Buying a canal boat
Discussion
Hi all,
for years it has been a dream to own a narrow boat. I have found a lovely looking 36ft boat built in 2004 but I really could do with some independent forum advice as well as the dealers.
The boat is a 2004 RRL and has a Barrus Shire 35hp engine
Externally and internally looks great, ok not to maybe modern standards on the inside but still extremely presentable.
It says it was recently reblacked, I presume this is where the hull gets treated?
My questions really are this:
What are the typical costs I need to account for if I purchase a boat? I understand the fixed fees such as mooring (£1800p/a) but what is insurance and servicing like? Obviously its going to cost to fill with fuel but how far/long does a tank tend to last?
It has Webasto diesel central heating, I presume this is a burner?
The other main question is the BSC, this one lasts a few more years but how often do you get one and what is the typical cost?
Any other advice for someone going in eyes wide open?
Cheers
for years it has been a dream to own a narrow boat. I have found a lovely looking 36ft boat built in 2004 but I really could do with some independent forum advice as well as the dealers.
The boat is a 2004 RRL and has a Barrus Shire 35hp engine
Externally and internally looks great, ok not to maybe modern standards on the inside but still extremely presentable.
It says it was recently reblacked, I presume this is where the hull gets treated?
My questions really are this:
What are the typical costs I need to account for if I purchase a boat? I understand the fixed fees such as mooring (£1800p/a) but what is insurance and servicing like? Obviously its going to cost to fill with fuel but how far/long does a tank tend to last?
It has Webasto diesel central heating, I presume this is a burner?
The other main question is the BSC, this one lasts a few more years but how often do you get one and what is the typical cost?
Any other advice for someone going in eyes wide open?
Cheers
George Smiley said:
Hi all,
for years it has been a dream to own a narrow boat. I have found a lovely looking 36ft boat built in 2004 but I really could do with some independent forum advice as well as the dealers.
The boat is a 2004 RRL and has a Barrus Shire 35hp engine
Externally and internally looks great, ok not to maybe modern standards on the inside but still extremely presentable.
It says it was recently reblacked, I presume this is where the hull gets treated?
My questions really are this:
What are the typical costs I need to account for if I purchase a boat? I understand the fixed fees such as mooring (£1800p/a) but what is insurance and servicing like? Obviously its going to cost to fill with fuel but how far/long does a tank tend to last?
It has Webasto diesel central heating, I presume this is a burner?
The other main question is the BSC, this one lasts a few more years but how often do you get one and what is the typical cost?
Any other advice for someone going in eyes wide open?
Cheers
I would suggest you drive to a local marina where people tend to use as a base to live in these. Father in Law has one in Stoke and theres a decent pub there where everyone knows each other, friendly lot. You could go and find someones ear to bend/brain to pic fairly easily and get a feel for how it works.for years it has been a dream to own a narrow boat. I have found a lovely looking 36ft boat built in 2004 but I really could do with some independent forum advice as well as the dealers.
The boat is a 2004 RRL and has a Barrus Shire 35hp engine
Externally and internally looks great, ok not to maybe modern standards on the inside but still extremely presentable.
It says it was recently reblacked, I presume this is where the hull gets treated?
My questions really are this:
What are the typical costs I need to account for if I purchase a boat? I understand the fixed fees such as mooring (£1800p/a) but what is insurance and servicing like? Obviously its going to cost to fill with fuel but how far/long does a tank tend to last?
It has Webasto diesel central heating, I presume this is a burner?
The other main question is the BSC, this one lasts a few more years but how often do you get one and what is the typical cost?
Any other advice for someone going in eyes wide open?
Cheers
Or spend an afternoon walking up and down busy canals, most of the retired folk are chatty i have found.
Yes, re-blacking is hull treatment. I have a cruiser not narrowboat but operating costs will follow the same breakdown:
Moorings - charged by length. Cost depends on how flash the marina/moorings are and how many facilities it has. This will be your biggest cost.
Licence fee - canals are run by the Canal and River Trust (CRT) who will charge you a fee every year to use their waterways. That will be based on length too; have a google.
Insurance - surprisingly cheap - get a quote easily from www.craftinsure.com
Fuel - same as road price, maybe a bit more. You won't use much, probably in the low £100s per year.
Webasto c/h probably burns diesel from the main tank to make hot air. Some systems do hot water as well; if not make sure your boat has a 'calorifier' (ie hot water tank) taking engine heat to make hot water.
BSS certificate - every 4 years, about £120. Examiners seem to vary widely in how picky they are so take a recommendation from other boat owners.
Engine servicing - has it got any service history? I get mine (Yanmar 40hp diesel) serviced every 18 months or so, roughly every 100 hours. About £2-300 depending who you use.
What else? Unless the boat's been surveyed recently you may like to get a survey done (by a marine surveyor) for some peace of mind. By the time the boat's been lifted out, surveyed and replaced, allow £4-500.
Also, as this is your first boat, don't buy the first one you see. I looked at a dozen before deciding - and by then I knew what to look for, what was good and what was bad. Enjoy!
