Peanut

I realise that those who don't want to pay for a mooring, won't pay for a mooring anyway, so will just move past the next bridge.

I was not actually referring to you personally, but the implied moorers.

Well, yes 1000 moorings at £10,000 pa would raise ten million, which would help, but where would everyone else moor? Or would it just move the problem further out.

Sorry, I have every sympathy with your plight, but like everyone else, you have to make other arrangements, not just break the rules. Beaten to it.

Maybe the answer lies in enforcement. As this would cost money, franchise it out to wheel clampers. They have the skill set needed. Unlicensed boats, over-stayers, and dumpers, could pay a fine, say £150 initially, and then if still non-compliant be towed to a location, away from anywhere convenient, padlocked and pay, say £500 to be released, and a storage charge of some £50 a day. With last resort, the option to gain possession, and sell the boat for non-payment. In addition, all unlicensed boats would need to pay all back fees, comply with the BSS and insurance, or be sold. It would take a while for the message to sink in, but soon enough the problem would go away. CART, would refer all complaints back to the clampers. 🙂

It won't half be cold when the ice sheet reaches London.

Strangely, that is what is done round here, a planning requirement, the ground floor is a garage, utility space. Guess what, they convert them into extra living space. A self builder obtained a bargain site on the edge of a posh village. He got planning for a house on stilts, Walter Segal design. The villagers were up in arms, it would draw attention to the flood risk and devalue their nice property.

It seems to me that the outcome would be the same, whether the redacted pages were included or not. The pages show that, the cost of boating is increasing, half of boaters don’t want to see an increase in their licence fee, and many don’t appreciate the value it gives them. This is hardly surprising given the increase in the cost of living and pressure on household finances. Without redaction, the Trust could have faced this head on by explaining that, due to the financial situation they are in, they have to increase the Licence Fee to discharge their obligation to maintain the navigation. This would have addressed the objections, though not to everyone's liking. While they endeavour to do a good job with the recourses that they have, the decision, to redact the pages and not face them, then deny their existence, appears to be mistaken.

I use my daughter's address with no problem, it doesn't affect any benefit she may claim as I don't live there. I even stay there sometimes, many boaters use a relative's address without any problem. It is a family matter.

Nothing to do with the style of boat you buy, but you will need to sort out, is where you will keep it. Will you have a home mooring or keep moving around? These are lifestyle choices which you need to be aware of, will you be able to keep moving all the time, or is there a mooring available near where you would like to be?

Just add the cost of it onto the licence fee, or make it a fee for first application.

I had some from Ikea for sticking a sink down.

Looking for seals, sealant and tapes, there is a good range here: https://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/

Quite a few have managed to get residency in Portugal with yachts, but there is likely to be an income requirement. Only works if Portugal would suit you, but may be warmer than the Netherlands.

This happens in Eastbourne Marina, expensive houses all around, phone to the marina office. "Could you move the boat outside, as the mast is obscuring the view from my kitchen window?"