Getting a boat from Holland to England

[Madi]

Hi all, 

 

My partner is looking to purchase a boat from Holland and bring it to the UK.. He is very new to boating (and i unfortunately haven't a clue). We were wondering what the legalities are around bringing a boat to England and rough pricing. A boat like this one for example, https://www.inautia.com/used-boat-58270420191953515010299539748451.html or https://www.boatshop24.com/en/campi-400-houseboat/Motorboat/1335920 . Roughly 12-13m length and 4m beam. 

 

Please let me know if any one can help me out ? 

 

Thanks in advance :) 

Madi

[MtB]

2 hours ago, Madi said:

My partner is looking to purchase a boat from Holland and bring it to the UK.. He is very new to boating (and i unfortunately haven't a clue).

 

Hi Madi, welcome to the forum.

 

Unfortunately I suspect your partner hasn't a clue either. The very first and fundamental thing for him to sort out is a mooring for any boat he might import. The sort of boat you link to is not a boaty boat, but a houseboat designed to be parked on a permanent mooring and never moved for the rest of their lives. So the mooring is kinda fundamental to the project and very rare at sensible prices. Has he secured such a mooring? 

 

Secondly there are plenty of such boats here already in the UK, mostly on the Thames and insanely expensive, most of the value being embedded in the mooring rather than the boat. Why not buy one of these? Or does he actually own a mooring and just needs a boat to park on it?

 

Anyway to answer your questions, the cost of bringing one back to the UK would probably be about £10k in round figures. The legalities mostly revolve around which waters he plans to would moor it on. So where would this be? VAT might be an issue too. Alan De Enfield will be along shortly I expect to clarify this.

 

 

 

[Boaty Jo]

Boats (Barges), their transport and many other things are HERE

 

I see your partner already has a thread running!

Edited April 1, 2020 by Boaty Jo

[Movin' on]

This isn't boating its "floating"

 

MtB is right - THE most important thing - which you may have done already - is find somewhere to park it 

 

Try Ray Bowern for pricing and help finding a way through the paperwork...…….. I'd be very surprised if the dreaded virus didn't get in the way of your dream for a while at least but good luck

[Alan de Enfield]

6 hours ago, Madi said:

Hi all, 

 

My partner is looking to purchase a boat from Holland and bring it to the UK.. He is very new to boating (and i unfortunately haven't a clue). We were wondering what the legalities are around bringing a boat to England and rough pricing. A boat like this one for example, https://www.inautia.com/used-boat-58270420191953515010299539748451.html or https://www.boatshop24.com/en/campi-400-houseboat/Motorboat/1335920 . Roughly 12-13m length and 4m beam. 

 

Please let me know if any one can help me out ? 

 

Thanks in advance

Madi

I recently had a boat moved 11 metres x 4 metres.

You will also need to check the height as (from memory) the maximum overall height (Truck and boat) on UK roads is 16 feet. I had to get a special truck which hydraulically lowered the trailer to give 100mm road clearance to be able to get under bridges.

 

At 4 metres width you also need an escort vehicle (so you are having to pay for two vehicles and two drivers), and the Police only allow them to travel outside of 'busy' times.

 

My trip was 205 miles and cost £2300 + lift onto truck and lift off truck.

 

I'd suggest that you'd need to work on something like £10-£15 per mile + Police permits, ferry costs, craning on and crane off and anything else.

 

It won't be cheap

 

Good luck.

 

 

The special 'low- loader' I had to use

 

 

 

 

[Alan de Enfield]

4 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

VAT might be an issue too. Alan De Enfield will be along shortly I expect to clarify this.

VAT is certainly something that should be considered, although it does have an engine and is a potentially a 'mobile' boat I don't know anything about Dutch regulations on VAT relief on 'houseboats' and how it would compare to the UK rules.

 

Worse case scenario is that you may have to budget for paying a 20% (of purchase price) VAT charge, if it was (for example) VAT exempt / Zero rated in the Netherlands but does not meet the UK requirements.

 

You should take professional advice on the subject, but for a start, registering with the Dutch Barge forum and asking all the questions might find someone who has 'done it already'.

 

Just as an aside - where are you planning to moor it ?

You will need somewhere to rent a mooring - if you are looking in London then you could well be looking at a cost of £15,000 per annum.

 

Depending on which waterway you have your mooring you will also need to have a Boat Safety Scheme (BSSC) certificate which is a safety check similar to a car MOT test.

