Liveaboard

[Tice]

Hello,

 

I am in the process of trying to see whether living aboard a boat on the broads would be a viable option for me, I cannot afford a house at the going rates and really don't fancy renting as I see it as a waste of money. 

 

I am thinking of buying a boat like a freeman 22/23 to live on, Moore at a marina and then explore the broads on my days off (work 3-4 days a week so hopefully spend the other time exploring.) Is the freeman a good liveaboard? I will have to get heating fitted to the boat. As most freemans are petrol inboard engines and with the BSS is it possible to fit a diesel heater or if there a better option? Also other reccomendations on board would be much appreciated. I have a budget of around 11k for a boat. 

I currently hold my RYA day skipper coastal ticket so I think that would help insurance wise ?

 

Thanks everyone.  

[Vaughan]

I certainly wouldn't try and live on a Freeman 22!  Much too small.  I would look for an ex hire boat, especially a Bounty 37.  They are very adaptable to living on board.

Your biggest problem will be moorings.

[rightsaidfred]

Personally I would say that boat is unsuitable for a liveaboard, having hired small boats years ago it is far to small and cramped for prolonged time aboard in my opinion and there are no petrol outlets on the rivers so refuelling means trips to a garage with a jerry can.

As Vaughan says finding a marina mooring as a liveaboard will be difficult and 11K is not going to buy you much. most boats in that price range will require work done to them.

Fred

 

[Vaughan]

I grew up on a boat, but that was a bit different, as my parents also owned the boatyard!  If I were going to live on a boat again now, the first thing I would do would be to buy a small plot of land with a mooring.

For a start, that would give me a postal address.  Otherwise, you "don't exist".  Somewhere to park the car.  Electric supply, for shore power.  Fresh water if possible, and a bit of a shed, for storage.  After that, you can think about the boat!

[JawsOrca]

Hi welcome to the forum.

We lived on a boat for 15 years, we started with 10k and brought a kinda narrowboat  55ft long x 6feet once bored with that we sold it and brought a Broom Crown cruiser (38 foot ish), (which was still too small for us). We sold her and now own a house in north suffolk, (It was a bit of wanting to move closer, work relocation, improvement of life and Covid.. Although I personally miss the boat life the move has worked out.. We love our garden!). 

Now, the broads and liveaboards are sadly two things that don't go together, you can kind a understand why because I bet deep down most of us would love to call the broads our home but sadly it's really not practical you may suffer harassment from the BA themselves, no marina will accept you as a resident as there are zero residential moorings on the network (ok there maybe one or two used under the flag of "Staff"). Fingers crossed it will change but the only way you can do it is continuous cruising.  I do know where people have brought land but still the mooring is not residential so post etc is done via family.

Thankfully the boat we brought came with an official council recognised residential mooring, but was in Kent on the river Medway, if you did want to look at that as an option take a look at www.premierhouseboats.co.uk but you will need to buy a boat on the mooring.

The canal systems is probably a nicer community and more practical.

In terms of boat sizes.  You will certainly need a shower and a loo aboard, a freemen 22 is probably a bit small for that but that's really a personal choice, ideally you want a washing machine too. I think I could live on our 27 foot cruiser if I had too (It maybe a bit harder since being in this big house though!).

Good luck (It is a brilliant life in the summer but very very hard in the winter).

[Paws]

You would be better off with a narrow boat you could have a fire which would stay in all night if it had a back boiler that would give you hot water I would look for a 30/40 footer 

[Chelsea14Ian]

Think as Vaughan said look for a plot.Certainty not petrol.Go for as he said something  about 37 plus.I would suggest check weather in the winter.The broads  are in my opinion  lovely  all year,but can be very cold in the winter.

[floydraser]

I think that living aboard should be about a choice of lifestyle and not saving money. I have seen it done on the Broads but by people with deep pockets. The trick is not to look like a liveaboard and blend in with the surroundings, then folk may turn a blind eye.

[ChrisB]

4 hours ago, Vaughan said:

I grew up on a boat, but that was a bit different, as my parents also owned the boatyard!  If I were going to live on a boat again now, the first thing I would do would be to buy a small plot of land with a mooring.

For a start, that would give me a postal address.  Otherwise, you "don't exist".  Somewhere to park the car.  Electric supply, for shore power.  Fresh water if possible, and a bit of a shed, for storage.  After that, you can think about the boat!

I think you are on the money there Vaughan.

I can see living a normal life being very difficult without a Post Code.

[OldBerkshireBoy]

6 minutes ago, ChrisB said:

I think you are on the money there Vaughan.

I can see living a normal life being very difficult without a Post Code.

