Mick in Bangkok

Thanks, I will sign up for this and take a look Hi Lady G, I do sometimes hire as outright ownership is too costly for time anticipated onboard and we spend most of the year in Hong Kong so a shared boat option would certainly be better than hiring at 2.5K for 2-week period. We’re not in need of accommodation, we would simply extend our stay in UK for the same period as on board and would wish to continues cruise as an extended holiday of several weeks as we are retired.

Appreciate all the input, it looks like that ownership/partnership in a boat legitimately overcomes insurance and other concerns, I would like to place an add here on the forum as follows, can any boat owners reading this give me some feedback on my below advert from an owner’s perspective considering my budget and requirement’s etc. Seeking a Share in a Privately Owned Boat Currently living overseas and seeking a flexible share option in a privately owned boat in the UK for a period of 4–8 weeks per year. Usage would primarily be myself and my wife, with occasional onboard family guests, so 4-berth or larger would be ideal. We are flexible regarding the boat type, location (outside of London), and dates. However, we require a continuous period of 4 to 8 weeks between March and September, which regular boat syndicates typically cannot accommodate. Ideally, I am seeking a minimal, non-controlling share that meets the above requirements, with an initial non-refundable payment of around £2,000 and continued annual contributions of the same amount towards maintenance. This arrangement would continue as long as both parties are happy to proceed. If you are a current boat owner interested in this or a similar arrangement, I would be delighted to hear from you. Likewise anyone else in similar circumstances as myself considering buying a shared boat.

I did some research into this a year or so ago as an alternative to buying a boat as I live out of country and would only be in UK for a period of 4-8 weeks per year so not otherwise available to maintain it, also the costs would be prohibitive compared to time used. A long-term hire outfit I came across overcame this quite legitimately by selling the boat, or at least a share in the boat for a period of time. I've also looked at share options but all the sites catering for this have rotational time allotments for two-week periods that is not practical for my circumstances.

Hi Bilgepump I would be alone for part of the time and hoping to be joined by family members weekends etc. However, I may also place thread in the Crew section as a second alternative, thanks for suggesting.

Hello from Hong Kong, I’m planning to return to UK in 2025, dates yet to be selected and would like to take a month or two extra to enjoy canal life, I have boat experience of many years, mostly lumpy water and hired narrow boats for 2 to 3 week periods in the past and wondering if there were any boat owners who may require a sitter. Although private hire is not permitted are there any ways one could show appreciation by, say paying something to the owner towards maintenance or a paint job etc.

My Mate Tony has made a YouTube video based upon his cycling experiences along the towpaths, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXcxHJGUb3c

we will be exploring this canal while in the area for sure,

I watched a couple of videos on this canal and the interesting bridges up there so will keep this in mind for the return trip to use remaining days

Just planning a hire boat trip on the 4 counties Ring starting out at Stone with a detour up to Llangollen Wharf starting 29th March next year. Canal Planner calculates 17 full days for this with 6 hrs. cruising per day so have 3 days in hand for lazy days and unplanned stops etc. However, seeking advice on best/easiest direction of travel to have the best leg last. Also, any recommendations for overnight moorings etc. would be appreciated. Cheers Mick

Thanks for all the replies, I will look into the hire boat companies as suggested. I have hired before for a 2 week period at a cost of around GBP3,000 so can imagine that hiring for say 6 weeks would cost around GBP7,500. With Regards to typical boat share syndicates I did research this and found as Howard pointed out that they are not suitable for me. However, my calculation of maintaining a privately owned boat is around GBP6,000 per year so my preference would be to split ownership of a boat between 2 or 3 persons and have annual use of say 2/3 months per year and split the maintenance and purchase cost. I have seen no syndicates set up like this, might any exist?

I’m seeking to return to UK to explore the canals early next year particularly around the Llangollen Canal, and would like to take between 4 to 8 weeks to do this preferring a larger boat for comfort 60+ft. Are there any reasonably priced long term hire companies or who cater to such packages or even share syndicates who cater to fewer shareholders / longer term time slots that anyone can recommend. Appreciate any leads anyone may have. Cheers Michael

Many good comments posted, I will keep them all in mind on my return to UK in the new year. I have been retired now since begining of this year so will now start my boat search at a lesurally pace, hope to see you on the canels in the not to distant future

I believe I understand but perhaps not explained myself so well, I estimate costs of owning the boat to be around 5 to 6K per year on top of an up-front investment of say 80K but I have seen the prices rising approximately 20K for such a boat in the past 3 years. If the market returns to its prior state in two years when I might sell the boat, I would have spent around 12K in maintenance etc. but also lose another 20K on the reversal of the market trend on top of normal deprecation. it is this additional 20K loss that I would prefer to avoid even if it means waiting another year or so before buying a boat.

This is my concern, although I do expect some depreciation in value I would prefer to avoid additional lose due to a decreasing market .

Hi Alan, Thanks for the feedback, I was afraid that might be the case, I am as concerned about re-sale price in the years to follow as the current prices of today. I see the lovely classic boat “Greenlaw” recently up for sale at a very similar price as advertised in 2017, that did surprise me a bit.