David: Our family has lots more binge-watching days to catch up to NOW but we so enjoy your vlog. Your voice is excellent. I say that as a Mom of autistic son --- he can watch your show for 3 hours and not get agitated. He especially likes you showing the various dogs on boats (he's not a ppl person) and he loved seeing the black cat, as he owns a black cat. THANK you from this Mom in Utah! We plan on shopping on your site for Christmas!
Hi CruisingTheCut, I've been youtube surfing and I stumbled on your video gems. Much like other people who live in small places and make informative videos, you don't advertise yourself, you don't aggrandize your life, and you genuinely try to help people understand this lifestyle. Plus, your broadcaster voice is so pleasant to listen to. Please don't stop posting videos about such a culturally unique way of life in the UK. Cheers, from the USA.
I'm always astonished at how much I pay attention to these accounting videos when I know im not like looking for this information but there's something deeply engrossing about the reveal of the costs
I just love watching your videos. I lived aboard my fishing boat in Alaska for 15 years. Cruising the canals is one of my goals in life. Your videos are very calming to watch. Take care.
hello im a gypsy so this way of life on move really pulls at my heart idk what to say this is just calling me maybe someday keep the vids coming and stay safe
What a list! You’re the first person I’ve heard go into this extended detail of living expense and regulation. It quite takes the free and easy, care free appearance to a different reality check altogether. Your three part presentation of canal life cost has been eye opening. Not for the financially unprepared at all, I’d venture. That said, it’s still a wonderful dream.
Thanks for another quality video. Oh, small detail, but thanks so much for numbering your videos. It makes it easier to find where I left off as I work my way through your library.
I love your Vlogs, I am seriously considering buying a narrowboat to live on. Hopefully soon and I have enjoyed seeing your experiences, I have never been on a narrowboat apart from a quick visit, but the desire to live aboard is VERY strong and I know I will love it. Your price breakdowns are wonderful and have given me some good help with what to expect. I have a few more to watch, and look forward to each and every one of them. Thanks..Di.
small pressure cookers are so great, rice 4 mins, potatoes 3 min if cut. lentals take longer depending on type 10 to 20 and so much more. veggies 2 to 3 mins! I adore pressure cooking and have 3 sizes!
I must say, that puts the whole cost in perspective - thank you for those 3 vlogs of yours. it has gone up in proportion since 2016 (now 2020). Yes, thank you again.
Have spread the word about your Vlog - my sister and her husband have started with episode #1 and the first day watched 11 episodes! They are hooked - just like we are. We love the content - packed with information, delivered with a warm professionalism interspersed with dry humour! A perfect combination to make this Vlog the success that it is. Congratulations David. We are keenly awaiting the next episode. Cheering you on...Bruce and Andrea from Amherst Island in Lake Ontario
I cannot imagine going down to 22MBp Data rate as I now have slow fibre of 75MBp with 550 MB Data usage. many of my friends have 150MBp with unlimited Data usage. While this is all relative. I come from an era when just having a phone put you in a higher social class. I do enjoy your Blog as you bring life on the Narrowboat down to an understandable level. At my current age 79 I have other people do all my maintenance, in my younger years I did virtually everything, diesel and petrol engines, electrical, Electronic, grew up a Navy Brat, so a lot of marine related trades. Please continue the Blog as it is very down to earth (waterline) Your many comments on the actual living conditions, weather affecting issues, waterway conditions, safety issues, general every day life issues related to live on board.
Thank you. Reckon living on a boat is a viable cost effective alternative to land based living and am now seriously considering it. Gleaned some much needed information from this so thanks.
Living this way is in the back of my mind but a possible reality depending on how the tide of life flows.Thank you for the down to earth reality.Great on screen voice and presence.
Hello, just another new subscriber housewife from Michigan. I have been binge watching your vlogs and have watched all up to this point even the one on the toilets. I could be watching silly cat videos but your blogs are so enjoyable and I get animals so it's a win win. Seriously, you are good at this so keep making more. You may never have to work again!
I have been watching your channel a great lot during the last week and loved it. Not just as you allow a fascinating view into a lifestyle that I can only guess at as an occasional visitor to the UK but also as it is rather witty and simply fun to watch. Well done Sir, please keep it up. All the best from Germany
On the basis of living in a 2 Up 2 down house with your mortgage paid off in full living on a houseboat and owning a houseboat is much more expensive. But houseboat life is so much more interesting. Thank you so much for a interesting video
Many thanks for this information. I am coming up to retirement and want to live off grid I think....Just in the dreaming stage at the moment and this information is so useful when you are an absolute beginner so thank you.
Thank you for this video. Youve answered every question Ive ever had regarding costs. I started watching your channel about a week ago getting through several episodes every day. by the time I catch up to your current uploads I hope to be out there looking for my own boat.
Very useful information. Between the three videos we can have a pretty good insight into the cost of living afloat. I was surprised how reasonable it seems. So far the biggest downside seems to be that boats lose value over the years while houses gain value (on average).
Actually, all these costs added up equals fairly inexpensive living, especially considering the unique, quality lifestyle on the canals. Thanks for running it down for us. Happy Cruising
After 10 years of narrow boating which we had many happy times, we sold our beloved 55ft narrow Boat two years ago due to the cost of running it, it became a bottomless pit where money was concerned, there are many hidden costs like maintaining the boat, mooring, insurance, river licence, heating, batteries , gas, repainting, blacking the bottom of the boat every three years ,repairs,diesel etc we found it more expensive than running our flat, we loved it but unfortunately it was not cheap to run.
aircrash tupolov yes we do miss it at times, but we are better of financial, about the renting it out unfortunately that is also very expensive there are also lots of hidden costs, lnsurance being one of them
Love the visit from the neighbor cat! Realizing the video is several years and a couple hundred mooring spots old, please give it scritches from a random YT commenter, if you ever see it again.
Hi David, Very informative video ! I so glad I came across your site ! As a owner of a sailboat in California, I've often wondered what it would cost to own a boat like yours and live on a canal . As you know boat people are ( for the most part ) a great group of people to be around . After watching this video, I'd do it in a heart beat. Please keep these videos coming! Thanks for posting. All the best, Monte
Hello! Thanks for tuning in. More soon but I've got some (rare) paid work to be getting on with for the next few days so there may be a delay to the latest vlog. Cheers
Generally right on blacking. However, I recently sold a boat built by Yarwoods in 1929. Got it to use as a flat to save commuting 120miles per day. Blacked it when I bought it and it sat on marina for 10 years hooked up to mains. Retired and sold - new owner had survey and I took it to be lifted. Hull was like the day I blacked it - surveyor very impressed - little wear to anodes I welded on 10 years previously. Galvanic isolator did its job. Only cruised 1 day per week for 4 hours. Never painted the boat, and it does not look scruffy. T Cut is the product to use when good paint was originally applied - then wax ( just a few quid and elbow grease rather than the 8 grand you mention). The boat was hauled to Llangollen Canal where the owner lives on it (without blacking). In winter (when not cruising) pay 55p / l fuel - but get it from fuel yard (not marina) - google 'domestic heating oil' supplier to find nearest.
