Newbie - am I being too unrealistic?

[CreekySteve]

Hello all - I'm seriously contemplating selling my property and buying a boat to live aboard year round, cruising the UK, and maybe beyond.

I have very limited experience on the water. I do have RYA 2 powerboat and dinghy sailing certificates but both were gained on a little Scottish loch many years ago. I'm 60, but aching for an adventure. I have no ties, other than this property I inherited, and I've always fancied living on my own boat, but never had the opportunity until now. It's tempting to tell myself it's too late, but realistically the choice is between sitting in a comfortable house and waiting for death, or getting out and doing something exciting with the last bit of my life. I did have a little bit of a heart attack a few years ago, so travel health insurance probably means I need to be based in the UK thanks to Brexit.

I'm torn as to what kind of boat I want, and would be best for me. I've been looking at smaller Dutch barges with Cat C rating for a bit of coastal hopping and river/canal exploring in comfort, and displacement trawlers like the Grand Banks or Corvettes... I know I want a boat that I can move about on (and in), and not just sit in a marina or long term mooring. Ideally, I'd like to continuous cruise visiting everywhere from the Hebrides to Cornwall. I think the fuel consumption on a faster planing boat or even a semi-displacement like a Nelson would be too high for my budget and instincts. I can get my head around 5 litres per hour but 100 is not something I'd consider! So Nelsons are out. I realise that means I'm going to be doing 8 knots or so, which means I'm going to be limited to decent weather windows for any coastal trips in short hops. That's not such a terrible limitation though, considering I want to visit different places without planning each stop for the whole trip. I'm thinking getting to know a boat on the rivers and canals might be best to start with, and cheaper too if I continuously cruise. I'd be looking at using sheltered anchorages as much as possible if coastal cruising.

I understand that GRP needs less maintenance than steel, but I can see advantages for me with the steel barges over the GRP trawlers. Size and flexibility of layout is a major consideration, and the robustness of steel over GRP. I love the look of the Grand Banks - but I'm not sure it's something I'd want to live up to. I'd probably prefer something a bit more rough and ready (with a washing machine, a dishwasher and a solid fuel burner).

Sorry, no doubt I've already written more than people want to read (and probably have read similar for the thousandth time). I guess what I really need now is to know where to start. Once I sell my home I want to get a boat more or less straight away so I'm not wasting money on renting somewhere. What's the best way to meet local boat owners? I live beside the Medway Estuary and there are plenty of marinas, but they all seem to be unwelcoming to non-boat owners. What's a good way of getting an 'in'?

Thanks in advance for any advice, and I'm sure there are going to be plenty of eyes rolling into the back of heads - sorry again for that!

Steve

 

[Obi]

Morning Steve,
I was in a similar mind set, albeit at 33 years old. The advice I got to open ended questions back then was less than helpful. I did what are hoping to do and did not regret it. Although after 4 years I was ready for land again.

The first thing I want to raise is this: There is a lot to learn to do it all properly. Get stuck in.

One could suggest that you might want to immerse yourself as much as you can in the boating world and learn. A great way to do that and tick a few of your boxes for 'adventure' would be to do a full time zero to hero RYA yachtmaster course. You'd be around boats, boating people and the environment. It is a great way to pick up knowledge, contacts, experience and most importantly understanding and to test your mettle for the lifestyle. In fact doing the course right now, when the weather is less than encouraging is a superb way to learn. Most people would enjoy a boat on a sunny calm day.

Secondly. If you want to move around on a old motor boat, consider the fuel costs and I suggest you do a dive into that promptly and then consider sails vs engines. It was 15 years ago the first time someone told me their 37 foot motor boat cost them hundreds of pounds in fuel for the extremely short trip Portsmouth to Cowes. I was genuinely shocked to the core and I considered their boat a day/weekend boat really - more of a speed boat than a live aboard candidate. So a lot lighter (more mpg?). If you want to travel and not pay a lot for fuel, you need sails. Thousands of people have thought the way you do before realising sails are the only practical way without paying lots in fuel costs. I think another story was £20,000 of diesel to get to Spain from UK in a Sunseeker.
My instinct suggests that 5 litres an hour is possibly a tad optimistic for a steel barge on the sea. Not sure.

Steel - well that's another can of worms. Ask ChatGpt or similar. I'm considering Steel, and I am thinking about this very carefully and progressing very slowly with my research. There are so many areas of risk to consider and most advice would be GRP in 2026.

