
We have owned a large narrowboat. Wonderful life (in Summer). Even in Winter crisp mornings and a lovely wood burner going on and the central heating, lovely and cosy. However. To get fresh water you have to move onto a water point and if the canal is frozen then that is impossible. Also as they are outside taps then in a severe Winter the outside taps could be frozen. If you have a pump out toilet the same applies, you have to move onto a water point to do the pump out. If you have an Elsan toilet then the job would be a little easier providing the water supply to the toilet block hasn't frozen.
I have never lived on, only for holidays. I do know people who live on but because of their experiences I knew that it was something that I would not be able to do.
In saying all that if you were in a marina, then things may be a little different and you could ask the questions, but marinas don't come cheap