Smudge38

Hello All,. I would just like ask a general Q. see if anybody could throw light on this..I know what the answer probably be but just would like any feedback on this subject. Could anybody who has done this please answer me if know. I know it will probably be a definite 'Yes' answer if living in a Marina as I guessing this solves my Q. as saying got fixed address. My Q. is just with regards 'Continue Cruising' situation.. Can anybody tell me the answer this Q. if poss. Is it possible to claim any extra Benefits (I.e. if as was on land)) like 'Housing benefit' or related if living on the wat

Hello All,. I don't know if this topic is really relevant. I just asking because spoke to couple of boaters one weekend in part of Manchester. As my previous posts indicate I am a 'Newbee' and looking into living on Canals well as finding out maybe Pitfalls. My Q. is I spoke to a lady on this boat and lady informed me about the risk or not of surveys. She said (Not her boat) which the lady had built from the shell then they fitted out themselves. But a friend had bought a meduim size boat..done all right things thus thought she had a good survey done on it by a qualified person. To cut a lon

Does this raise Q's about Marina's though!?? Thinking ; "We will rip-off Boaters now!!"??? This is my biggest worry about starting new life on Canal's... cheers

Oh right Sue.....

Hello All,. This post is in nothing in particular it's more general on a very sad article I seen last week about poss 'Hazzards' of buying a boat on Higher purchase or Loans. The news article appeared in 1 free papers that are given out commuters on public transport newspaper (Metro). Anyway,. it was very sadding item on a Couple who had bought one of Widebeam barges on Higher purchase or Loans some way. I have dug deep into the Article but I got the gest. If not seen the article the Guy ended up trying smash' it up because He did not want give it back to the Marina after living on it for 20

Hello Jess,. I am also new 2 all things Barge/Canals & have been looking into buying near future. I am just sending you this message ask what you think! What I have found out so far Jess, the boats (Used) are not expensive 2buy.. To me it just seems their are lot other costs around them. One seems be the Marina's... Does the Costs put you off Jess?? Cheers daz

Would fitting LED lights solve this problem?? I use some LED lights & in certain places found no difference in preformance compared to other light opitions..

Hi All,. Mine is just a general view on an article I seen this week in one of the weekly Canal boating Magazines. In a small article it says that now MP's have been looking at the Canals as a soultion to shortage of Housing problems they have now said 'Yes' and intend to back the move to help more people out onto the Canals. To me this is great News & I am astonished that a MP's can actually be forward thinking for Once!! and use some they grey matter sense. I have been looking into a alternative way of living for a while now & partically at the Barges as a place I can call my 1st

Hi xadmx,. I am bit of a Newbee to all things Canal/Barges. I have been thinking about buying a boat for a while now as a Perm Home. My reasons are purely because I can not afford get anywhere near Property ladder & this way living seems very appealling alternative! What I have found out so far their seem to be a lot of Pro's then Con's seem equal the barges. I am slightly different 2 you xadmx as I am lookin buying 1 that is ready really.. I would love 2do 1 Up from stratch like you as I am a Pratical person but never had real opportunity to see if I got any skills this way. I would

Hi Clarity,. I am considering living on Barge as a full time Home...but my reasons are Econmics (..Just can't not afford get near Property! I am a Single guy, I have thought about this issue amongst many issuses that I have found out about living on canals so far. Safety, I think could be same anywhere ..whether you live in Bricks&Motor or a boat. The research I have done so far on living on a Barge I admit this topic is at very bottom,. my issues whether to take leap over to water are mainly what I can see are around Other Costs on the Canals. To me it seems the boats themselves are no

Hiya All,. I am just adding another Post hope that members will be helpful as last posts. I have looked at a Canal boating Magazine lately & they have a section on painting the Hulls of boats. Going through the best way cut the costs of 'Blacking' over the years using different Paints from various cheap Bitumen to 2 Coat Proxy paints. Also mentioned before painting 2 reduce the time span spent Blacking' suggesting Grit blasting before to keep best condition of Hulls. I just wanted know from any People who live on their boats Full-time (As a Perm home). Do they use these processes? Also

Hi LadyMuck,. This is a very interesting Post/Q. to me - as I am thinking of buying a boat as a Perm home in future (..As I can't afford luxury of getting near Housing !!) The Government put that rest for me. Anyway I wondered exactly the same - what would happen in exact Q. you asked!! As you say at end -- we all need live somewhere. Everybody needs a Home... & my view the Canals should be a easy soultion for lot people like me. I keep hearing off politicians that there going be a Housing shortage very soon - well in my view WAke up & let people live how they want - As long as not

Hello Fortunata,. I am Looking into buying a boat/Barge as a Perm live on Home for myself.... One question I would like ask you is - I noticed you say you live self-sufficent on your boat.. Can I ask how much this Cost you to make your boat Self-sufficent!!? What things have u done?? I would love hear how & see Pics if poss.. Cheers A Newbieee

Hello Eloise,. I am 2 all things canal boats/Barges...so I among like you a Newbee. I have posted 2messages on this site.. about being new to all things Canal living. I have been doing research for quite a while now (..in various Forms, Websites, Canal magazines, talking to boaters) face2face... I have looked at link of the boat you have purchased..its very nice. I am sending you this message to ask would you mind sharing your knowledge you have gained on your purchase..?? The one thing that slightly worries me at mo,. is not so much the Boats/Barges, but seems lot other Costs around Ca

Hello All again,. This is my 3rd Post..I would like clear something up 2 you all (..As 1 member has said on here!). I am NOT a Reporter for anyone.. (..I wish I had Good Job as that! I am just a Normal Guy, trying 2 do research on living on Canals this is all! Anyway, back 2 the Topic I would like ask now. I have had some very helpful & in 1case detailed reply from a Member who been very helpful. She has raised a Topic for me that I would like 2 ask members now...and their thoughts on this subject. This Member has told me that in very near future... things on Canals are going change (..

Hello All,. I have previous posted a Message about being Newbiee to all this Canal & barge stuff. I am posting another Message in hope that someone will enlighten me much further. I have been looking at and thinking about possible Barge living in future..as I want different lifestyle than 4 walls.I have been doing quite a lot research various sources (Internet,Barge Magazine, etc).. & have found out various stuff. Could anyone please answer this Q. I recently printed off the Inland Waterways Licence Fees document (..Listing all prices for 6months, yearly, etc)). I was so astonished

Thank YOU for your very Helping & detail message left for me!!

- Thank you for your Reply 2 Me -- Yours was very helpful than most must say. I get the Idea now that it may not be a cheap as living on land.. Can I ask 1 Q. about what u said in your reply me.. You said Owned your own house and Own Narrowboat now. Did u sell your House 2 buy a Barge? Would u ever go back to living back in Bricks & Motor?? Barges really appealls me... but I can say now the Only worrying thing is what seems emense Costs now.. The Goverment rant' on about Not ENOUGH HOusing being Built & shortage for most people! Well, why don't they think about making Barges a easi