Room on lovely canal barge to rent

I am looking for the right person to join me living on a canal barge berthed at Leamington Wharf (just a few minutes walk from Tollcross).

This is a unique opportunity to experience living in a quirky space. The boat, named Karagola, is a beautiful 60ft narrowboat with two (double) bed spaces, a small kitchen and living room space. There is also a small shed for extra storage (full of bikes and kayaks).

Rent is £450 per month with electricity (mains connection), gas (for hob) and diesel (for heating and cruising) bills extra and dependent on how much we use.

There are of course great benefits to life on the water but it does come with its own challenges. The right candidate will be willing to embrace those challenges for the fun, beauty and novelty of canal life. The best way I can describe living on the boat is that it is like living a step closer to being outside. I enjoy the wildlife experiences (swans, ducks, foxes), sitting on the roof watching sunsets and people watching on the canal path. It is a strange mix of very public and very private. The side of the canal we berthed on is closed to the general public (kind of a private garden) but the other is a busy commuter route. The area of town is quite quiet and peaceful with limited traffic or noise.

I'm looking for someone energetic, adventurous and environmentally minded. Crucially the boat is a small space which we will be sharing so you will need to be relaxed and sociable. You will have your own room but personal privacy is not a canal barge's USP! The right person needs to enjoy living in cosy conditions. Ideally i am looking for someone who also enjoys (healthy and largely vegeretarian) cooking and is relaxed about sharing food. I like to keep the barge reasonably tidy but i am not by any means "fastidious". Happy to share with either guy/girl.

I am a 25 year old male PhD student (geologist/river geomorphologist). My main passions are kayaking, surfing and adventurous travel. I love spending time outdoors and i'm particularly interested in all things related to the natural world.

FAQ:

Isn't it freezing cold?
Sometimes, yes! The morning can be very chilly in the winter, but once the diesel stove is on the barge can get quite cosy quite quickly. Life onboard is ruled by the thermometer on the wall.

Where do you go to the toilet?
There is a toilet on-board that is fully functional. I prefer not to use it as getting the sewage tank pumped out requires moving the boat and costs money! On the land nearby there is a heated toilet and shower block belonging to Scottish Canals for boat-dwellers which we have access to 24/7.

Is there laundry facilities?
In the toilet block there is a pay-per-use washing machine and dryer.

Is there broadband?
No, and there is no opportunity for a broadband connection. Personally I just have a big data allowance on my mobile phone and use it as a hotspot - the signal is good enough to stream HD iplayer/youtube/netflix etc.

Can I drive the boat up and down the canal?
Yes! After a bit of training on how to steer it and the rules of the canal. I don't take the boat out very often but I hope to have a few boat trips/parties and weekends away as the summer comes around.

What happens if I want to invite friends around to stay?
Great, there is space for two in the beds and there is a futon in the living room! I enjoy having a sociable boat :)

Is there a formal contract/deposit?
Yes. You will need to sign a contract with the owners/landlords (who are lovely) and pay a returnable deposit of £250.

Message me to arrange a viewing! Please include some information about yourself and how long you are interested in staying.