Welcome to the Residential Boat Owners' Association
Last Updated: 24th January, 2012
Established in 1963 the Residential Boat Owners' Association is the only national organisation which exclusively represents and promotes the interests of people living on boats in the British Isles. We represent all those who have chosen to make a boat their home – whether that boat is static or cruises; is based inland or on the coast; has a permanent or temporary mooring (whether residential or not) or continuously cruises – all are residential boaters. We also welcome as Associate members those not yet living afloat, but who are considering doing so. If you live on a boat, you should definitely consider becoming a member. You can do this online. Or if you don't live on a boat yet, why not start with the Question and Answer section of this website?
POSTAL ADDRESS
The RBOA's address for all postal correspondence:
RBOA, PO Box 267, Ely, CB7 9EP
RBOA endorses candidate for CRT Council
The RBOA is pleased to announce that Ivor Caplan is standing as a candidate for election to the CRT Council, as a private boaters representative and is endorsed by the Committee.
When it's time to vote, support Ivor to ensure that the voice of residential boaters is heard on CRT Council. Further details in the January/February 2012 edition of Soundings or see HERE
LIVING AFLOAT
Written by RBOA members, our book about life afloat, with 96 pages, including numerous colour photographs, contains pretty much everything you'd want to know about living on a boat. Members describe a variety of personal experiences, including raising a family, getting healthcare, and keeping pets on board. There is a wealth of advice, from deciding on the size and type of craft, whether to buy new or secondhand, and what you are looking for inside the boat.
See the RBOA Merchandise page for details of how to order, online with Paypal or by post.
FREE LEAFLET - So you want to live on a boat?
In conjunction with British Waterways and the Environment Agency, the RBOA has produced an introductory leaflet for those thinking of living on a boat. If you would like a copy, please send a stamped, self-addressed C5 envelope (i.e. to take a folded A4 sheet) to the RBOA at the address above. Any businesses requiring multiple copies can obtain these by emailing vicechairman@rboa.org.uk
SOUNDINGS
Soundings is the RBOA's bi-monthly magazine, which is circulated free to all members. It contains a mix of updates on national and local issues specific to residential boating, and letters and articles from members on a range of matters about life aboard.
Copy deadline for the next issue of Soundings is 1st March, 2012
Please email submissions for Soundings to soundings@rboa.org.uk (or by post to Beryl McDowall, Editor: Soundings, Narrowboat "Wasp", Off Barons Way, Mountsorrel, Leics. LE12 7EA)
If you are considering joining us, and would like to receive a free back copy of Soundings, please send an C4 (A4-sized) stamped self-addressed envelope (92p stamp) with your request to:
RBOA, PO Box 267, Ely CB7 9EP
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be a committee Meeting, to be held on, Saturday, 17th March, 2012 at The Rose & Crown, 6 Main Street, Zouch, LE12 5EQ. Members are welcome to come to this meeting. Please confirm details with the General Secretary (secretary@rboa.org.uk or 07710 0292470) before travelling.
WATERWAYS ISSUES
DEFRA Consultation on New Waterways Charity
The Consultation for the New Waterways Charity has been issued by DEFRA and can be found here
This Consultation considers the most fundamental and important changes since the waterways were nationalised. The RBOA will be replying on behalf of its members and the wider residential boating community, but the Officers would encourage you to respond on your own behalf. If you do, it would be useful if you can send a copy of your response to the RBOA Secretary. The RBOA response will be posted here when it has been completed.
Red Diesel
For a copy of our new spreadsheet to help with calculating diesel costs for any propulsion/domestic split, email membership@rboa.org.uk Go to our Red Diesel Page to find out about how the RBOA fought for and won the right for those who live on boats to purchase diesel at the rebated rate for domestic use.
LEISURE WEAR
The RBOA has a supplier of leisure wear - and what is more, the couple who run the business are RBOA members! See the RBOA Merchandise page for more details.