Firstly we suggest you spend some time viewing the different types of Narrow boats available. Once registered at the Marina you can look at as many boats as you like.

It is often said that the narrow boat will choose you rather than the other way, when you have found the boat of your dreams, the staff at the marina can help you through the sales process.

It is very important that you come and see us, as viewing a boat from a photo is not the same as looking in person. You will only know you are truly happy with a boat if you have looked around, touched things and really experienced what’s on offer. You don’t need an appointment, just browse around and let us know when you’re ready to talk. If you live far away, we are happy for you to send someone to look on your behalf, but we can't take a deposit until a boat has been viewed either by the person purchasing it, or by an approved representative.

The Marina recommends all second hand boats have a pre-purchase survey, there are three main types which are detailed in the survey section.

Remember when making offers Subject to Survey the closer the offer is to the asking price the more likely the current owner is to help towards the cost of remedial worked picked up after the survey.

So you’ve seen the boat of your dreams – what happens next?  These are the key steps involved in the boat buying process:

• You make an offer
• If the offer is accepted you pay a deposit of £1,000 and the boat is taken off the market
• If the offer is subject to survey then you appoint a surveyor.  Take a look at our list of surveyors. 
• We take the haul out fee at the same time as the deposit if you decide to have a survey. 
• If the offer isn’t subject to survey you can pay for the boat in full.
• If you are having a survey, we will wait to have the survey back in writing before we talk through the technical stuff with you.
• Dependent on the initial offer made we will look at BSS and insurance items.
• You can then pay for the boat. 
• At this point it is important to make sure that you have insurance on the boat in place.
• Whether you choose to have a survey or not, we will be then be able to do a boat handover (by appointment) with you.
• Congratulations the boat is now yours.

Download the guide to getting afloat.