Moorings - charged by length. Cost depends on how flash the marina/moorings are and how many facilities it has. This will be your biggest cost.
Licence fee - canals are run by the Canal and River Trust (CRT) who will charge you a fee every year to use their waterways. That will be based on length too; have a google.
Insurance - surprisingly cheap - get a quote easily from www.craftinsure.com
Fuel - same as road price, maybe a bit more. You won't use much, probably in the low £100s per year.
Webasto c/h probably burns diesel from the main tank to make hot air. Some systems do hot water as well; if not make sure your boat has a 'calorifier' (ie hot water tank) taking engine heat to make hot water.
BSS certificate - every 4 years, about £120. Examiners seem to vary widely in how picky they are so take a recommendation from other boat owners.
Engine servicing - has it got any service history? I get mine (Yanmar 40hp diesel) serviced every 18 months or so, roughly every 100 hours. About £2-300 depending who you use.
What else? Unless the boat's been surveyed recently you may like to get a survey done (by a marine surveyor) for some peace of mind. By the time the boat's been lifted out, surveyed and replaced, allow £4-500.
Also, as this is your first boat, don't buy the first one you see. I looked at a dozen before deciding - and by then I knew what to look for, what was good and what was bad. Enjoy!
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 18th July 13:30
Cheers all
definitely won't go and buy the first, though that may end up eventually being the one to buy. Fortunately on the local canal ways there are quite a few marinas. One of them is part of a group which offers benefits of really cheap temp mooring if you use one of the others on the canal.
It may never happen but its been a desire for a long time and I can see my girl loving it going away with daddy for trips.
definitely won't go and buy the first, though that may end up eventually being the one to buy. Fortunately on the local canal ways there are quite a few marinas. One of them is part of a group which offers benefits of really cheap temp mooring if you use one of the others on the canal.
It may never happen but its been a desire for a long time and I can see my girl loving it going away with daddy for trips.
Being on the water, whatever the boat, is a wonderful thing, so make it happen 
By coincidence I met a couple with a 58' narrowboat last week who are part of a syndicate. They can use it for 4 weeks a year, and hand it over directly to the next members at an agreed point. That way they don't even have to return the boat to the same place. Aha this one: http://www.ownasharecruising.co.uk/node/10
By coincidence I met a couple with a 58' narrowboat last week who are part of a syndicate. They can use it for 4 weeks a year, and hand it over directly to the next members at an agreed point. That way they don't even have to return the boat to the same place. Aha this one: http://www.ownasharecruising.co.uk/node/10
Tempting idea but sounds too much like Timeshare 
But will look.
Most of the boats I have been on are the bigger ones, piece of string question but what sort of head room is there typically in the smaller boats?
Another option is a river cruiser which seem to offer the same benefits on the water but with slightly more space
But will look.Most of the boats I have been on are the bigger ones, piece of string question but what sort of head room is there typically in the smaller boats?
Another option is a river cruiser which seem to offer the same benefits on the water but with slightly more space
Narrowboats - headroom is independent of length - from recent experience ours was about 6'5".
I appreciate the traditional angle of narrowboats now and again but for comfortable use prefer cruisers - (a) much easier to handle (b) can be up to 12' wide - this greatly improves accommodation possibilities.
NB If you plan to be on a narrow canal you'll need to keep the beam under 7'!
I appreciate the traditional angle of narrowboats now and again but for comfortable use prefer cruisers - (a) much easier to handle (b) can be up to 12' wide - this greatly improves accommodation possibilities.
NB If you plan to be on a narrow canal you'll need to keep the beam under 7'!
Simpo Two said:
Moorings - charged by length. Cost depends on how flash the marina/moorings are and how many facilities it has. This will be your biggest cost.
Licence fee - canals are run by the Canal and River Trust (CRT) who will charge you a fee every year to use their waterways. That will be based on length too; have a google.
Worth mentioning there was an article on R4 the other day. Fellah from CRT was saying due to rising popularity of wide beam boats, fees will soon be dependant on both length and width. Apparently moorings for wide beams are already double that of narrow beam.Licence fee - canals are run by the Canal and River Trust (CRT) who will charge you a fee every year to use their waterways. That will be based on length too; have a google.
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 18th July 13:30
Had a good few narrow boat holidays with friend when I was younger. Some of my happiest memories! So much so one friend bought one and moved in shortly after. Unfortunately sold it recently as he was victim to a few break ins...
Good luck with it all.
OP, how do you intend to use the boat?
I've spent a few weekends on rented canal boats and love them.
Then thought about buying one and did a load of research a few years ago.
The outcome for me was:
If you want to enjoy a couple of weekends a year on different waterways, hire one.
If you want to cruise for a couple of months a year and have your own mooring, buy.
If you want to live on it, obviously buy one.
They're fun, but can be a lot a aggravation for occasional leisure use, and several thousand pounds a year obviously needs quite a bit of usage to breakeven over other types of holiday.
I've spent a few weekends on rented canal boats and love them.
Then thought about buying one and did a load of research a few years ago.
