vonBenningen

I understand that but I like the idea of flexibility at this stage

What's the problem with twin/bilge keels on canals?

Nice!

Bilge keeler seems ok for canal/river use - as long as it has a draft of 2ft 6 or less, no?

haha. A proper boat being a narrowboat, presumably.

Well a yacht for use on canals/rivers for the most part. A gold licensed yacht. But one that's good enough to cross the channel. Yachts seem to be better value in general

I'm thinking I'll buy a yacht instead.

Hi - just wondering if anyone can answer this for me? The steering on this boat is not functioning, no wheel, no cables etc. So could I feasibly run it with an outboard motor, petrol/diesel...? Or is that going to be too expensive? Or too much of a hassle? Or both?

Interesting. So it was probably moved along in response to the signs going up. I really appreciate all the input, this forum's great

Do people continuously cruise with nothing but an outboard motor with a steering arm?

No it doesn't does it. And there's no steering wheel/cable for the rudder. But for a total budget of £2000 to get on the water, licensed and everything above board, as a continuous cruiser, maybe this is still a bargain?

Well that is reassuring! I thought it would be a few hundred at least! ditchcrawler, I'm currently the high bidder with slightly cold feet at £896. My max bid a couple of days ago was £900 and considering he had quite a few bids already I was assuming I wouldn't get it for that. Considering insurance is much less than I expected, I may be willing to go to £1000 max. As a continuous cruiser, if and when I attach an outboard (I've asked whether the steering is functional), presumably I wouldn't need a mooring initially to get licensed for that?

Yep, thanks just checked the price. So now I know that, can anyone provide a rough estimate of insurance and the license fee? I'd really appreciate it! Or a point in the right direction. Yeah it's in the blue area. Thanks for that

Yes it's right at the entrance to the Kennet This is my feeling exactly - could end up with problems down the line. Then again, I don't want to stay in one place anyway Here's the link to the listing, btw. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Old-Viking-Houseboat/253467127282?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649

Thanks for that - never heard of it but yeah, this is exactly what I would be after

Hi ditchcrawler, Can you explain what you mean by this? Why is it unlikely to be licensed as a houseboat even if I live on it? And what does that mean for me (and my money)?

Hi Alan, can you elaborate a little bit? I'm beginning to feel suspicious myself but don't have the knowledge or experience to know whether there's anything to be suspicious about. You appear to know exactly why I should be suspicious. What are you saying, that he's wrong about there being no mooring fees? Personally I don't think he's lying, I just think there's a chance he may not know what he's talking about and has managed to live there (if you say he can't) by luck. What for? Thanks

This is what I'm asking, really - what I'm getting into. £254 for the license? And safety certificate/insurance would be how much on top of that, do you reckon? Regarding the mooring fees, this is what the current owner said: I’m moored in Reading Berkshire on the Thames, in Caversham. I’m moored in a small gap between Reading and Wokingham borders, so the bit myself and my neighbour are in is (no mans land), so no mooring fees or any kind of facilities And about the precise location, he said: where the Kennet mouth meets the Thames in caversham then I’m there on the corner on the wokingham side. http: thames.me.uk/s01130.htm He said he lived on the boat for the past 6 months so if he is in that zone with the signs about fines, then presumably they don't affect him

It's on the Thames near Reading, by the Kennet. £38/year for registration just seems so cheap, given that it's basically the equivalent of rent on land. Apparently he got it registered after he just bought it, prior to doing it up and living on it himself. So I would guess the registration cost goes up for an unpowered houseboat as opposed to an unpowered leisure boat (the category he registered in).

At present, the boat is unpowered and the owner says it's just £38/year - to the Environment Agency - to keep it there. Does that sound right for an inhabited houseboat?

Thanks for your help. It has a multi fuel stove, and I would probably install solar panels to charge leisure batteries to power laptop and phone. It may also be leaky at present, through the roof, which is why it's covered with tarpaulins. Does this sound unlikely to pass BSC/insurance requirements?

Hi - I'm looking to buy a boat, an old Viking cruiser, 22ft, that's been moored in one spot for at least the last 6 months. I'll need to attach an outboard motor, since I want to continuously cruise rather than stay in one place - but I'm wondering whether it'll be eligible, safety-wise, for the inland waterways license. Is this generally an issue for boats of this type, or is it likely to be a simple process of sticking the motor on the back and getting a new license? What are some common reasons for licenses being denied?