Continuous Cruising: how much does it cost 2019/ 2020
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ธ.ค. 2019
- Is boating a cheaper option than living in a house? Cruising my narrowboat through the fog on the Trent and Mersey, I take a break to discuss the costs involved in being a continuous cruiser on the canal network. CRT licence, boat insurance, boat safety certificate, how much diesel do I use? How much do I spend on coal and logs and gas? Boat servicing costs, phone, internet and television, and toilet pump-outs.
Other narrowboat youtubers have covered this topic too, here are some links to their findings:
• 68. What it costs to o...
• 36. First Year Living ...
• How much does it cost ...
• Coventry by Narrowboat...
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Always enjoy you videos, great photography and relaxing presentation 👍
Just subbed your channel as I found it both entertaining but also very factual and educating. I am approach my 60th next year and while I am still relatively fit (fingers crossed) the idea of a canal boat is quite appealing even though I have never owned so much as a rubber ring. Your very honest and factual costings will help us in our decision. Thank you again and have a great festive season.
Like you I was 60 when I started out in May, and also like you had never owned even so much as a rubber ring! Go for it! I doubt you'll regret it. And even though I was fairly fit I soon became an awful lot fitter. Good luck with it, and any questions, just ask...
Excellent - you are the first one to sensibly list the basics of funding cruising on the canal system.
Thanks Doug, I reckon I may have missed a few things, but hey...
Another excellent video Andrew. I must say that as much as I like the cruising videos, I enjoy the informational videos even more. I'm in the process of trying to sell up and buy a boat asap and I have an excel sheet with projected costs and I'm happy to say that my projections concurred with yours pretty much. Keep up the good work and maybe pass by you on the cut someday soon.
Thanks, and good luck with the boat hunting.
Very informative vlog regarding narrowboat cost.
What an excellent video. I have only just discovered your channel. I will subscribe and watch from the beginning. It was always my dream to do exactly as you are doing on retirement but ill health has prevented it. Now I enjoy cruising vicariously. Yours is one of the better channels. Thank you. Kevin
Thanks Kevin I appreciate that.Pity you weren't able to experience it first hand. In the meantime, stay safe
That's it......watched 'em all now, needless to say extremely enjoyable, and waiting with bated breath for more. Very well done , Sir.
So pleased you enjoyed what I'm doing, much appreciated
@@talesfromtheswansneck Forgot to ask.....do you have a Flickr page or similar of your photographic work ? Loved the slideshow, some deeply moody images there . MMMMMM.....moooooddyyyyyyy!
@@haroldhorseposture9435 I don't no, but perhaps I should.
Just found your channel, and simply had to sub! Great "feel" to the channel , and really dig the photography bits....more , please ! I'm in Manchester, but recognise a lot of where you've been, my time on the railway put me close to our glorious Northern canals many a time. And the pubs that go so hand-in-hand with boats and trains. Keep on doing what you do , be assured it's very interesting and appreciated greatly. Cheers, me duck !!!
Wow, thank you. I have to say the northern canals have been amazing and I'll be heading north again in the spring. I want to do the Llangollen, the Anderton Boat Lift and the Weaver, and the Leeds Liverpool. Thanks for subscribing
Useful information, thanks!
Very Good 😊! Many Thanks 👍!
A comprehensive guide to live aboard costs. I don’t think it’s as economical as some people think! It’s a great lifestyle though.
Very informative 👍 really useful for people interested in buying a boat like me
Pleased it was helpful Mark
Great video thank you very informative stay safe good luck !
Thanks Marcus.
Thanks for the link ;-)
Excellent video.
Thanks David, watching your excellent and informative videos helped me to choose this lifestyle, and I'm still learning from them
Enjoyed your videos. I am seriously considering buying a narrowboat. I am 63 and by myself and have been thinking for some year about this. The cost breakdown has helped me in deciding. The only thing I worry about of is being alone and trying to do the locks by myself
Hi Matthew, I had the same concerns but there are always like minded people to chat to on the cut and it's fairly easy to make friends and acquaintances. Locking alone is quite daunting but you soon get used it. Just keep your wits about you and an eye on your boat and all will be well
Tales From The Swan's Neck
Thank you very much, many thanks. Great advice. The only problem is the kids won’t like me putting there inheritance into a depreciating asset. (Boat) but I have worked 45 years in 4 different factories over the years, so I think I deserve a bit of a break, especially after not seeing sunlight most days. My other option was looking at a apartment in Spain which the running of that is a bit more expensive or a camper van to see a bit of Europe. I can only do one of these options though, due to funds.. The idea of a narrowboat appeals because I love the countryside and I love being on the move, and I love Britain. Thank you again for the videos, they are brilliant. I will have to let you know what direction I go in.
Matthew also something I’m very much considering and would be a Lone Ranger, I am thinking of shared ownership first for a couple of years to test the water
I'm not sure why but, when you said "hoo, lets talk about toilets" that really made me laugh. I'm childish I know!
Probably stopping at Whittington tomorrow or the day after
Great video and noticed our boat moored up at Kings Bromley too!
Excellent. So that was you at Fradley then...!
Yes that was me who said hello by Shadehouse Lock 👍
@@dulciebarnes6228 Great. Well I'll be passing through again in 3 or 4 days time, so please say hello again. I also believe a bath is available at Kings Bromley. Is that just for people who moor there, or can passing boaters use it too?
I know they have showers, not sure about a bath, but that might just be for moorers or maybe people who stop overnight on a visitor mooring, but actually I don’t know the rules, but the staff are very friendly there so definitely worth asking. We won’t be there over the next few days but if you ever come through Whittington on the Coventry Canal then get in touch, about two hours from Fradley Junction by canal
Thank you for another great video. Brave you out in the cold and mist. Please share your experiences finding, negotiating, surveying, and buying your boat. I have been shopping for a couple of months and am pretty much overwhelmed by choices, options, and conditions (good and bad). Do you maintain a Facebook Page?
I don't do facebook but I am considering it. I think before Christmas I'll do a vlog answering some of the viewers questions, including yours about the buying process.
In Northern NH I go through about 8 "nets" a day in wood.
Or about 30 logs a day (yours are half-size logs) ...Im thinking narrowboat life and I are going to be pals! I spend 5 months a year just cutting, splitting, and drying wood to be used the following year...Its non-stop. I go to work, come home after 8-10 hours, and start splitting...do 2 hours- and call it a day....Starting in May, and going to Sept.
Thanks for that TFTSN, Very helpful. Bon Chance!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Skip, nice vid and interesting breakdown of costs. Is it as expected? For your “stiff rope” try a water repellent spray(WD40) maybe but for the deck ropes I’m at a loss.
Take care. Admiral Hutchinson.
Surprisingly it was, I thought I was spending much more. But with food/ drinks etc it comes out at the 500 quid (or thereabouts) that I thought. A good shake of the ropes usually loosens any stiffness I find Admiral!
I pay Cooper Fuels £11 per 25 kg Excel, logs £4.50, kindling £1.50, firelighters £2.50, next day delivery is free, potatoes £7 for 25 kg [four months supply] Craftinsure £10 pcm. Calor gas £35 all marinas, Flogas , delivered £25.
Heating and cooking, 57ft narrow boat, includes some electric in bedroom [shore line mains], max [so far] has been £33 per week
Other electricity [mains] for fridge, laptop, lighting is £2 per week, £3 pw three months hot weather. probably cheaper to get rid of fridge and buy perishables daily.
I run mostly of solar in our house, l did it for around £2500 over 3 years ago,the items I’ve used can also be used in boating. Have a look it my be of interest 👍
I'll definitely have a look thanks. Just had the panels and charge controller delivered, all I've got to do now is instal it...yikes!
Interesting your estimate of the costs, I think coal and gas are very expensive in the UK compared to Belgium, I pay a coal bag 9.72 pound and 28 pound for gas bottle, but I think living on narrowboat is a smart option much cheaper than a house and especially a lifestyle less stressful
I agree, there is too much stress in the world today. Yes your gas is much cheaper. I can only see the price of coal and gas increasing massively in the uk if and when we leave the EU
Myth that it is less stressful on a boat. Check out Robbie Cumming videos for a more realistic take. We've lived on the boat now for just over a year and have had more not less stress. With our house if the plumbing or electrics went wrong then just get your local plumber or electrician in and problem solved. On a boat similar breakdowns have to be sorted by yours truly as the local marine engineer asks you how your boat is plumbed or wired cause they're all different. So you end up doing it yourself. Same with the engine, no local garage mechanics on the cut. Then there's all the tribalism that's getting worse...........
I have to say that I don't agree. I met Robbie whilst he was making that TV series, yes he's a nice guy but I suspect some of that was 'stage managed' by the BBC. I'm not saying it's stress free by any means, but much less stressful than commuting, working, trying to make ends meet, dealing with unreasonable people etc
@@felshampo I understand that everything is not easy on a boat, but maybe you did not make a good purchase, I know the videos of Robbie, sometimes he is a little demoralized, but I think he loves life on his boat, I also watch a lot of other narrowboaters who have chosen this kind of life and who would not change anymore
@@talesfromtheswansneck not talking about his TV programs. Watch his vlogs. All those things you mention apply as much to a boat as living in a house.
Hi, thanks for the very informative breakdown of costs. I have watched several other TH-cam people's videos of costs and they all come out at around £4500-£6000 a year depending on individual variables. I am definitely going to buy a narrowboat in afewyears. Just one question, What do you do about voting?
Hi Gavin,
thanks for watching. To answer your question, even though as a CC you are of no fixed abode you can vote in any one constituency that you have moored in. To this end many boaters grouped together to vote in Henley at the last election to try to oust BoJo. I'll leave a link to where you can find useful information on doctors dentists and voting. Obviously some costs of boating have now increased, and I plan to make another video on this topic later in the year. www.thefitoutpontoon.co.uk/continuous-cruising/
Hi Andrew. I’m a £10 Pom who grew up in Australia and plan to spend a year or two of my retirement cruising the cut. Love your footage and commentary. Will you be doing a tour of your boat?
Hi Jillian, thanks for watching. Unfortunately a tour of the boat is not something I plan on doing, it's a bit like showing strangers around your house I think, and I value my privacy. I hope you understand. And when you retire I hope you love the canals as much as I do
That’s great. I’ll enjoy your cruising vlogs and learn more about the country of my father’s family. I do love seeing how people organise their lives in such small spaces but I will satisfy that curiosity on boat sale websites. Have a great Christmas.
@@jillianhall4080
cut is overcrowded..
Jillian - what is a ten pound Pom ?
Jillian why are you retiring at 40 have you had enough of work 🙏
Happy New Year 20120 ! Yeah, living on a narrowboat, not as cheap as some people try to make you believe!
Nope, but still much cheaper than living on dry land. But of course I forgot about mooring fees, which I haven't been included to pay for but for those who get a winter mooring this would bump the cost up even more
About right , many think we live on a narrow-boat because its cheap, a total misconception its the life style
Very interesting video. Do you feel vulnerable and would you recommend others living on the canals. Good health and happiness to you.
That's a very good question William. I'm doing a vlog on viewers questions in the next few weeks, and if you don't mind I'd like to answer that question on the vlog rather than here. Thanks.
Really helpful video! I was wondering how electricity factors in as a cost (given you don't have solar panels)?
Hi Alexis. The electric comes from my battery bank which is charged by the engine running. Interesting question though. I have compared my use of fuel to my partner's (while has solar), and I'm using twice as much diesel as she is. That's an extra £40 per month.
@@talesfromtheswansneck Ahhh thanks!
You buy a TV licence? You have to be kidding.
As a youtube creator I am obliged to inform people of their legal responsibilities. If you watch TV on your boat, or even just access iPlayer you are legally bound to buy a licence
@@talesfromtheswansneck I hear you.
If you had walked onto festival Park a mere 3 mins walk from uturia marina you could of gone to go out doors and got it cheaper
Ah wella bit late now Stephen, but I was pretty happy with the price I got.
Hiya, do continuous cruising costs vary on differant canals? Cheers
Hi Mike, the licence fee to the CRT covers most of the waterways, so costs only vary in that food, services etc vary in different parts of the country - like some things are more expensive in the south than the north. But basically paying the licence fee means you can travel almost anywhere. There are a few exceptions, The Way and Arun is owned by the National Trust so you need to pay extra to go there. Others I can think of are the River Avon in Warwickshire, and the River Thames near Lechlade I think. There may be a few other too.
Nice video. It may be only a small saving but invest in a bowsaw. There are plenty of logs out there just waiting to be picked up.
Cheers Alan. The bowsaw was one of the tools I left behind stupidly. But I have been collecting wood, mostly too 'green' to use at the moment
Hi thanx for the video wat do the insurances cover thanx colin
Hi Colin, it's like a mixture of house insurance and car insurance really. So you are covered against fire, theft, damage, contents, sinking, damaging other boats or property etc. You have a public liability indemnity. Check out marine insurance companies websites.
Tales From The Swan's Neck hi thanx a small price to pay
It's whatever you're prepared to spend.... I see... For some people it's much more whatever they CAN spend!
Isn't that one and the same thing? That's the point I was making, if you have a budget that's what you stick to
@@talesfromtheswansneck who hasn't got a budget? Only those who can spend 'whatever' they choose to spend. In a world where people can be either of the ' whatever you're prepared to spend' category and that which can only spend whatever it can spend, it's important to use clear and honest sentences. It's a tough world out there, not a video world...
@@catherinemoore9534 it's clear that your understanding of the English language differs from mine. I have a budget, a very limited budget and that's what I am prepared to spend, largely by doing the work myself. It's a very tough world out there which is one reason why I have chosen to lead a simpler life on the cut. Frankly if you merely want to argue semantics I suggest you go and troll someone else
My best mate described owning a boat as throwing a lot of money into a large hole in the water.....
@@bb-ballistics1706 my point exactly
@@bb-ballistics1706 yeah but a house doesn’t rot and sink as quick
Interesting TV areal do you have much trouble finding which direction to point to get a signal?
Is it affected much by trees?
Hi Geoff, there are 5 receivers within the aerial each pointing in a different direction. I rarely have to retune, probably every couple of months. Only twice have I moored somewhere and not been able to get reception. When travelling with a friend she would sometimes have no signal on her boat but mine was perfect. It really is very good
@@talesfromtheswansneck
That's interesting, I've got a satelite arial which is really not as good as I expected so one like yours would probably be better and would also reduce the headroom of the boat.
@@getubelogin Indeed. But it's also on a bendy arm so that if you do hit trees, bridges, tunnels it just folds back on itself
@@talesfromtheswansneck
Hi Andrew could you possibly send me the Amazon link for this aerial, I have got brain fade and can't remember which one it was.
Hi Geoff, this should do it: www.amazon.co.uk/MOONRAKER-DTV-1000-Digi-Pro-Antenna-Black/dp/B005ERD2IQ/ref=asc_df_B005ERD2IQ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=205215094696&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5310243792186923978&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045442&hvtargid=pla-420637607659&psc=1&th=1&psc=1
Hang on.. just a cotton pickin minute... you managed to slip that in quite smoothly without blinking.... I’m binge watching your vlogs and one minute you’re talking about being a lone boater and talking of occasional lonely times, then you mention a partner! Is there a romantic human interest story you could be sharing? Have you found love on the waterways? Love to get insights and also insight (without intrusion if that’s ok) into your past life, work, and the story that led you to take the plunge (hopefully not a pun). Loving your vids, very balanced views. Keep it up.
Ah, perhaps you watched one of the recent episodes first? Yes I met someone recently. As you're binge watching I won't provide you with any spoilers, I'll keep you hanging like any good soap!!!
That is some expensive diesel. $2.13 per American gallon where I am right now.
No, that is cheap diesel for the UK
blueoval I always used to be envious of Americans when it came to low prices...then I discovered how much you have to pay for health insurance.
Why have a TV license if you are continually cruising, i thought the license is linked to a land address which as a cruiser you wont need?
'Fraid not, if you access BBC or BBC iplayer either by tv or computer you are legally obliged to buy a licence... Sad but true
@@talesfromtheswansneck Who would catch you?
@@mikehurley5052 Travelling at 3 mph, almost anyone! But seriously if you log in to iplayer you are asked to confirm you have a tv licence. Now I'm not sure if they can trace that or not. And anyway I think the BBC provide a fantastic service and deserve our support
The hol of Europe watches our tv none not one pays a licence fee I’ve been. There
What about post, being able to sign up for bank accounts etc, and participating in elections? Really useful video - thank you for sharing :)
Post can be delivered via Post Restante, but not all post offices provide this service. Basically post is forwarded to a participating Post office and is held there for you for 2 weeks. For a bank you will have to use the address of a relative or trusted friend. You can find out all these details here www.thefitoutpontoon.co.uk/continuous-cruising/
@@talesfromtheswansneck thank you.
So being a continuous cruiser, i know you have to move on all the time, but how do CRT enforce this? Surely they cannot check every boat on every towpath every day, so how do they do it ( lockdown accepted).
With dfficulty. They have 'walkers' who's job it is to walk the towpaths listing boat numbers on an ipad, but as you say they don't have enough staff or volunteers to be able to do this more than once a month in a particular spot. There are also (I believe) cameras being installed near some locks which will log boat registration numbers as they pass through the lock.
@@talesfromtheswansneck Manned locks also take your registration number as you go thru :)
@@talesfromtheswansneck p
If your moored up for longer than 2 weeks and you happen to be on a busybodys walking route I would imagine you'd be highlighted. Lots of them about
I notice in this video you were standing back against the rail while steering. I've heard other narrowboaters say you should always stand forward of the tiller (in case the rudder hits an underwater object and knocks you overboard). Just wondering if you had any specific opinion on the matter?
I've heard this too Toby, however I'm prepared to take the risk, I'm sure it is extremely unlikely. Many boats with cruiser sterns (often holiday boats), have a seat straddling the taff-rail behind the tiller arm. And anyway, if I get knocked overboard it'll be cracking footage!
Loved your video very informative think I will buy very large tv and pretend I’m cruising because it sounds like a money pit too me £££££££
I was once told a boat is simply a hole in the water lined with steel into which one throws money.
And a house is an unmovable box into which one throws more money
@@talesfromtheswansneck exactly true.
I'm 71 with a damaged knee or I would be travelling on the same canals as you.
I think maybe I've missed the boat so to speak. Good travels to you and I'm subscribed and following your travels from the Philippines
And the house usually goes up in value
@@nicks2528 yes, znd the bost goes down
Somehow missed this. Would you be interested in combining cost data with me and other boaters to publish some average costs? Bearing in mind that we are single- handers and some are couples. I would not reveal boat or personal names without consent. I intend to do a tax year analysis for my own boat in April. Nb Whiskey Mac.
intersting idea Andrew. Of course maintenance costs will vary year to year. I'm about to buy new batteries, and will need to black dear old Reverie's bottom later this year.
I certainly would not recommend River and Canal Rescue to anyone. I've had very poor service from them and they are developing a bad reputation amongst the boaters that I have spoken to.
While it's not for me to comment on an organisation on here I've heard much the same as you. Last week I was moored next to someone who had called the RCR out, they arrived promptly but then came to ask if I had a set of allen keys they could borrow!
Yeah unlimited data is £20 from SMARTY
I use EE (and have done for years) because their coverage in rural areas is better than anyone else, However it will soon be time for a change I think and I'll look into SMARTY, thanks.
Everyone who doesn't own their own network and resells someone else's (an MVNO) is *not* equivalent to the operator they resell. Their traffic is deprioritised and they may not receive access to towers the original operator has access to via peering/swap agreements. This may not be apparent for phone calls and SMS, especially for people who aren't constantly on the phone and/or in busy areas, but it will be noticeable for data. Depending on people's use case it may be worth saving that 10 quid or whatever, and MVNOs often have much better customer service, but it makes sense to be aware that 'X, running on Y's network' is not the same as Y, and the prices are therefore not comparable because they're for different levels of service. I wouldn't touch an MVNO with a barge pole if I depended on mobile data to work online or upload YT content.
Why use SMARTY? It’s just a rebranded Three product. I use Three unlimited and costs me £15/month/24 month contract, as for speed and coverage it has been excellent.
I have found exactly the same with mvno,s they are cheaper for a reason
@@JaEDLanc well this is good to know, thanks
I’ve been paying £25 for gas bottle for 3 years!,.....you need to sop around mate
£17 for 13kg "sop" that...HaHa!!
Really? Could you honestly live in a house for 360 quid a month?! Perhaps you're 'aving a giraffe...
I've moved from a one bed flat, which I owned, it costs more on a boat if in a marina {£2000 pa]. Same costs otherwise.
Domestict b/band was £55 from BT., Three mobile 'net 24/7 plus Phone [£60] £ 33pcm
@@ladygardener100 well be a continuous cruiser then. Personally I wouldn't want to live in a marina, or even stay in one. Other people's noise irritates me too much. The idyll is cruising my friend
@@ladygardener100
£55 broadband?? i pay £25 fibre optic, unlimited, you have been robed gallore!
uh 95.00 in gas i wonder what that usa money
it bull shit you guy got pay for tv win you get signal freelee
her in usa you get arle or pay for cable or get satellite
Do you want to try again in English?
Have you typed that in French? 😂
I'm going to attempt a translation:
"Gosh. £95 for gas? I wonder what that is in US dollars?
Such a shame that you have to pay for a license when you already have access to the signal. We don't do that in the US, although, thinking about it, our tv is spectacularly shit, and our news channels are embarrassingly biased to the point where they openly broadcast lies and conspiracy theories as facts. So maybe the license isn't actually a bad thing, now that I think about it. "🤔
Or something like that, anyway...