Buying a boat
New or second-hand?
The Canal Junction website (external link) gives some useful information about reasons for and against buying a secondhand boat
Structural survey
Buying a home can be a big investment, so it’s worthwhile having a structural survey carried out. The same applies when your home is a boat. The Canal Junction website (external link) gives contacts for marine surveyors.
Boat brokers
Use the Canal Junction website (external link) to find contacts for boatyards and brokers who sell second-hand boats
New boats
If you are thinking of buying a new boat, try this link to Waterscape (external link) (a British Waterways company) for advice on what type and size of boat to buy, contracts and choosing a builder.
Boat builders
Use the Canal Junction website (external link) for information about different styles of boats and contacts for boat builders
British Waterways boat licence
Whether your boat is new or secondhand, you will need a British Waterways Licence to keep your boat on the water. This is the marine equivalent of a Road Fund Licence or car tax. Usually, you will need to have arranged a permanent mooring before applying for your boat licence. You will also need insurance and a safety certificate for your boat.
Once you have your Certificate of Insurance and Boat Safety Scheme Certificate, you are ready to buy your licence (external link).
You can also buy your licence in person from British Waterways Regional Office in Birmingham or Tamworth, or contact British Waterways Head Office for an information pack and application form:
Address : British Waterways Head Office, Willow Grange, Church Road, Watford, WD17 4QA.
Phone : 01923 201120
Boat Safety Scheme certificate
This is administered by the Boat Safety Scheme Office, jointly established in 1997 by the Environment Agency and British Waterways. The scheme is designed to promote safety on the inland waterways in respect of boats, their installations and components. It is the boating equivalent of an MOT and is proof that your boat met minimum safety standards on the day the certificate was issued. You will need to get your boat examined by a boatyard or marina that is authorized to issue these certificates. Visit the Boat Safety Scheme website (external link) to find out about what the safety examination covers and how to arrange one for your boat.
Boat insurance
When you apply for your boat licence, as well as a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate, you will need third-party insurance for your boat. When you arrange your policy, remember to tell the insurers you will be living on the boat as most marine policies expect boats to be laid up out of the water during the winter. If you don’t tell them, it could affect your cover if you need to make a claim. The Canal Junction website (external link) gives contact details for firms offering marine insurance policies
Security for boats
The Crime Reduction website gives advice on crime prevention for boats from the The Home Office's Crime Reduction Centre. The aim of the Centre is to provide training, learning, and information services to help reduce crime and the fear of crime.
This page was last updated on 19 June 2009