As a cat owner it's nice to see (assumed) non cat owners interact with pet cats in a positive way. A blanket and a place to relax is a good exchange for a genuine outburst of hilarity. A pet centered video might make for a good Vlog.
I've considered a "boat pets" video but it would require sufficient pets and willing owners so it could be a bit of an effort to make it. Maybe one day.
I was raked over the coals because I told a "responsible cat owner " that we let our cat roam at night and occasionally during day for potty break. She was livid. I did not know what to say. He is completely vet proofed. Cats are the best.
I have been a subscriber for awhile and finally I am commenting here. I just love your videos! For decades I have wanted to be on a narrowboat, and my mother in North Dakota before me wanted to travel on a narrowboat. She told me she got the idea for it from Agatha Christie, of all things. But now I am housebound... I waited too long. At any rate, I watch your videos and for a few minutes I am on a narrowboat, and I was right, I do just love being there. Thank you from San Francisco.
Oh, what a shame that the dream won't come true but I'm so pleased that I've been able to "bring you on board" through the videos. Thank you for watching. Glad you enjoy them :-)
I think it would be super cool (when you are cruising and speaking of destinations..) if you flashed up a flat map every so often to give Yanks like me a feel for the lay of the land. You might even point out how far and in what direction you are from well known land marks, famous battles, churches, monuments etc.
Awesome video and very well explained for every cost on your narrow boat really enjoyed watching this video I've got one of those bongles from three and only cost £23 a month unlimited and watching interesting videos like your,s I'm not really interested in the TV any more ☺👍
I've yet to own a narrowboat but at least this video gives me somewhat of an idea of how much it costs to live on and operate one before I decide to fork out thousands of pounds purchasing a narrowboat. Basically, with all the costs mentioned in this video, I come to a rough estimate of £5700 per year plus fuel and food. That works out to be around £110/week but I've budgeted for things like blacking and a BSS which only need to be done every few years. >> Owning Insurance £150/year Mooring fees £3000 @ £250/month for 12 months BSS Certificate £37.50/year (£150 every 4 years) CRT Licence £840/year Blacking/dry dock £300/year (every 2 years) Servicing x 4 times a year @ £150 each time = £600 Emergency Services (Bronze package) £150/year General Purpose/Maintenance/Upgrades £500/year Total £5760 >> Running Coal £66 - 6 x 25kg bags @£11 Gas (cooking only) 1 x 13kg bottle every 6 months £30 per bottle Electricity £5/month Comms - Internet, mobile, TV Licence etc. Diesel - too variable to calculate Total £700 Remember, this is only a guestimate from the information provided in this video and I won't really know the correct figure until I actually own one of my own but it gives you some idea of what expenses to expect before taking the plunge.
Mooring fees will vary depending where in the country you are but if you have one, I doubt you'll do the mileage to need four services a year and it is worth the effort to do those yourself (quite easy) anyway. That coal figure will be per month in winter. Cheers
Bummer you didn't have a fire blazing behind ya in the vlog. Great vlog, if only we in the US could have a a network of canals, etc. to do something similar; otherwise, we're limited to marina's on lakes, some rivers, and oceans.
Thank you so much for "Cruising The Cut". I enjoy your videos immensely and look forward to each new one since subscribing. I live in Iowa USA and will probably never have the experience of living on a narrow boat, however vicariously sharing your experience is enjoyable to say the least. Keep up the good work. I look forward to "Cruising The Cut" again with you and your cat friends very soon. I hope this won't be the last of the fireside chats. I quiet enjoy them.
Started watching your videos from Prime as I'm considering renting a narrowboat this spring on my bi-annual trip to England-today,found myself watching another video through the serpentine Facebook/RUclips route about "positivity through epigenetics" and thought "I'd rather be listening to the narrowboat chap"-entertaining, enlightening, and cat-loving! (And, perhaps, dopamine-producing!)
I would have subbed your channel and shared all your videos just for mere face you let the kitty come in and chill. I have a soft spot for animals myself. Also I own a chubby black haired cat that was a former stray.
Great vid :) Also much liked your CC'ing monologue, as K&A dweller and former CC'er I remember the trials of not falling foul of the rules, and seeing the results of those who did as well as the flaws in the system. It's a very difficult topic to discuss but you put it across excellently
Ah, thank you! I really appreciate that from you since you know that patch and the CCing so well. I tried to be quite balanced about it! Hope all's well on Kizzie :-)
Hi David,,Some people I knew years ago who lived on a boat, had a maxim,, if it hasn't got three uses it does not live on board, things like their cushions were stuffed with their clean underwear, therefore they were cushions, pillows storage etc, the other things I have learned are to use a steamer instead of boiling veg, that way you boils a couple of eggs for sarnies later, my own personal tip is for your engine,, treat it to a dose of "Slick 50" engine oil additive for diesel engines, I swear by and I used to build racing car engines, I used it in all of my road vehicles, cut down wear quietens the engine, never drains from the bearing surfaces, cuts fuel consumption etc etc. Apparently one of the tests they did was to treat a car engine,, then drain all of the oil out, and run the engine, and it ran on for approximately 100 miles before showing signs of problems. There are other brands to but look for then to contain molybdenum disulphide, once called Molyslip. That said if you go on line and search for penny wise pound saving living alone, or home tips, you can find lots of good sound money saving ideas. One I use is to always measure the exact amount of water to boil, , don't just fill or guess,, and I will often boil a couple of eggs in my potato water too , lots of penny wise saving to be had, too many to list here!I guarantee you will notice a difference by using the oil additive, that said, I have seen a boater on here buying the very cheap agricultural diesel, and apparently quite legally?
I work on the rivers of Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, and spoken to many boat owners over the last 20 years. The most common phrase i hear is ... the two best days of owning a boat is the day you buy it and the day you sell it... just saying...
theres a lot of truth in that , even more so if its wooden . if you dislike some one , buy them a boat,,, if you really dislike them , buy them a wooden boat.
Very useful information - some years ago when I was still working I considered retiring to a narrowboat (house went to the ex as part of the divorce settlement!) and went to a couple of fairs, and they left out (deliberately to try and sell boats??) a lot of the basic costs. I am currently living in Brazil (6 months of the year as a tourist, but own a house there - the other 6 renting in Peru!) as so much cheaper than the UK, but realise that eventually I will probably have to return "home" for healthcare (very expensive here) and was again contemplating living on the water as renting is so expensive - but now not so sure my budget would stretch to it. Thank you for sharing such valuable information.
