TweetEmail TweetEmailThis is the 2nd part of a 3 part series on buying a houseboat. The first part of this series dealt with the different typs of boats suitable to use as live-aboards. This part focuses on where to keep your boat and the various mooring options available to you. Finding a suitable mooring will depend on the […]
This is the 2nd part of a 3 part series on buying a houseboat. The first part of this series dealt with the different typs of boats suitable to use as live-aboards. This part focuses on where to keep your boat and the various mooring options available to you.
Finding a suitable mooring will depend on the size and type of your vessel and depending on where you want to find a berth, you may be subjected to a long wait particularly in popular berthing locations. So, if you are looking to buy a houseboat, make sure you register your interest at your preferred marina or berthing location. Ask for your name to be added to their waiting list as envitably there will be one!
Below is a summary of the main types of moorings available, and their suitablility will of course depend on the type of live-aboard you have:
Canal Mooring – These types of mooring are owned by the governing canal authority with a maximum length of stay to ensure fair usage of all boat owners. You will have to apply direct to the relevant governing authority for permission to moor (Port of London Authority, for example).
Private river moorings – These are usually attached to private land and so you will need to contact the owner directly to negotiate the sale or lease.
River Mooring – River moorings are influenced by the tides so you need to be aware of how this may affect access to your boat and the times at which you can cast off. Types of riverside moorings include; mud berth, half tide and all tides. Also, consider the activity of the river and how it may affect your boat. For example, the Thames in London has high activity with constant river traffic. This creates movement of the boats against pontoons and other vessels moored alongside. As well as potentially disturbing you, this can be the cause of damage and accelerated wear and tear.
Marina Mooring – Finding a marina which has residential moorings can be difficult. Moreover, many marinas offer leisure moorings which restrict the number of days you can stay on your boat, which will clearly not be suitable if you intend to be a permanent live aboard. Check the terms of your berthing licence in advance of paying any marina fees. On the upside, marina moorings do enjoy the best security with CCTVs, security staff, lock gates, not to mention the benefit of other marina facilities such as showers and toilets.
Boatyard Mooring – Mooring a houseboat in a boatyard can be surprisingly cheap if you can find one. Many only offer temporary residential moorings for the purposes of boat maintenance works.
Swinging moorings – These are usually the cheapest type of houseboat moorings available. They are so called because your houseboat is attached to a buoy in a harbour, or estuary, and so will swing in the direction of the tide as it moves in or out. Access has to be made by smaller craft, such as a dinghy or row boat, so there are obvious downsides to this kind of arrangement.
As you can see there are lots of options available to you, depending on the size and type of vessel you have. Good luck with finding a suitable mooring and remember to get in touch with us at YachtingLawyers if you need any more help, especially when you have a secured a mooring as you may need advice with the berthing licence / or mooring lease if you are lucky enough to get one!
