Considering Living On A Boat

[John V]

Well said Alan ! I forgot to mention that

[Phil Ambrose]

Wow!, scary picture Alan.

Phil

[Tam & Di]

Should have included a question about aluminium boats as I saw a 'petite' narrow boat moored on the lateral canal in Garonne .... are they better / worse than steel ... being lighter do they need a smaller engine?

 

Why are you focused on UK styles narrow boats or wide beam craft? Certainly they will be fine on the Midi, but you did say originally that you propose to cruise "north" each year. These boats have no side decks (very important for safe working of locks once you leave the Midi/Rhone a Sete) and their working gear is not really well suited to cruising on the larger commercial waterways. Have you looked at Fluvial magazine? You will find a wider variety of craft there. Ex-hire penichettes are worth consideration, though as they are built for seasonal use they are not generally well insulated, plus you'd probably want to do somethinmg with the lay-out as they are not set up for long term living.

 

Do bear in mind that regulations applicable to boats are far more onerous than those applicable to houses, particularly on the continent. Although your house renovation experience gives you a head start with the labour involved, boat conversion does require some specialist knowledge. Another thought is that a UK style boat on the Midi may well have slipped in with no permis de navigation - a sort of French safety certificate. Inspections are rare, but they do seem to be on the increase.

 

Tam

 

edit to add: I realise now I've already said much the same on your parallel thread

Edited July 21, 2015 by Tam & Di

[Time2Change]

Thanks ... as per usual much food for thought .... that pic is definitely "scary"!

[George94]

Taking up Tam's point, there is only one reason to own a narrowboat, and that is to cruise the narrow canals of the UK, where they are definitely the best option. In all other circumstances there are much better choices available. Taking a NB across the channel, however you do it, is time-consuming and expensive. Best to buy a barge for use on the Continent and hire a NB here when you need to. Or vice-versa if you end up spending most of your time in UK.