The outcome for me was:
If you want to enjoy a couple of weekends a year on different waterways, hire one.
If you want to cruise for a couple of months a year and have your own mooring, buy.
If you want to live on it, obviously buy one.
They're fun, but can be a lot a aggravation for occasional leisure use, and several thousand pounds a year obviously needs quite a bit of usage to breakeven over other types of holiday.
sideways sid said:
OP, how do you intend to use the boat?
I've spent a few weekends on rented canal boats and love them.
Then thought about buying one and did a load of research a few years ago.
The outcome for me was:
If you want to enjoy a couple of weekends a year on different waterways, hire one.
If you want to cruise for a couple of months a year and have your own mooring, buy.
If you want to live on it, obviously buy one.
They're fun, but can be a lot a aggravation for occasional leisure use, and several thousand pounds a year obviously needs quite a bit of usage to breakeven over other types of holiday.
I guess the use would be like a caravan (which I don't have). Free weekends that are currently being filled with just stuff to fill them = swap out, stay on the boat, take the bikes and daughter along when I have her.I've spent a few weekends on rented canal boats and love them.
Then thought about buying one and did a load of research a few years ago.
The outcome for me was:
If you want to enjoy a couple of weekends a year on different waterways, hire one.
If you want to cruise for a couple of months a year and have your own mooring, buy.
If you want to live on it, obviously buy one.
They're fun, but can be a lot a aggravation for occasional leisure use, and several thousand pounds a year obviously needs quite a bit of usage to breakeven over other types of holiday.
I don't see 1800 a year mooring as too bad, no worse than caravan pitch and storage fees.
Will definitely be doing the research but the dream and idea is very compelling
George Smiley said:
Any other advice for someone going in eyes wide open?
Try not to drain the canal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-44...
Zetec-S said:
George Smiley said:
Any other advice for someone going in eyes wide open?
Try not to drain the canal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-44...
Or remember the chap who crashed into the locks causing them to be out of action for quite some time?!Hmmm thinking of it, I'd plan on going to bath and Bradford in the boat, Caen hill takes about 7 hours - not convinced my partner would put up with that
Hiring and owning are quite different.
Hiring advantages:
Choose any waterway and any boat that takes your fancy - you'll be away for probably a week so distance is little object. And next time you can try another waterway.
No maintenance or responsibility afterwards.
Hiring disadvantages
The boat will probably be rather basic inside and things not as you'd really like them.
Everything on board is not yours; the knives are blunt and the glasses are too chunky etc.
You have to go when you booked it regardless of weather - lucky dip.
Owning advantages:
Use it whenever you want to. Is it a nice day? Go play boats.
Tailor it so it's just how you want it. Fill it with nice stuff.
Invite family and friends as you wish - many people can spare days/weekends but not weeks.
Owning disadvantages:
Fixed overheads - my 27' cruiser costs about £2,500pa.
Fixed location (usually)
Responsibility for maintenance, engines servicing etc.
I like both. I love the escape that my own boat gives me; it stops me getting cabin fever and provides a different, more interactive environment. And whilst I thought I'd get away from people, in fact you build new friends and networks. And I like hiring boats elsewhere to see pastures new.
If you look strictly at the financial side, you'd never do either. Both are a waste of money. Nobody needs a boat, to hire or to own. It's how you swap money for pleasure that counts. My £2,500 could stay in the bank and I could stay at home watching TV, but it's money well spent for the pleasure and escape that it brings me.
Hiring advantages:
Choose any waterway and any boat that takes your fancy - you'll be away for probably a week so distance is little object. And next time you can try another waterway.
No maintenance or responsibility afterwards.
Hiring disadvantages
The boat will probably be rather basic inside and things not as you'd really like them.
Everything on board is not yours; the knives are blunt and the glasses are too chunky etc.
You have to go when you booked it regardless of weather - lucky dip.
Owning advantages:
Use it whenever you want to. Is it a nice day? Go play boats.
Tailor it so it's just how you want it. Fill it with nice stuff.
Invite family and friends as you wish - many people can spare days/weekends but not weeks.
Owning disadvantages:
Fixed overheads - my 27' cruiser costs about £2,500pa.
Fixed location (usually)
Responsibility for maintenance, engines servicing etc.
I like both. I love the escape that my own boat gives me; it stops me getting cabin fever and provides a different, more interactive environment. And whilst I thought I'd get away from people, in fact you build new friends and networks. And I like hiring boats elsewhere to see pastures new.
If you look strictly at the financial side, you'd never do either. Both are a waste of money. Nobody needs a boat, to hire or to own. It's how you swap money for pleasure that counts. My £2,500 could stay in the bank and I could stay at home watching TV, but it's money well spent for the pleasure and escape that it brings me.
George Smiley said:
I might chat with accountants to see about putting it as a business asset (rent out once or twice)
Just buy it; you won't want random sweaty herberts crashing about in your pride and joy, smashing it into bridges and ramming it into reverse without pausing in neutral.'Excited'... yes, that is the word. Remember the time you drove on your own for the first time? Your first boat is like that
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