Welcome to the story of our Dutch-style barge Wanderlust. Here we tell the story of the planning, construction, and of our travels afloat. Please enjoy!
Built by Piper Boats LTD in 2013, Wanderlust is 65 feet long and 14 feet. She was launched on the Thames in September of 2013 and is now in France.
Visit Wanderlust’s sister blog for the story of our travels and details about us and our pictures is Anotherheader.
Wanderlust 
I’ve just finished reading your blog here and am looking for a way to get in touch. We’re getting close to pulling the trigger on a new barge build and are considering Piper. We live in Boulder, CO and will be looking to live full-time on a boat in Europe with our 4 kids. I’d love to chat with you further about your experiences in getting your barge built and on the water, and transitioning from the US. Thank you!
We are considering having Piper build us a barge. We would be US Flag and are wondering how much trouble that is for extended cruising in Europe. We live aboard a 47ft sailboat now so a barge would be like moving to luxury condo! We would be very interested in your opinions about Piper and how long it took to complete your barge and also what it took to get your US registration in Europe.
Getting the US registration from the Coast Guard is straightforward and easy for a new build.
Hi Becky and Dave,
Thank you so much for letting us tour Wanderlust after we met you in Verdun sur le Doub on 10 June. This was our second self drive canal trip after around 15 sailboat charters with the Moorings. We are seriously looking at buying a boat in France. We have already decided to do a longer rental next summer, by ourselves, and start looking at our options. I am so glad we found your blog and Ed just signed up for the Barge Association.
Kim and Ed
Niceville, Florida
S/V Sante`
The US flagging procedure with the cast guard, how do you obtain it ?
See
Hi. I am involved in a lottery heritage project relating to live afloat moorings on the tidal part of the Thames. My wife and I have been charged with putting together a case study relating to the Hermitage Community Moorings. I read your blog regarding your temporary stay there and in particular the challenges of living on that part of the Thames. Would you have any objection to us including it in our case study? Best wishes, Chris
Hi Becky and Dave,
Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality today at Saint Jean de Losne and the tour of your beautiful barge, Wanderlust. It would be great to meet up again when you’re back in the Bay Area.
Tim Cahill-O’Brien
Novato
Nice Blog and beautiful pictures! We are considering seeing Europe by boat in a similar way to you. My wife, however, is very concerned that there might not be other cruising children for them to meet. What are your thoughts on this and do you, perhaps, know of any kid boats out there that have blogs? Thanks for sharing your excellent travels!
I have read a blog from a family that cruises but I couldn’t tell you where to find it. Most of the kids you see are on hire boats. Families are uncommon among the full-timers.
Do you have any guide on downsizing from a land-home to a houseboat please? Sorry if that sounds daft, but I currently live in a two bed house and I’m trying to get my head around what I can and cant have. Best regards, LH
Not really/
Bateau Libellule here – just down the port arsenal and we met a couple days ago. Saw your issue with engine room heat you might come and look at what the French builder did on Libellule – blowers with a thermostat that keep things good down below when we travel.
Brad Miller(and Nancy)
Libellule
We have a blower now. It seems to help but 2021 was relatively cool so it wasn’t really pushed.