Knowledge is key to making the right decision for your own needs. Gaining knowledge and experience would be my priority and the best way I know how to do that is by getting hands on and involved.
M

 

[dunedin]

You only live once, and at a great age to start your adventure - so (in principle) I would suggest go for it.
But if seeking to cruise “Hebrides to Cornwall”, and having done dinghy sailing in the past, I would suggest you also consider sailing yachts. Often a nicer way to travel in coastal waters, with a few tons of lead underneath for stability and not burning diesel at the same rate.

Also worth trying to get a feel for whether it is for you. Perhaps first do a week sailing training course (Day Skipper?) - perhaps in Scotland to get a feel for the more remote locations. This might confirm if you like boating and don’t get sea sick.

Also, is there an option to rent out your house, at least initially. It is quite likely that after a few years you may feel you have done that adventure, and could be difficult to buy another house at that stage?
Many of us decide that in the UK we prefer 6 months afloat but the winter ashore in a house.

 

[Boathook]

Keep a property. Even a 1 bedroom flat. Banks and the like struggle if you don't have a UK address. A lot of marinas don't allow live aboard. They may turn a blind eye for a while but that is another matter.

 

[Tranona]

A motor boat is really not the most suitable type for this sort of cruising. Leaving aside the higher cost of purchase running and maintenance they are generally less able at sea in anything other than fine weather, much more difficult to handle single handed, uncomfortable at anchor and difficult to keep warm and dry in the winter The "continuous" cruising model is more viable than fixed liveaboard because of the difficulty of finding a secure mooring. Cruising from April/May to October and a winter contract in a marina is doable, but costly unless you anchor. Short term berthing costs in the summer are high, particularly in the southern half of the UK

As suggested taking a day skipper course with the practical will give you a good grounding in managing the boat and how to get to where you want plus test out whether you like life on a boat. Most courses use 36' or so modern cruising boats which would be a sensible choice for a single person or couple to cruise on for extended periods. Sensible to keep a land property both to keep in the market and a place of refuge in the winter. Life can be challenging on a boat in the UK winters!

Have a look further down the page at the thread "novice yachtie" almost the same question as yours and he has gone to the next stage and bought a 36' sailing yacht then done a course. Lots of good advice in the thread that will help you as well.

 

[Sea Change]

Don't limit yourself to floating around in the UK. Life on a boat can be cramped, cold, and damp. Relocate to somewhere with reliable weather and everything changes. Being able to just fling the hatches open, and to live on deck as well as in the cabin, is gloriously liberating. Jump off for your morning swim at anchor, enjoy cheaper berthing, a more varied lifestyle, what's not to like?

We left in 2021, and apart from a couple of trips home, have been living aboard ever since. Zero regrets.

We kept the house though. The income from renting that out is enough for us to live on. Boat life, if done right, is actually pretty cheap.

 

[Ribtecer]

...so travel health insurance probably means I need to be based in the UK thanks to Brexit.

Get yourself a EHIC card, covers you in Europe (hopefully).

 

[SimonX]

Get yourself a EHIC card, covers you in Europe (hopefully).

Very, very loosely. Emergency care only and only in certain hospitals. Get proper travel insurance.oh and it’s a GHIC these days for U.K. people.

 

[Ribtecer]

Very, very loosely. Emergency care only and only in certain hospitals. Get proper travel insurance.oh and it’s a GHIC these days for U.K. people.

Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC)

 

[bedouin]

GO FOR IT!

But a word of caution on the financials - if I were you I would not put all my capital into the boat but try to keep some form of property. If the budget allows then a small flat you could rent out would provide some income and provide a home to come back to when you tire of live aboard (as you almost certainly will). It is probably also sensible to keep a permanent correspondence address in UK

 

[SimonX]

Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC)

When my wife collapsed in Paris recently she was taken to a state ‘free’ hospital where she was given a onceover by a paramedic to make sure she wasn’t in immediate danger of death then left to wait on a gurney for 3 hours. If we had wanted any faster treatment or further diagnosis, we would have had to transfer to the nearby private hospital and paid for treatment.
A lot of people moan about the state of NHS hospitals but the French state one was much worse from the point of cleanliness, equipment and facilities

 

[CreekySteve]

Wow - I didn't expect so many and such constructive replies - thanks to everyone.

My plan is to sell my property rather than rent it out as it would need a lot spent on it to bring it up to rentable standards. I'm thinking of spending less than half on a boat that doesn't need any major work, at least not initially, and then buying a bolt-hole to rent out for income and security. My sister will let me user her house as a care of address so I can keep my GP and dentist. I had always intended moving to France and seeing out my days there, but...