 

You will also need to have a boat licence which will be around £1000 per year (again depending on which waterway you are keeping it on)

 

You will also need insurance but that cost will depend on how much the House boat and contents are insured for.

 

It may be worth checking how it has previously been 'connected' to the land. In the Netherlands many boats are 'plumbed' into the shore facilities for water, gas, toilet, telephone etc.

Here you will have to fill your water tank with a hose pipe, go and empty the toilet tank every couple of weeks (depending on tank size) and will have to fetch and carry gas cylinders.

It may well be fitted out with things like electric heating, but in the UK you will (probably) only have a 16 amp supply, so for example you cannot use (say) a washing, if you have a 2kw electric kettle switched on.

 

House boats are not houses and do not have 'unlimited' supply of water, gas, electricity, toilet. You will need to adapt your lifestyle to suit. It is a great life when you know what to expect, but for newbies it can be a huge culture shock, and many don't last more than their 1st Winter.

 

Before committing your hard earned money, go and sit and talk to a few boaters, or House-Boaters in the area you plan to live.

 

* Edit to add - you will not be welcome if you try and visit anyone at the moment.

Post some more details of your plans and intentions on this forum and you'll get some honest answers / suggestions. They may not be the ones you want to hear but they will be (probably) better than you'll get looking at You Tube videos.

 

 

Good luck.

Edited April 1, 2020 by Alan de Enfield

[Alastair]

I've brought a boat over from the Netherlands to the UK - but it was a 20m sailing barge. 

 

Wouldn't try it with something like that. Simply not suitable. You are going to have to look at deck transport on a ship I think. No idea about costs.

 

The linked boat looks to be better than a floating caravan, but frankly for the UK you'd be better off getting a canal widebeam. More suited to UK conditions. For the money in the advert a very good widebeam could be purchased.

[blackrose]

25 minutes ago, Alastair said:

 

 

The linked boat looks to be better than a floating caravan, but frankly for the UK you'd be better off getting a canal widebeam. More suited to UK conditions. For the money in the advert a very good widebeam could be purchased.

 

But perhaps Madi's partner isn't interested in boats and just wants a floating home as shown in the original link? The fact that she calls it a boat may be a bit misleading. Anyway, like the others have said, I hope he/she has a mooring for such an object before purchasing, otherwise the transportation question is a moot point.  

[Bee]

Not worth the bother. Length and width not a big problem, I've moved a 3.4m wide boat across the channel twice but height?  might not be possible. VAT could be a problem, didn't used to be as if VAT was paid in one EU country then it counted for all EU countries but you could end up paying VAT when you buy it in Holland and also VAT when you import it - that depends on brexit and nobody - least of all the government - knows. As for finding a mooring , there really is a better chance of me becoming world king.

[Alan de Enfield]

Just now, Bee said:

Not worth the bother. Length and width not a big problem, I've moved a 3.4m wide boat across the channel twice but height?

You are correct at 3.4 metres is not subject to 'very wide load' conditions.

At 4.0 metres  it needs Police permission and an escort vehicle. The Police also put driving hours restrictions (not between 08:30 and 10:00, and not between 16:30 and 18:00) which slowed things down a bit and made the 200 mile journey require a 'night out' for the Truck and escort vehicle drivers)

 

More than 2.9 metres, but not exceeding to 3.5 metres overall width	Two clear working days notice to Police (C&U schedule 12, para 4), Marker boards front and rear (C&U Schedule 12, para 3), Additional lights required during hours of darkness or poor visibility
More than 3.5 metres, but not exceeding to 4.3 metres overall width	Two clear working days notice to Police (C&U schedule 12, para 4), Attendant required (C&U Schedule 12, para 2), Marker boards front and rear (C&U Schedule 12, para 3), Additional lights required during hours of darkness or poor visibility.

 

[MtB]

1 hour ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Just as an aside - where are you planning to moor it ?

You will need somewhere to rent a mooring - if you are looking in London then you could well be looking at a cost of £15,000 per annum.

 

Depending on which waterway you have your mooring you will also need to have a Boat Safety Scheme (BSSC) certificate which is a safety check similar to a car MOT test.

 

You will also need to have a boat licence which will be around £1000 per year (again depending on which waterway you are keeping it on)

 

You will also need insurance but that cost will depend on how much the House boat and contents are insured for.