A very comprehensive look at all the costs of buying, running and living on a narrow boat. A lot of people now live off grid on a narrow boat with a small income generated via some type of craft work, selling niche products and patreon or similar funding routes. Living for the moment sounds perfect, do off grid-ers (if that's valid description), ever worry about how they will fund their lifestyle the years to come? Or have I missed the point completely?
The answers are probably as varied as the people who get into it in the first place. You’ve got people living off their pension, people who have sold off accrued property and are choosing to live simply, people able to continue their existing employment through commuting, freelancers and consignment workers able to set their own hours to some degree. People who’s careers are seasonal and cruise during the lulls in their career, people who are taking a break from their careers, fully confident they can return to those careers at a later date. People whose careers are so closely linked to the canals already so that where their residence is on land or water hardly matters, and sadly you come to those who however they found themselves on the water are now stuck there unable to make the transition back living on land, essentially homeless on the water with a slowly diminishing quality of life on their boat. You don’t see it very often in his videos but once in a while in the background you will spot a boat that looks like it survived a hurricane except that the age of the damage varies. You have to wonder if those boats will eventually become one of the sunken hulks or slowly rotting structures in some farmers field
Well it seems to me that the costs to live abroad a narrow boat are similar to being a landlubbers, except you aren't stuck in one place, you move around, see places from a different angle, fresh air, nature etc....
Hi David. I just recently found your channel. Very interesting!! I had no idea that the canals or the narrow boats existed.Best wishes from Central Florida,USA. Vince
The CRT licence is very high these days. We paid relatively little for a 45' boat back in the days of the old BWB ( British Waterways Board) £900+ is close to my current council tax rate and then you have all the other things I top. I was living in hope that boat life was a much cheaper alternative to living in a house and something that could be easily funded by a property letting income? I wonder why so many people sell houses to go and live the canal life? Our old boat never seemed to need much in the way of maintenance, it had a really solid two cylinder Lister engine and we did all of our own blacking work at Kerridge dry dock, the biggest cost was the paint itself. I think the only component on the boat that needed to be replaced in two years was an electric bilge pump that cost 25 quid.
I suppose it depends on the property you're renting out and where it is! A typical two-bed terraced house seems to let for maybe £650-£750/month in my part of the Midlands so if you had a couple of those to let, you could cover your costs on the boat, just about. If you have a nice big London house renting for £4k/month, you're sorted!
@@CruisingTheCut The plan here is to rent out a single two bed house which would generate the same sort of income as a place in the Midlands. To me that seems doable as I am used to very thrifty living. On top of that I would also have income from work in IT and photography. I'm so bored of living in a house and so keen to return to canal life that in one of my madder moments considered doing an equity release on my very old cottage to provide funds to both do up the house and buy a boat and then let the newly refurbed house for top rate, assuming that such a thing was possible with equity release. Plan B is to try to sell my old (and in need of modernisation) house in a very des res then buy another cheaper place and a cheap-ish boat, live on boat and let new house but for less income than plan A.
I think that's a very doable plan, especially with the occasional bolster of IT/photography work, of which you'd only need one or two (properly-paying) jobs a year to top up the house rent, provided you have no major household expenditure or lack of tenants etc. Good luck!
Add a bypass oil filter and synthetic oil and only change when analysis says its due will save you a ton of money and extend engine life and drain intervals. Thats how the big vessels do it
Great break down on costs and it can be an eye opener. On a nice mooring and allowing for all the things mentioned (and a few more) my boat budget will be around £550 a month. That is as long as I'm based in a fancy marina all year, obviously it will get a little cheaper when just using as a winter mooring. It's so important to know these costs and you did a great job as ever in getting them across. Loved the series.
I spend more than that in total but I still have my car, there are ad-hoc things like birthdays, Christmas presents, the odd meal out etc. The boat costs could easily be £550 I'd say but don't forget to allow for food and "non boat" stuff! Cheers.
So, if you end up being a Continous Cruiser, you could probably live with relative ease and comfort for around £300+ a month (depending on length of boat and its even cheaper to live on just the rivers), if I've tallied it up right. So it does work out cheaper than living with the same basic needs in bricks and mortar. My flat costs around £620 a month and I can't afford to keep the gas running to keep my home warm throughout. So I just use a small oil filled radiator to keep one room warm at a cost of around £0.10 per hour (about 600kwh). As a narrowboat is just one long room essentially, it should be relatively cheap to keep the place warm. Especially if combined with a wood burner. I still think I'd choose the narrowboat/river cruiser way of life (and I'd be saving around £300 a month by doing so to live as i do now). I'm just trying to build an online business or two in the meantime to hopefully make it easier to live that way. And if I earn a very good decent income then the mooring costs won't be a problem as an addition. Oh, think of the freedom!!
Hi David, first off I'm not a narrow boat enthusiast nor am I ever likely to join the fraternity, but I just enjoy the tranquility your vlog engenders. The question - Blacking - you cover this in several episodes but have never explained how you get at the actual bottom of the boat as all the shots show it sitting on a couple of baulks of timber with little room to get underneath.
Hi. Thanks. That's because many boats don't bother blacking the bottom as rust requires air and water and there's less oxygen two feet under so the main rust point is the waterline. Also blacking on the bottom just gets scraped off every time you hit a shallow bit. However, if you watch the Life In A Nutshell or This Narrowboat Adventure channels, they have both recently shown blacking the baseplate.
What a brilliant presenter you are. I watch you and don't even want to live on a boat. Happy New Year! (Having said that our family holiday in June this year is on a 53' narrowboat - my daughter is narrow-boat mad - talked us all into it - can't wait!)
CruisingTheCut All I know is we head for somewhere near Burton on Trent to firstly be trained up and then pick up the boat. We are going to plan our route nearer the time - we have stacks of info to glean before hubby 'takes up the tiller'. My daughters have already had a go at a lock - they scare the willies out of me! This will be the first narrow-boat holiday for us - nervous excitement is beginning to take hold.
Locks are fine (but potentially dangerous) - just take your time, watch what you're doing and don't let anyone badger you into hurring. Also, don't necessarily accept help from others because they don't necessarily know what they're doing either. Best to accept help where they will do what you tell them to do for you, rather than themm telling you what to do (or worse, just doing things without you being ready)
OO-ER!! Going to take on a route with as few as possible. Covering the most amount of miles we can in the week is not our aim at all - mostly to just enjoy life on board amid beautiful scenery in close proximity to shopping (well ok an off-license) possibilities and a pub serving grub!
Hello David if ive already done this then sorry but just trying to give thanks to all my favourite people. All the best mate and all the best from chesterfield. The promise STILL STANDS if the blooming canal EVER gets done then the party (curry) is still on me.
Just moved to sheffield recently toom..and found the quays..marina.. and.. hooked.. so hence i find myself hear.. time to learn and educate myself.. Does anyone no if its courteous to literally pop down and ask people questions whonare moored up etc?
