Greenbat

As I posted elsewhere, I've been reading a book about the Cromford Canal Society, which was just down the road from me. They had a passenger boat called John Gray, which was sold off when the society was shut down. Apparently she (he?) was 60ft, and last seen converted for living in around the Thames. She was built by the west Riding boat company, originally at 40ft. And as an aside-back in april, I was asking about living on a boat as a cheaper alternative to a house, and was put off by the massive mooring fees. Hypothetically speaking, if I had a boat on a bit of canal that was nothing to do with and isolated from BW, would I have to pay them anything?

Yes, money is a big concern. Utility bills seems to be around £100/month for one person. Council tax I can't find any info on, but umpires figure of £120/month sounds familiar (robbing bastards!). I am an apprentice, so I don't know if I get discount? But that is around £250/month of fixed costs (allowing a margin of error), which will occur no matter what I live in/on. On a residential mooring with utilities supplied, do you still have to pay for the actual amount you use, or is the cost inclusive of what you use? I did a quick poke at a mortgage calculator thingy on Llloydstsb website. This would suggest that £300/month would give me a 15 year mortgage for £30000. Once I've served my time, I could probably manage double that and get it paid off. That does look better than renting (a quick look at letting agents shows prices around £450-500/month). But, that doesn't include running/marina/licence costs. In my first post I linked to a clalculator for costs, which suggested around £4000/year. Does that sound about right? That would be around £300/month. So say £600/month for a boat. Bottle-you're quite right, it is best to know the good AND bad points of boating. This would be a massive decision for me. I really do appreciate all your advice.

Thanks, I shall have to start looking at marinas round Derby. I think it was quite loud. Dad and me have collected a fair few small engines over the years. I was thinking diesel could be handy if it ran on veg oil/paraffin. I do have scottish ancestry too! Thanks. Is there anyone near Derby who can offer advice? There is a chap at work who lives on a boat as well, I'll ask him next time I see him.

Aquaplaning? I know the Bluebird K7 lads are trying to get permission to run her on Coniston, but... I think K7 started aquaplaning at near 100mph! (sorry if that is a bit off topic. It is a boat though )

I volunteer at Steeple Grange Light Railway, at the top of Wirksworth. I have half shares in two old electric locos there, which I have been restoring for a few years. Sadly this has slipped of late due to work and bikes. As for maintenance-I come from a long line of scroungers, fixers and craftsmen (in a good way ). Just today I did a wee tuning mod on my bantam, on works milling machine, with permission cos I claimed it as an NVQ test piece! I have met Martin Miller. Back when I was 15, I had a chance at the chassis of one of the metre gauge diesels from Crich quarry. I spoke with Martin about storing it at the Ecclesbourne valley railway, but in the end decided I had enough commitments. Another advantage I reckon I have is that I've grown up playing with stationary engines. Come to think of it, we probably have a few that would be suitable (A lister G2 and a ford 1.6 with marine head?). So engine maintenance should be no bother. I assume it would be worth having a boating holiday for a week or so? I can't see why a well built boat shouldn't be as liveable as a house. A wood stove would be nice. I have an open fire in my room, which is lovely to come home to. BTW, thanks for the tip on finding a mooring first. Would the lease run from when I ask for it, or when I get a boat in it? I'd be concerned at having an empty mooring for a month while I looked for a boat. What would I need to look for in a mooring? Do I really need full electric and water hooked up, or could I get a mooring with none of these, but have a contract to go and empty the toilet/fill the water every week or so. Come to think of it, how long do those normally last? Obviously electric would have to be from a genny, though I don't know how practical that is. Come to think of it, we do have a decent diesel genny set in the shed...

I know it will be more than that, but that is just rent-on top of that are utilities etc. Plus, I'm not taking it up just as a hobby, but somewhere to live. Thanks for the fast responses. Of course, I may well decide it isn't for me, but I hope by joining a place like this I can get enough info to decide. Mind you, I'm in no rush purely because I need to save up a bit

I'm not too keen on renting. My girlfriends pays about £400/month on a house, I'd be far happier using that money to buy something that I could sell later on. Besides that, I enjoy DIY and would prefer to be able to adapt my accomodation to how I want it. I don't think a landlord would be too pleased with bike bits spread all over the living room... Besides that, I do find the idea of living on a boat quite attractive. I'm not a city person at all, so a town centre flat/sink estate house wouldn't be ideal.

Currently, I live in one of the front rooms in my parents house. Said house is quite a large 3 bedroom, in the countryside, but with 6 people plus lots of junk it is quite crowded. Dad had been looking at helping me buy a house, but for what we could afford we'd be lucky to get an empty shell in a rough area. There is also the problem of work-I have a 40 mile round trip every day to Derby. I started looking at narrowboat prices, and I think I could afford one. I am aware that there are quite high running costs (looking here http://www.boatsales-uk.com/running_costs.htm, the best part of 4K). Nearly all my hobbies are engineering based (some classic bikes, and voluntary work at Crich Tramway museum and a narrow gauge railway), so I would be happy with a boat that needs work doing to it. Perhaps a sound, working shell that just needs fitting out inside? I'd probably want to adapt it to my needs anyway, i.e. a decent sized workshop My first questions are: How big a boat would be ideal for a young lad with a couple of motorbikes (no car)? Where can I find information on moorings around Derby? How can I get experience of narrowboating? What do people do about cars, bikes etc? Would it be feasible to keep a bike on a boat? I'm only talking a little 125, not a huge cruiser! Or could I get a lock-up? I know I'm probably asking a few daft questions, but I am genuinely interested. I would appreciate any help you can give. Thanks Phill