Living on a narrowboat is hard work, especially in winter.
How many times did I hear people calling my life ‘romantic’ when I was living all alone in London on my narrowboat called summer place?
Too many ! and now I will explain what usually people living on a narrowboat do not explain.
Living on a narrowboat full time needs lots of devotion, passion for sport, nature, physical strength, patience, resistance to cold.
When I arrived in England I had no idea what a narrowboat was…but after a week filming on one of them for a Bollywood film in London I decided to have one of them one day …and finally, that day arrived when I had enough of landlord and flatmates in expensive but odd sharing London flats.
When I bought my narrowboat I was living part of my life with my ex-partner and i was supported for some essential services from him …moreover, i watched so many videos on youtube and everything seemed easy and great.
So in April 2017 i bought my first and last narrowboat in Birmingham …she was a 30 years old boat still in good conditions used by the previous owner for his summer holidays .
So it was not organised for a full-time owner … I had to spend a few money on her to adapt my boat with some comfort that you usually find in a normal flat .
Some example? A standard narrowboat has 12vat of electricity and the batteries can become flat quite easy if you do not run the engine at least 2 hours a day in winter or you don t have solar panels.
But also solar panels in the UK are useless because there is not enough sun!
So I had to spend a lot of money in adding a converter who allowed me to dry my hair in winter with a small hairdryer
If you a continuous cruiser you must move your boat every two weeks and you must think in advance at coals, wood to warm the boat and at the water.
In London, there are not lots of marinas and you can travel a whole day to find a place to fill your water tank
Even worse if your boat breaks
You need to pay some company who comes to rescue you. I had some River Rescue Canal and they were brilliants.
But an engineer can arrive after 1 or two hours because you are in the middle of nowhere in a canal that nobody can find …and often the problem is not easy to solve so be prepared to spend some night in some Airbnb or in a friend‘s house if you are scared to sleep all alone on your boat in that middle of nowhere.
If you are a woman is even worse because lots of things on a narrowboat are heavy.
For instance, if you need to change the gas cylinder remember to buy the smallest one because for a woman is quite impossible to bring around 30 kg of gas !
Bags of coals and woods are heavy too and your hands will be forever black even if you use gloves …you must consider this because try to imagine yourself all dressed for an important meeting with your boss and when arrive the moment to shake the hands your nails are totally black!
Also having a shower must be considerate if you are not living in a marina
Usually, the time of a shower on a narrowboat is 2 minutes.
In winter I did also in 1 minute because it was too cold!
The stove burnt cold and wood but needed time to warm the cabin.
The boat is made in steel and wood and is floating on cold water …so when you come back in the evening you can find 0 degrees inside!
Also, the use of toilet paper must be considered if you do not want to spend a fortune in pump-outs! I usually tried to use public toilets more I could instead of my boat.
If you do not want to use all your electricity you must do your washing of dishes manually and go to a laundrette for your cloths …if you have no car you must carry all the weight manually.
In Summer the life is better than in winter but there are other problems
People love walking on the paths of the canals or cycling at high speed so always be careful when you jump out of your boat and look behind your back late in the night …also for the animals … I almost kissed a bat one summer night, lol!
There are not lamps around and can be very dark!
Therefore brings always a torch in your pocket and if you are a woman try to find the mooring next to the streets, houses and other boats with people inside.
I definitely advise couple or groups of people to live on a narrowboat for a few years
But if you are alone, especially a woman, think twice.
At least buy a mooring or rent a place in one of the marinas around.
Life can be easier but in London be prepared to pay more than renting a flat.
Mooring in London are rare, expensive, often far from the city centre so you need a car, a bike and must still pay the tube.
Moreover, you must maintain and repair your boat.
You must pay the licence to River Trust Canal and they are worse than banks! River Trust are the worst ever met in two years on the canals!
They do not care about you! you are a gold mine for them and they will take advantage of you until the last cent!
The community of people living on the canals instead is very friendly and ready to help!
A boat is like a lady and needs attention
I thought to save money thanks to my boat but I finished to pay more than renting a room in a shared flat in London
Anyway, my muscles were reinforced, I discovered to be a real adventurous woman ready to solve the worst in a few minutes.
I do not regret those two years of life on my Summer Place, but I will never go back to that sort of life
In Winter is easier for me living in a warm flat, with electricity and protected by the English strong wind and cold snow watching my films.
Also having the wifi on your narrowboat can be a problem.
But have a try! never say never.
Thanks for reading.