Generally you will find boaters are more than happy to talk about their boats and boating in general although obviously after too long they may have other things to get on with!!
@@CruisingTheCut awww great.. just watched tim n pru on the last programme.. quite emotional.. quite beautiful too.. watching the early camcorder movies with the children working the locks and summer time 💖
I found it pretty do-able once I ditched the marina. It wasn't practical though. Trying to do normal stuff like keeping yourself and clothes clean was inordinately stressful, especially when working full time. Security was a nightmare. Rubbish Internet. Constant energy worries. I lasted 6 months. Great for a break or a bolt hole but not for living. The costs don't really make much sense for a younger person either; if you have 20-50k in cash and 500+ a month income, you'd be insane not to get on the housing ladder instead. Boats depreciate, houses appreciate. The whole canal lifestyle thing was pretty much wealthy middle aged people (in my experience). Some young people trying to live 'alternative' lifestyles but not really succeeding without the bank of mum and dad.
I'd have to disagree with some of that. I have a washing machine (see video) and the shower on board is great. The Internet is largely superb (perhaps it's changed since you were aboard). Solar means plenty of power from April to September. Harder to maintain a job and keep cruising, I grant you.
Great video, you covered pretty much all the costs you have to look out for when living on a boat year round. Only one I can think of to add might be petrol for generator - using mine to charge my laptop and phone twice a day during weekdays, going through about £10-20 worth of petrol a month on average I think, although like yourself, it's because I'm just as I'm not getting enough solar power...
Fair point. I've nowhere safe to store petrol (nor do I have a genny!) so I didn't consider that. You crazy winter boaters ;-) I'd have thought you did enough travel for charging?
I sort of added up your figures and yes too many variables, I calculated around £5000.00 per year? mooring fee of £200.00per month I suppose is quite cheap when you consider renting a house where I live can be 6 to £800.00 per month. Ever thought of recycling cooking oil to use for fuel, actually buy new cooking oil should be cheaper than diesel trouble is you will smell like your cooking chips as you are touring lol. At the end of the day, apart from getting dark, if one needs to save money one would always have to look for alternatives. I have nearly got up to date with your vlogs
Diesel on narrowboats all has the red dye in it but you are required (and marinas, wharfs etc) will insist on you declaring what percentage is for domestic use and what for propulsion. The former attracts a different (lower? None? I forget) tax rate. The tax max accepts a 60/40 split although offhand I can't remember which way round that split is.
thank you for all the enjoyable and informative videos! not too many canals in the U.S., alas, though there are some, and navigable rivers. I'd love to see a small wood powered steam engine or learn where one may buy one still in production...but I can keep searching for that. thank you again and warmest wishes to you!
Y'alls licensing, given the massive amounts of facilities provided, is not that bad. We pay a 50-60$ annual boat license fee, but the only "mooring" you're going to get is a cypress knee or a cleet at a public ramp while you launch the thing, and the only public "facilities" you get is the occasional port-a-can that they'd ticket the crap out of you for dumping a toilet in. Everything else is private. I can only think of ONE lock in this part of the state, and it not only costs money, it's only open 4 days a week for about 6 hours, and is currently 8 years old and already down for indefinite maintenance. The only canals we have are the inter coastal waterway, and you wouldn't catch me on a skinny flat bottom that close to a 6 barge hitch barreling down the canal. This is all fascinating and a fascinating way of living. Reminds me very much of the house boat culture in central Louisiana that my father grew up in during the 40s...... slow, layed back, and enjoying the water. They just did it out of poverty, not preference. stupid question- modern pounds/pence is 100 pence in a pound right?
Another fab and informative video there, Dave. Interesting to compare my live-aboard costs to yours. Mostly very similar - leccy more (£3-4 per week) but no solar panels. By the sound of it that would be a good investment next year. All things considered, one hell of a lot cheaper than the exorbitant rent, bills, council tax etc. I was paying before!
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David: Our family has lots more binge-watching days to catch up to NOW but we so enjoy your vlog. Your voice is excellent. I say that as a Mom of autistic son --- he can watch your show for 3 hours and not get agitated. He especially likes you showing the various dogs on boats (he's not a ppl person) and he loved seeing the black cat, as he owns a black cat. THANK you from this Mom in Utah! We plan on shopping on your site for Christmas!
Oh wow, what a nice thing to hear. I’m glad he enjoys them. I like the animals better than people too ;-)
I could listen to him all day long he is an excellent teacher, very interesting thank you.
Hi CruisingTheCut, I've been youtube surfing and I stumbled on your video gems. Much like other people who live in small places and make informative videos, you don't advertise yourself, you don't aggrandize your life, and you genuinely try to help people understand this lifestyle. Plus, your broadcaster voice is so pleasant to listen to. Please don't stop posting videos about such a culturally unique way of life in the UK. Cheers, from the USA.
Thank you :-)
Would love to own a narrow boat but wow, much more expensive than i would have guessed. Dream crushed
I just loved the expression on your face when the cat showed up... especially having just 'warned' us about possible noises !
What a nice person you are, especially to look after the cat so well. I wish more
People on this planet were as kind as you, luv your vids.
I'm always astonished at how much I pay attention to these accounting videos when I know im not like looking for this information but there's something deeply engrossing about the reveal of the costs
Another good video , I cannot understand how people can put a thumbs down on these videos,They must be afraid of water .
I have been enjoying the fire side chats-lots if sensible suggestions and advise and I appreciate that.
I live in The States, and everyone of your videos makes me want to retire to a narrow boat! Thanks so much for bringing us along on your adventure.
Thank you for watching. Glad you enjoy them. Cheers.
Very professional presentation....thank you.
Not many canals in Australia but rivers galore!
I just love watching your videos. I lived aboard my fishing boat in Alaska for 15 years. Cruising the canals is one of my goals in life. Your videos are very calming to watch. Take care.
Thanks for watching, glad you like them!
hello im a gypsy so this way of life on move really pulls at my heart idk what to say this is just calling me maybe someday keep the vids coming and stay safe
What a list! You’re the first person I’ve heard go into this extended detail of living expense and regulation. It quite takes the free and easy, care free appearance to a different reality check altogether. Your three part presentation of canal life cost has been eye opening. Not for the financially unprepared at all, I’d venture. That said, it’s still a wonderful dream.
Thanks for another quality video. Oh, small detail, but thanks so much for numbering your videos. It makes it easier to find where I left off as I work my way through your library.
I love your Vlogs, I am seriously considering buying a narrowboat to live on. Hopefully soon and I have enjoyed seeing your experiences, I have never been on a narrowboat apart from a quick visit, but the desire to live aboard is VERY strong and I know I will love it.
