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,

Annelies didn’t actually choose to live on a boat. "I met my friend and he lived on a boat. I knew if I wanted him I would get the boat too. But I liked it and it is, of course, a 'different' life. I like how cosy it is, that you don’t need a lot on the boat and that things need to be very ordered due to the space.

We also have the freedom to make our home the way that we want it." Structurally it is much easier moving walls or changing the layout inside a boat than it is in a house. Life on deck, replete with ducks, coots and other boats is also different than apartment living.

"We love being outside on the deck and feeding the water birds and watching the tour boats come by. I think we enjoy the outdoors a lot more on the boat than we did when in a flat. Because we have no neighbours we throw parties and for our friends, our boat has become a sort of natural meeting space," Helen said.

Disadvantages?

It’s not all fun and games though because everyone agreed the one disadvantage is that the on-going work required on a boat is tremendous and can, at times, be stressful, when for example the water pipes freeze or windows leak. "You have to be into, or at least willing to do DIY, because the roof will need painting, the ropes tightening and the deck and gang plank get very slippery in the winter and leaves need to be swept away," said Helen.

"The only disadvantage is the work involved in keeping the boat in a good state," agreed Annelies who said her husband does a lot of the electric and water work and that they share painting and de-rusting. "It’s not a real disadvantage but I miss high ceilings and the ability to hang paintings - wall space is limited in a boat," Maria said. "And I miss light switches - our boat was wired by the previous owner and there are no main hanging lights because the ceiling is too low, hence no light switches. We have to scramble in the dark for the table lamps," Helen added.

The mortgage and insurance can be slightly more expensive than a house, but that depends on the individual situation. Most think that a boat is a cheaper option and in terms of square meters, it is. But there are additional costs for maintenance, taxes and mooring fees.

Costs
There is a monthly mooring cost of about EUR 200 depending on the size of the boat, and there are water taxes, which are minimal, but if you live on a proper steel boat (as opposed to floating concrete or a woonark) it must go to dry dock every 4-5 years, for an assessment of the hull. The survey can cost up to EUR 700.  While it’s in dry dock the rust is removed from the hull and a protective layer is painted, which can cost anywhere between EUR 2,000-3000 (including the cost of taking the boat out of the water). The everyday practical costs, like ropes that need replacing, periodic painting of the steel exterior to ensure it stays in good condition, anti slip coating for the deck, to name a few, are estimated at between EUR 1000-3000 a year.

Rules and regulations
There are regulations and paperwork involved in owning and using a boat. The red tape depends on the waterway. So if you buy a boat here then move it to France you will need to check out regulations there. The general regulations cover everything from registration of ownership, registration with the navigation authority, safety and insurance certification, permission to use the barge for residence and registration for local residential taxation, and qualification for the person who is going to steer the barge.

For the Netherlands, check out the websites at the bottom including those of associations, agents and regulators involved in buying, registering and mooring a vessel. If your dream is to sail your boat away, you will need to get a vaarbewijs (licence), providing your vessel is more than 15m in length or does more than 15km/hr. The exams are run by the Royal Dutch Touring Club ANWB and there are regular classes at the Volksuniversieit and other private sailing schools.

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