A Novices Guide To Buying Your First Boat

A Novices Guide To Buying Your First Boat

our Norman 23 built circa 1971

This guide assumes that you want to buy a boat that is more or less "ready to go", for pleasure use only on the inland waterways and non tidal rivers.

As this is a very general guide, you will need to find out more specific information about all the relevant local information and costs that applies to you and your boat and pertinent to your area and region.

Buying a used boat is not to disimilar to buying a used camper van, with some very obvious differences, but the same logic applies.

Timing The Purchase

This is debatable, but generally speaking the asking prices for boats are less at the end of the season in October than at the beginning of the season in April. So have a good look around from October to the beginning of January for that bargain buy.

Choosing A Boat

As this is a guide for the inland waterways, your boat should be of suitable dimensions and type for use on your local waterways. Generally, it should be narrow beam variety of boat around 610" wide, with a draft (below water line) of around 20" and 60" air draft (height above water line). Much larger than this, then your boat might not fit into the canal locks or be able to pass under bridges. Maximum boat sizes vary from area to area so check first with your waterway authorities for your local conditions to confirm which boat type will be suitable.

Ask yourself what you require of the boat in terms of berths for "crew", cabin space, personal hygiene, cooking and galley facilities, heating, food refrigeration, cockpit space and seating arrangements, etc..

Boats come in all shapes, sizes and construction material, i.e., wood, steel, aluminium, plastic. The chances are that you will opt for a boat of glass reinforced plastic (GRP) construction. This guide assumes the chosen model is of GRP construction.

Unlike cars, boats can last a lifetime if proper care and maintenance is carried out regularly. So age is of much less importance than the overall condition of the boat.

Proof of ownership is a very tricky issue. There is no official log book system in place where you can check. So buyer beware! Try to contact the relevant licensing authority who might inform you of ownership etc., but they are governed by the Data Protection Act. Some of the BW or EA staff are more forth coming than others.

Almost by instinct, you may well decide on your boat, upon first sight. Do not allow your heart to rule your head and take the time to check the boat out as thoroughly as possible. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Ask the seller about the boats history, i.e., any paperwork, previous owners, service and maintenance, repairs and refurbishments carried out. Ask the seller why he is selling. Gauge the body language or awkwardness of the response. If you start to feel uncomfortable about the seller or the boat, then leave it alone.

External Hull