Your price breakdowns are wonderful and have given me some good help with what to expect. I have a few more to watch, and look forward to each and every one of them.
Thanks..Di.
small pressure cookers are so great, rice 4 mins, potatoes 3 min if cut. lentals take longer depending on type 10 to 20 and so much more. veggies 2 to 3 mins! I adore pressure cooking and have 3 sizes!
I must say, that puts the whole cost in perspective - thank you for those 3 vlogs of yours. it has gone up in proportion since 2016 (now 2020). Yes, thank you again.
This was so helpful, and so brilliantly presented. Thank you so much. Wonderful
Have spread the word about your Vlog - my sister and her husband have started with episode #1 and the first day watched 11 episodes! They are hooked - just like we are. We love the content - packed with information, delivered with a warm professionalism interspersed with dry humour! A perfect combination to make this Vlog the success that it is. Congratulations David. We are keenly awaiting the next episode. Cheering you on...Bruce and Andrea from Amherst Island in Lake Ontario
That's very kind of you and much appreciated! Cheers :-)
The maniacal laughter upon seeing a cat... very witchy I like it
I cannot imagine going down to 22MBp Data rate as I now have slow fibre of 75MBp with 550 MB Data usage. many of my friends have 150MBp with unlimited Data usage. While this is all relative. I come from an era when just having a phone put you in a higher social class. I do enjoy your Blog as you bring life on the Narrowboat down to an understandable level.
At my current age 79 I have other people do all my maintenance, in my younger years I did virtually everything, diesel and petrol engines, electrical, Electronic, grew up a Navy Brat, so a lot of marine related trades. Please continue the Blog as it is very down to earth (waterline) Your many comments on the actual living conditions, weather affecting issues, waterway conditions, safety issues, general every day life issues related to live on board.
Thank you. Reckon living on a boat is a viable cost effective alternative to land based living and am now seriously considering it. Gleaned some much needed information from this so thanks.
Living this way is in the back of my mind but a possible reality depending on how the tide of life flows.Thank you for the down to earth reality.Great on screen voice and presence.
Thank you. Hope it works out for you.
Hello, just another new subscriber housewife from Michigan. I have been binge watching your vlogs and have watched all up to this point even the one on the toilets. I could be watching silly cat videos but your blogs are so enjoyable and I get animals so it's a win win. Seriously, you are good at this so keep making more. You may never have to work again!
Haha thank you. I assure you, filming, scripting, editing and producing these videos is quite a lot of work... :-)
I have been watching your channel a great lot during the last week and loved it. Not just as you allow a fascinating view into a lifestyle that I can only guess at as an occasional visitor to the UK but also as it is rather witty and simply fun to watch. Well done Sir, please keep it up.
All the best from Germany
Thank you Roland, very pleased you're enjoying it!
Love this guys style of talking.Very watchable
Thank you
You're welcome.Keep up the good work.
On the basis of living in a 2 Up 2 down house with your mortgage paid off in full living on a houseboat and owning a houseboat is much more expensive. But houseboat life is so much more interesting. Thank you so much for a interesting video
Many thanks for this information. I am coming up to retirement and want to live off grid I think....Just in the dreaming stage at the moment and this information is so useful when you are an absolute beginner so thank you.
Thank you for this video. Youve answered every question Ive ever had regarding costs. I started watching your channel about a week ago getting through several episodes every day. by the time I catch up to your current uploads I hope to be out there looking for my own boat.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for a most helpful video. Looked that many videos about living etc , but not about the cost of owning your boat. Roger (Cornwall)
Very useful information. Between the three videos we can have a pretty good insight into the cost of living afloat. I was surprised how reasonable it seems. So far the biggest downside seems to be that boats lose value over the years while houses gain value (on average).
Love how you have a visiting cat. Responsibility-free pet companionship.
I really enjoy your show, you have a very calming voice and a pleasant face.
Thank you for making such an honest video, this was really helpful!
I just need to convince my wife. I could live out the rest of my life on a narrow boat on the canals. Well narrated sir.
Actually, all these costs added up equals fairly inexpensive living, especially considering the unique, quality lifestyle on the canals.
Thanks for running it down for us.
Happy Cruising
Cheers
After 10 years of narrow boating which we had many happy times, we sold our beloved 55ft narrow Boat two years ago due to the cost of running it, it became a bottomless pit where money was concerned, there are many hidden costs like maintaining the boat, mooring, insurance, river licence, heating, batteries , gas, repainting, blacking the bottom of the boat every three years ,repairs,diesel etc we found it more expensive than running our flat, we loved it but unfortunately it was not cheap to run.
Almost like living in California.
aircrash tupolov yes we do miss it at times, but we are better of financial, about the renting it out unfortunately that is also very expensive there are also lots of hidden costs, lnsurance being one of them
That was awesome about the cat. And awesome that you put/left that in the video. :)
I'm not a boat dweller, but I do enjoy your informative and entertaining blogs! Cheer!
Thank you!
Love the visit from the neighbor cat! Realizing the video is several years and a couple hundred mooring spots old, please give it scritches from a random YT commenter, if you ever see it again.
I do occasionally go and visit it but it's a fair distance from me now
Hi David, Very informative video ! I so glad I came across your site ! As a owner of a sailboat in California, I've often wondered what it would cost to own a boat like yours and live on a canal . As you know boat people are ( for the most part ) a great group of people to be around . After watching this video, I'd do it in a heart beat. Please keep these videos coming! Thanks for posting. All the best, Monte
Hello! Thanks for tuning in. More soon but I've got some (rare) paid work to be getting on with for the next few days so there may be a delay to the latest vlog. Cheers
B.O.A.T. - Bring out another thousand :)
Generally right on blacking. However, I recently sold a boat built by Yarwoods in 1929. Got it to use as a flat to save commuting 120miles per day. Blacked it when I bought it and it sat on marina for 10 years hooked up to mains. Retired and sold - new owner had survey and I took it to be lifted. Hull was like the day I blacked it - surveyor very impressed - little wear to anodes I welded on 10 years previously. Galvanic isolator did its job. Only cruised 1 day per week for 4 hours. Never painted the boat, and it does not look scruffy. T Cut is the product to use when good paint was originally applied - then wax ( just a few quid and elbow grease rather than the 8 grand you mention). The boat was hauled to Llangollen Canal where the owner lives on it (without blacking). In winter (when not cruising) pay 55p / l fuel - but get it from fuel yard (not marina) - google 'domestic heating oil' supplier to find nearest.
I was referring to a full repaint rather than polishing up the existing colour.
As a cat owner it's nice to see (assumed) non cat owners interact with pet cats in a positive way. A blanket and a place to relax is a good exchange for a genuine outburst of hilarity. A pet centered video might make for a good Vlog.
I've considered a "boat pets" video but it would require sufficient pets and willing owners so it could be a bit of an effort to make it. Maybe one day.
