Woolly

Thanks again for your responses; it looks as if I may have to revisit things from a cost perspective before taking the plunge, but I don't think I'm that far off being able to do it, maybe next year instead of this. In the meantime I will continue to explore the possibilities, and learn from this forum and other sources as I go.

Thanks folks for your helpful responses Thanks to Rebotco for some potentially useful insight into a few things I hadn't considered (its why I asked!) To Gary, I think research via your suggestion would be a great way to find out a bit more - extensive research in and around pubs is always a welcome thing as far as I'm concerned! @ Drunkensailor, I think that sounds like a very sensible compromise, not least for the fact that wintering on the move does sound quite demanding, especially when it comes to power consumption and usage (and as you say, might be something of a false economy too). Also, in either of the last two winters, I would imagine that ice would've made things even harder to get around anyway. Perhaps a winter in a marina would be a sensible bolt-hole, leaving the other 2/3rds of the year for exploration and travel (and travel is very much what I would want to do, that seems a large part of the appeal for me). @ Bottle, yes those figures are probably much more realistic than those the book quoted (sadly). For the record, the breakdown of that £3800 was as follows: Licence £800 Insurance £350 BSS and annual maintenance £300 Painting £725 Annual Service £100 Cooking & Heating £125 Diesel £300 Pump Outs £200 Other repairs & equipment £500 Sundry other expenses £400 I'd be interested as to whether people think that any of those figures are wildly out of kilter with reality. The book is 2 yrs old so clearly prices will have gone up. The diesel looks very low when compared to Bottle's figures, as does the cooking and heating cost to me. The painting and servicing costs quoted are intended as accruals for when these more expensive upkeep items are due.

Yes, I intend to get a boat Phil (there were a few references to it). It is a question based on my desire for a change of lifestyle from one of bricks, mortar and work, to one of mobility, freedom, leisure and exploration of the nation's waterways, but also one based on the affordability (or otherwise) of that choice (probably similar considerations to those that you all made when choosing that lifestyle).

Hi folks, Another newbie writes! I've been reading and enjoying these forums for a while now, but have only just registered to post. I have read quite a few opinions on the costs of living aboard, which seem to vary quite wildly. It seems that a lot of that variation is down to the relative luxury/modernity of the boat, where located, and expected usage, so clearly it is not going to be straightforward to nail down living costs to a fairly specific figure (not least because you never know what maintenance costs will crop up, especially on older boats). But, for my plans to be able to join the world of life afloat, costs are a bit of a deal-breaker as I'm going to be looking at living pretty frugally in order to make it pay. I'll be in a position later this year to draw an early pension if I quit my job, and together with renting out the house (which still has a mortgage), I reckon I could get close to 10k a year. Now that might not sound much at all, but if (and its a big if!) running costs could be kept down to the approx £3800 (without mooring) that one particular book estimates, then it would definitely be do-able. However, if costs would be closer to the £6000 per annum that I've also seen quoted here, then it would make things a lot harder, if not impossible. I would be looking at buying an older boat (in the approx 25-30k price range, prob around 45'), and unless a relatively inexpensive mooring could be located (preferably in Lincs/Cambs/Norfolk area), then I would be CC'ing. I just wondered whether, with your experiences, you think perhaps I'm not quite ready, financially, to make this move yet, and would perhaps be advised to wait another year, to save up some more money/clear a bit more mortgage/boost the pension up a bit (and possibly hold out for that elusive redundancy, which would make life a LOT easier!). For the record, I'm not overly DIY savvy, so would not be up to doing too much in the way of maintenance myself, although I'd have a good go at repainting as and when necessary, and, camera gear aside, I am not particularly materialistic so a relatively frugal lifestyle is within my scope. I realise this is possibly too open-ended a question for my first ever one on here, but any guidance/experiences would be appreciated!