Living aboard

The classical live aboard in my neck of the woods is the traditional canal barge. Not many canal barges have been built since World War-II and prices on the market reflect that. This style of home has almost become a luxury whereas back in the 1970's it was an alternative lifestyle. Today the barges are hooked up to water, electricity and sewage systems. Barges come in lots of different shapes and sizes. In the photo below there are the most common types found on the local river including Dutch, English canal boat (the tiny narrow one) and French canal barges (both sea going and river variety).

Then we have floating houses, common in various parts of the world - Seattle and Vancouver spring to mind. Is a house a boat? No, it is sort of like living aboard but without the mobility option. This floating house used to be a home then a rum bar (don't ask...) and now, the architect who drew it, has converted it back into a home office.

Another very local variation is the conversion of a laundry boat. These were numerous on the Loire and other rivers, the washing was done from the windows in the hull. Upstairs was used for drying folding and ironing. Way back then linen was washed twice a year and the river was not as polluted as it is today... This is one of the last floating examples.

Smaller live aboard river boats of today are also present. This one has come from the Golfe de Morbihan (a short sea passage required), up the Vilaine and down the canal. Notice the folding windscreen? More on the "why" of that detail in the second page.

Continues on page two

Tony Grant [kiwi]