Below are a list of FAQs, click a question to see the answer
Q. What are the different stern types?
There are three main stern types on narrowboats, these are traditional, semi-traditional and cruiser. Traditional stern narrowboat have the smallest stern, with less external space but more internal space. Cruiser stern narrowboats have the largest external space and are ideal for cruising. Semi-traditional stern narrowboats are a compromise between traditional and cruiser. Take a look at Whilton Marina’s youtube videos which explains the different stern types:
Traditional Stern
Semi Traditional
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Q. Hull thickness explained?
The numbers tell you the thickness of the steel used to build the boat. For example 10/6/4 means that the bottom plate is 10mm thick, the hull sides are 6mm thick and the cabin in 4mm thick. Today’s standard specification is 10/6/4, but 8/6/4 and 6/5/3 are common in older boats; but if they’ve been looked after they will still give you many years of service.
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Q. Hull shape explained?
Nowadays narrowboats are usually built with flat hulls. However in the past Springer hulls were built using a V-Shape to create a stronger structure, which meant that the steel didn’t need to be as thick as a flat hull.
See our Whilton’s youtube Channel for a video of Springer Hulls - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SllzGOKnqWY>> Hide Answer
Q. Engine cooling explained?
The three different methods of cooling a narrow boat engine are Keel, Air or Raw Water Cooled. Most narrowboats are Keel cooled.
Keel Cooled
On a Keel Cooled engine the heat generated by the engine water cooling system is pumped into the keel cooling tank that is welded to the side of the engine room, located below the external water level. The heat is then transferred from the cooling tank through the external hull of the boat into the surrounding water course.
Raw Water Cooled
A raw water cooled engine is where water is drawn out of the canal and filtered in a mud box which strains any debris before passing through a heat exchanger to cool the engine and then pumped back into the canal.
See Whilton’s Youtube Channel explaining a Raw Water Cooled Engine - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hST-xs9ROnM&list=TLViFwsxa1gMzwzh9vIJqR7xUeHs_p1EnJ
Air Cooled
Air Cooled engines are cooled by airflow. The air is drawn in at the back of the engine and expelled out through a ventilation system connected to the outside of the boat.>> Hide Answer
Q. BSS or BSC explained? BSS is the Boat Safety Scheme. BSC or BSSC stands for Boat Safety Certificate or Boat Safety Scheme Certificate, this is a certificate issued after a boat has been tested under the rules of the BSS. An independent surveyor checks the safety of the boat (like an MOT on a car) the certificate lasts for four years. This makes up the main part of an internal boat survey.
From April 2013 the BSS certificate examination recording process moved onto a central database and the format of the printed BSS certificate changed. You will now only get a receipt when your boat passes the examination
See the Boat Safety Scheme’s website for more information.
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Q. How often to black the hull of a canal boat?
If painted with bitumen paint, which most boats are, it needs to be blacked every two years. If blacked using epoxy paint then it will last nearer 5 or 6 years, but is more expensive. If epoxy paint has been used you cannot then paint bitumen paint over the top, you will always have to use epoxy.
Narrow boats painted with bitumen need the bitumen scraped off and the hull pressure washed before the new bitumen is applied, but canal boats which have been painted with epoxy paint have to be sand blasted before they can be re-blacked using epoxy paint. >> Hide Answer
Q. Can a boat be overplated?
Yes it can. Over plating is common in older boats and can add years onto the life of the boat.>> Hide Answer
Q. Questions about canal boat windows?
There are the four main types of windows used in canal boats; Hopper, Porthole, Slideable or louvered windows.
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Q. Explain what RCD means?
The Recreational Craft Directive applies to all new boats since 1998. It’s a document provided by the manufacturer proving that the boat meets current regulations and is safe and fit for purpose. The RCD lasts for four years. It is similar to buying a new car that does not need an MOT. Once the four years runs out you will need to have a BSC done every four years.>> Hide Answer
Q. Why do lots of our boats have a hull survey?
We try to encourage our vendors to have a hull survey. That way you know at the beginning of the buying process that the boat is structurally sound. (however not all vendors agree to do this and the cost of the survey is normally at the buyer’s expense). Surveys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE4jC5Ubujc>> Hide Answer
Q. I’ve seen a boat that I’d like to buy what do I do next?
Make an offer to one of our sales staff either by phone, e-mail or in person. We check that your funds are in place and that you are ready to proceed with the purchase.
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Q. Can I try out the boat before I buy?
Unfortunately not - we can of course start the engine for you to see how it runs.
