Information for First Time Buyers
Are you a first time buyer?
All our staff are very pleased to offer help and advice at anytime and we hope that the following information will assist you.
Which boat?
Not an easy question for a first time buyer. If you are not sure yet which type of boat may suit you, we would suggest thinking of where you will be cruising.
Rivers Only: (River Cruisers)
Wider and more spacious boats for Rivers only. For boats based in Tewkesbury, we have a great cruising area. Explore the Avon as far as Stratford-upon-Avon and the Severn up to Stourport or down through Gloucester to Sharpeness.
Rivers and Canals: (Narrowbeam Cruisers)
If you want to explore both the river and canal system, you would need a narrowbeam i.e. 6ft 10in wide or less. From Tewkesbury, you may enter the canal system at Stratford, Worcester or Stourport. The Avon ring is a popular holiday cruise which can take 10-14 days.
Canals: (Narrowboats)
Ideal for exploring the canal system, they are built in steel and able to take the bumps and scrapes from navigating narrow waterways and locks. They also make capable river boats.
Estuary and coastal: (Offshore Cruisers)
Cruisers designed and built to a standard for offshore cruising. The majority of inland and narrowbeam vessels are not normally seaworthy, although many offshore boats make good river cruisers.
Owning and running a boat:
There are actually very few requirements. Most of the rules are based on common sense and consideration for the safety and convenience of all water users.
Licence to drive:
A licence to drive is not required to use a private boat for pleasure. However, we would recommend some help initially to get used to handling your new boat and the use of river locks etc.
We can help you with basic boat handling and also supply information about local tuition and courses available. Some tuition on your own boat from qualified instructors can be ideal and worthwhile, to give initial confidence. After that, begin to enjoy the learning experience for yourself.
Insurance:
Insurance for cruising inland waterways is considerably less expensive than we are used to paying for our cars. Premiums vary but most of our customers pay less than £200 per year. A minimum third party liability cover up to £2,000,000 is required for all vessels but full cover is usually considered better value at little extra cost. Obtaining cover for a new boat is both quick and easy.
If you would like contact details of some marine insurance companies, just ask.
Moorings:
Usually the largest single expense for a boat. We are pleased to offer berths here in our marina, if available, for all our brokerage boats. We offer flood protected, all year round moorings with all the usual marina facilities and security. During the winter, it is your choice to lay up ashore or afloat, or to use your boat all year round.
Where to moor when cruising:
It is not generally accepted practice to moor anywhere on the river bank overnight. There are plenty of interesting places to moor, such as locks, pubs, marinas, boatyards and overnight moorings in most towns.
It is often convenient to moor where there are toilets and shower facilities to use ashore.
Most overnight moorings will carry a small charge.
River Licence:
All craft afloat in our marina require a licence from The Lower Avon Navigation Trust (LANT). This will allow you to cruise the Lower Avon from Tewkesbury to Evesham. An additional Upper Avon Licence (UANT), will take you on to Stratford. To cruise the River Severn or the canal system, a British Waterways (BWB) license will be needed, although it is often more economical to purchase short term permits. We can help with information and applications.
A current safety certificate and insurance will be required to obtain any inland waterways licence.
British Safety Certificate:
All boats on inland waterways require a current BSC certificate for the protection of all waterway users. They need renewing every 4 years which involves an examination of the required safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, fuel lines, gas installations and electrical wiring. The cost of renewal is approximately £90 plus the cost of any work required to bring the boat up to standard.
Maintenance:
One engine service per season is normally adequate, along with winterising at the end of the season to ensure that the engine is protected against frost and laid up correctly if not being used.
Running Costs:
As an example of what costs you may reasonably expect, we have chosen a typical boat:
A 23ft River Cruiser with a 4 stroke petrol outboard engine of around 15hp and based here in our marina for 12 months. Used for weekend and holiday cruising.
Of course, costs will vary depending on individual boats.
These are most of the fixed costs but there will also be general expenditure on cleaning materials, equipment and possible repairs which are difficult to estimate.
Mooring charge @ £172 per metre
per year £1205
LANT River Licence £ 147
Fuel costs @ 2 litres per hour
for 100 engine hours £ 200
Insurance for full cover
including £2,000,000 third
party indemnity £ 150
Engine servicing e.g. One
service per season and
winterizing. £ 235
Winter liftout and relaunch
( 50% of cost as normally
carried out every 2 years £ 118
Antifoul painting underwaterarea
( 50% of cost as normally
carried out every 2 years) £ 140
Total £ 2195