Sail... It just doesn't excite me any more. I've watched all the canal boat programmes and a few of the Tim Spall episodes along with some Youtuber stuff, and I'm just drawn to the barges. I feel that a barge would get me into the boating community and give me enough space to live comfortably. I'm not looking to impress anyone, but I do want a vessel that I connect with. I'm not afraid of roughing it - I lived in a semi-derelict brick garage for twenty years before I inherited this place.

Regarding fuel costs, 5 litres an hour seems to be an upper estimate of fuel consumption on a 15 - 20m Cat C barge cruising in the 6 - 8 knot range - and as it's red diesel that would be quite affordable for me. Not going out in rough seas is a reasonable price for comfort.

I will definitely take whatever RYA courses I need before any serious cruising, but I can't until I sell my house. I did get invited out to crew on a Thames barge a while back but I couldn't because I was caring full time for someone, so I might see if that offer is still available. Perhaps it will rekindle a love of sail.

Regarding the health insurance - I've looked into it a fair bit as I considered moving to France on an early retirement (non-working) visa. The GHIC is definitely worth having if visiting an EU country temporarily, but only really in conjunction with decent travel insurance. With my age and pre-existing condition I feel it maybe too expensive and too stressful when I could stay around the UK with none of those admin worries. Possibly the Channel Islands could provide a visa reset location for visits to Normandy and Brittany?

I'm loving the potential of opening this new chapter. Back to ogling boats on Apollo duck then.

Best wishes
Steve

 

[Tranona]

You will find the barriers (if you are a UK citizen) to living and cruising on a boat in the EU very difficult to overcome without becoming resident - and even then your freedom of movement is restricted to the state of residence. Gone are the days when you could hop across the channel and roam around Europe in the canal system or around the coasts without any constraints. If you want to live on a boat and cruise around then the canal system here is worth considering and will get you into the "community", but of course the majority of the system is narrow boat territory. However for one or two people narrow boats can be very comfortable to live on .not surprising that the number of continuous cruisers has just about doubled in the last 10 years.

Fuel costs are largely irrelevant at the level you are talking about. You will be unlikely to spend more than 10% of your time on the move. Your major cost is berthing and maintenance unless you are in the very limited areas in the inland waterways where there is free or low cost bankside mooring. Once you get into coastal harbours and marinas berthing costs rocket and berths that will take a reasonable size barge scarce. The main reason why there are boats on Apolloduck for you to ogle at modest prices is because the owners cannot afford to keep them. On the other hand it also means that it is possible to get "bargains" particularly at this time of year when the next year's mooring bills have just arrived!

 

[CreekySteve]

Hi Tranona - a healthy dose of reality there. I've just been ogling a few narrowboats, and you're right that they look plenty big enough for me as a solo occupant. I've found a local mooring on the Medway which would work out at about £3000 a year for a moderate barge. No power, but fresh water, and waste disposal. Not very pretty though. I need to think a bit more about costs. It might even be spreadsheet time.

Thanks for your advice
Steve

 

[dunedin]

…….

Sail... It just doesn't excite me any more. I've watched all the canal boat programmes and a few of the Tim Spall episodes along with some Youtuber stuff, and I'm just drawn to the barges. I feel that a barge would get me into the boating community and give me enough space to live comfortably. ……

I suggest you need to clarify, at least in your own mind, your intentions and priorities.
In your first post you referred to wanting to cruise “from Cornwall to The Hebrides” - which is a very achievable goal (countless of us on here have done that and more). However, this means going through some serious water - round Lands End, up the Irish Sea, through the North Channel, across the Minch etc. No problem for a moderately competent skippper in a seaworthy 40 footer, especially as Tranona said a sailing boat (albeit also able to be motored) with a keel.

A narrow boat as you are now suggesting is fine for liveaboard and inland canals. But entirely unsuitable / unsafe for “Cornwall to Hebrides”.
Even a Tim Spall style wide beam motor barge was barely suitable for such a voyage. If I recall correctly, he had more than one RNLI call out.
And a large motor barge would limit the harbours and berths able to be accessed in more remote locations, such as the Hebrides - as well as increasing berthing costs substantially.

It’s horses for courses. If you want a large barge for living on as a floating house, but sticking to inland waterways that points to a narrow boat - or perhaps a wide beam inland waterways barge if prepared to limit travels further.

For liveaboard cruising Cornwall to Hebrides then plenty of people live on board 40 foot offshore capable cruising yachts (sail or power) - though some also return to bricks and mortar for the winter.
As ever need prioritisation of objectives?

 

[Trident]

It may be worth looking at something like a 34 or 37 foot Prout catamaran - for a small budget you get a lot of space and it's far more comfortable on the water at anchor etc. It is sail but you can just motor around if you want ; 6-7 knots under engine is not unreasonable and about 2L an hour for something with lots of liveable space, great reliability and strength and good sea keeping. Then if the mood takes you on a nice day you can always raise a sail if you choose.

