THE HOUSEBOAT CENTRE

Agent of Associated Yacht Brokers ( AYB )

and a Major National Resource for all matters pertaining to Living Afloat

The Houseboat Centre is moving to a Larger Building in a more Central Location

With More Phone Lines and More Staff to answer Your Calls. 
Just Five Minutes away. 
Right on the Medway. With 2 major slipways  alongside for surveys and repairs. 

The Houseboat Centre 
Lingley House 
Commissioners Rd. 
STROOD, ME2 4EE

HOW TO USE THE Houseboat Centre  WEBSITE ....
Scroll right down to the bottom to find many useful tips and mini-articles.

YOU Find the Right list for YOU in the Menu on the left.
If you want a houseboat that moves, use "Residential Cruisers".
Just to live on the water without an engine, choose "Static Houseboats"
or bookmark "Tugs",or "Fishing vessels", according to your interests.
 

......If you want to view a houseboat, please understand that we promise to houseboat owners who are living aboard, that we will only bring round buyers who are in a position to buy now. If you want to have a preliminary look at houseboats generally, come for a free interview and we can usually look together at houseboats that are empty.
You are thinking of selling your house? we can help, also you might prefer to let out your house and get a mortgage , or second mortgage to buy the houseboat. This is strongly advised while house prices are low and rents high, as at present. Before visiting the ofice Look at the Maps & Directions to see where we are, work out your travelling time - Then Call well before you come and Book an appointment(don't expect necessarily to be able to visit the same day)

If you don't know much about houseboats but think youmight like to live in the RIGHT houseboat,consider buying-"The Houseboat Book"

(you can download and read immediately, or order a conventional book printed on paper, posted to you from the publisher).

We currently advertise in:-

; Independent Network of Estate Agents; Apollo Duck; Associated Yacht Brokers; Dover Boats: Sothebys Brokerage; Yachtsworld; The YachtMarket.com, Vivastreet, Freeads, Oodle, The Sun;  Move your boat, Boat Boss, Boats4Sale, Eboat-sale, ~all as at February 2012

NEVER LIVED IN A HOUSEBOAT BEFORE ?

YOU'VE never lived on a Houseboat before? Call  for a FREE INTERVIEW ~Everything you ever wanted to know about Houseboat living but didn't dare to ask!~ That's right, YOU make an appointment and get a free interview discussing all the ins and outs of houseboat living.Water, electricity, toilets, baths, moorings, planning permission, secure residential moorings, how to buy a boat. What about finance? How long does it take? Will the boat sink? or let the rain in? etc etc Call now if you are thinking of selling your house etc and moving on to a houseboat for the first time. Talk to the expert, he claims to be a State-Registered Boat-Maniac (Tongue in cheek), to have lived on houseboats for over 35 years - made most of the mistakes and to be keen to help others avoid them. We ask that you prepare by purchasing and  reading "The Houseboat Boook " first, then you can book your free , no-obligation, interview  ~ You can call The Houseboat Centre on 020 3287 2977 to make the appointment, or have a chat about the boats you like.

. If you already have your houseboat, or can't manage the interview, you can still get THE HOUSEBOAT BOOK below.

Newbuild Houseboats page

All about buying new houseboats. Your new boat ~ built to your order and specification ~ If only the best will do. ** WELCOME TO THE HOUSEBOAT CENTRE "NEW BUILD" PAGE ** Once you fall in love with living on the water, there's no turning back. It's in your blood forever. Shopping for a new boat can be challenging. So many decisions to be made and so many things to consider. If you're looking for a boat with the longest possible life span, buy it new. Think about the right boat style, size and equipment for your needs and budget.Try sketching floorplans, side views,list requirements and possibilities Ask about.... CLICK HERE to read more & see Newbuilds for sale.

Residential Cruisers page

All about Residential Cruisers a copyrighted phrase that I coined myself to include all motor vessels that are lived on. CLICK HERE for Residential Cruisers

STOP PRESS !!

YOU CAN SELL YOUR HOUSE HERE NOW OR GET A SECOND MORTGAGE AND LET YOUR HOUSE OUT TO FINANCE YOUR HOUSEBOAT!!
Just phone or visit The Houseboat Centre and ask for ROB!
He will also find accomodation for you to rent while you build or complete your houseboat.
Just another excellent service from THE HOUSEBOAT CENTRE ~ Your One-Stop Shop, helping you to Change YOUR LIFE!

