Liveaboard in IoM

[Neddie_Seagoon]

Is this possible, practical?
Does anyone do it?
Do Douglas or Peel permit it?
Do Douglas or Peel have WiFi (I still have to work !)

Any input gratefully received - email address is in profile.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Troutbridge]

I looked at this about five or six years ago. At that time it wasn't permitted.

 

[macd]

It's certainly done, both in Douglas and Peel, although whether this is with an official blind eye, I'm not sure.
If you want an official (but low-level) view, you might try ringing Hazzie, Peel's harbourkeeper, on 07624 495036.
Maybe also worth asking Manx Marine, the very helpful Douglas chandlery, on 01624 674842; and Andrew Hall, who has a small chandlery in Peel and is also Vice-comm of Peel Sailing Club, on 07624 493553.
Maybe best of all, try a PM to 'theduke', who works for IoM harbours. Although he hasn't posted on this site for over a year, he may still look in.
Douglas has pontoons, with power and water. Plans are afoot for the installation of pontoons in Peel this winter, but since I left in June, I've no idea of the likely schedule (except that almost nothing happens on time on the Isle of Man).
It's a grand place to live, and a superbly-placed sailing centre, although I have to say the weather's just a touch better here.
Feel free to PM me if I can offer any more ideas.

As to WiFI: don't know about Douglas, but there was none in Peel as of 3 months ago. However, there are a couple of small businesses on the harbourside who might be persuaded to let you piggy-back.

 

[Neddie_Seagoon]

Mac, what can I say? Many thanks for such a comprehensive reply, I'll follow up your suggestions on Mon.

Ta,

Steve

 

[rsj]

It's a bit off a 'grey' area, but having spent considerable time living aboard in IOM and researching the 'rules' there is nothing officially against it. The Act of Tynwald governing harbour dues and use of harbours gives a rate for 'houseboats' (at a rate substantially higher than the annual harbour dues). Further on, in the definitions, it states that a boat is not a houseboat if, at all times, it remains ready, equiped and manned for sea. My interpretation of this is that they want to avoid the semi derilict, never go anywhere, chained to the wall, satellite tv dishes etc. type of vessel.

I was approached by a harbour master in Port St Mary some years ago who stated 'you're living aboard aren't you, you should be paying houseboat rates'. I stated that my boat wasn't a 'houseboat' but an ocean cruising yacht that had completed a world circumnavigation and loosely qouted the Act of Tynwald to him, the subject was immedialtely dropped!

Have a shoreside mailing address, keep a tidy ship and a low profile and you shouldn't have any problems.

No wi-fi around the harbours that I'm aware of.

Cheers
Bob

 

[roly_voya]

The 'livaboard' lable is irrelevant unless you ARE a permenantly moored houseboat as there are several good habours around IOM and nothing to stop you spending a few weeks in each then moving on. The Island is small enough that you can get anywhere from any of them!

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Do Douglas or Peel have WiFi (I still have to work !)

[/ QUOTE ]

Steve,

I'm sure I saw a TV prog where the IoM is ahead of the game in respect of mobile data, so I would guess that you would be able to get a reasonable data contract, (or even PAYG), which may even allow speeds up to HSDPA.

 

[macd]

IoM ahead of the game? That's a new one, lovely place though it is.