Nobody minds how much time you spend on your boat in most cases. The problem arises when an old car gets used as a shed in the car park, the boat gets covered in junk and the bank/jetty looks like Steptoe's yard.
It is sometimes useful to describe one's voyages as "navigating" rather than "cruising" as the latter implies enjoyment and is therefore taxable by the HMRC in their VAT calculations. Don't forget that if your vessel is over 15 tons by HMRC's measurement.
L(m) x B(m) x D(m) x 0.16 for ships under 24m in length.
And you use it for residential purposes then certain items of VAT (and the building of it) on the vessel and its services are zero rated for VAT purposes.
Realistically this is only going to be for widebeams over 55' but worth looking into if you go big.
billy
Full quote from HMRC.
L(m) x B(m) x D(m) x 0.16 for ships under 24m in length
and
L(m) x B(m) x D(m) x 0.235 for ships of 24m or more in length
where:
L = Length measured from fore part of head of stem to after part of head of stern post, or after part of transom or tuck, in case of a transom or tuck stern without post on same at upper part. This measurement must not include bowsprits, stern mounted diving platforms and other appendages that do not contribute to the volume of the vessel.
B = Beam - breadth of vessel at widest part to the outside of outer planking, whether the vessel is clinker or carvel built. This measurement must not include the thickness of any moulding or rubbing strake, which may be fitted in way of such measurement.
D = Depth measured vertically from the midpoint overall.The upper calculation point will be for:
a decked vessel - the underside of the deck on the middle line, or (if there is no deck on the middle line) the underside of the deck at the side of the vessel plus the full deck camber.
an open vessel - the top of the upper strake or gunwale.
The lower calculation point will be for a:
wooden vessel - the upper side of the plank at the side of the keel.
metal vessel - the top of the plating at the side of the keelson.
moulded vessel (for example one made of glass-reinforced plastic) - the inside of the hull. Where no keel member is fitted and the keel is of open trough construction, the calculation point shall be the top of the keel filling, if fitted, or the level at which the inside breadth of the trough is 10 centimetres - whichever gives the greater depth.