Sailing Liveaboards

A page all about Sailing Liveaboards ~Sailing vessels that are lived on. Many are production Yachts.Some are purpose built as liveaboard homes. If you want to to cruise and liveaboard, you are STRONGLY advised to get quality sailing and navigation instruction from a RYA approved training centre first. My additional advice is "Never go out in any vessel on any water without someone on board who is put in charge, who is experienced in that water and that type of vessel.... until YOU become that experienced person...... CLICK HERE for Liveaboards

Static Houseboats

A page all about Static Houseboats ~houseboats that have no working engines or sails. Some are purpose built as static homes, others are converted from vessels that have had engines removed or that just don't work. Static Houseboats give a stable home base for the family and can have permanent connection to main facilities CLICK HERE for Static Houseboats

Dutch Barges

A page all about Dutch Barges to live on with Dutch Barges for sale as well as video tours and general information..... CLICK HERE for Dutch Barges

Tugs

A page all about Tug Boats to live on with Tug Boats for sale, often including working tug boats in Class, as well as general information. CLICK HERE for Tugs

Moorings

If you are new to living afloat, And have any dependents, I strongly recommend you to buy your new home already on an established residential mooring. This means the mooring has planning permission for residential use and you have official residents status at that address, essential for bank accounts, driving licence, benefits etc.
If you are continuously cruising or on a mooring that doesn't have residential planning permission, there may be many others living on the same mooring and it is worth asking their advice as to the local situation and how things happen in that area. If you have family responsibilities, a mooring with residential planning permission has to be favourite. ( extract from The Houseboat Book by D Greenaway. If you want to read the full text click here. )

American houseboats

A page all about American Houseboats to live on with American Houseboats for sale as well as general information. Houseboats for YOU from The U.S.A.! If you are in a position to buy a Luxury Houseboat, prices have never been so low! but they are just starting to rise again. We have exclusive international connections , so if you are seriously interested, we can do the due diligence this side of the pond - - So you can receive the red carpet treatment you deserve in the USA. Try a stay on one of these superb homes for free while you are over there to inspect the ones you like. CLICK HERE for American Houseboats

Conversion Objects

A page all about Conversion Objects that can be made into Boats to live on with Conversion Objects for sale as well as general information. You can get low cost designer bath fittings online to help make your conversion superb at low cost.

CLICK HERE for Conversion Objects

Electric Issues

Electrical systems must be carefully installed for safety reasons. I admit that I started wiring our first floating home using the Readers'Digest DIY guide and never looked back. You may prefer to employ a qualified electrician! It is important to minimise the risks from shortcircuits and overheating cables. Also, I don't use the old-fashioned unsealed batteries, because they produce hydrogen when charging (I still always make sure that batteries are stowed in a ventilated area,that batteries and cables can't move around, that fuses and circuitbreakers are correctly installed and rated for the circuits they protect. I like to look over the wiring a couple of times a year to see what is worn out and needs replacing.I also have cut-off switches for main circuits, clearly marked and easily accessible. ( extract from The Houseboat Book by D Greenaway. If you want to read the full text click here. )

Static or Cruising, what type of boat?

Where do you want to BE??
It may be your job determines the area you need to live in, or a need to be near family or friends. If so you know what area you should live in and even if you choose a Residential Cruiser, you will need a secure mooring within travelling distance of that area
But if you are retired, or can work from anywhere (maybe you work over the internet, or as an artist in studio, or you are regularly travelling all over the country to clients. ) Then you can consider a life of freedom, using the many moorings provided free on the waterways.
You can choose to be a 'Continuous Cruiser? all year round as I have
for years.
Sometimes for a particular contract, or family reasons, choosing a suitable Marina to stay in for a few months.
I love the freedom of the river. It is kind and friendly if you treat it with proper respect, no tides to worry about, being inland there are very few harsh gales.
It feels so civilised to be able to cruise gently up to a nice Restaurant mooring, tie up and saunter in for a drink or a meal.You may well, like me, love to see grass and trees, they are always in view on the River.
Go through any town in Europe by train, you will see the worst views, go any where by boat and you will see the best views, partly because for hundreds of years, many people with the means have bought riverside land for its beauty and often made the effort to enhance that beauty with landscaping and architecture )
( extract from The Houseboat Book by D Greenaway. If you want to read the full text click here. )

Good House-Keeping

There are some things that need to be done in any home. But it is worth considering them here. The basic example is, 'having a spare?. If you use something regularly, like hand-soap in the bathroom or jam, then keep a spare in a handy place. When the jam runs out, replace it with the spare and write jam on the shopping list under the magnet on the fridge door. This applies to fan belts in cars as well as boats, certainly Gas bottles if you use gas on board. If you have a fuel tank in your car or boat, carry a small can of fuel just in case. On a Static houseboat the spares will be identical to those in a home.
A residential cruiser has two extra areas of consideration. All the spares needed for the engine, generator and cruising equipment. Depending on the length of cruise, more household spares maybe needed if planning to be out in the country away from boat- yards, roads and shops.