Life on the canals is a mystery to many, and when you meet those enigmatic folk who live aboard it’s tempting to quiz them about their unusual lifestyle. Some questions are common and some are just odd. It’s interesting how puzzling the canals can be to the uninitiated and curious. Here are some of the top questions me; my friends and my neighbours have been asked about canal and narrowboat life. I’ve provided the answers so that next time you see a liveaboard narrowboater, you won’t need to ask!

1) You’re so free living on a boat aren’t you? You really don’t have a care in the world.

It’s a romantic notion that those who live aboard are free to wander on a whim. Most boaters have jobs and bills, and pay their taxes. But there are roving traders who genuinely continuously cruise and are able to run a business from their boat.

2) Have you got a shower? How do you wash?

Liveaboard boats and holiday boats always have a shower and some may even have a bath on board. The water is pumped from a holding tank through the plumbing hoses by means of an electric impellor.

3) So, do you empty your toilet into the canal?

No, never. This is considered extremely bad form! There are sewage disposal points at regular intervals on the waterways.

4) Can you stand up in there?

Most narrowboats will accommodate most heights but all boats are individual. My first narrowboat had an unusually low ceiling and taller friends had to bend a little when they visited. The cabin on my second narrowboat was unusually tall for a boat and so taller friends were then pleasantly surprised to be able to stand comfortably within!

5) How do you get your post?

This really varies. Some marinas have an address where residents can receive post but if continuously cruising a boater may receive post at a friend’s address or pay for a mail box service. There are also mail forwarding services that specialise in providing a service for nomadic boaters.

6) How do you get your shopping?

Some supermarkets are beside the canal and provide moorings. However, if you’re not passing one of these you will need to visit the shops using a bus or a car, like ordinary folk do.

7) What do you do in the evening? Do you get bored? Have you got a telly?

It is possible to have a flat screen TV, free view, a 12 volt or 240 volt stereo, and a laptop… as well as ye olde scrabble, chess and other board games, a bookshelf, a telephone – and a fridge full of cold beverages for those quiet nights in.

8) Can you read and write?

I was once moored up on a beautiful river in Essex and had some books and paperwork on the back deck scattered around me while I worked. A couple of teenage school girls asked me several questions including have I got a kitchen, and can they come inside and have a look? When they noticed my books they were absolutely amazed that I could read and write.

9) And now for the most commonly asked question of all: Is it cold in winter?

Most boats have a solid fuel stove burning wood and coal. Some have central heating and some have a diesel stove that may also heat radiators. There are various other kinds of central heating systems. In winter you may note the majority of liveaboard narrowboats have about 8 bags of coal on the roof and there is smoke spiralling romantically upwards from a charming little chimney on the roof.

If living aboard appeals to you, perhaps you would like to work on the inland waterways? A Boatshed business could earn you £80,000+ p.a. We’ve made great headway in becoming the world’s largest brokerage, we’re now seeking enterprising people to join our ranks. All business models include training and support, marketing materials and access to the ground breaking Boatshed™ System. Find out more at BoatshedBusiness.com

Peggy Melmoth

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