[Renting a NB ...???]

I've started a few threats as I am new to this forum and considering a change in lifestyle etc.... What are the possibilities of renting a nb ?? is this something that is common or notreally a starter - out of interest I'm looking for something in the Birmingham/Warwickshire area....

 

Thanks

[Boat Depreciation/Appreciation]

Our first 'taster' boat cost £10k, had it five years or so, minimal maintenance costs, sold it for £15k, so we reckoned we pretty much had free boating for the five years we had it.

 

I think at £20k ish, you are looking at an interesting part of the market --- get it wrong and it will be a knacker you probably don't want at any price; get lucky and you stand to get some real value for money. Be aware that outside the world of brokers and magazine prices some very acceptable boats change hands at well below the figures you might imagine. As with houses -- death, divorce, run out of steam projects -- all come along on the canal as well -- and that's where the bargains lurk. A bicycle and stretches of on line moorings are an important tool here -- look for the fading, hand written 'for sale' sign.

 

First stage is to go and look at as many boats as you can; partly to familiarise yourself with the market, but primarily to see as many different layouts as possible. You will see things you hadn't thought of and really like and you will see things you realise you don't want at all. This is where marina based brokerages are handy -- the chance to do multiple tyre kicking all in one spot.

 

Another thing to factor in to the equation are your own skills, finances and available time. If you are a dab hand with the spanners, then a boat with a tired engine might represent a significant bargain opportunity; likewise, if interior refurbishment is your thing, then a tired interior or layout that wants changing may represent the same opportunity. Do bear in mind that if your prospective boat is for living aboard, you will have a different focus to an intermittent user, particularly if aiming to cc. Power generation, good size water tank, bathroom arrangements, means of heating, comfortable bed etc. etc.; all much more important when it's your home.

 

You have probably noticed by now that on the forum every point of view and piece of kit has its proponents and opponents. This can become confusing, as in many cases all the points are valid, so you do need to spend some time deciding what features would be really important to you and apply that filter. The only key requirement really is that the hull is sound - after that, most other things can be played with.

 

Mike.

 

Thanks Mike I appreciate the advice. I have a bike and access to lots of on line moorings has been my diet over the last few weeks. My problem I suppose is not recognising a knacker.. but I suppose a good survey should help weed those out..??

[Boat Depreciation/Appreciation]

I think a lot will depend on the boat and how market conditions in that sector are holding up.

 

NC was first sold late in 2003 from Burton Waters for £58k (inc VAT) with a long list of extras and a £3k trailer. We bought her in 2008 at not quite 5 years old for £38k without the trailer, so a loss of £17k if you ignore the trailer in 5 years, 17.5% of that being VAT which will pretty much have been lost as soon as the paperwork was signed.

 

Today NC is still worth about £38k almost 4 years after we bought her. At first glance this doesnt sound too bad but completely ignores the fact that we have spent at least £10k on maintenance and running repairs, plus servicing, mooring costs, insurance, licence and the biggy fuel

 

As someone has already said boat ownership isnt about making money. We wouldnt dream of getting rid of the boat now. The price we pay to keep her in top condition and running reliably is a small price to pay for our holidays and weekends away.

 

I think I may have mislead you. I am definitely not looking to make profit out of my adventure... I have a house and realise there are running costs to be factored in and thats not a problem. I just wanted to get a feel for value etc. If I buy a vw camper - provided i look after it, it will hold it's value but i have to spend to keep it maintained. If i buy a ford transit camper - it will loose money irrespective of how much i spend. I just wanted an idea really. If I buy a nb and don't loose too much when i sell it on after spending money on maintenance - thats fine with me as i will have enjoyed the time and there are very little things in life that are free..

 

Thanks

[Realise What My Life Has Missed !]

Working in Erdington has to be getting on for a dream ticket if you are looking to combine liveaboard with cc ing, given the multiplicity of local canals and ready public transport and road access to the area. I think you will find much the bigger issue is taking that step from having a house to selling up and moving on board. If there is any way you can manage it, do try and hang on to your house until you have tried at least a few months (like now, when it's cold, raining and dark days) liveaboard. Not only do you need to see what you think when the novelty wears off, but there is the perenially thorny issue of what layout / cost boat you buy. However much you may think you do, you really won't know until you've done it for real just what you want in a liveaboard boat and how you want it laid out.

Even though property prices may be flatlining at present, it's still a big step to get off the ladder.