I was raked over the coals because I told a "responsible cat owner " that we let our cat roam at night and occasionally during day for potty break. She was livid. I did not know what to say. He is completely vet proofed. Cats are the best.
I have been a subscriber for awhile and finally I am commenting here. I just love your videos! For decades I have wanted to be on a narrowboat, and my mother in North Dakota before me wanted to travel on a narrowboat. She told me she got the idea for it from Agatha Christie, of all things. But now I am housebound... I waited too long. At any rate, I watch your videos and for a few minutes I am on a narrowboat, and I was right, I do just love being there. Thank you from San Francisco.
Oh, what a shame that the dream won't come true but I'm so pleased that I've been able to "bring you on board" through the videos. Thank you for watching. Glad you enjoy them :-)
I think it would be super cool (when you are cruising and speaking of destinations..) if you flashed up a flat map every so often to give Yanks like me a feel for the lay of the land. You might even point out how far and in what direction you are from well known land marks, famous battles, churches, monuments etc.
More recent videos now include Google map links in the video description but regarding why I don't show maps, please see my website FAQ page, cheers
Another very informative and relevant video. Well done, as usual. Thanks again.
Awesome video and very well explained for every cost on your narrow boat really enjoyed watching this video I've got one of those bongles from three and only cost £23 a month unlimited and watching interesting videos like your,s I'm not really interested in the TV any more ☺👍
Binge watching CTC is my best use of this Easter Sunday.
I've yet to own a narrowboat but at least this video gives me somewhat of an idea of how much it costs to live on and operate one before I decide to fork out thousands of pounds purchasing a narrowboat.
Basically, with all the costs mentioned in this video, I come to a rough estimate of £5700 per year plus fuel and food. That works out to be around £110/week but I've budgeted for things like blacking and a BSS which only need to be done every few years.
>> Owning
Insurance £150/year
Mooring fees £3000 @ £250/month for 12 months
BSS Certificate £37.50/year (£150 every 4 years)
CRT Licence £840/year
Blacking/dry dock £300/year (every 2 years)
Servicing x 4 times a year @ £150 each time = £600
Emergency Services (Bronze package) £150/year
General Purpose/Maintenance/Upgrades £500/year
Total £5760
>> Running
Coal £66 - 6 x 25kg bags @£11
Gas (cooking only) 1 x 13kg bottle every 6 months £30 per bottle
Electricity £5/month
Comms - Internet, mobile, TV Licence etc.
Diesel - too variable to calculate
Total £700
Remember, this is only a guestimate from the information provided in this video and I won't really know the correct figure until I actually own one of my own but it gives you some idea of what expenses to expect before taking the plunge.
Mooring fees will vary depending where in the country you are but if you have one, I doubt you'll do the mileage to need four services a year and it is worth the effort to do those yourself (quite easy) anyway. That coal figure will be per month in winter. Cheers
Great stuff. Thank you. Hope you're keeping warm. Your neighbour's cat is lovely.
He's fab but he's got such muddy paws! Yes, very warm :-)
Bummer you didn't have a fire blazing behind ya in the vlog.
Great vlog, if only we in the US could have a a network of canals, etc. to do something similar; otherwise, we're limited to marina's on lakes, some rivers, and oceans.
Thank you so much for "Cruising The Cut". I enjoy your videos immensely and look forward to each new one since subscribing. I live in Iowa USA and will probably never have the experience of living on a narrow boat, however vicariously sharing your experience is enjoyable to say the least. Keep up the good work. I look forward to "Cruising The Cut" again with you and your cat friends very soon. I hope this won't be the last of the fireside chats. I quiet enjoy them.
Thanks for watching! Cheers
For a weekender it's expensive but it sounds reasonable if you live on it.
Started watching your videos from Prime as I'm considering renting a narrowboat this spring on my bi-annual trip to England-today,found myself watching another video through the serpentine Facebook/RUclips route about "positivity through epigenetics" and thought "I'd rather be listening to the narrowboat chap"-entertaining, enlightening, and cat-loving! (And, perhaps, dopamine-producing!)
Hahaha thank you
I would have subbed your channel and shared all your videos just for mere face you let the kitty come in and chill. I have a soft spot for animals myself. Also I own a chubby black haired cat that was a former stray.
Great vid :) Also much liked your CC'ing monologue, as K&A dweller and former CC'er I remember the trials of not falling foul of the rules, and seeing the results of those who did as well as the flaws in the system. It's a very difficult topic to discuss but you put it across excellently
Ah, thank you! I really appreciate that from you since you know that patch and the CCing so well. I tried to be quite balanced about it! Hope all's well on Kizzie :-)
interesting and informative thanks very much. I always fancied retiring to a narrowboat.
Glad you found it helpful. Cheers.
Very informative, thank you as I am thinking of purchasing a narrow boat
👍👍
Cat = instant upvote.
Hi David,,Some people I knew years ago who lived on a boat, had a maxim,, if it hasn't got three uses it does not live on board, things like their cushions were stuffed with their clean underwear, therefore they were cushions, pillows storage etc, the other things I have learned are to use a steamer instead of boiling veg, that way you boils a couple of eggs for sarnies later, my own personal tip is for your engine,, treat it to a dose of "Slick 50" engine oil additive for diesel engines, I swear by and I used to build racing car engines, I used it in all of my road vehicles, cut down wear quietens the engine, never drains from the bearing surfaces, cuts fuel consumption etc etc. Apparently one of the tests they did was to treat a car engine,, then drain all of the oil out, and run the engine, and it ran on for approximately 100 miles before showing signs of problems. There are other brands to but look for then to contain molybdenum disulphide, once called Molyslip. That said if you go on line and search for penny wise pound saving living alone, or home tips, you can find lots of good sound money saving ideas. One I use is to always measure the exact amount of water to boil, , don't just fill or guess,, and I will often boil a couple of eggs in my potato water too , lots of penny wise saving to be had, too many to list here!I guarantee you will notice a difference by using the oil additive, that said, I have seen a boater on here buying the very cheap agricultural diesel, and apparently quite legally?
Wow! A Slick 50 tout. That stuff is so discredited you can't even find it. You take the record for worst advice on RUclips.
I work on the rivers of Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, and spoken to many boat owners over the last 20 years. The most common phrase i hear is ... the two best days of owning a boat is the day you buy it and the day you sell it... just saying...
theres a lot of truth in that , even more so if its wooden .
if you dislike some one , buy them a boat,,, if you really dislike them , buy them a wooden boat.