 

 

The mooring is hardly "an aside", the whole project hinges on it!

 

But that aside, the type of boat the OP links to is designed for a private lake or gravel pit site. All services laid on and no navigating EVER, so no license or BSS needed, and insurance at the whim of the site owner, if this is the type of mooring the OP has found.

 

 

 

[Machpoint005]

4 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

recently had a boat moved 11 metres x 4 metres.

 

Made my think of a giant knight's move - two forward and one across.

[Movin' on]

2 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

 

 

But that aside, the type of boat the OP links to is designed for a private lake or gravel pit site. All services laid on and no navigating EVER, so no license or BSS needed, and insurance at the whim of the site owner, if this is the type of mooring the OP has found.

 

 

 

 

Or the North Oxford!

Edited April 1, 2020 by Halsey

[David Mack]

2 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

The mooring is hardly "an aside", the whole project hinges on it!

 

But that aside, the type of boat the OP links to is designed for a private lake or gravel pit site. All services laid on and no navigating EVER, so no license or BSS needed, and insurance at the whim of the site owner, if this is the type of mooring the OP has found.

 

 

 

 

I.e. a floating mobile home.

The OP should be aware of potential hazards like this:

 

[KenK]

12 hours ago, Madi said:

Hi all, 

 

My partner is looking to purchase a boat from Holland and bring it to the UK.. He is very new to boating (and i unfortunately haven't a clue). We were wondering what the legalities are around bringing a boat to England and rough pricing. A boat like this one for example, https://www.inautia.com/used-boat-58270420191953515010299539748451.html or https://www.boatshop24.com/en/campi-400-houseboat/Motorboat/1335920 . Roughly 12-13m length and 4m beam. 

 

Please let me know if any one can help me out ? 

 

Thanks in advance :) 

Madi

Fettlers Wharf Marina on the Rufford Branch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal sell houseboats similar to those in your post. There were a couple moored there back in 2017 when we pulled in for fuel.

They have a website, click on boats for sale, one on there at the moment for similar money to your third example. Do however think carefully about the mooring issue other than the Thames this is the only place I have ever seen one of these in this country.

Our Luxemotor is currently moored in Ghent and like the Netherlands houseboats are common there. I doubt if you will find any useful information on the DBA website generally all our boats tend to move.

[Madi]

5 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

VAT is certainly something that should be considered, although it does have an engine and is a potentially a 'mobile' boat I don't know anything about Dutch regulations on VAT relief on 'houseboats' and how it would compare to the UK rules.

 

Worse case scenario is that you may have to budget for paying a 20% (of purchase price) VAT charge, if it was (for example) VAT exempt / Zero rated in the Netherlands but does not meet the UK requirements.

 

You should take professional advice on the subject, but for a start, registering with the Dutch Barge forum and asking all the questions might find someone who has 'done it already'.

 

Just as an aside - where are you planning to moor it ?

You will need somewhere to rent a mooring - if you are looking in London then you could well be looking at a cost of £15,000 per annum.

 

Depending on which waterway you have your mooring you will also need to have a Boat Safety Scheme (BSSC) certificate which is a safety check similar to a car MOT test.

 

You will also need to have a boat licence which will be around £1000 per year (again depending on which waterway you are keeping it on)

 

You will also need insurance but that cost will depend on how much the House boat and contents are insured for.

 

It may be worth checking how it has previously been 'connected' to the land. In the Netherlands many boats are 'plumbed' into the shore facilities for water, gas, toilet, telephone etc.

Here you will have to fill your water tank with a hose pipe, go and empty the toilet tank every couple of weeks (depending on tank size) and will have to fetch and carry gas cylinders.

It may well be fitted out with things like electric heating, but in the UK you will (probably) only have a 16 amp supply, so for example you cannot use (say) a washing, if you have a 2kw electric kettle switched on.

 

House boats are not houses and do not have 'unlimited' supply of water, gas, electricity, toilet. You will need to adapt your lifestyle to suit. It is a great life when you know what to expect, but for newbies it can be a huge culture shock, and many don't last more than their 1st Winter.

 

Before committing your hard earned money, go and sit and talk to a few boaters, or House-Boaters in the area you plan to live.

 

* Edit to add - you will not be welcome if you try and visit anyone at the moment.

