Claret73

Hi Tony Thanks for that last post. Seems each question I ask raises a new one...Ha! Ha! In all honesty I haven't fully considered the time spent out of the marina. My thoughts were to be able to move during the week after work hours, saying maybe 1-2hrs per day until I fulfil the journey whereby turning around at a wharf and coming back...nothing set in stone but needs some better thought on the above. Thanks

Thanks both for your answers. Seems my initial costs are high...guess an efficient Panel heater(s) along with a lit stove could be the way to go, with another option for heating water...more RnD

As I work full time & the boat would be moored in the marina as a Liveaboard generally during the week and would possibly only incur diesel usage for heating initially. With the potential to move it occasionally during the month, what amount of diesel costs could I be looking at roughly? As far as movement goes, I'd be pretty busy over weekends unable to move it much therefore I'm thinking that during the better weather I can move it slowly from the marina moving along the local ring (Droitwich/Worcs Bham) & returning over a number of weeks) I did a calculation based on 4hrs of diesel heating per day from Winter to early Spring & 4hrs per week propulsion which may average out if I move it over the course of 1x weekend per month. Based on this my Heating diesel would be £150-£170 per Month. How does this sit with what other people use? Seems excessive? Thanks!

Thanks for the link Bod...I had a quick chat with Starcoaster in the chatroom re my link in my OP. But they all seemed like they'd had a night on the Vino & was like being out with friends when you're not drinking... In my heart it's lifestyle. I Love the countryside & have had enough living in a small town, outskirts of the city. But my head (& the spreadsheet) tell me something else...of which I'm trying to ignore...

Well, I'm not sure if any of this becomes conclusive...I've spent this evening revising my costs & (with a little surprise) looks like they will surpass my monthly income. I've not just calculated in the boat items, but other expenses like car/food etc (& omitted some). I'll reconfigure into a spreadsheet & post as above, for validation, although the figures seem not to lie...

Hi All Thanks for the replies & especially to Grace & Favour...there may be a few things to consider here along with my initial costs. A few calls to make re the Mortgage option. The Mooring fees are accurate for my usage as I already have these costs in place due to the mooring reservation with the marina.

Hi All I've been putting together a spreadsheet for some costings. Currently have a deposit on a mooring & am beginning a proper boat search after an Autumn of Procrastinating... I can't seem to link a sheet so have included a web link (not conclusive & hope it works) based on a Max 50ft (there's just myself & I'm out at work all day, so hoping to reduce the per feet costs by being able to live on a smaller footage.) Diesel is another uncertainty as during the week mostly it will be in the Marina & potentially during the Summer evenings I can move it along the local system. I have Tony Jones' book & have taken some costs from that (& could add in some more that I've so far missed out) but the rest I have found applicable to myself from relevant sites. I realise this may be the 'how long is a piece of string' question, but would like some info as to my costings at a basic level & anything else people may see I've omitted or not considered. Just to give me bottom line figure. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Nick has been Great & said that if there's space I can always move it at a later date... Thanks! I hope you haven't got a queue...I'll drop you a message to ask what suits you when you're back, as am only 15Mins away...I'll bring a beer or 2...

Thanks very much for the replies both!! I have been around a few times lately. Spoken to Nick again & did manage to speak to a couple of boaters. Although it's very quiet! (Which is Great, but I was hoping to see more people about). I'm going to reserve my mooring but am having difficulty deciding on a spot...I've narrowed it to the top left, opposite the Shower Block & the Pontoon moorings at the other end near the Office as you come into the Marina off the canal...Pros & Cons, but wondering if some behind me space would be more useful. SBG: Would you mind me being a bit nosy & coming along for a chat if you are about in the marina? I've all sorts of questions which I'm slowly finding out & would just be nice to meet people on the marina.

Well, I've got quite a ball rolling. I'm pretty sure I'll be taking a berth at Droitwich Spa Marina. I still work but only up in Stoke Prior, so is an easy Canal bike ride or via the road to the Office as we're opposite Pinder's Boat Builders, happily looking onto the canal side. This does give me the chance not to be permanent at the Marina between the early Spring & end of Autumn, allowing short cruising at times, but being restricted during the week to early evenings...yet having the fallback of amenities. I took a short bike ride from the Marina up past Stoke Prior today as a bit of a recce & seems to be a few areas for overnight mooring along that stretch. I do need to be talking to liveaboarders, to gauge more info than I have already from here, magazines & Internet research. Are there any Liveaboards at Droitwich Marina, that wouldn't mind a chat? Would be very appreciative of any advice. Thanks!

Salopgal Thanks for your Post! I am going to give it a try...& I've decided I'm going to maybe rough it out a little more than taking on a 57 footer. Reduce the initial outgoings. I've been watching lots of videos (quirky but exactly as I could see myself living - living life) by a boater on a 30ft 'Tilley' called Dan Brown... I'm going to hire both in the warm months & in the Winter, preferably a shorter boat to get an exact feel. I'm spending time here reading, as to post I have so many questions that may have been answered. It's all in planning to do this (unless I'm put off by the hire) by next Spring, so here;s to some saving, talking & reading...

Thanks for all the replies. I'm hiring a boat shortly & will do so again in the Winter. I've found a mooring close to my office (which sits on the canal) and so there will be some offset in fuel costs for commuting. I'm keen to give it a go & see what it's like. I'd guess 18 Months in after seeing the seasons I'd have a pretty good idea if it's for me long term. I've met lots of enthusiasm so far by boat owners & I really do like being outdoors, self sufficiency and being active, so there are lots of positives. I guess it will take the plunge to realise the worries or lack of for the long term...

Thanks very much for the link! Looks to be useful amongst the amount of reading I'm doing...

I've found a very useful spreadsheet off the 'Money Saving Expert' forum for an Income against expenditure as a budget sheet. I know there are posts on rough costs for living aboard as I've been reading them, for the usual points such as Mooring, license etc, but is there anything which shows a concise list for liveaboard costs of the immediate requirements? (Licenses, utilitiy costs etc)... Thanks!

I'm right behind you!...Ha! Ha!...