Calling narrow boat experts

[croyde]

Always toying with the idea of living on a boat as a cheap way of staying in London as separated but with kids, so need to stay in the city but can't really afford to.

I know the guys selling this http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=19750... but is the price high, low, a bargain or walk away?

I have no idea and I also presume that I would have to do a lot of on going diy just to keep the elements at bay ie what on earth is an anode?

Any suggestions or advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[cornet]

Definitely not a bargain. Walk away!

I'd say the boat itself is only worth £25-30k max (maybe even nearer the £20k mark). You're basically paying for the mooring. With any boat+mooring, especially in London, you want to check carefully the "rights to remain on the mooring".

Most places don't allow you to transfer moorings and even if they do they might not allow you to re-sell after. So you could loose £40-50k

London moorings generally just work on waiting list policy. Stick your name down and wait. This can take anything from a few months to a few years. Some marinas will even let you put your name down before you even have a boat so you could do that now. You're under no obligation to take the mooring. Then you can spend the full £79k on a nice boat

[croyde]

Thanks Cornet.

So I presume the extra £50K is for the mooring and location in the same way that a small terrace house in SW London can hit nearly £1,000,000 whilst the bricks and mortar are worth about £100K?

[cornet]

Yup pretty much. But the chances are with a house you would recoup the money when you sell. With a boat mooring then there is a significant risk that you won't.

I'd start by going through the various London marinas and see if they have space. Ask to be put on waiting list if they have one.

http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/river-...