Do you dream of life on the ocean wave? Do you long for escape to a glittering marina, an idyllic canal or simply to while away your days meandering through the UK's scenic waterways? If you are seriously thinking about making these dreams a reality and moving from terra firma to a watery lair, then this guide to buying a houseboat is the place for you.

Here you will find all the advice and information you need, from the practicalities of buying or renting a houseboat to the hows and whys of getting started and staying afloat. In addition to this we provide a list of useful links to the official bodies in charge of licensing, taxing and regulating houseboats in the UK.

In order to make it easier to understand all the different aspects of buying a houseboat we have split this guide into several different sections as below:

• Buying a houseboat in the UK
• Financing a houseboat
• Where to moor your houseboat
• Useful links to other websites

According to the Royal boat builders association around 23,000 people live on boats in the UK. Are you ready to become one of them?

What kind of boat should I buy?

There are many different kinds of houseboat suitable for living aboard. To help you decide which is the best houseboat for you, we list the most popular types and the environment for which they are designed.

• Narrow boat

Long and narrow in order to navigate through the UK canal lock systems and usually constructed of steel, with rectangular or, more traditionally, round port-hole windows. They may have an engine for cruising or none for permanent mooring.

• Dutch Barge

Similar to a Narrow boat but with a wider beam that gives valuable extra living space, making them ideal as a floating home. Due to their extra width they must be moored on rivers rather than canals.

• River Cruisers

Constructed from fibreglass, ready to go and available in pre-defined models. Just like driving a new car out of the showroom you can be living aboard as soon as you have all the paperwork settled.

• Houseboats

Permanently moored accommodation, constructed upon floating barges or specially designed platforms. You will find many of these types of houseboat in London where moorings can be costly. If this is your plan then get yourself on a waiting list as soon as possible!

• Motor Fishing Vehicles (MFV)

MFVs are widespread throughout the country and as such can be bought for knock-down prices after decommissioning. Their large size makes them ideal homes but remember with all that extra space comes extra maintenance too! Suitable for coastal or riverside moorings, MFVs cannot cruise the inland waterways.

• Luxury Yacht

Starting at the price of a small apartment and running into hundreds of thousands of pounds this is no small investment. You will want to moor your luxury yacht in a reputable Marina for maximum security and peace of mind.

Buying a boat to live on

There are many specialist operators who will make a boat to your exact specifications, or you may wish to get more for your money by going second-hand. According to your inclination you can buy a houseboat that is already habitable or buy a shell, then get down and dirty with the DIY. Here is a list of the main options for buying a houseboat.

Remember that boats, unlike houses, do not come with title deeds, so you need to verify that the person you are buying from owns it, otherwise you could lose your investment and the houseboat itself. You can read a very informative article here on How to Avoid Buying a Stolen Boat.