Very useful information - some years ago when I was still working I considered retiring to a narrowboat (house went to the ex as part of the divorce settlement!) and went to a couple of fairs, and they left out (deliberately to try and sell boats??) a lot of the basic costs. I am currently living in Brazil (6 months of the year as a tourist, but own a house there - the other 6 renting in Peru!) as so much cheaper than the UK, but realise that eventually I will probably have to return "home" for healthcare (very expensive here) and was again contemplating living on the water as renting is so expensive - but now not so sure my budget would stretch to it. Thank you for sharing such valuable information.
have you thought about a motorhome...might be cheaper...and you can go Europe wide too
The cat is curled up for sleep. All is well in the world. Nice conclusion.
GREAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VLOG
IT SEEMS AGES SINCE YOUR LAST ONE YOUNG MAN PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING FANTASTIC
THANK YOU SO MUCH WARM REGARDS MARK
9 days. Not that long really! Glad you liked it :-)
Omg the cat!!! Hahahaha I love it and bless your kind soul sir! Wonderful vid!
A very comprehensive look at all the costs of buying, running and living on a narrow boat.
A lot of people now live off grid on a narrow boat with a small income generated via some type of craft work, selling niche products and patreon or similar funding routes.
Living for the moment sounds perfect, do off grid-ers (if that's valid description), ever worry about how they will fund their lifestyle the years to come? Or have I missed the point completely?
The answers are probably as varied as the people who get into it in the first place. You’ve got people living off their pension, people who have sold off accrued property and are choosing to live simply, people able to continue their existing employment through commuting, freelancers and consignment workers able to set their own hours to some degree. People who’s careers are seasonal and cruise during the lulls in their career, people who are taking a break from their careers, fully confident they can return to those careers at a later date. People whose careers are so closely linked to the canals already so that where their residence is on land or water hardly matters, and sadly you come to those who however they found themselves on the water are now stuck there unable to make the transition back living on land, essentially homeless on the water with a slowly diminishing quality of life on their boat. You don’t see it very often in his videos but once in a while in the background you will spot a boat that looks like it survived a hurricane except that the age of the damage varies. You have to wonder if those boats will eventually become one of the sunken hulks or slowly rotting structures in some farmers field
Well it seems to me that the costs to live abroad a narrow boat are similar to being a landlubbers, except you aren't stuck in one place, you move around, see places from a different angle, fresh air, nature etc....
Since years have ensued since this vid, I love to see an update with your 2019 totals!
To be honest, not a lot has changed. The CRT licence has gone up a few percent but the rest is not hugely out of date
@@CruisingTheCut Thanks for saying that.. its now 2020
You laughing at the cat made my day! God I'm such a loser 😂
We are all losers who will succeed in life
Thanks for a fabulous video...well detailed and full of information. May you (and the cat) be blessed.
Glad you liked it!
Hi David. I just recently found your channel. Very interesting!! I had no idea that the canals or the narrow boats existed.Best wishes from Central Florida,USA. Vince
Cheers :-)
your videos really makes me happy. keep up the good work 😄
That is great to hear, thank you.
The CRT licence is very high these days. We paid relatively little for a 45' boat back in the days of the old BWB ( British Waterways Board) £900+ is close to my current council tax rate and then you have all the other things I top. I was living in hope that boat life was a much cheaper alternative to living in a house and something that could be easily funded by a property letting income? I wonder why so many people sell houses to go and live the canal life? Our old boat never seemed to need much in the way of maintenance, it had a really solid two cylinder Lister engine and we did all of our own blacking work at Kerridge dry dock, the biggest cost was the paint itself. I think the only component on the boat that needed to be replaced in two years was an electric bilge pump that cost 25 quid.
I suppose it depends on the property you're renting out and where it is! A typical two-bed terraced house seems to let for maybe £650-£750/month in my part of the Midlands so if you had a couple of those to let, you could cover your costs on the boat, just about. If you have a nice big London house renting for £4k/month, you're sorted!
@@CruisingTheCut The plan here is to rent out a single two bed house which would generate the same sort of income as a place in the Midlands. To me that seems doable as I am used to very thrifty living. On top of that I would also have income from work in IT and photography. I'm so bored of living in a house and so keen to return to canal life that in one of my madder moments considered doing an equity release on my very old cottage to provide funds to both do up the house and buy a boat and then let the newly refurbed house for top rate, assuming that such a thing was possible with equity release. Plan B is to try to sell my old (and in need of modernisation) house in a very des res then buy another cheaper place and a cheap-ish boat, live on boat and let new house but for less income than plan A.
I think that's a very doable plan, especially with the occasional bolster of IT/photography work, of which you'd only need one or two (properly-paying) jobs a year to top up the house rent, provided you have no major household expenditure or lack of tenants etc. Good luck!
Add a bypass oil filter and synthetic oil and only change when analysis says its due will save you a ton of money and extend engine life and drain intervals. Thats how the big vessels do it
David dear boy, clean your solar panels, if you haven already, you will be pleased at the difference it makes.
Great break down on costs and it can be an eye opener. On a nice mooring and allowing for all the things mentioned (and a few more) my boat budget will be around £550 a month. That is as long as I'm based in a fancy marina all year, obviously it will get a little cheaper when just using as a winter mooring. It's so important to know these costs and you did a great job as ever in getting them across. Loved the series.
I spend more than that in total but I still have my car, there are ad-hoc things like birthdays, Christmas presents, the odd meal out etc. The boat costs could easily be £550 I'd say but don't forget to allow for food and "non boat" stuff! Cheers.
Informative and funny .Bit like Alan partridge
Thank you
So, if you end up being a Continous Cruiser, you could probably live with relative ease and comfort for around £300+ a month (depending on length of boat and its even cheaper to live on just the rivers), if I've tallied it up right. So it does work out cheaper than living with the same basic needs in bricks and mortar.
My flat costs around £620 a month and I can't afford to keep the gas running to keep my home warm throughout. So I just use a small oil filled radiator to keep one room warm at a cost of around £0.10 per hour (about 600kwh). As a narrowboat is just one long room essentially, it should be relatively cheap to keep the place warm. Especially if combined with a wood burner.
I still think I'd choose the narrowboat/river cruiser way of life (and I'd be saving around £300 a month by doing so to live as i do now). I'm just trying to build an online business or two in the meantime to hopefully make it easier to live that way. And if I earn a very good decent income then the mooring costs won't be a problem as an addition. Oh, think of the freedom!!
You’re hilarious! I can’t believe I’m sitting here listening transfixed about your costs!
Hi David, first off I'm not a narrow boat enthusiast nor am I ever likely to join the fraternity, but I just enjoy the tranquility your vlog engenders. The question - Blacking - you cover this in several episodes but have never explained how you get at the actual bottom of the boat as all the shots show it sitting on a couple of baulks of timber with little room to get underneath.
Hi. Thanks. That's because many boats don't bother blacking the bottom as rust requires air and water and there's less oxygen two feet under so the main rust point is the waterline. Also blacking on the bottom just gets scraped off every time you hit a shallow bit. However, if you watch the Life In A Nutshell or This Narrowboat Adventure channels, they have both recently shown blacking the baseplate.
