Buying a small liveaboard power boat in Europe

[sailscubasurf]

My girlfriend and I currently liveaboard our sailboat in SoCal, but are considering purchasing a small liveaboard powerboat in Europe to cruise the rivers and canals.

What country would be the best place to purchase such a boat? And what do we need to consider. We would probably use it for a couple of years and then sell it.

If anyone has had experience with this, I'd love to pick their brain.

[cliffdwellers2]

We have spent 1 month cruising in France on an old 1927 Dutch Barge, and another month on cruisers in France and Italy. We got to know a few friends who lived aboard, and it seems France is an excellent place to base out of, as mooring costs are small compared to the States (some are free, even with power and water if you are a transient, as the towns like the tourism). At Port Arsenal in Paris, there are usually a few barges for sale, and there are other sites online to check. We loved that barging life, great food, sites, and wonderful people. Enjoy!!! Between the canals and rivers, you can get all over Europe from France. Lynn and Mark

[valhalla360]

We have similar plans. Purchased a 10 Catalac sail catamaran for the purpose. Work and life keep getting in the way so it's still on the Spanish Mediterranean. We'll pull the mast when we get to the canals.


Key items to watch are the dimensions. You have to fit under bridges in locks and not drag on the bottom. Otherwise, just about any boat with a reliable engine will work.