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Questions to ask when buying an Inland Cruiser

What is an inland cruiser?

An inland cruiser or river cruiser as they are also known are boats that are designed for cruising on inland waters and inland waterways.

Inland cruisers are modern sleek boats that are easy to steer as they have a steering wheel similar to that in a car. They are also come in a variety of sizes and they have the advantage of being able to navigate most of the UK’s rivers and canals.

Smaller inland cruisers used as day hire boats have less facilities than the larger inland cruisers used for holidays.

The real joy of cruising inland waterways on a inland or river cruiser is stopping off and enjoying the sights, scenery and the bountiful activities along the way.

With over 7,700 miles of coastline leading to 3,000 miles of canals and waterways around London, Essex, South West, Thames Valley, West Midlands, East Midlands, Kent, Suffolk, Scotland and Wales, the UK offers plenty of opportunity to get out on the water and discover the UK.
You can tailor the cruise to your liking; some cruises have no locks for miles, whereas others require careful lock navigation (such as in a cruising ring), or city cruises, which have plenty to do onshore.
Alternatively, with endless miles of available rivers and canals to cruise, inland cruising abroad is a fantastic way to experience another country.

What is your budget?

There is a large variety of boats designed for inland watercourses and river cruises and prices for these will vary depending on style, size, age and condition.

Think about where you plan to use your boat, how often you plan to use it and how many people will be onboard. Consider whether you are after a restoration project, something pristine or top of the range. Do a bit of research to get an idea of what the ideal inland cruiser that you are looking for may cost.

Where can I buy an inland cruiser from?

Once you have a budget in mind and you have done your research on the type of cruiser you are looking for, the first place to look when buying a boat is the internet.

New boaters might benefit from buying a new boat that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. Buying a used boat can be a good idea for boaters with experience. If considering a used boat, it is advisable to research the best used boat brands and models.

Buying through a private seller can have many advantages. You will always get more information on the true nature and quirks of a boat from the owner themselves and they can often be more flexible.

Alternatively using a good brokerage company when buying an inland cruiser can be the way forward as they will have lots of experience, a variety of boats in one location and they can help to make it as stress free as possible.

What are the estimated running costs of owning an inland cruiser?

The running costs of owning any boat are an important consideration when you are looking at buying a boat. Like with any type of boat, the costs of owning an inland cruiser will vary from boater to boater and boat to boat but working out the average running costs of owning this type of boat and how you plan to use it is very important.

A good way of doing this is to ask other boaters for their knowledge and experiences. A list of some of the running costs that you will need to factor in when buying an inland cruiser are mooring fees, boat maintenance, insurance, fuel and heating.

What type of engine is best for my inland cruiser boat?

The type of engine you need will depend on the style of inland cruiser you have. There are currently two main choices of engines that would be suitable for your inland cruiser – petrol or diesel, both of which have their good and bad points.

Diesel powered boats cost more to purchase as they are much more fuel efficient than petrol powered ones but require less maintenance.

Boats with petrol engines tend to cost less to buy. This is because petrol engines are less fuel efficient than diesel engines and therefore cost more to run. Petrol engines generally cost more to maintain as more parts are required for each service (spark plugs, HT leads etc). Petrol powered boats are usually quicker than diesel ones, so this is another factor to consider when buying one.

Weigh up all the options and make the right choice for your situation.

Has the boat had a recent a survey?

When buying a second-hand boat of any kind, it is highly recommended that you conduct a professional survey on the boat. This should be done by a qualified marine surveyor and will show any potential maintenance issues, faults on the hull and with the boat’s internal systems and will highlight any issues the boat may have so you have peace of mind that you know exactly what you are buying.
It can also help you to negotiate the price and will be useful with insurance companies, some of whom will not insure an inland cruiser without understanding its condition.

What documents and paperwork will you need to buy an inland cruiser?

Having the correct paperwork in place when you buy your inland cruiser is important.
Once the survey has been concluded and the negotiations settled, you should receive the proof of ownership, Bills of Sale for the last 5 years at minimum, Certificate of Registry, if any, and proof of VAT status. Keep all these documents in a safe place since they are not easy to replace. Make sure you have all of these in place when you buy.

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