Post some more details of your plans and intentions on this forum and you'll get some honest answers / suggestions. They may not be the ones you want to hear but they will be (probably) better than you'll get looking at You Tube videos.

 

 

Good luck.

Hello, 

 

Thank you, that was super helpful... So to clarify he wants to be a constant cruiser & i have now realised that these are the completely wrong links to add as now reading through everyone's posts i realise these are for permanent mooring! oops... I will have to do a little more research into the type of boat.. I think he is looking for a dutch barge and mentioned he wasn't able to find anything to his liking in the UK. 

Thank you for your comments they have been a massive help!

[Alan de Enfield]

8 minutes ago, Madi said:

Hello, 

 

Thank you, that was super helpful... So to clarify he wants to be a constant cruiser & i have now realised that these are the completely wrong links to add as now reading through everyone's posts i realise these are for permanent mooring! oops... I will have to do a little more research into the type of boat.. I think he is looking for a dutch barge and mentioned he wasn't able to find anything to his liking in the UK. 

Thank you for your comments they have been a massive help!

OK - whereabouts (what sort of area ) will you be continuously cruising ?

 

If you are looking at a widebeam boat then it is not always as easy as a narrowboat as a 'fatty' will not fit on all the waterways.

[KenK]

3 hours ago, Madi said:

Hello, 

 

Thank you, that was super helpful... So to clarify he wants to be a constant cruiser & i have now realised that these are the completely wrong links to add as now reading through everyone's posts i realise these are for permanent mooring! oops... I will have to do a little more research into the type of boat.. I think he is looking for a dutch barge and mentioned he wasn't able to find anything to his liking in the UK. 

Thank you for your comments they have been a massive help!

If your partner is in the market for a Dutch Barge be aware that is a generic name for a wide variety of types of boats. Have a look on the Barge Association website there are always a number of barges for sale and some of them have blogs which have a great deal of information. The DBA website contains lots of information which is available to read for non members and the DBA published a book which is designed to cover all aspects of buying and owning a dutch barge and is available from the website. 

[Alastair]

16 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

OK - whereabouts (what sort of area ) will you be continuously cruising ?

 

If you are looking at a widebeam boat then it is not always as easy as a narrowboat as a 'fatty' will not fit on all the waterways.

Absolutely correct and a very very important point. 

I would be very wary of purchasing a boat directly from the Netherlands (I've done it).

Pros:

Easy availability of crane out and repair facilities (should a boat need them). Expertise is high.

Wide range of visually attractive boats.

Cons:

Surveys over there regard 3mm as adequate, 4mm as decent. 3mm is far too thin for UK shallow, debris-strewn waterways. If you get a boat surveyed in the Netherlands, the hull turns out to be mostly 3mm, you might find yourself locked into a purchase (or penalty payments for withdrawing). The boat will have 'passed' survey according to Dutch requirements and therefore you are obliged to go ahead with the purchase. Likewise, repairs might only be to 4mm standard; thicker than that and you will have to pay extra. 

Older boats will require a BSC in the UK and probably won't be fitted out to meet BSC standards. Electrics will probably be fine, but be prepared to do substantial gas work.

Transport to the UK will not be cheap. Yes, you can motor (or sail) a boat across. This is a substantial undertaking; we hired a professional skipper, both for his expertise and so that we could get insurance. I spent 3 days fitting a new fuel tank and testing lighting, rigging etc before that trip. All those costs add up. 

[KenK]

The OP said neither of them knew much about boats or presumably boating. The UK has no rules about who can pilot a boat, Europe requires an ICC (International Certificate of Competence). Therefore unless they do the training and pass a helmsman's course and the CEVNI test they will need to ensure that wherever they purchase the boat they can have it shipped from there or pay to have it moved to somewhere it can be craned out.

There are lots of modern UK replica barges for sale in Europe these were built to UK standards so hull thickness is or should not be a problem, Alastair is absolutely correct about older Dutch built barges.   

[TheBiscuits]

3 minutes ago, ahmetkaya3434 said:

 

luxuryatch

 

 

Reported spammer, but I do like the idea of a luxury yacht brokerage that can't spell yacht!

[Jen-in-Wellies]

2 hours ago, TheBiscuits said:

 

Reported spammer, but I do like the idea of a luxury yacht brokerage that can't spell yacht!

But I was looking to buy a luxury yatch.

[TheBiscuits]

3 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

But I was looking to buy a luxury yatch.

It's pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove ...