Bikervet

Thanks for some pointers there guys. I'll look into some of the names mentioned above. Bless you Oldgoat still helping out despite not being a big internet fan. Thank you. Unfortunately our business is very much an online business with some streaming necessary . Thanks again.

Thanks for some pointers there guys. I'll look into some of the names mentioned above. Bless you Oldgoat still helping out despite not being a big internet fan. Thank you. Unfortunately our business is very much an online business with some streaming necessary . Thanks again.

Hi all! Well we've finally moved into our widebeam and we couldn't be happier! What a great life! Though I'll let you all know of the sentiments felt the same in winter! So here's my next query! Does anyone have any recommendations for internet onboard a canal boat?. We will be purchasing a tv with freeview and we work from home on laptops so internet access is so important especially where wifi is concerned. Does anyone have any recommendations when it comes to companies or equipment to use to get access to internet/WIFI/TV channels/ laptop usage etc? I've heard of mifi(?) or buying a mast but I have no idea what and who is the best... The marina we're moored in has free wifi but it's on and off and therefore it has been very frustrating getting fast internet access on our phoneset alone other equipment we plan to have.. Any ideas greatly appreciated! Loving the weather so far! Will be taking her out on a trial cruise this afternoon! Gulp! Thankfully our community is so helpful that I've had no end of offers to help with supervising me. Love this life!!

I guess it looks like I'll need one. My c/o address has one but I guess that won't cover it from what I've read so far. Rather not risk it. Thanks guys.

Hi all!! Moving onto our widebeam is now imminent!! House is sold and we plan to embark on this new venture at the beginning of next month. As I am an avid TV person, my question is how I go about sorting a TV licence on a boat? I assume I'll need one. If residential, I realise one gives the address, but what happens when one is a CCer?? Does anyone know how this works? Look forward to hearing any answers on this subject! Bikervet

Wow! Thanks for all the tips and possible figures to look at! Very impressed by the solar panel idea! Thanks again guys!

Thanks Patty Ann . Any way I can help, I would be more than happy to share my experiences. I'm sure Starry has done and will continue to give excellent advice

Lol! Well we have a receptionist, a nurse and hopefully, a future vet on the water! It would be a small cosy practice. Mind you, travelling to an emergency using a canal boat may not be the way! Maybe an online service for canal boaters and their animals!? RVNs deserve to be paid better for what they do. Total respect for nurses, I wouldn't be where I am today without the practical and theory training I had from the nurses at college and in practice.

Am hoping they should be ok with it but being the worried mum that I am, they WILL be wearing vest jackets (despite any protesting from them) until I'm confident that they've taken life to the water in their stride! Biker vet surgeon! Vet nurse?

Lol!! Thanks Grahame, at least I know there will be lots to choose from then!

Does anyone know really good or recommended lovely places to moor for a weekend or a week long trip on the Thames or Kennet and Avon canals if you have dogs? Also any good pubs?? ;-) Biker vet

Hi everyone! So having been humbled by how helpful everyone has been on here, having thoroughly enjoyed the Crick Boat Show and loving the boating community, my quest for the liveaboard lifestyle is still ongoing. Currently waiting for my house to exchange and we do have an eye on a second hand widebeam (60ft x 12ft) boat with a steel hull that we're hoping to buy and live on. Fingers crossed it doesn't sell before we exchange!!! My outlook is realistic and I'm aware that sometimes it's not actually cheaper to live on the water but I am trying to be realistic and working out a budget. I've done some research but the internet can be confusing and the costs and fees for the necessities vary so much and are very non specific. I was hoping that maybe you guys would be far more knowledgable and accurate, certainly more than this bloke I met in London who really came across as a 'know it all' - he cruises on a 70ft yacht one weekend a year...hmm. I just really need to have an idea on approximate fixed costs for a 12ftx60ft widebeam liveaboard. I have an idea of annual residential mooring costs and if I need to stay on a waiting list for anywhere, I'm happy to CC it for a while. The costs I'm looking for are for: 1) Boat Safety Certificate 2) Waterways licence (plan to really stick to the Thames and Kennet/Avon waterways ESP with limitations of available canals for this boat size and family reasons). 3) Blackening and hoisting boats out of a canal (heard various costs from £300 to £2000 in total!!) 4) Engine servicing 5) Boat Insurance I've kinda worked out necessary variable boating costs on a monthly basis (ie fuel - solid and gas, electricity, engine fuel, engine maintenance, pump outs, water etc). It came to about £1500-2000/yr at its worst not including unexpected emergencies of course. If anyone has had any experience or know of any pointers/websites for me to have a look at, is really appreciate your time. Biker vet. Is really appreciate your time = I'd really appreciate your time. Blooming predictive

Hi Peter, Yeah, it looks like a widebeam with minimum dimensions of 60x12ft appears to fit the criteria for a qualifying ship which seemed to be the general consensus at the Crick Boat Show as long as you are a liveaboard. Been reading through this thread. Lots of interesting points and thank you all for some really interesting facts. Whether widebeam or narrow boat owners, I value all your advice especially with the experience you all have on life on the water. Fingers crossed, that'll be me soon!!! Thanks again!!!

And Alan de Enfield, I don't know anyone in Liechenstein but that did make me laugh! Interesting advice but probably getting into the realms of 'too complicated' for us!

Yup, it's a very confusing and grey area still! I'd assume that most reputable large boat building companies will be VAT registered. As most of you say, it would be difficult to keep below the threshold so I'm hoping that we could try get a zero rated boat. The more I read the more it seems feasible but I think you'd have to be quite specific in a few modifications during the build to reach dimensions that would ensure more than 15 gross tonnage. I've read articles on two widebeams out there that have been legally 0% VAT on purchase (boats named Zoe and Piper. Both gorgeous boats). Some discuss about lifting the line of the gunwales during the build so increasing the value of the depth/drought(?) dimension. This would then increase gross tonnage using the formula used to calculate it to fit in with the tonnage requirement stated by the HMRC. We didn't have time to speak to the New and Used Boat Company, so no update just yet. Will let you all know tomorrow how it goes. To J R ALSOP (sorry, my phone won't let me highlight posts and reply to individuals) I hope to never aggravate fellow boat users and it would never be my intention to do so. We did consider a camper van but the comforts of a widebeam, the lifestyle and most importantly, the community of the canal boating world suited us more. They're a great bunch, as already proven in this thread .