Today, many ships that once transported wheat and coal on the inland waterways are considered too small for freight. But many have been given a new lease of life and have been converted into canal homes.

Most of the barges on the Dutch canals are between 14 and 30m long, and 2.5 and 5m wide, drawing between 0.6 and 1.4m and those with flat bottoms have significant floor space, making the life on board, ideal. And, if you fancy sailing your ship, it is possible to travel on inland waterways from the Netherlands through Belgium to the South of France, to Bulgaria, to Russia and down through the Ukraine to the Black and Caspian Seas!

Adventure and advantages

Maria and Helen have lived on a ship on a central canal in Amsterdam for three years.

They are DINKies (double income, no kids), have a dog, fully admit how much work they put into their boat, but none-the-less love life on board. "Living on a boat seemed very adventurous and different. My parents moved onto a boat a few years ago, so we were familiar with boat life, a little," says Maria. "But I would never have thought of a boat before Maria suggested it. I liked the idea of not having neighbours, and that is clearly an advantage because before we were in an apartment with tenants above and below who partied and made a lot of noise. So, now I take great pleasure in playing my stereo as loud as it will go - with no repercussions," Helen says.

Annelies, who has lived on board for 13 years, agrees that the greatest advantage is the privacy she feels on a boat. "One of the most enjoyable things about living on a ship is that we are on our own, fully controlled, quiet island in the city." "When coming home or late in the evening we often sit on the waterside, and it’s very quite, yet we’re in the centre of town," she added. But,

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