I live full-time on a boat & save thousands every year – it's much better than a house… but I've seen some awful things

The Sun

08-06-2025

A MAN who moved out of his home to live on a narrowboat has saved a fortune after growing tired of suburban life.
Joel Sanders, 57, ditched his one-bedroom flat in Watford, Hertfordshire, after getting the bug during a stint on water.
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The comedian was offered a gig on a cruise ship and wanted to replicate that feeling when he got back to the UK.
After a brief chat with boat owners along the canal in Hemel Hempstead, Joel put his money where his mouth is.
"Within a week I had bought a boat, travelled across London in it and was in that same marina," he said.
"I am very intolerant to noise and in a flat I felt that my private space was invaded by other people's noises.
"You could always hear your neighbours.
"A boat has all the benefits of a detached home and if you don't like the place where you are because it is too loud then you move.
"I live a simple nomadic existence. You get a sense of independence and freedom on a boat which is very hard to get on the land."
After spending a year in the Hemel Hempstead marina, Joel upgraded to a bigger boat- a 1996 Colecraft- for around £60,000 and began moving across the country.
Since the switch, he has docked in Nottingham, Birmingham, London, Oxford, Bristol, Reading, and Gloucester.
However, life on a boat is not all positive, with Joel adding that it is extremely hard work managing your own limited water, gas, and electricity supply.
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Joel forks out around £1,600 annually on his boat licence, is set back £800 on heating and spends tens of thousands of pounds on upgrades and maintenance.
The boat owner has also experienced tragedy since he took up his marine residence.
Recently, Joel found a dead body floating in the canal in Nottingham.
Despite its flaws, he says he doesn't regret a thing.
He continued: "With boating the good days are great but the bad days are very bad. It is a life of extremes.
"Boating is a fairly intensive part time job. It makes you feel more alive somehow when you have to manage those things that you once took for granted.
"It really toughened me up. I have learned a huge amount.
"Most of my friends when I bought it said I was mad, and I wouldn't last three months. The things it gave me were so thrilling to me that I ploughed through the difficulties.
"I will take the physical challenges for as long as my health will allow me to for the benefits."
Joel added that the main trick is to find the right boat, saying that if you buy a bad one with lots of problems then you would "have a better quality of life on a park bench."
Joel said: "With the housing crisis a lot of people are deciding to buy boats, but it is not a lifestyle that is right for people who just can't afford to live on the land.
"You need to want the lifestyle."
The Pros and Cons of Living on a narrowboat
It might seem an idyllic lifestyle living on a narrowboat and taking this at a slower pace but it's not always plain sailing.
The Pros
Freedom – you get to choose where you stay and can move from the countryside to a city in possibly a few hours. If you don't like your neighbours you can simply move.
Work anywhere – remote working has shot up with the Covid-19 pandemic and what could be better than working from a barge.
Declutter your lifestyle – There's not a lot of space on a narrowboat but this can be an advantage as it forces your to get rid of things you don't actually really need. Decluttering your life can do wonders for your wellbeing.
Life at a slower pace – anyone fed up of the 9-5 rat race and the pressure to earn money to pay for high-cost living can benefit from the easy-going life on a barge.
More environmentally friendly – while not entirely carbon neutral, living on a narrowboat can help the environment as you use less electricity, gas and fuel.
Improve fitness – living on a narrowboat doesn't suit a sedentary lifestyle. There are endless tasks that will keep you active, such as operating locks, carrying coal and gas canisters, toilets to empty, wood to chop and weed hatches to clear.
Sense of community – many boaters feel a strong sense of community as they are with like-minded people to share tips and advice.
Saving money – one big advantage is the amount of money you can save. Big savings can be made on monthly living costs not only from using less gas and electricity but you don't have any costly mortgage or rent payments to cover.
The Cons
Having to plan ahead – if you have a cruising licence you will need to move every 14 days, so you have to think about the future, where to next, do you have enough supplies to get there?
Limited space – narrowboats are restricted in space and you may find you feel claustrophobic living in a confined space. Plus, you may have to chuck out some prized possessions to fit everything you need in.
Lack of security – criminals may see a narrowboat as an easy target and you may need to invest in some quality security to keep your things safe.
Maintenance – Beware that you will need to learn about engine maintenance, such as how to repair a bilge pump or water pump. You will also need to ensure it is properly insulated and ventilated or you could be battling dampness and condensation.
The cost – while living on a boat is certainly cheaper than living in a property, it is not cost free. You have to pay for things like: a Canal and River Trust licence, insurance, engine and pump maintenance, blacking the hull, as well as running costs such as fuel and a TV licence.