The advantage you get with a cat is lots of space for things like solar panels for power which will be very important if you do want to cruise from north to south or anywhere else. Its not always possible to go from marina to marina in a day and and find places to plug in and most alternators will not give you enough for fridges, freezers etc not to mention all the extras people like these days like internet, microwaves etc . You may be used to roughing it but if you seriously intend to be aboard year round then heat, power, big water tanks and so forth will become much more important than many "boaty" considerations.

A cat would mean no canals in the UK but the Prouts regularly do the french canals (only 4.5 to 5m wide unlike the newer condo cats) etc and fit in normal marina berths rather than having to pay double.

Might not be your thing but certainly worth looking in to in the planning stage.

I've been living aboard for 14 years now and only went back to shore for a couple of breaks - once when we found a cat in the sea and needed more room to introduce it to our existing cat, so bought a small house in Spain for a year to get them comfortable and then back to the boat and once for 6 month we went back to our house in Ireland to maintain and so on having been away for years and after 6 months I couldn't wait to get back to the boat despite how much I love Ireland. Seeing the same view day in day out just doesn't appeal to me (though currently in a marina for a few months this winter it is what I'm seeing but needs must and a sail drive replacement wont wait )

 

[CreekySteve]

I suggest you need to clarify, at least in your own mind, your intentions and priorities.
In your first post you referred to wanting to cruise “from Cornwall to The Hebrides” - which is a very achievable goal (countless of us on here have done that and more). However, this means going through some serious water - round Lands End, up the Irish Sea, through the North Channel, across the Minch etc. No problem for a moderately competent skippper in a seaworthy 40 footer, especially as Tranona said a sailing boat (albeit also able to be motored) with a keel.

A narrow boat as you are now suggesting is fine for liveaboard and inland canals. But entirely unsuitable / unsafe for “Cornwall to Hebrides”.
Even a Tim Spall style wide beam motor barge was barely suitable for such a voyage. If I recall correctly, he had more than one RNLI call out.
And a large motor barge would limit the harbours and berths able to be accessed in more remote locations, such as the Hebrides - as well as increasing berthing costs substantially.

It’s horses for courses. If you want a large barge for living on as a floating house, but sticking to inland waterways that points to a narrow boat - or perhaps a wide beam inland waterways barge if prepared to limit travels further.

For liveaboard cruising Cornwall to Hebrides then plenty of people live on board 40 foot offshore capable cruising yachts (sail or power) - though some also return to bricks and mortar for the winter.
As ever need prioritisation of objectives?

Thanks dunedin, I admit I'm struggling to have a set objective, and trying to achieve a one size fits all reality that doesn't exist. I am grateful for being brought back down to earth.

I only saw a few episodes of Tim's adventures on his barge, his trip around the Lizard and Lands End, as they were the only episodes available on YT. I know he had to ask the RNLI for assistance when he couldn't find his way into Queenborough one night, I didn't know about any further incidents. I think I can be a bit ADHD in that I become completely settled on an idea until I suddenly just have to do something different, which makes having an objective somewhat futile for me. Obviously not ideal when coming to choose a boat, and why I came on here, to try to get some outside perspectives on all of the different options open to me.

 

[CreekySteve]

It may be worth looking at something like a 34 or 37 foot Prout catamaran - for a small budget you get a lot of space and it's far more comfortable on the water at anchor etc. It is sail but you can just motor around if you want ; 6-7 knots under engine is not unreasonable and about 2L an hour for something with lots of liveable space, great reliability and strength and good sea keeping. Then if the mood takes you on a nice day you can always raise a sail if you choose.

The advantage you get with a cat is lots of space for things like solar panels for power which will be very important if you do want to cruise from north to south or anywhere else. Its not always possible to go from marina to marina in a day and and find places to plug in and most alternators will not give you enough for fridges, freezers etc not to mention all the extras people like these days like internet, microwaves etc . You may be used to roughing it but if you seriously intend to be aboard year round then heat, power, big water tanks and so forth will become much more important than many "boaty" considerations.

A cat would mean no canals in the UK but the Prouts regularly do the french canals (only 4.5 to 5m wide unlike the newer condo cats) etc and fit in normal marina berths rather than having to pay double.

Might not be your thing but certainly worth looking in to in the planning stage.