 

Mike.

 

Thanks Mike - I think this is good advice about keeping the house and if I can I will. I haven't come across any threats regretting the move onto a nb but I suppose a safety net is not a bad thing.

 

Thanks again to all

[Boat Depreciation/Appreciation]

A lot will depend on the boat you buy. We bought our boat going on for four years ago (doesnt seem like that long ) and it is still worth pretty much what we paid for it then. That doesnt of course take into account the thousands we have spent on it keeping it in top condition. Buy a boat by a respectable builder (much easier in the sea boat market BTW.) and it will tend to keep its value better.

 

Sales of boats like ours are still very active. The brokerage at our marina seems to be selling a lot of good quality boats at the moment but as with every yard it does have the odd shabby boat at the back that refuses to be sold.

 

Thanks for all the good advice.. Being new to this I will be buying an oldish nb - to see how things go - I can live with depreciation and am handy so will be looking to make a few improvements etc - as long as the boat doesnt halve in price over a few years thats ok with me.

 

What would be the priorities to look out for - I was thinking a sound hull - reasonable interior - good electrics - battery management ? Again I am hear to learn from seasoned experience.

 

Thanks

[Boat Depreciation/Appreciation]

New to the forum and this is my second post.

 

I'm considering purchasing a nb. I own a vw camper and over the years it has appreciated in value. Being new to this... if you look after your nb how will the value be affected over the years? Any general trends?? I'm looking to spent about £20k and make some improvements rather than a shell to refuit so to speak.

 

Thanks

[Realise What My Life Has Missed !]

I'm a live aboard, have lived afloat for two years, new to boating and work in Central London.

 

It works fine for me, but I think you need to be practical as some DIY is required when a water pump goes etc

 

I live out side London and travel in, and treat the boat as a get away at weekends, and during the weekend as a floating flat. I have a permanent mooring so I don't have the stress of continuous cruising etc.

 

I have amazing country views on the Thames, and would not change it for the world!

 

I'm 26 so don't think its just for the retired.

 

Weekend get away and floating flat - yes thats how I see it at the moment. I'm lookinf for moorings as I think that would be sensible early days.

 

Thanks for the advice

 

Good luck

[Realise What My Life Has Missed !]

I'm not retired either... Still some 31 years to go.

 

I freelance in my main job, which I can do 90% of from anywhere with an internet connection, so can do from the boat. The other 10% of it is travelling to see clients who could be more or less anywhere geographically, so being on a boat is no different from on land as I still have to go some distance, wherever they are.

I locum in my second job (not very many hours over the course of a year) which again gives me the freedom to be able to move around and work as and when and where it suits me and it ties in with other aspects of my life.

 

 

Sounds like you have it sussed - lucky you..!

 

Would it be possible to let your house instead of selling it?

 

Richard

 

Richard

 

I'm seriously think this and am working out figures etc - is this something you have done?

 

I think that you will find most on here Aren't retired!!

 

I have held down full time employment for 95% of my 4 years on board, I worked in London and regionally in East Midlands.

I have not had any real issues sticking to the CC guidelines and have gone much further than the "minimum???" expected, as I like moving the boat around and seeing new places.

You will have to be creative with your car/bike and public transport, but yes, I would say quite easy in the West Midlands given the amount of canals in the area.

 

Thanks for the advice - there's a lot to consider really and I'm grateful for the help

[Realise What My Life Has Missed !]

Hi folks

 

Thanks so much for the advice and words of wisdom. A mooring would make things a lot easier and I am considering all options. Ideally - if I can moor by a handy train station - that would be good. I may contact you individually with more questions

 

Thanks again..

[Realise What My Life Has Missed !]

Hi I am new to this forum but find it an incredible read. I've just spent the past 9 mths with someone who lives on a narrowboat and it's been magical as most weekends have been spent on her lovely boat.

 

I suppose it's crossroads time for me and I am seriously considering taking that leap and trying liveaboard even just for 12 mths. This means selling my house in an area I don't like with neighbours who dont speak... All else fails I can sell the boat and move somewhere else...

 

So - incase you thought I was just getting stuff off my chest here's the question.

 

From experience is it possible to hold down a full time job (I work in Erdington Bham) and live on a boat? I notice most seem to have retired ...lucky you.. I would dearly love to hear from anyone else who is thinking about this or has done/is doing this... and to all of you currently doing this I take my hat off to you...

 

Thanks for any feedback