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Q. Can I look at a boat that is under offer?
Unfortunately not - when a boat is under offer, we have taken a deposit and the boat is taken off the market.
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Q. Can I get finance to purchasing a narrowboat? Depending on your circumstances you may be able to get finance to buy a boat. There specialist are Marine Finance companies. You can also try contacting your bank for a loan.
Link to finance company website: Pegasus Finance
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Q. What’s next once my offer is accepted?
Once your offer on the boat is accepted, we take a deposit of £1,000 which takes the boat off the market. If your offer is subject to survey we will also take the dry dock fee for when the boat is taken out of the water to be surveyed.
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Q. Why have a survey?
Unless the boat has had a recent survey, we recommend you commission a survey for peace of mind, that way you know the boat is serviceable.
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Q. How do I find a surveyor ?
You can download our list of local narrowboat
surveyors here. >> Hide Answer
Q. What if the survey brings up issues?
Dependent on your initial offer BSS and insurance items can sometimes be negotiated.
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Q. Can I get the boat blacked at the time of survey?
No you can’t get the boat blacked at the time of survey, because at this stage it’s still owned by someone else. Once you own the boat then you can black the hull.
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Q. If I change my mind about buying the boat can I get my deposit back?
No – if you change your mind about buying the boat your deposit is not refundable.
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Q. How long does the sales process take?
Generally if having a survey, it takes between six and eight weeks. If you want to take the boat without a survey, as soon as we have cleared funds, you can take possession of the boat.
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Q. When do I need to insure the boat I’m buying?
When you own the boat you need to insure it, so from the day you expect funds to have cleared.
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Q. Which way can I pay for my boat?
We accept payment in any of the following ways:
a) Debit card at our office (in person)
b) Cheque (takes up to five working days to clear)
c) Bankers draft
d) Direct transfer (CHAPS same day transfer)
e) BACS (takes three working days)
f) Cash (up to a maximum of £10,000)
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Q. Once I’ve paid for the boat, what next?
Congratulations the narrowboat is now yours! Once all the funds have cleared we will send you a ‘Bill of Sale’ which has been signed by the vendors to transfer ownership to you. Make sure to keep this document safe as it is your proof of ownership.
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Q. How soon after purchase do I have to move the boat on?
This depends; if you want to moor your boat at Venetian Marina we will allocate a you a mooring space; if you’re moving off elsewhere we can usually give you up to seven days grace. Just confirm this with us at the time.
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Q. When do I need to start licensing my boat?
As soon as you own the boat, you will need to get a Canal and River Trust (CRT) licence by paying a license fee. The cost of a CRT license is calculated depending on the size of your boat and whether you want to use it just on the canals or on both the canals and rivers. To confuse the matter further not all waterways are subject a CRT licensing but other licencing bodies such as the environment agency or the broads authority. To find out more about licensing your canal boat take a look at the CRT website.
Canal & River Trust Boat Licences
The Norfolk Broads Tolls
Registering Your Boat With The Environment Agency
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Q. How to steer my narrowboat?
You use a Morse Control (like an accelerator and gear leaver all in one) with a steering tiller to mover the boat left and right. This only works under power though; if the power is off, you can drift! boats don’t steer in reverse. You don’t need a boat driving licence to navigate the Inland Waterways of Britain but if you’d like to learn how to operate a canal boat there are courses available run by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) You can of course contact us for more information.
RYA Boat Handling Courses
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Q. 12 Volt and 240 Volt explained?
Narrowboats usually have a 12V power supply as standard. This means that all appliances on the boat must be designed specifically for 12V otherwise they will not work. It is possible to have a 240V power supply, just like in a house. But your power usage must not exceed the boats restrictions.
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Q. Can I continually cruise the canals on my boat?
You can but - you must make sure that the boat is genuinely cruising in a progressive way - you cannot keep cruising from A to B and back again, and you must not stop for more than 14 consecutive days in any one place.
The CRT website is useful for more information on continuous cruising
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Q. What to do if my boat breaks down? Q. Where can I moor my narrow boat?
You can moor your boat at a marina such as ours, or linear by the side of the canal.
The cost of mooring your boat at a marina varies depending on the marina. For example London may charge substantially more than a small marina in the Midlands with not many facilities and in an area without much demand for moorings.
Linear or online moorings are often difficult to find and are usually owned and leased by the Canal and River Trust. See their auction site for details of available moorings.
CRT Waterside Moorings
CRT Finding Moorings
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