Buying a River Boat in France?

[Richard10002]

Hi,

A friend of mine has asked if I could help with some pointers related to buying a boat in France. He is looking at buying with a relative who lives near Carcassonne, so that is where it would be based, but it could obviously be bought anywhere in France, and a delivery trip arranged, perhaps with my help.

Not sure of his budget yet, but I'm really looking for selling sites and similar resources, maybe a French rivers/canals forum?

I've already suggested that he leans towards 10ft wide to 12ft wide, and I have a liking for the Dutch Barge types that I see on my canal, but he may not .

Any help/pointers appreciated.

 

[LadyInBed]

Check to see if there is a max size restriction on the Midi.

 

[Poignard]

I have no experience of this but I found this website when I was toying with the idea of buying a boat for the European waterways

Le Boat Brokerage - Used Canal and River Boats for Sale

Our ownership programme - LE BOAT

 

[westernman]

I have no experience of this but I found this website when I was toying with the idea of buying a boat for the European waterways

Le Boat Brokerage - Used Canal and River Boats for Sale

Our ownership programme - LE BOAT

Le Boat is one of the biggest, if not the biggest boat hire firms in France. These boats a hired out "sans permis". Typically the totally inexperienced renter will get a most 5 minutes introduction to the boat, its systems and how to drive it.

So I imagine that the ones being sold off have had a hard life and had more than their fair share of hard knocks.

That said, the boats are probably as idiot proof as a boat can be and are easily maintained.

 

[ridgy]

Can't be any worse than the Norfolk broads and most of the hire fleet there seems to date from the 80s. Practically indestructible. Must be some serious profit for the operators.

 

[Poignard]

Le Boat is one of the biggest, if not the biggest boat hire firms in France. These boats a hired out "sans permis". Typically the totally inexperienced renter will get a most 5 minutes introduction to the boat, its systems and how to drive it.

So I imagine that the ones being sold off have had a hard life and had more than their fair share of hard knocks.

That said, the boats are probably as idiot proof as a boat can be and are easily maintained.

I read an account this morning written by a woman who, with her husband and family, rented a Le Boat vessel and she said they had a 1-hour introduction. But even that does not seem enough to me for someone who has never handled a boat before.

Even so, I have seen on the Vilaine some astonishing antics performed by Le Boat hirers. Some of the boats are large and heavy and I give them a wide berth!

But anyone buying a boat would, of course, always be wise investing in a thorough survey before committing themselves.

 

[westernman]

I read an account this morning written by a woman who, with her husband and family, rented a Le Boat vessel and she said they had a 1-hour introduction. But even that does not seem enough to me for someone who has never handled a boat before.

That certainly was not on a Saturday in August.

 

[Laminar Flow]

To note, the sans permit aspect refers to a certain weight to HP ratio. I can't quite remember what it was other than that my 8.5t/50hp was outside the parametres. Consequently, and to meet these requirements, the LeBoat types and offerings are dreadfully underpowered. That may be perfectly adequate for the canals themselves and the sections they are allowed to be operated on, but they may lack enough ompff for the river passages. A good place to look for suitable flotation would be Staint-Jean-de -Losne.
Another place to check out is Holland where they have a great many inshore motorcruisers. Friends of ours bought one there to cruise the European canals with.

 

[westernman]

These guys in England are reputed to build nice canal boats. Of course you are paying extra for the "tasteful" fitting out.
There are quite a few others in the UK and in the Netherlands.

Widebeam Boats by Aqualine

For France I would certainly recommend a wide beam over a narrow boat.

Note that if you are buying a new canal boat in the UK for living on, you don't have to pay VAT.

 

[Zing]

These guys in England are reputed to build nice canal boats. Of course you are paying extra for the "tasteful" fitting out.
There are quite a few others in the UK and in the Netherlands.

Widebeam Boats by Aqualine

For France I would certainly recommend a wide beam over a narrow boat.

Note that if you are buying a new canal boat in the UK for living on, you don't have to pay VAT.

£170k for a decent 70’ boat. Go to Princess and it will cost you £3m. I know. Apples and pears, but still….

 

[westernman]

£170k for a decent 70’ boat. Go to Princess and it will cost you £3m. I know. Apples and pears, but still….

Does not make any sense does it?

About 2.7m for the extra 3000HP (for a V70).

I don't get this need to go 40 knots.

40 knots is uncomfortable. And expensive at 600+ litres per hour fuel consumption.

 

[davidpbo]

Some friends have a boat in Briare they are selling.

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