Question for Liveaboards?

Question

Next week I will be viewing a narrowboat with the intention of living on board. As well as the usual questions regarding mooring fees etc what else should I be asking?

Answer 1

.......does it float?........  :)

God Bless :)

Answer 2

ask spongebob

Answer 3

There are many marinas who allow live-aboard owners, particularly on the canals, it is very common. Some even offer a slightly reduced rate - because it is good for security to have people about at most times, though this is rare. You may, however, not desire a marina berth - preferring so-called 'continuous slow cruising'. Though, because of winter maintenance on 'the cut' by British Waterways, which creates annual 'stoppages' (well publicised in advance and, I believe, directly notified if you are a toll payer) you need to bear in mind where you plan to be for the winter and consider a berth for those months.

All the monthly magazines about the canals and inland waterways regularly carry features on living aboard and, if you are considering owning a boat on these waterways in any context, they are essential reading anyway.

Be sure the intended vessel already carries a Boat Safety Certificate, get a survey done on her (only the one you really want, not every one you look at) which will cost upwards of £300, depending on her length. If the engine compartment (particularly) looks like an oily "pickle-of-s**t" and spaghetti, forget it. And also, importantly - especially if she is already being lived on by the vendor - and a point often overlooked - be sure that the contract of sale ensures 'completion' on the agreed hand-over date "With Vacant Possession"!

Happy cruising and good luck.

Answer 4

Are there any holes in it?

Answer 5

If you contact Virginia Currer Marine Ltd

Delta House

Delta Way

Thorpe Egham

Surrey TW20

Tel [phone]

Fax [phone]

Mob [phone]

They have a fact sheet which is very informative

I work for a charity which caters for disabled and we have

four boats based at Harlow in Essex.

If you want advice we have several people who have their own boats who are very knowledgeable.

If you would like to come and see our boats you would be

welcome.

It is The Canal Boat Project

Based at the Moorhen Pub

Harlow.

Phone [phone]

Phone first to find the best time

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Michael

Answer 6

Does it leak?

Answer 7

1. Will the boat stay afloat under most circumstances

2. Is she able to keep me in fresh water

3. Will she stay warm in the cooler weather

4. Can I lock myself in to keep me safe

5.  Is there somewhere close where I can access my mail and other things I would need to keep my everyday living up to snuff

Answer 8

To coin a phrase from the "Letterman Show", will it float?  Good luck Captain and God Speed.  I used to work on a shrimp boat.  Michael A.  :)

Answer 9

What you're really asking is "I need to be able to do my own hull & engine surveys- how do I start?"

First, is the boat wood, fiberglass, steel or ferrocement?  If its wood, take a small pen knife and go down near the bottom of the transom, and using the smallest blade, gentle poke the wood- what you're looking for is wood rot.  Do this in a few more places where the wood is always wet- this gives you an idea of how sound the hull is

Fiberglass?  Ask when the last time it was outhauled, painted and the zinc's replaced

Steel is its own killer- look behind the places where the steel has really bad rust.

Ferrocement- once again, you're looking for rust, has it been parked next to a large metallic mass, and has its zinc's been replaced every year?  How thick is the hull?  Tap on the concrete firmly but lightly- what you're listening for is hollow sounds which means holes in the hull materal.

Look around the portholes, and hatches- sighs of water damage, or water leaks?

Engines?  Do they run?  Are they freshwater or saltwater cooled?  How old are the batterys?  Signs of corrosion (Neglect?) or are they very clean?  Squeeze the hoses- spongey, like they're going to blow open?  Swollen, showing they need to be replaced?  Pull the oil's dipstick- water in the oil, meaning theres a blown head gasket or possibly a cracked engine block?

Does the boat smell musty from lack of use?  Or does it smell damp from water condensation?

Good Luck- oh, and please give me the 10 points! :)

Answer 10

any know leaks?

Answer 11

So has this ever been in a flood?

Answer 12

Questions relating to the material condition of the hull would include

Last changeout of the cathodic protection.

Service history of the engines (Look at the engine logs for maintenance and repairs, and # of hours on the engine) If there IS no engine-log, you'll need to have a marine mechanic look it/them over.

Inspect the masts and rigging.

Volume and condition of all tanks, (fuel, PW, grey, and CHT) and all associated plumbing and equipment..

Generator output, battery history,  (Old batteries will be needing replacement sooner than newer ones) and wiring condition.

Presence and condition of Coastguard-required items that the owner will not be transfering to a new boat.

