As rents and house prices rocket, more people are considering houseboats as an alternative place to live. Some love it. Some don’t last a winter. The difference usually comes down to how much research they have done before buying.
This page outlines the differences between the main types of houseboats, what the buying process is like, and gives you an idea of what everyday life is like living on a houseboat. Each section includes more detailed information, and there are more short articles on the blog if you want to look into a specific question further.
Types of houseboat
“Houseboat” is used to describe any boat that people live on, which makes searching for one confusing. Narrowboats are the most common in England and Wales. They take a while to get used to. Wide beams are much easier to get used to and feel more like living on a flat, but they have less access to the canals. Dutch barges are even more characterful than wide beams. Static houseboats are even easier to get used to as they take no skill to manoeuvre, they just sit on a river or canal and are not powered by an engine.
Want to travel? Narrowboats are the obvious choice. If you want the space and don’t mind staying in one area then a wide beam or static would be a better choice. We discuss each type in our guide on types of houseboat. Wondering if a barge could work for you? Check out Could you Live on a Barge?.
Buying one
Buying a houseboat is a lot like buying a car. There’s no chain and it can all happen quickly, but nobody else is going to check over the boat for you. A survey out of the water is always worth paying for on any second hand boat because the hull is the one part you can’t see on a viewing and the most expensive part to put right.
New boats are usually built to order. Expect to wait. With used boats you’re basically buying other people’s decisions about the layout and heating and power. Some of those can be very costly to change.
Have a look at our buying guide. If you’re looking for interior design ideas have a look at The Art of Luxury Houseboat Design. If you’re looking at turning a different kind of boat into a houseboat check out Converting a Fishing Boat into a Liveaboard.
Living on board
Every day there are different management challenges on a boat that don’t exist in a house. You have to manage power (from solar panels, a generator or shore power), water (from an onboard tank that has to be filled) and sewage (a cassette that has to be emptied or a pump-out tank that has to be taken to a service point to be emptied). Heating can be from a multi-fuel or diesel stove. In January, after a long cold winter, you will know if you picked the right heating system for your boat.
It is really not that difficult to manage, but some people have a harder time adjusting to the difference in lifestyle than expected. Our article on living aboard goes into more detail on the practical side.
mooring location makes a big difference too. A mooring means a lower monthly cost, but you won’t have access to shore power or other marina amenities. Choosing the Best Marina Community talks about the benefits and factors to consider before joining a marina.
What it costs
People are initially drawn to the idea of owning a boat over a house because boats are cheaper. The costs associated with running a boat add up quicker and last longer than the costs associated with owning a home. Is Living on a Boat Cost Effective? goes over some of the costs associated with boat ownership. Our Boat Ownership section takes an in depth look at boat maintenance.
You need to account for these costs when creating your budget. Do this before making an offer, not after the first winter.