Floating on the Shannon, caravaning in Ireland and across Europe or staying at your mobile home parked at your favourite destination - high-quality transportable holiday homes are proving a hit with consumers, writes Aine Flynn.

The recent housing climate has put the concept of a holiday home out of reach for most people. But alternatives are available, with the popularity of holiday homes of the floating variety on the river Shannon reaching new heights and caravan and mobile homes holding their own, in what has become a fiercely competitive tourist market.

But just how economical and user-friendly are these mobile investments?

According to Mr Eanna Rowe, communications and marketing manager with the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), a good quality cruising boat has a lifespan of 40 or 50 years if looked after properly.

It is estimated that a typical new luxury vessel 37 feet in length can cost up to €80,000, but the biggest seller in Ireland is a good quality second hand cruiser with a price attached of around €38,000 for four to six people.

Every boat on the Shannon is registered with the IWAI. When registered, a boat can also use the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the Royal and Grand Canals, which are all connected and navigable. Figures indicate that the greatest number of private boat registrations was in 2,000 with 380 vessels, rising from 275 in 1997.

Mr Rowe stresses that although this number has decreased in 2002 - to 300 at the end of October - overall activity has increased. This is recorded by lock movements, which have seen a big increase in recent years.

The former president of Inland Waterways, Mr Colin Becker, says that increased traffic on the Shannon in particular is coupled with changes in infrastructure on river banks, with better standards in both private marinas and mooring areas. The boating season runs from March to October, with cruising on the Shannon prohibited during the winter months because of flood danger and poor visibility.

During the off-season therefore, a dock or storehouse is needed to accommodate the stationary vessel.

At Lough Key marina in Co Roscommon and most other private marinas this can be costly. For a boat to remain in the water, it involves an outlay of €26 per foot, which amounts to about €600 for an average sized boat of 37 feet.

Mr Des Gillett, proprietor of Lough Key, who also runs a rental company, Tara Cruisers, adds however that "it is advisable to take the boat out of the water". There are facilities at most marinas to store boats on a hard stand, with lifting equipment available to take a boat out of the water.

In Lough Key - and elsewhere - the cost again depends on the size of the boat, but works out at approximately €3.50 per foot.

Other expenses include fuel costs, which can come to €100 per week, while insurance payments are also relatively high.

According to a spokeswoman for Hibernian Insurance, Ms Kela O'Riordan, a boat less than 17 feet long can be added to a home insurance policy, while any boat exceeding this needs to be insured separately. "We have a scheme that is run in conjunction with the IWAI, where premiums for members of the association are from 1 per cent of the value of the boat," she says.

Generally cover includes year-round water submersion, up to €1.3 million public liability insurance and on-road trailer transportation, unless otherwise stated, Ms O'Riordan adds.

Mr Beaker, himself the owner of a cruiser, says there is no doubt that "owning a boat is expensive" and warns "a house typically won't sink if not looked after whereas a boat will". For some, he adds, it may not be a viable option in the long-run.

"For the moment demand is still high," he adds. There is still three or four boats a week imported from England and Holland."

And it seems that caravans and mobile homes are also as popular as ever. Ms Ron Charles, chairperson with the National Caravan Council, says that they have not only sustained their popularity in recent years, but have surpassed expectations.

"Caravans are like little hotels these days. With a more affluent society, people are going for the more luxurious setting with everything at hand," she emphasises.

Ms Charles says a new French caravan could cost anything from €9,000 to €15,000, while better quality English caravans range from €16,000- €24,000.

"Standards are as high in Ireland now - if not higher - as they are in other European countries. Facilities have really improved in the last decade.

"Caravaning is a lovely outdoor life, with great freedom and first class conditions available in caravan parks" from about €10 per night. "You are not even confined to Ireland. You can take your caravan to the continent."

Caravans can be insured under an existing home policy or as a stand-alone property, but either way it is more expensive than insuring a house, because of higher security risks and susceptibility to bad weather conditions.

It is estimated that a caravan insured for €25,000, including €5,000 content value, will involve an annual insurance cost of around €400 on a separate policy to your full-time residence.

It is advisable to service vehicles once a year, whilst storage in the winter months is also recommended by the Caravan Council. According to Ms Charles, rental costs for this period can be between €100 and €300.

Despite the misleading name, mobile homes don't offer the benefit of easy mobility afforded by caravans, but are larger and sturdier if not more expensive.

In the last number of years, they too have become more like miniature houses, comprising tiled roofs and gas central heating.

A new model complete with all mod cons - 35 by 12 feet - could cost €80,000, while a second-hand model, four or five years old with fewer frills, averages at €22,000 - €25,000.

Mobiles are generally transported to and subsequently parked on caravan sites, where the owner can expect to part with between 1,000 and 1,650 per annum.

Mr Bill Farrell, a director with Harry Farrell Mobile Homes, says there is "minimal maintenance" required on any recently manufactured mobile. "Good quality material means they can withstand harsh weather conditions."

While the cost of moveable homes can be quite significant they are definitely more affordable than buying a holiday house, with the distinct advantage of mobility.