There are ways, family member who can scan and email any letters to you, pay peope to do this for you or have a post office box where you can collect any mail from a local post office.

[ChrisB]

I don't think a PO box will pass muster for cell phones, credit checks etc.

PS. Others also use the Electoral Register to check identity, where do you register?

[OldBerkshireBoy]

Keep existing address and use the PO redirection service, cheap enough for personnel but expensive for a business.

[ChrisB]

But if you use an old address, where you are no longer living or have a legal right to use and you obtain goods, services, or credit, that is a fraudulent application. And where could they direct it to?

[annv]

Hi Tice I think you need to think more on what you wish for,  living on a boat without a mooring with electric is for the unemployed or retires is fanciable,  you say you work three days a week if at home you will need electric and wirefi or transport or parking for a car/motorbike etc to your work place. may be buying a flat with your £11,000 as deposit might be more appropriate move . John

[OldBerkshireBoy]

6 minutes ago, ChrisB said:

But if you use an old address, where you are no longer living or have a legal right to use and you obtain goods, services, or credit, that is a fraudulent application. And where could they direct it to?

What services, goods including food deliveries can be sent to the mooring, I havent used credit since I was in my twenties except on property as dont believe in it.

Dont HSBC do a no address bank account now or is that solely for the homeless.

Bend the rules, dont break them.

[ChrisB]

Insurance is a service where if there is not strict compliance, they will simply not pay out.

[OldBerkshireBoy]

14 minutes ago, ChrisB said:

Insurance is a service where if there is not strict compliance, they will simply not pay out.

That all depends on what you tell them without breaking any rules.

[Chelsea14Ian]

8 hours ago, Tice said:

Hello,

 

I am in the process of trying to see whether living aboard a boat on the broads would be a viable option for me, I cannot afford a house at the going rates and really don't fancy renting as I see it as a waste of money. 

 

I am thinking of buying a boat like a freeman 22/23 to live on, Moore at a marina and then explore the broads on my days off (work 3-4 days a week so hopefully spend the other time exploring.) Is the freeman a good liveaboard? I will have to get heating fitted to the boat. As most freemans are petrol inboard engines and with the BSS is it possible to fit a diesel heater or if there a better option? Also other reccomendations on board would be much appreciated. I have a budget of around 11k for a boat. 

I currently hold my RYA day skipper coastal ticket so I think that would help insurance wise ?

 

Thanks everyone.  

So what is your budget? That of course  is your starting point.

[Troyboy]

I think most of the relevant points have been covered by the replies that you have received. I think that the boat you have mentioned is unsuitable as a livaboard. It may be an attractive idea when you are seeing the broads in the spring, as summer approaches, but in the depth of winter it will be a entirely different prospect. Your budget doesn't allow much choice. Lovely idea in the right circumstances but quite difficult to achieve for most. Good luck with whatever you decide. 

[MauriceMynah]

For a live aboard, in reality 30' would be the minimum length. Don't let it look like it's a live aboard and you will find the BA will be very helpful. If you don't cause them work, they will treat you with respect. It works both ways.

I don't quite agree with Floydraiser given that I had little or no choice with this move. Live on a boat or be homeless. There is much more I would say, but not on open forum.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, MauriceMynah said:

Don't let it look like it's a live aboard and you will find the BA will be very helpful. If you don't cause them work, they will treat you with respect. It works both ways.

Ah yes MauriceMynah, and from what I have read about you on this forum you are the specialist in ensuring your boat always looks at it's   ̶t̶r̶e̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶p̶ tip top best 

2 hours ago, MauriceMynah said:

I don't quite agree with Floydraiser given that I had little or no choice with this move. Live on a boat or be homeless. There is much more I would say, but not on open forum.

Sorry to hear this also, whilst I do have visions of becoming a live aboard in due course, I would always hope that it is through my own choice and not how circumstances dictate. Hope you are doing well

On 30/05/2022 at 07:12, Tice said:

I am thinking of buying a boat like a freeman 22/23 to live on

In years gone by I owned a Freeman 23, beautiful boat and a pleasure to own. However for many reasons, most which have been covered I believe, it isn't really a boat suitable for living on, and believe me, I say that as a minimalist 

Good luck in whatever route you decide to take yourself, I wish you all the best

[floydraser]

13 hours ago, MauriceMynah said:

 

I don't quite agree with Floydraiser given that I had little or no choice with this move. Live on a boat or be homeless. There is much more I would say, but not on open forum.

I think you've slightly misinterpreted my first point which was in regard to the OP basically saying he could afford to live on terra firma but wouldn't rent on principle. The bit about not being so visible we appear to agree on.

I too have to hold back on the subject so best we do.