I've been living aboard for 14 years now and only went back to shore for a couple of breaks - once when we found a cat in the sea and needed more room to introduce it to our existing cat, so bought a small house in Spain for a year to get them comfortable and then back to the boat and once for 6 month we went back to our house in Ireland to maintain and so on having been away for years and after 6 months I couldn't wait to get back to the boat despite how much I love Ireland. Seeing the same view day in day out just doesn't appeal to me (though currently in a marina for a few months this winter it is what I'm seeing but needs must and a sail drive replacement wont wait )

Funnily enough I was looking at one on Apolloduck last night. They do offer a lot of space. I don't know if I could manage the physical side of sails these days - certainly not climbing masts. And all of those lines everywhere. I did go through a stage of wanting a motor sailor, but was persuaded by the idea that that they were potentially double-trouble.

I have time to make a choice as it will take a while to sell my house - once I put it on the market in the spring. So no harm in weighing-up all of the options. I can't actually commit to anything until I've sold anyway, so I'm going to see if I can sort my ideas into a coherent plan in the meantime. I think trying to get some real experience on the water would be a good idea.

I've just been adopted by the local stray cat. It's taken a while to gain his confidence - he used to hiss at me whenever I stroked him and give me the odd nip too. Now he's fast asleep on my bed. How do cats adapt to life on the water? Do they roam when you're moored with access to land?

 

[Trident]

Funnily enough I was looking at one on Apolloduck last night. They do offer a lot of space. I don't know if I could manage the physical side of sails these days - certainly not climbing masts. And all of those lines everywhere. I did go through a stage of wanting a motor sailor, but was persuaded by the idea that that they were potentially double-trouble.

I have time to make a choice as it will take a while to sell my house - once I put it on the market in the spring. So no harm in weighing-up all of the options. I can't actually commit to anything until I've sold anyway, so I'm going to see if I can sort my ideas into a coherent plan in the meantime. I think trying to get some real experience on the water would be a good idea.

I've just been adopted by the local stray cat. It's taken a while to gain his confidence - he used to hiss at me whenever I stroked him and give me the odd nip too. Now he's fast asleep on my bed. How do cats adapt to life on the water? Do they roam when you're moored with access to land?

Mosts cats do ok at sea - I know a lot of sailors with cats and they vary from happy in all conditions to hiding when the engines are on but happy when its quite etc - ours didn't like moving under engine or rough weather but were happy with sails out (quiet) but the olde one died a couple of years ago and since then the younger has been ok with engines too - seems he just reacted to her being upset. Some cats roam others don't - our current one wont leave the boat at all. Tracking collars are very cheap now , nets on the guard wires stop them roaming to easily if they're inclined and a collar and lead for walks can also be made to work with patience

The smaller cats like Prout are very easy to handle sails - the main is almost useless anyway (the mask is at the back of the roof so you get a tiny sail ) and they were built to be easy and safe - so almost everyone just has a big roller furling genoa at the front and winds it in or out on the roller furling as the winds dictate and then you just have two lines (sheets ) to deal with on the winches .. it may not mean much at this stage but trust me its very easy. My very first boat was a Prout 35 - we went from our home port where we bought it 25 miles for our first sail, and back, and then 33 miles to Brighton and back and then our next sail was to Cherbourg across the channel and back and then we set off to the Med for 5 years and racked up 30,000 miles in her . Very safe and forgiving for novices

Good on you for helping out a kitty in need - take it slowly and show him only love and food and he'll probably be happy anywhere.

 

[dunedin]

Funnily enough I was looking at one on Apolloduck last night. They do offer a lot of space. I don't know if I could manage the physical side of sails these days - certainly not climbing masts. And all of those lines everywhere. I did go through a stage of wanting a motor sailor, but was persuaded by the idea that that they were potentially double-trouble.

I have time to make a choice as it will take a while to sell my house - once I put it on the market in the spring. So no harm in weighing-up all of the options. I can't actually commit to anything until I've sold anyway, so I'm going to see if I can sort my ideas into a coherent plan in the meantime. I think trying to get some real experience on the water would be a good idea.

I've just been adopted by the local stray cat. It's taken a while to gain his confidence - he used to hiss at me whenever I stroked him and give me the odd nip too. Now he's fast asleep on my bed. How do cats adapt to life on the water? Do they roam when you're moored with access to land?

Wise to take your time and make the best decison.

I would just repeat the suggestion to consider “try before you buy” - not of individual boats, but more of the differnt ways of boating.

Perhaps a week in Scotland on a sailing yacht - such as this (other companies available) - RYA Day Skipper Course in Largs, Scotland

Perhaps also hire a narrow boat on a canal for a week, to compare that alternative.

PS. For coastal cruising (eg the Cornwall to Hebrides) a sailing boat with auxiliary engine isn’t “double the trouble” - it means having alternatives and contingency.