The romantic dream of downsizing, giving up the ratrace, and living life at 4mph on the inland waterways is proving more and more attractive to boaters. But for tens of thousands of people it is not just a romantic dream but a lifestyle.
Tony Jones is one of those people. He has lived aboard his 50ft narrowboat for over 5 years and in this very practical book he documents what the liveaboard lifestyle is really like, focusing on the practical issues of day to day living for those who want to know what living on a boat actually entails, to see whether they could do it.
Topics covered - the pros, cons and costs of a residential mooring - power usage and energy consumption (and how it differs from a house) - how to stay warm - the choice of coal, electric, gas or wood heating - boat loos - the pros and cons, and troubleshooting typical problems - entertainment - TV, radio, internet, DVDs - logistical problems - no postal address, GP access, vehicle admin
The aim of this book is to feed people's dreams by showing that every possible problem that could arise when living on a boat has a tried and tested solution. The dream is perfectly possible, and this book is the complete practical guide to achieving it.
Tony Jones writes historical fiction set in the late Roman world, an age of frontier wars and palace intrigue. His debut trilogy traces the rise of a soldier's son — born to a concubine on the empire's margins — to Constantine the Great, drawn not as a saint or a symbol, but as a man: ambitious, ruthless, and human. He has three adult children, and he lives in Minnesota with his wife and two dogs.
I am not able to compare to other Guides, this being the first one I have read. However, this book was clear and easily understood by a novice like myself, non judgemental, and for more complicated matters it seems to me a good starting point. There is a handy list at the end for other sources of more in depth information.
I was ready to sell up and by myself a little boat , but then I read this book (which is certainly a must have for anyone thinking of doing the same). A down to earth account of life aboard.