If you have ever dreamed of chucking the whole thing and living on a boat, maybe it’s a little closer to reality than most people give it credit for. There’s a lot involved in living on a boat, but if the confined space is a big concern, there is another alternative: a narrowboat.
What’s a narrowboat? It’s more like a barge than a boat, with advantages and disadvantages of its own. With all of its canals and inland waterways, narrowboats are very popular in the UK and other countries, and they are gaining popularity in the U.S. as well. A good source of information about narrowboats i http://www.nautisnp.com/offshore/barges. What follows are 10 things you should know about a narrowboat before investing.
They’re Not for Everyone
If you have ever dreamed of taking off for parts unknown on a boat, narrowboats would be a big disappointment. Instead, narrowboats are big live-aboards instead of real boats, as most people think of them. If you are unsure of your fitness for a narrowboat, try staying with someone who has one or rent one for the weekend, then decide.
Know Your Whys
A huge part of knowing whether a narrowboat is for you is knowing how many people will be aboard at any one time. It would also be useful to know how long you plan on staying aboard your narrowboat at any time. Buy appropriately.
Know Your Budget
Narrowboats are a lot like cars and houses, there’s something for every budget. Large or small, fancy or plain, there’s a narrowboat for everyone who wants to own one.
Know Something About Them
It’s important to know something about narrowboats before you buy one. Narrowboats are unlike almost any other form of living and traveling, and it helps to know that before you buy one. This is one area where working with a good broker is important. If there’s anything to know about owning a narrowboat, a broker will know it and can educate you.
Count the Cost
It’s important to understand all of the costs associated with owning a narrowboat. There are many costs involved, and these costs vary widely depending on many things.
Moorings Can Be Hard to Find
Owning a narrowboat means you will have to park it somewhere, and sometimes “somewhere” is difficult to find.
Keep the Paperwork Straight
There are many paperwork matters associated with owning a narrowboat. These include things such as licenses, insurance, and much more. You will need to make sure you are in compliance with all these before you own a narrowboat.
Know Something About the Boat Itself
Buying a boat is unlike anything else. As a result, it’s important to know the history of the boat you are buying. Knowing the history of a narrowboat will help to prevent buying a boat that was pulled up from the bottom of a canal not long ago.
Use a Brokerage
A brokerage can be worth its weight in gold for getting information on the history of a boat, its costs, and practically anything else. A broker can be your best friend.
Have Fun!
There are so many things associated with owning a narrowboat that it’s easy to forget the primary reason people own one: to have fun! Buy a narrowboat and have fun doing it.
