A houseboat can give you a fantastic sense of freedom and joy. Moving and living on a houseboat can also allow you to explore new areas and constantly change your scenery (should you wish to). However, it is important to know that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to mind. There are lots of areas you need to take into consideration, and there are also lots of questions you need answers to. When you have all of this information to hand, you can then make the right purchase for yourself and your future.
The Type of Boat You are Looking For
To begin with then, what type of houseboat are you looking for? Are you looking for a narrowboat or canal boat? Or, are you looking for something a bit bigger, such as a dutch barge, which is normally double the width of a narrowboat? Will you be living in the houseboat permanently, or will you be looking to use it exclusively at weekends and other holiday periods? When you establish when and how you will be using your new boat, you can then decide what type of boat is right for you and your lifestyle.
Size and Age
Houseboats can range in age. You can get some beautiful boats from the 1900s, or you can get boats that are only 10 years old. The age of the boat can affect your budget, as can the size. So establishing both the age group and size group that you are looking at will aid your search and will make it that little bit simpler. So, would a 65ft length boat that is 50 years old be right for you? Or, would you prefer a newer and smaller boat – perhaps one that is 45ft in length and only 15 years old?
Location of Boat and Mooring
When you are looking for a houseboat, you need to think about where it will be moored or kept. Will you have it close to home, or will you moor it near the coast? Moorings vary in price, and you will want to establish how much a mooring will cost you annually before committing. As well as looking at moorings, you also need to narrow down your search criteria. For example, searching for Boats for sale Nottingham is going to yield better results than simply boats for sale. You need to narrow down your search criteria because you need to know where the boat is currently located, how you get it closer to you, and closer to the mooring you are looking at.
What is Your Budget
Talking about money and finance is probably not something you enjoy doing, but when you are purchasing a houseboat, it is essential. When you know the budget you have to work with, you can then narrow down your search criteria and only focus your efforts on boats that are within your price range. When you are putting together a budget, it is important to think about additional costs you will have to pay, such as annual mooring costs, transportation costs, and possibly even renovation costs (if you are buying an older boat in need of some TLC).
