a simple commercial contract, not a tenancy. A contract, licence to occupy or lease, protects the landlord, only a tenancy protects a tenant.

That is, unless you can find a freehold mooring with planning to buy.

All the same, many people manage to, despite the difficulties. The only way, is to try it and see how you get on.

“Definitely allow live aboard,” most likely turn a blind eye to as does Brighton.
Click to expand...

All true, not sure about the "despite the difficulties" bit though.

Shouldn't be anything too "difficult" about living on a well prepared yacht. Camping on some pile of old crap might be a different matter.

Although i have a house, i spend extended time onboard and i don't have any difficulties at all, i have even spent time onboard in the Winter and it's very cosy.
 
Whilst I agree with Paul that you don't necessarily *need* a land address to satisfy your doctor or bank, unless you're an official liveaboard it does make life easier

Banks aren't keen on people who are legally of no fixed abode and GP surgeries can sometimes just be plain bolshy!

Both problems are greatly eased if the marina are sufficiently blind in the relevant eye to accept you receiving post at their address :) but problems can and do occur
 
PaulRainbow said:
Is it not possible to have heating on a boat ?

They do exist, for instance, St Kats is full of them, other places on the Thames too. I also know of small boatyard type places that allow liveaboards, as well as more than one marina. I wouldn't publicise them on an open forum though, just in case some of them don't have official planning..

All true, not sure about the "despite the difficulties" bit though.

Shouldn't be anything too "difficult" about living on a well prepared yacht. Camping on some pile of old crap might be a different matter.
Click to expand...

Of course it is possible to have heating, but some boats still have damp problems, particularly if you cook on board. Keeping clothes fresh can be a problem. Of course many of these issues go away if you have a spacious, light, airy boat with dry bilges and well ventilated spaces to store "stuff". Also depends on where you are moored and how much you are linked to a regular shore based routine.

St Kats is classed as a residential marina as are many others around London - that is why they are full of liveaboards. Long waiting lists unless you buy a boat with a mooring already. Very different situation from coastal marinas which are not residential.

Difficulties are not just related to how well your boat is prepared for living aboard, but more to do with the generally unfriendly environment toward full time liveaboards in most of the locations where such people would like to be based. Remember, unlike you who stay on your boat for extended periods through choice while still having a house to live in, many only have a boat and finding somewhere to berth full time as a liveaboard is a challenge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top