Hull condition, inside and outside. Check for wear and cavitation damage to the rudder and s***w, and electrolosys damage to any hull fittings below the waterline.

The latter group is going to require a hauling-out and the attentions of a marine surveyor. If they have recently had this done, they will have on-hand a signed surveyors report for you to review. That report will cover a lot of te afforementioned items. These are things that I, as a retired Navy "snipe" would look at heavily.  The rest are comfort items such as ventlation, galley, and living-space matters. If something is not to your liking, temember that making changes other than minor/cosmetic ones are far more involved and expensive than to a house.

Answer 13

Any holes?

Answer 14

Will it sink?

Answer 15

is it unsinkable?

Answer 16

First, Consider what type of boatyou are buying.Is it for private or family use,sports or for pleasure trips.Then,check the engine,there are luxury and non-luxury boats.You ask for a demo ride,is there a shock absorber?How many mpg,Look for boat demo rides, there is one in Irvine CA.I 've been there that's why I'm suggesting you should go. Don't be ashamed to ask questions with the representative.

Answer 17

Engage a marine surveyor to inspect any boat that you propose purchasing.

Answer 18

Where was it made, when it was made are two important ones. Those made in the temperate zones, are built to withstand weather, has enough insulation for cold winters ( very important) ."When" determines the maintenance requirements as type of materials, type of maintenance also come to the negotiation table. Ask for the last maintenance checklist and who did it. When is the next scheduled maintenance, drydock  location, how much did he pay for the last one, what were the problems found?

Check the plumbing, the electricity source, water source, sanitary/sewage etc requirements.  During winters, what moorage services can be expected? Planks can be icy and slippery, who salts them,  back up generators, how much extra to hook one up?  Does the water around the boat ever freeze up?  How often do the moorage fees change?

That is usually a problem.  Check the other places you can moor the boat, ask other boat owners which one they recommend.  

What are the rules for this particular moorage site? You might not like no christmas lights, no alcohol on deck, no undershirts or nudity nor profanity, no barbeque smoke?

People who live on boats normally complain a lot about the  perpetual motion  of the waves in the beginning, bathroom facilities, or its absence ,  noise by the next door neighbor, icy gangplanks during winter and no space to hang laundry throughour their stay.  A house boat is said to be more comfortable.

Answer 19

Make sure it is Coast Guard inspected.

And it meets all safety regulations.

Life Jackets, radio, fire extinguisers, etc.

Just think Safety all the way and you will be ok.

Make sure there are no leaks from not only the boat but from the gas/water heater, any heaters, chemicals left behind, etc.

Answer 20

Does the boat leak.

Answer 21

? Ask which room can you house your pet elephant.

Answer 22

I have some friends who lived on a boat.. it was a sail boat.. single mast.. bout 30 feet.. I envied them.. if I had a choice of a boat to live on.. it would be a sail boat.. good luck and good sailing..

Answer 23

Are you going to get seasick?  Sounds inane, but it is an important point.

Answer 24

# 1 does it leak?  # 2 where does the sewage go and how much does it cost locally to get it pumped out of your tank?

Answer 25

has it got a bed and a bottom?

Answer 26

does it sink?

Answer 27

why are my feet wet?

Answer 28

how much room there is? what is the cost? is it in your range of prices?What additions there are? What condition has it been in before? Any accidents it has been in?

Answer 29

my lover lives on a boat... he has no internet, i hate it,i never get to talk to him...

ask about connection to the outside world, you want to keep in touch with family, friends?

Sometimes he gets internet while in port, would you get that? or internet cafes?

ask about food.

or how cold does it get at night?

Should you get one of those -10degree sleeping bags?

Answer 30

first let me say are you scared of cramp spaces ..are there any whores or harlots still on the vessel...are you anxcious to be in a narrow tight place... ask the boat specialist if there is any man eating rodents aboard. check the cabin for roaches ..it is possiable that one could crawl inside you ear and cause you to have to be sent to a crazy house, dust mites have been descovered on some boats ..those boat kind have sharp teeth and bite their victums while they are asleep causeing rashes and hot spots on the bodies.. and boat  crabs  are another threat to boat dwellers ...expecially when s*x parties have been previously been ingaged in.. stomp the boat hard to see if its sea worthly... get ear covers to keep boat mites and boat craps from intering your body cavities...take wine and whiskey along so you can get drunk and enjoy the narrow living space without  going plume NUTS

Answer 31

Are you happy or said to be selling it,