Cheap boating - options
Discussion
You can have great fun in a RIB or SIB or an aluminium boat
Consult https://www.ribs.co.uk/
For peace of mind, buy new.
But sometimes one finds on ebay terrific Honwaves, Zodiacs or Bombards complete with the right motor and trailer...
Consult https://www.ribs.co.uk/
For peace of mind, buy new.
But sometimes one finds on ebay terrific Honwaves, Zodiacs or Bombards complete with the right motor and trailer...
Edited by AndrewCrown on Monday 20th November 18:29
If genuinely all you want to do is potter down canals, then it can certainly be done for a few £hundred and you don't even need a 20hp outboard. There's a 4mph speed limit on canals, so even a 2.3hp Honda on a dinghy would be adequate. Personally, I'd think about an electric motor, as they're much quieter.
Do think about launch and recovery: there aren't many slipways on canals. If you get a small enough, light enough dinghy (aluminium can be good), you can manhandle it in and out of the water - I used to do this on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal - but don't underestimate the weight even of a decent sized inflatable.
All of the above only applies on very sheltered, inland waterways, of course. If you're planning to go deep sea fishing, it's a whole different bag of spaniels.
Do think about launch and recovery: there aren't many slipways on canals. If you get a small enough, light enough dinghy (aluminium can be good), you can manhandle it in and out of the water - I used to do this on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal - but don't underestimate the weight even of a decent sized inflatable.
All of the above only applies on very sheltered, inland waterways, of course. If you're planning to go deep sea fishing, it's a whole different bag of spaniels.
Suggest you have a read through this before buying a boat.
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways...
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways...
This is probably the relevant page if you're planning on buying a boat on a trailer, etc
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways...
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways...
Pottering is good!
Do you want a 'day boat' (open or with cabin?) or have the option to sleep on it (ie berths, cooking facillities, WC)?
Trailering will save mooring fees - I'm no expert but think you can trail up to about 23' before you hit too many laws. You will need a licence from the relevant authority though, either the CRT, EA or Broads Authority depending on where you'll be, and insurance, but that's surprisingly cheap.
Do you want a 'day boat' (open or with cabin?) or have the option to sleep on it (ie berths, cooking facillities, WC)?
Trailering will save mooring fees - I'm no expert but think you can trail up to about 23' before you hit too many laws. You will need a licence from the relevant authority though, either the CRT, EA or Broads Authority depending on where you'll be, and insurance, but that's surprisingly cheap.
I bought a little boat last year. 16ft, 5hp outboard, on a trailer, cost me £500 delivered. Insurance was £50 for the year, slipway fees are about £6-8 each way, it will use £4-8 of fuel a day depending on how far and fast you go. Great for pub-hopping, and there is no cheaper way to get afloat.
There are canal fees, which differ depending on where you are. I think for small vessels they're only a few quid, although sometimes the local office is shut in which case its impossible to pay.
There are canal fees, which differ depending on where you are. I think for small vessels they're only a few quid, although sometimes the local office is shut in which case its impossible to pay.
Edited by Condi on Friday 24th November 19:47
Apologies, I've had a very busy week at work and this went on the back burner.
I keep looking on ebay and whilst there's plenty of cheap options I can't help but think I'm navigating a minefield!
In regards to ribs and so on, whilst I've had a look it seems that they're not markedly 'civilised,' which I realise is the entire point, but at the very least I'd like a couple of seats to sit in!
Condi said:
I bought a little boat last year. 16ft, 5hp outboard, on a trailer, cost me £500 delivered. Insurance was £50 for the year, slipway fees are about £6-8 each way, it will use £4-8 of fuel a day depending on how far and fast you go. Great for pub-hopping, and there is no cheaper way to get afloat.
There are canal fees, which differ depending on where you are. I think for small vessels they're only a few quid, although sometimes the local office is shut in which case its impossible to pay.
I suppose this is the kind of thing that's floating in my head. We'd certainly just want a day boat - it'd only be out in good weather for a nice little cruise somewhere. I would like it on a trailer, simply to avoid having to store it elsewhere. There are canal fees, which differ depending on where you are. I think for small vessels they're only a few quid, although sometimes the local office is shut in which case its impossible to pay.
Edited by Condi on Friday 24th November 19:47
I keep looking on ebay and whilst there's plenty of cheap options I can't help but think I'm navigating a minefield!
In regards to ribs and so on, whilst I've had a look it seems that they're not markedly 'civilised,' which I realise is the entire point, but at the very least I'd like a couple of seats to sit in!
Incidentally OP, there's another alternative to RIBs and they're SIBs - Soft Inflatable Boat instead of rigid. They have the usual tubes, but don't have the rigid hull - they have a series of tough inflatable chambers making up the floor/hull, on top of which aluminium or ply panels fit tightly into position.
You can still get the seats/jockey console etc if you want some refinement. Not that I've owned one though, but I understand you can carry these around in the back of an estate, inflate them once you get to the water, fit the outboard and you're away.
You can still get the seats/jockey console etc if you want some refinement. Not that I've owned one though, but I understand you can carry these around in the back of an estate, inflate them once you get to the water, fit the outboard and you're away.
ReverendCounter said:
Incidentally OP, there's another alternative to RIBs and they're SIBs - Soft Inflatable Boat instead of rigid. They have the usual tubes, but don't have the rigid hull - they have a series of tough inflatable chambers making up the floor/hull, on top of which aluminium or ply panels fit tightly into position.
You can still get the seats/jockey console etc if you want some refinement. Not that I've owned one though, but I understand you can carry these around in the back of an estate, inflate them once you get to the water, fit the outboard and you're away.
(3rd post old chap)You can still get the seats/jockey console etc if you want some refinement. Not that I've owned one though, but I understand you can carry these around in the back of an estate, inflate them once you get to the water, fit the outboard and you're away.
Ive had several sibs from yam, zed and zodiac futura until this summer.
Can't recommend anything better for good pottering and zipping around .
Easy to use, transport and great fun on the river or sea (to a point) but as soon as you go over 3.5m the engines get heavier, the boat and floors take up more room in the car.
My last two were 4m and with 20 and 30 Hp respectively.
Both flew along and offered lots of room for the family, dog and pic nic but both just too heavy to pack up so stayed inflated all year on a trailer - hence now sold and looking for a rib,!
Can't recommend anything better for good pottering and zipping around .
Easy to use, transport and great fun on the river or sea (to a point) but as soon as you go over 3.5m the engines get heavier, the boat and floors take up more room in the car.
My last two were 4m and with 20 and 30 Hp respectively.
Both flew along and offered lots of room for the family, dog and pic nic but both just too heavy to pack up so stayed inflated all year on a trailer - hence now sold and looking for a rib,!
StanleyT said:
Round here where I'm working near the Leeds and Liverpool (guess which end) the latest "portable" canal accessory for "boating" seems to be Jetskis deployed at lock landings......not sure about the 4 mph limit.....
To be fair, if the section just to the east of Canal Road Armley is as shallow as it was when I was a kid, a jetski or a kayak would be the only things with shallow enough draught to get through...Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff