Residential moorings in the UK

It occurred to me the other day what a crazy situation we are in with regards to moorings in the UK, especially residential ones. The whole country is surrounded by water and we have a large canal network but can you find a residential mooring? Well, they can be found but it is getting harder and harder with more people now opting for a liveaboard life competition for residential moorings is high.

 

Many local councils still do not welcome residential boaters into there communities and have strict guidelines on residential moorings. Until local councils and other waterways authorities relax the rules and realize the advantages of residential boaters, finding moorings is going to be difficult.

 

Why is it the authorities and the establishment do not warm to residential boaters? I think they do not understand some of the reasons why we choose our lifestyle and fight us with burocusey to make us conform to what is expected of us. What is expected of us is to conform to how they think we should live our lives, and that is to follow others like little sheep. Well I like to think that we should all have choices about living our lives and where and how we will them without the establishment continually trying to make us conform.

Having the freedom to chose where and how you live is one of the things I think is so special about living on a boat but I guess the powers that be do not like those that do not conform.

 

Liveaboard boaters are just as important to local communities as anyone else, we pay the same taxes and come from all walks of live. The sooner this is recognized by authorities the better, we don't all want to conform and those that don't make the world a more interesting place.

 

Considering we are part of europe we do not follow similar strategies to them when it comes to residential boats.

Liveaboard boaters are common place  in many european countries and governments see them as part of communities get like anyone else. Projects to establish houseboat communities are being developed to encourage people to enjoy there living space and surrounding with support from there government.

Maybe we need to take note and inform our authorities that the Rivers, Canals and coastal waters around the UK are meant to be used and not just looked at as a piece of scenery. Being more liveaboard friendly and providing more suitable moorings would be a real step in the right direction.

 

Have you experienced any difficulties with local authorities as a liveaboard boater? Feel free to comment as I would like to hear your views.

May 2006 Newsletter

Cookers.

In this months newsletter we are going to discuss cookers and help you decide what type would suit you and the different types available.

We all have to eat, even those that live on their boats so a cooker is a must for any liveaboard boat.

As with most things, you get a choice of what type of cooker you have and the fuel it uses.

The most common types of cookers found on boats are listed below.

1. Gas hob with or without grill
2. Gas cooker with grill and oven
3. Diesel cooker with oven
4. Paraffin cooker
5. Spirit cooker
6. 240V Electric combination oven
7. 240V Microwave oven
8. 12/24V Microwave oven
Most of these can come with 2, 3 or four burners. The most common is two burners.

As you can see there are many options available and your choice might be dictated by the fuel you currently use on your boat. If you already use LPG gas for say heating or hot water you may go for a gas cooker but the choice is yours.

If you are living aboard your boat I would recommend having a cooker with an oven and grill to enable you to cook a wider range of foods.
Some larger liveaboard boats will have full size cookers aboard which can be a real bonus if you are a budding chef but on smaller boats cookers will be more compact to fit into the galley space.

Gas cookers are by far the most common on boats as many new and older boats are fitted with a gas system. Electric combination ovens are getting popular as most boats are now connected to a mains electricity supply when at there moorings and owners that do not cruise often do not need to cook when cruising or they prepare food before they leave. Also, combination ovens incorporate a conventional fan assisted oven with a microwave so save on space and cook faster. If you have a large enough inverter on your boat you could run your oven whilst out cruising. Check the oven wattage to ensure your inverter will run it.

Spirit cookers are less popular but still do a good job and are a little safer than gas. In my opinion these could be suitable for a recreational boat but not really for a liveaboard.

Diesel cookers are a good option as they use the same fuel as your boat but can be quite expensive to purchase. Most are built to withstand the marine environment and can be quite big in size for a small boat.

Paraffin cookers can be another option and one company that supplies a fine example of these is Taylors. There paraffin cookers are hand made for the marine environment but this type of quality comes at a price, around £1,200 for a two burner with grill and oven.



If you liveaboard a sea going boat you should have your cooker mounted in gimbals to ensure the cooker stays level when the boat is healing. This will enable you to easily use the cooker when at sea safely. Your cooker should also be fitted with a fiddle rail and pan clamps to keep your pots and pans secure on the cooker and not on the galley floor or worst still over a crew member. The picture of the Taylors cooker to the left shows it fitted with gimbals, fiddle rail and pan clamps.

Boats on inland waters and smaller rivers may not need gimbals as the boat will have less movement. A simple cooker that would be suitable is shown below



When buying a new cooker it maybe worth spend a little more money to get a quality unit. The marine environment is a harsh one and can quickly take its toll on a cheaply made cooker. Stainless steel or brass will last longer that ordinary steel so would be a good option. Also remember that many marine cookers are built with recreational use in mind, obviously as a liveaboard yours will be used on a daily basis so purchasing a good one may be more important.
One very important point when buying a gas cooker is to ensure it is fitted with flame failure devices, these ensure that if the flame goes out, say by a gust of wind, the valves are automatically shut off stopping gas escaping into your boat. This really is an important safety issue as LPG gas is highly explosive.

Spirit cookers are less popular on liveaboard boats but are a good option if you do not have or want a LPG gas system on your boat. These can be more difficult to light and can also smell when running so keep a port/window open for ventilation. British meths can be cut with about 5% water to stop the smell but this does reduce the heat output a little.
Spirit cookers may also cost more to buy as supply and demand is not as high as gas cookers.

Electric ovens can be very useful on a liveaboard boat particularly the combination ovens available today. Some liveaboards may have both a combination oven and a gas or spirit cooker on board so get the best of both worlds.

Diesel cookers can be very expensive; a popular model is the Dickinson Bristol Diesel Cooker with Oven.



Left: Smallest model for boats up to 36ft. Featuring a small oven able to accommodate a 9”x9” baking dish. Ideal for smaller vessels and designed primarily for a fore and aft mount (facing port or starboard). 4” diameter chimney accessories required.

When looking for a new cooker to buy here is a tip to help you save some money. If you buy your new cooker from a marine chandlers you will find them expensive but going to a camping and caravanning store will generally be cheaper and you may well get the same modal. Anything with the word 'Marine' in it always seems to be expensive so look at other alternative places to buy. This is not to say all things are equal as some cookers are specifically made for a marine environment (such as the Taylors) and it can be worth spending the extra money. Do shop around for the best deal and make sure you choose a cooker that suits you needs.

If you have a favorite type of cooker or fuel it may use please feel free to leave your comments?

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© 2005. Living On Boats.
www.livingonboats.co.uk

Martin Chinery has lived on boats for over 7 years. He writes articles for and runs the Living On Boats website.

** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners **
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine, blog, autoresponder, or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include this resource box.
If you do use the material please send us a note so we can take a look. Thanks.
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'Bargain Basement'

I often look around for boats that are for sale at a reasonable price and could make a suitable liveaboard boat. It is surprising what you can find so I thought I would feature one vessel in each edition of the newsletter to show what can be found. I'll call this 'Bargain Basement' and see what little jems we can come up with.

This months 'Bargain Basement'
27ft Dutch Patrol Boat

27ft/8ft converted WW2 Dutch Patrol Boat (1941). Steel Hull. Double Bedroom, incredible use of space with decent storage. Fully equipped bathroom with shower/sink/toilet. Spacious wheelhouse/kitchen. Beautiful carpentry. No other boat like this on the Thames. Reluctant sale after very happy time living aboard due to pregnancy.

£13,000
Kingston Greater London UK

This boat is not large but would be suitable for a single person or close couple. Moored at Kingston in London would make this a cheap and affordable liveaboard boat close to the capital.
Having been used as a liveaboard boat you should be able to move aboard right away. At the price we think this is a bargain for a ready to go boat within the London area. Remember to check if the mooring goes with the boat as finding another mooring in London could be a problem.

April 2006 Newsletter

Safety Equipment.

In this months newsletter we are going to discuss safety equipment that should be part of your boats inventory.
Sailing and boating is fun but also comes with its dangers so we need to ensure that we have the necessary safety equipment onboard to deal effectively with any situations that may arise.

There are some basic items of safety equipment that every boat should keep onboard no matter what type of boat or whether it is moored on a canal, river or coastal location. Below is a list of the basic safety equipment.

1. Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets
Having the correct type of fire extinguishers and ensuring they are well maintained is very important and could save your life and your boat in the event of a fire.

2. Smoke Alarm
We fit these in our houses so the same should be true of our boat. Smoke alarms really do save lives.

3. Life Jackets
Life jackets are an essential piece of equipment on all boats and provide the crew with a means of floatation in the event of a man overboard.
There should be enough life jackets for each member of the crew and should be of the correct size for both adults and children.
If life jackets are not being worn they should be stored in an accessible place and all crew should know where they are stored.

4. Gas Alarm.
If your boat uses LPG gas onboard you should install and maintain a gas alarm. LPG gas is heavier than air and will collect in the bilge undetected causing a risk of explosion. Gas alarms will detect this and save you and your vessel from harm.
An essential item of safety equipment.

5. A suitable knife.
A suitable knife capable of cutting your largest mooring rope could save you and your vessel on a rising or falling tide. Of course, it has many other uses in a number of different situations you may find yourself in.

6. A suitable Bilge Pump.
An automatic bilge pump should be fitted to all boats even if they do not a leak. You never know when something might happen and if you are away from the boat at the time you could find she has sunk when you return. An automatic pump of the right size for your boat would have kept her afloat until your return and given you a chance to repair of move her out of the water.

This list applies to all boats but more safety equipment should be carried if you use your boat at sea. The following list is advisable if you are going to sea and is in addition to the one above.

1. Safety Harnesses
You should carry safety harnesses with an attached life line to enable the crew to stay attached to the vessel in bad weather.

2. VHF Marine Radio.
A marine radio is essential and will enable you to communicate with the emergency services and other vessels if you find yourself in trouble. Weather report can also be received to aid passage planning.

3. Hand Held Compass
You vessel may have a main compass but you should always carry a hand held compass in case the main one fails. This should not be electronic.

4. Depth Sounder.
Having a depth sounder can stop you running aground and damaging yourself and your vessel.

5. Life Raft and/or Tender.
If the worst was to happen having a life raft or tender will save your life.

6. Flares
These are a vital piece of equipment if you are going to take your boat to sea. You never know when you may get into difficulties and need to signal to the emergency services where you are located. Flares are a vital piece of equipment on any sea going vessel.

7. Life ring
All vessels should be equipped with one or more life rings in case of a man overboard situation. When using a life ring ensure that a suitable length of rope is attached so the crew member can bring a man overboard safely back to the vessel.

As you can see there are many items of safety equipment that any boat should be equipped with. Some of this safety equipment may never be used but that is no excuse for not having it.
We hope we have not frightened you into thinking that sailing and boating is a dangerous pastime as this could not be further from the truth. Sailing and boating is fun and exciting about as with anything in life it is very wise to take precautions. We never know what is around the corner, so being prepared is very good practice.

If you are buying a boat you should check that it is equipped with at least some of the above safety equipment and then add your own as required.

We wish you all a safe voyage!

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© 2005. Living On Boats.
www.livingonboats.co.uk

Martin Chinery has lived on boats for over 7 years. He writes articles for and runs the Living On Boats website.

** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners **
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine, blog, autoresponder, or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include this resource box.
If you do use the material please send us a note so we can take a look. Thanks.
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'Bargain Basement'

I often look around for boats that are for sale at a reasonable price and could make a suitable liveaboard boat. It is surprising what you can find so I thought I would feature one vessel in each edition of the newsletter to show what can be found. I'll call this 'Bargain Basement' and see what little jems we can come up with.

This months 'Bargain Basement'
Dutch cruiser built to order 1981. Keel cooled Peugot 2.5 diesel. Wheelhouse, aft cabin, large fwd saloon (saloon stripped & insulated ready for refit) BSC to 2009.
Large fwd deck, rear deck over aft cabin with secondary hydraulic steering. Bathing platform, davits.
Sound hull and superstructure. Needs paint. All working. Unique boat. Ideal liveaboard.

£17,000

This boat looks to be well over 30 feet, I would estimate 35 + which would make a good size for living aboard. The dutch are renowned for building very good steel boats using high quality steel so you would be getting a strong vessel with a working engine ready to go. This was found under a Projects section so some work still may be required above the stated painting but for £17,000 we think this is bargain.