For those who want to know, on my conversion app., it show 1BPS=$1.25, so 1.25 times pounds equals cost in dollars, 11/24/2016.
Really enjoyed the video, thank you for sharing your experience. 👍🏼🇬🇧☕
David, not ever going to be a narrow boat owner but just love you talking money. Trying to keep up with exchange rate to Aussie dollars. Cheers
What a brilliant presenter you are. I watch you and don't even want to live on a boat. Happy New Year! (Having said that our family holiday in June this year is on a 53' narrowboat - my daughter is narrow-boat mad - talked us all into it - can't wait!)
Thank you! Oooh, hope you have fun. Where will you be, got a route planned yet?
CruisingTheCut
All I know is we head for somewhere near Burton on Trent to firstly be trained up and then pick up the boat. We are going to plan our route nearer the time - we have stacks of info to glean before hubby 'takes up the tiller'. My daughters have already had a go at a lock - they scare the willies out of me! This will be the first narrow-boat holiday for us - nervous excitement is beginning to take hold.
Locks are fine (but potentially dangerous) - just take your time, watch what you're doing and don't let anyone badger you into hurring. Also, don't necessarily accept help from others because they don't necessarily know what they're doing either. Best to accept help where they will do what you tell them to do for you, rather than themm telling you what to do (or worse, just doing things without you being ready)
OO-ER!! Going to take on a route with as few as possible. Covering the most amount of miles we can in the week is not our aim at all - mostly to just enjoy life on board amid beautiful scenery in close proximity to shopping (well ok an off-license) possibilities and a pub serving grub!
me too, he is great entertainment, i would rather watch his videos than watch the tv
Hello David if ive already done this then sorry but just trying to give thanks to all my favourite people. All the best mate and all the best from chesterfield. The promise STILL STANDS if the blooming canal EVER gets done then the party (curry) is still on me.
Just moved to sheffield recently toom..and found the quays..marina.. and.. hooked.. so hence i find myself hear.. time to learn and educate myself.. Does anyone no if its courteous to literally pop down and ask people questions whonare moored up etc?
Generally you will find boaters are more than happy to talk about their boats and boating in general although obviously after too long they may have other things to get on with!!
@@CruisingTheCut awww great.. just watched tim n pru on the last programme.. quite emotional.. quite beautiful too.. watching the early camcorder movies with the children working the locks and summer time 💖
You have a very good way of doing things, wish I could manage that.
I found it pretty do-able once I ditched the marina. It wasn't practical though. Trying to do normal stuff like keeping yourself and clothes clean was inordinately stressful, especially when working full time. Security was a nightmare. Rubbish Internet. Constant energy worries. I lasted 6 months. Great for a break or a bolt hole but not for living. The costs don't really make much sense for a younger person either; if you have 20-50k in cash and 500+ a month income, you'd be insane not to get on the housing ladder instead. Boats depreciate, houses appreciate. The whole canal lifestyle thing was pretty much wealthy middle aged people (in my experience). Some young people trying to live 'alternative' lifestyles but not really succeeding without the bank of mum and dad.
I'd have to disagree with some of that. I have a washing machine (see video) and the shower on board is great. The Internet is largely superb (perhaps it's changed since you were aboard). Solar means plenty of power from April to September. Harder to maintain a job and keep cruising, I grant you.
Great video, you covered pretty much all the costs you have to look out for when living on a boat year round. Only one I can think of to add might be petrol for generator - using mine to charge my laptop and phone twice a day during weekdays, going through about £10-20 worth of petrol a month on average I think, although like yourself, it's because I'm just as I'm not getting enough solar power...
Fair point. I've nowhere safe to store petrol (nor do I have a genny!) so I didn't consider that. You crazy winter boaters ;-) I'd have thought you did enough travel for charging?
CruisingTheCut Ha ha! Well perhaps if I didn't have to work/if it was light enough in the evenings I'd be able to get away with it!
I sort of added up your figures and yes too many variables, I calculated around £5000.00 per year? mooring fee of £200.00per month I suppose is quite cheap when you consider renting a house where I live can be 6 to £800.00 per month. Ever thought of recycling cooking oil to use for fuel, actually buy new cooking oil should be cheaper than diesel trouble is you will smell like your cooking chips as you are touring lol. At the end of the day, apart from getting dark, if one needs to save money one would always have to look for alternatives. I have nearly got up to date with your vlogs
Are you allowed to use RED DIESEL on a canal boat? Haven't heard anybody ask that question. Are you all keeping a secret??
Diesel on narrowboats all has the red dye in it but you are required (and marinas, wharfs etc) will insist on you declaring what percentage is for domestic use and what for propulsion. The former attracts a different (lower? None? I forget) tax rate. The tax max accepts a 60/40 split although offhand I can't remember which way round that split is.
Superb set of video's - well done!
Neighbours cat , your a good soul.
thank you for all the enjoyable and informative videos! not too many canals in the U.S., alas, though there are some, and navigable rivers. I'd love to see a small wood powered steam engine or learn where one may buy one still in production...but I can keep searching for that. thank you again and warmest wishes to you!
Y'alls licensing, given the massive amounts of facilities provided, is not that bad.
We pay a 50-60$ annual boat license fee, but the only "mooring" you're going to get is a cypress knee or a cleet at a public ramp while you launch the thing, and the only public "facilities" you get is the occasional port-a-can that they'd ticket the crap out of you for dumping a toilet in.
Everything else is private. I can only think of ONE lock in this part of the state, and it not only costs money, it's only open 4 days a week for about 6 hours, and is currently 8 years old and already down for indefinite maintenance. The only canals we have are the inter coastal waterway, and you wouldn't catch me on a skinny flat bottom that close to a 6 barge hitch barreling down the canal.
This is all fascinating and a fascinating way of living. Reminds me very much of the house boat culture in central Louisiana that my father grew up in during the 40s...... slow, layed back, and enjoying the water. They just did it out of poverty, not preference.
stupid question- modern pounds/pence is 100 pence in a pound right?
Yes 100 pence to 1 British Pound
@@tosspot1305 just saw that, what I thought :-)
Another great and informative video. I really look forward to these videos.
Thank you.
love the cat segment!
Another fab and informative video there, Dave. Interesting to compare my live-aboard costs to yours. Mostly very similar - leccy more (£3-4 per week) but no solar panels. By the sound of it that would be a good investment next year. All things considered, one hell of a lot cheaper than the exorbitant rent, bills, council tax etc. I was paying before!
The solar costs a lot to install of course but it's so good to have it when moored up somewhere; no engine running, no generator etc. I love mine.
It speaks volumes about you that a neighbour's cat not only wants in, but trusts you sufficiently to crash on your chair. Good on ya, mate.
To be fair, that cat would make himself at home in any boat he could find!