Buying a bit of bank....
Discussion
I have a Shetland Speedwell that is obviously ancient and clunky, but I like it. I do resent the marina costs however. But a bit of Googling has revealed a relatively local guy to me who is selling bits of the river bank (it sounds like he bought a big chunk of land hoping to develop it, but won't be allowed). He will sell it by the metre. So, with a bit of outlay, I could reduce my mooring costs to basically zilch. Anyone got any experience of...well - just mooring a boat on a random bit of rural river bank? I wonder whether it would make the boat a bit of a target (a footpath runs by it). Or whether it'd be rather nice to have joy own section of bank.
My first concern would be whether he actually has the right to sell it. River banks can be legally complex, something to do with riparian rights I believe. So check this with the local river authority and local authority.
Other things to consider - road access, lack of shore power if required. Marinas aren't cheap but they do provide peace of mind and the guy at mine will pop out and check the boat if I can't get to it (very handy in winter).
Other things to consider - road access, lack of shore power if required. Marinas aren't cheap but they do provide peace of mind and the guy at mine will pop out and check the boat if I can't get to it (very handy in winter).
I think it is actually all above board. He lays it all out on his website - including all the riparian rights stuff. I think that side if it is legit, and I would still be paying Environment Agency fees. The marina used to have a little workshop on it as a separate business - and they were great - very reliable and reasonable for little jobs, but since they retired and closed the workshop I feel like the marina has less to offer. Plus my mooring doesn't have hook up (wrong side of the river). I will drive down to the spot and take a look of course. On the map there is a road very close by.
Dedshott said:
w1bbles said:
Would it perhaps be cheaper to buy a trailer and take it home when you’re not using it?
Oddly I think the river bank purchase would be cheaper than a road trailer. What river are you on?
w1bbles said:
Then the only concern might be security if left alone on a river bank. Which will depend on where the river is and what you keep inside. Even though we keep our sailing boat in a spectacularly inaccessible part of Scotland there are still thefts from boats, particularly off-season.
Yes. That was my worry. Plus I like sleeping over on the boat and it might feel a bit insecure. Hmm. On the Medway, to answer that question.
The simple answer is not to keep anything of value/easily nickable on board. As for sleeping over, well you'd hardly want to sleep where the boat was kept - boas are for using - so just find a field mooring away from civilisation. Much better!
It was seeing a boat by chance on the Medway one hot day in 2010 that led me to buying my first boat. It looks like a nice navigation.
It was seeing a boat by chance on the Medway one hot day in 2010 that led me to buying my first boat. It looks like a nice navigation.
Dedshott said:
Yes. That was my worry. Plus I like sleeping over on the boat and it might feel a bit insecure. Hmm.
On the Medway, to answer that question.
I had a feeling you were going to say the Medway, as I walked along that bit of bank recently. It has recently been upgraded there is vechicular access although nothing too big will get there. As you say does seem to have been a planning dispute. There's a few boats down there, and some appeared to be lived in, so if you go down there should be some experienced neighbours to talk to.On the Medway, to answer that question.
If you own the bank (as far as I can see it, a straightforward land purchase?) then you also take on responsibility for that length of channel, up to the centre line (assuming you’re only purchasing on one side). You’ll need to keep it clear of obstructions, fish any fallen trees out etc etc, keep it clear for navigation etc.
Simpo Two said:
Liveaboards... hmm. May not be the kind of neighbours you want.
Bit of stereotyping you fell into there Mr Simpo! 
On our marina we have an outer arm full of liveaboards that range from the harbour master himself through aviation maintenance engineers to security personnel.
I grant you there may also be the odd
amongst them but that could also be said about some of the berth holders.:gifts Simpo a golden opportunity
wolfracesonic said:
BTW 'Liveaboards' I got the sense they are the 'council' on water, am I right?
Where I am, yes. There's an nice unwritten rule that boat-owners give each other a wave when passing - but those types pointedly ignore you, unless you do more than 3mph in which case they shout at you. Returning fire wouldn't help. They're not boaters.MOTORVATOR said:
Bit of stereotyping you fell into there Mr Simpo!
I grant you there may also be the odd amongst them but that could also be said about some of the berth holders.
:gifts Simpo a golden opportunity
I shall fire my flintlock in the air sir I grant you there may also be the odd
amongst them but that could also be said about some of the berth holders.:gifts Simpo a golden opportunity
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 11th April 19:23
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