Hi, new here and wondering of likelyhood of finding a sitter as I live on a canal boat. It is very big and comfortable, and in a beautiful part of North Yorkshire. The town has a railway line that connects to Leeds and Bradford, as well as the coast at Morecambe, up to Carlisle…but the boat is ‘off grid’. Comes with neighbours that will deal help with all things boat. It’s self-sufficient in electricity etc. Has good wifi, tv and most mod-cons. Still off grid though.
Any thoughts?
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Go ahead and list it! I’ve seen similar listings, which have received applications. We’d certainly be interested!
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Welcome @Huw - in my eyes, no different than a house, and a dream for some! Those houses that are off-grid, makes it clear in their listings that it’s off-grid, so I would do the same. It then attracts like-minded, or at least curious sitters.
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It sounds intriguing and adventurous. I would be interested in sitting. I think a few things should be clear for the uninformed sitter. Does the boat stays in the same spot all the time. Maybe explain a bit in the description of your sit how a boat as a home differs from a house (and maybe add some positives and negatives). Off grid as such is not a problem, but again you might want to elaborate a bit on what this means for daily life. I would also have questions where to park my car if I came by car, for example.
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Sounds wonderful. Ex sailors will jump at this opportunity. We are used to living off grid in small spaces, hauling water and conserving electricity. We walk a lot of the tow paths in the south and always talk about what canal life would be like. Post away.
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Morning…thank you for reply. It’s food to know it would be of interest to people. Having only just dipped my toe in the water of this way of thinking about pet sitters I’ll not feel unsure about posting dates when needed.
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Sitters are after new experiences at the end of the day. For many this would be a chance for a new way of life to test the water as it were.. maybe they will take to it and it might become their thing too..
my advice is give a clear description of what you are offering.. obviously people with mobility issues or kids who can’t swim may need reminding this isn’t a great fit but still lots left of applicants from the general public.
I’ve had canal living experience and loved it. The programme on tv with Timothy West and Prunella Scales has brought canal boat travel/ living to the fore.
Let us know how you get on. Test the waters is my advice. You will be pleasantly surprised is my guess.
You’re offering a trial run with no commitment to it permanently.. also it’s a great adventure for them to talk about afterwards as it’s not your average sit opportunity.
You don’t mention the need for pet care so that in itself can be a plus if people want a base to explore from.. very popular!
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We have been on narrowboat holidays many times, we love Yorkshire, we will be looking out for your listing!!
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@Huw we’ve sat in a house that backed onto the Leeds Liverpool canal, it was North East of Bradford, that was a house-house, however, we’ve also dog sat in a caravan, and a one-bed retirement apartment, among a lot of larger places.
I wouldn’t worry too much, because you have something totally unique to most on THS, the canal boat is your largest selling-point in my opinion, because we can all dog sit anywhere, but not many are totally unique like yours.
There are quite a number of off-grid places on THS too, so that shouldn’t put too many off nowadays, and some will see it as a bonus.
I’d make sure your first image is a stunning photo of the canal boat in the sunshine, because it’s so unique and enticing, so sitters will automatically click through to read more.
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Sign me up 
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I would love to!
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Man, I would do it in a heartbeat!
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During the pandemic I started to follow this content creator who lived on a boat and showed his life travelling around the country. I found his content very relaxing (he made it look really chill) and since then I’ve always wanted to spend a few days on a canal boat. He had thousands of followers, so there’s definitey a public for such sittings! 
Best of luck!
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Hi Huw
It has your location as Skipton so I’m guessing your boat is moored nearby to the town? If so that’s a fantastic area for sitters that enjoy walking and hiking (I grew up in York so know that area from many happy childhood outings!).
Good luck with your listing.
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I would apply. How unique and interesting
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Further to my response saying that we would be interested, I have now noted that you have 3 dogs, I, together with other sitters, limit the number to 2 so you may be reducing your applicants.
In your listing, I recommend that you make it clear where the dogs sleep and explain that the lack of space will not reduce the sitters comfort.
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@Huw we have done several narrowboat holidays so would definitely apply to a sit on a boat if the dates worked and if the boat could accommodate 3 of us. Skipton is a fantastic location (I also grew up in York).
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Living on a boat sounds absolutely AMAZING! Please feel free to pop back and tell us more about boat life, @Huw 
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Hi, thank you for the head’s up about number of dogs…as I say, new here so learning as I go.
Yes, I have 3; old man Stan who totters about quite happily, Bonnie a lurcher and Rupert another lurcher…two Rescues…Rupert was only coming as a foster for a week two years ago. I have an off side mooring, so not on busy towpath, or option of mooring on the edge of Skipton, or in the middle of nowhere, or anything in between.
Any boat / dog sitters in the past have happily walked all 3, but sometime its easier to walk Stan and Bonnie, then Rupert on his own.
The boat is large; 3 bedrooms, kitchen / diner/ living, bathroom, then 2 futher bedrooms (one teenage daughter’s and one ‘in progress’). Anyone who limits to two dogs either woudnt apply, or I have the option of one going to stay with friends, Stan usually.
I assume others can see this reply easily…Im good with boats and animals, not so with technology.
Thanks again for the note…cheers, Huw.
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