What style of narrow boat, barge or Dutch barge should you buy?
Narrow boats and barges come in a variety of different stern types. Knowing more about them will assist you in choosing the right one for you. Consider what you want to use your narrow boat for. Will it be for weekends away, holidays or for living aboard full time? How many people will be on board at any one time? Knowing its purpose will help you to choose the right size, age, style and configuration of narrowboat to best suit your needs. There are four different styles of narrow boats available plus you can get something called a Dutch barge too.
Cruiser Stern – These types of sterns offer a large expanse of external space, ideal for recreational cruising. An ideal holiday boat, they have a back deck of between 4-8 foot in length, providing ample space on the back for several people to stand and socialise. The cruiser is the perfect choice for those that want the best cruising experience and are not so worried about the internal space on offer.
Traditional Stern – The traditional narrowboat is the ideal choice for long cruises and living aboard. They have a classic and attractive design stemming from traditional working boats. They have the smallest stern area offering the least external space (around 2-3 foot in length) which means there is room for only one person at a time outside, giving more room for inside living. Traditional sterns come in a variety of lengths starting from around 40 feet to 70 feet.
Semi-traditional Stern – The semi-traditional sterns are a good compromise between Traditional and Cruiser sterns. These have the looks of a traditional stern with the space of a Cruiser. They are the modern-day version of the traditional narrowboat. They benefit from having a slightly larger stern deck, which enables more than one person to be in this area at any one time, making them a more sociable boat for cruising. This style is a popular choice for families and people with dogs.
Wide Beam – Wide beam narrow boats are the ideal choice for those considering living aboard full time and who are not worried about cruising every inch of the canal network. Narrowboats are usually 6ft 10” wide but wide beam boats are generally between 10ft to 12ft in width. The most obvious advantage is the additional living and storage space. The inside of a wide beam can look like and have the feel of a small apartment rather than a boat. Wide beams are available in a cruiser, semi-traditional and traditional sterns. There are four main ‘cruising grounds’ for the wide beam owner: London and the South East, East Anglia, the Severn waterways and The Trent and North.
Dutch Barge - A Dutch barge is a flat-bottomed style barge which were originally designed to carry cargo on the waterways of the Netherlands. Traditionally they would have had sails as their propulsion but these days most have been converted to motor-propulsion. These types of barges are ideal for those of you looking for something much larger and can go up to and beyond 130ft in length.
What length of narrowboat or barge should you buy?
Narrow boats come in a variety of different lengths, from small ones at 20ft long to much larger ones at 70ft long. The length of the boat is an important factor as this will determine where you can cruise, your mooring costs, how much your insurance will be and will also affect your maintenance bills. It is advisable to get a good understanding of all the different lengths and styles of narrowboats so you can get a good feel of the boats size. Hiring a narrow boat will give you a good idea of what it is like to live on one and if it is for you before you buy and own your own.
What is your budget?
Narrow boats can vary wildly in price and prices will differ depending on size, age and condition. The great thing about boating is there is a boat to suit every budget meaning that everyone can have the opportunity to own one. Think about whether you are after a restoration project, something pristine or top of the range and do a bit of research to get an idea of what the sort of narrowboat you are looking for cost.
What are the estimated running costs of owning a narrowboat?
Costs will vary from boater to boater but working out the average running costs of owning a narrowboat 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. Below is a list of some of the running costs that you will need to factor in when buying a narrowboat:
Canal and river trust licenses
Boat Safety Scheme
Insurance
Canal boat maintenance
Canal and river trust licenses
Mooring fees
Fuel
Heating
Council tax
Where will you moor your narrow boats or barges?
Boats are allowed to moor almost anywhere alongside canal towpaths. But nearly all of these mooring places are short-term meaning that no boat can stay there for more than a few days, two weeks at most. To live on a boat on the canal, you need to be constantly cruising or have a residential mooring. Residential moorings can be hard to find as they are in short supply so it is advisable to look into these before you buy.
Has the boat had a recent a survey?
When buying a second-hand narrow boat, it is advisable to have a survey done by a qualified marine surveyor. They will advise on any faults on the hull and with the boat’s internal systems and highlight any issue the boat may have so you have peace of mind that you know exactly what you are buying.
Where can you buy narrow boats from?
Using a good brokerage company when buying a narrowboat can have many advantages. 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. Alternatively, you can buy through a private seller. You will always get more information on the true nature and quirks of a boat from the owner themselves and they are often more flexible.
What documents and paperwork will you need to buy a narrowboat?
Having the correct paperwork in place when you buy your narrowboat is important. This includes ownership papers, insurance, boat safety certificate etc. Make sure you have all of these in place when you buy.
