Living and cruising on a canal boat

If, like many, you want to live on a barge, the dream of living afloat needs careful consideration. Our brokerage receives many enquiries from people who would like to live aboard a canal barge whether it be a narrow boat, wide beam boat or even a Dutch barge. As brokers for new and used boats, Boatfinder Brokerage is just the place for those who want to live aboard a boat and are looking to escape the rat race. We have canal boats for sale in Cheshire and all over the country and sometimes they are offered in residential marinas or with stay-aboard moorings.

Free guidance from experts with first-hand experience

If you have ever had the thought "I want to live on a boat" why not contact us for free guidance. The members of our team have a wealth of experience between them in terms of selling, cruising, maintaining and living aboard boats and would be happy to advise you.

Choosing the right style of boat

Do you know what style of boat you want? Cruiser stern, trad stern, semi trad stern and tugs all have their advantages and disadvantages. There are people living and sailing on all of these styles so there are no rights or wrongs. Our Beginners Guide to canal boats could help you choose.

The beginner's guide to the different styles of canal boats

Considerations for living on the water

Many things need to be considered. What about the toilet system? Some prefer cassette toilets and others prefer pump-out loos. Eco-friendly composting toilets for boats are becoming popular. So are solar panels which help to charge the batteries. Do you prefer more formal dining offered by an L shaped dinette or the aptly named Pullman dinette? Conveniently, the added bonus is that a dinette converts to a double bed. Condensation on a boat can be an issue with boat insulation another important subject. Annual costs like boat insurance, mooring fees, council tax, boat licence fees and boat servicing costs all need to be considered before you start your new peaceful life living on water.

Marina partners

Boatfinder Brokerage has linked up with the following marinas who can moor your boat and conduct the viewings for you should you so wish. Please follow the link to your preferred marina to view the individual offers we have with them.

Popular canal touring routes

There are more than 2,000 miles of navigable inland waterways in Britain. Here are some of the more popular ones. Relax and enjoy the rural views while taking in the countryside.

The Cheshire Ring

The Cheshire Ring is a circular canal route located in the North West of England that includes sections of six different canals. The route is 97 miles (156 km) long and includes a total of 92 locks.

The Four Counties Ring

The Four Counties Ring is a canal ring that links the English counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands and is ideal for boaters with some experience. The ring traverses parts or all of five canals.

The Avon Ring

The Avon Ring travels through the heart of England on a mixture of canals and rivers, and passes through some of the prettiest countryside and most famous sights in southern England, including the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds through typical English villages.

The Stourport Ring

The Stourport Ring is a superb circuit around Worcestershire, the Black Country and Birmingham. The ring is formed from the River Severn, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, the Stourbridge Canal, the Dudley Canals, the Birmingham Canal Navigations and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.