Hi all,

I am in the process of purchasing a boat and was wondering about swing moorings and whether people actually live onboard on their boats. I presume that this is typically not allowed expect for a day here or there when doing some maintenance on your actual boat.

I got to chatting with a lady who is currently renting a swing mooring around new port NSW for 2 months and said that she stays overnight on her boat 3-4 days a week while doing some maintenance. She said along as no one notices and that she keeps to herself and doesn't make to much noise then its generally ok.

So begs the question

1. Is this actually allowed, (I'm sure there are more people out there that are renting a mooring for a month or so... I guess they keep this on the down low)

2. Do waterway patrols or councils constantly monitor this at all and if so how strict are they...

Once I purchase a boat I will need a mooring and most likely looking at a swing mooring as it seems to be the cheapest... This will only be for a month or so as I would like to do some work to my boat... It would be practical to stay aboard for 1-2 days at a time but not sure if this is allowed hence my question.


Regards,

Benjie.

It's very dependent on your local boating officers. They will obviously know your there. They are regularly patrolling the mooring fields making sure the right boats are on the moorings etc. They are also on the various social media, our local head BO is on the Facebook page I run for the local yachts and certainly keeps a close eye on things. Don't hang your washing on deck and keep the noise down in the quiet hours. Mainly don't piss off the pensioners living close by who are always watching! It's best to own a mooring and have a postal address.
Make sure your boat is not the most untidy boat there!

Select to expand quote

Ramona said..
It's very dependent on your local boating officers. They will obviously know your there. They are regularly patrolling the mooring fields making sure the right boats are on the moorings etc. They are also on the various social media, our local head BO is on the Facebook page I run for the local yachts and certainly keeps a close eye on things. Don't hang your washing on deck and keep the noise down in the quiet hours. Mainly don't piss off the pensioners living close by who are always watching! It's best to own a mooring and have a postal address.
Make sure your boat is not the most untidy boat there!

Only looking to be on the boat a night or two just to do a bit of paining and few odd jobs for a month or two max... not looking to live on it full time.

You won't have any dramas at all doing that as long as no spillages occur. Slicks go a long way.

Select to expand quote

Bennjo_1 said..

Ramona said..
It's very dependent on your local boating officers. They will obviously know your there. They are regularly patrolling the mooring fields making sure the right boats are on the moorings etc. They are also on the various social media, our local head BO is on the Facebook page I run for the local yachts and certainly keeps a close eye on things. Don't hang your washing on deck and keep the noise down in the quiet hours. Mainly don't piss off the pensioners living close by who are always watching! It's best to own a mooring and have a postal address.
Make sure your boat is not the most untidy boat there!

Only looking to be on the boat a night or two just to do a bit of paining and few odd jobs for a month or two max... not looking to live on it full time.

There won't be a problem as long as you abide by the rules associated with moorings in NSW that state you have to have a tidy boat on the mooring. There won't be a problem unless your painting your boat a weird colour that does not suit the environment or it upsets the locals. I'm usually working 7 days a week at my mooring and I get regular visits from the boating officers and other yacht owners who are doing regular maintenance and several of them spend nights on their boats. There are a lot of people that own yachts here that live long distances from their moorings and they often stay several days on the moorings.

Select to expand quote

Ramona said..

Bennjo_1 said..

Ramona said..
It's very dependent on your local boating officers. They will obviously know your there. They are regularly patrolling the mooring fields making sure the right boats are on the moorings etc. They are also on the various social media, our local head BO is on the Facebook page I run for the local yachts and certainly keeps a close eye on things. Don't hang your washing on deck and keep the noise down in the quiet hours. Mainly don't piss off the pensioners living close by who are always watching! It's best to own a mooring and have a postal address.
Make sure your boat is not the most untidy boat there!

Only looking to be on the boat a night or two just to do a bit of paining and few odd jobs for a month or two max... not looking to live on it full time.

There won't be a problem as long as you abide by the rules associated with moorings in NSW that state you have to have a tidy boat on the mooring. There won't be a problem unless your painting your boat a weird colour that does not suit the environment or it upsets the locals. I'm usually working 7 days a week at my mooring and I get regular visits from the boating officers and other yacht owners who are doing regular maintenance and several of them spend nights on their boats. There are a lot of people that own yachts here that live long distances from their moorings and they often stay several days on the moorings.

Ok thanks for that info... Good to hear.

I don't live too far away but it would be practical for me to stay on the boat for 1-2 days a week to get some things done...