Qualifications
You do not need any qualifications to own or cruise a narrowboat.
Holiday Home
You do not have to cruise in your narrowboat if you do not want to, you can use it at its mooring as an occasional holiday home if you wish.
Electricity
Many marinas supply electricity, with sockets on the mooring piers so that mains equipment can be used, and batteries be charged.
Heating
There are various forms of heating in narrowboats. Hire boats and many privately owned boats have central heating either powered by gas, or diesel. Others have a stove, fueled by smokeless fuel or wood, usually coupled to a few radiators.
The engine can also provide hot water via a calorifier (copper cylinder).
Residential
A narrowboat can be your permanent home, as most marinas have residential moorings, with all facilities. However, you will have to pay council tax, which may be included in the mooring charge.
Toilets
Many boats have flush toilets with an holding tank, which can be pumped out at marinas and boatyards. Others have the caravan type porta-potti which has to be physically emptied.
Water
Water can be obtained free from filling points along all the canals, at marinas and boatyards, and boats can usually carry around 100 gallons or more in a tank.
Diesel
The huge majority of narrowboats are powered by diesel engines, the fuel being readily obtainable at boatyards and marinas along the waterways. Being so slow, boating is very economical on fuel.
Winterization
If the boat is not needed it can be safely left during the winter months providing the drinking water system is drained and the engine has anti freeze in its cooling system.
Private Hiring
You are not allowed to hire out a privately owned boat unless licensed to do so, appropriate insurance has been obtained and special Boat Safety Scheme regulations have been met.
Toll costs
There are no tolls levied for either cruising the rivers and canals or passing through locks under British Waterways jurisdiction. The privately owned Avon does attract a toll.
However, the recently opened Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal does attract a toll, as the boats have to be pulled through.
Maps to navigate the waterway system
Many maps are available showing both the entire canal system or individual waterways, these are obtainable from British Waterways offices.