Transporting Narrowboat from France

[ABBOTTS]

We are hoping to purchase a 60ft boat in France and transport her back to somewhere on Grand Union not too far from London so we can carry out all repairs and maintenance needed before gong off touring. Not sure how much it costs to transport a boat from middle of France?? Where we can stop/put in nearish to London for repairs etc ? (we will mostly do all ourselves, although may need dry dock facilities) Also any ideas on possible overplating costs?

Captain Numpty has the insane idea of sailing her back all the way - I keep reminding him we are not talking about a yacht - and I have experienced Numpty ideas before!

Edited June 4, 2012 by ABBOTTS

[Grace and Favour]

Whilst there will be others whom will be able to give more accurate transport costs (I would budget for £5k top-end), but if the other 'erbert wants to 'sail' it across, , it will be considerably dearer, - he wont get insurance, he'll need at least one support boat alongside all the way, should use a Pilot (?), will spend many many £Pounds making the boat faintly seaworthy, and should pay for a period in an asylum.......

[Ray T]

Captain Numpty has the insane idea of sailing her back all the way - I keep reminding him we are not talking about a yacht - and I have experienced Numpty ideas before!

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

Before Captain Numpty sails the boat across The Channel, has he any knowledge of tides?

Does he realise he will be crossing one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world?

Assuming the boat can maintain a speed of 4kts is he aware it will take a minimum of 5 1/2 hours to cross from Calais to Dover, on a flat calm day?

 

My qualifaction for making these comments - Yachtmaster Offshore, certificate No 3486

 

Just food for thought.

Edited June 4, 2012 by Ray T

[Arthur Brown]

Firstly are you certain that there is a deal to be made -cheap boat (but it's in Spain) has been a recent scam.

 

If it may need dock work it's not seaworthy to cross the channel.

 

Sort out a competent trucking company and prepare to pay the bill. Ask HMRC about any duties or taxes due on import.

 

If it's in the middle of France then bargain on weeks of boating to get to the coast then you will have to go as deck cargo on something big, the time lost may be worth more than the trucking cost.

[Albion]

It depends where you are of course in France (access to a suitable crane etc) but you might be able to arrange to be a return load for a company that is delivering a boat (or any big load for that matter) out there. I've used CPL CPL linky to take a boat of mine out to France and was very pleased with their service. Depending where you are etc it might be worth a call to them to see if a delivery is likely and suitably placed for a return load.

Roger

Edited June 4, 2012 by Albion

[the grinch]

5.5 hours! i doubt it more like7 —8 hours just to cross not including getting round kent coast or up thames not a novice trip! or for the faint hearted!

[Athy]

You may like the boat which you've found in France - but you could probably find one similar and just as suitable in England. Or do you already own this boat?

[starman]

Call Streethay Wharf (01543 414808), speak to Ray Bowern, he's a specialist in arranging boat transportation and has done plenty to and from France.

BTW, he's old school and doesn't like emails so if you have to send him one give him specifics or he'll just reply asking you to phone anyway!

But I'd echo previous comments - there are over a thousand nbs for sale on the books at Apolloduck.co.uk alone so why pay to bring one back here?

[bottle]

Abbotts.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

We are hoping to purchase a 60ft boat

 

What type of boat.?

[claudia]

The clue is in the title.

[Grace and Favour]

The clue is in the title.

 

No it's not

[ABBOTTS]

Whilst there will be others whom will be able to give more accurate transport costs (I would budget for £5k top-end), but if the other 'erbert wants to 'sail' it across, , it will be considerably dearer, - he wont get insurance, he'll need at least one support boat alongside all the way, should use a Pilot (?), will spend many many £Pounds making the boat faintly seaworthy, and should pay for a period in an asylum.......

 

Great, thanks sounds very sensible

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

Before Captain Numpty sails the boat across The Channel, has he any knowledge of tides?

Does he realise he will be crossing one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world?

Assuming the boat can maintain a speed of 4kts is he aware it will take a minimum of 5 1/2 hours to cross from Calais to Dover, on a flat calm day?

 

My qualifaction for making these comments - Yachtmaster Offshore, certificate No 3486

 

Just food for thought.

 

Yes, the trouble is he is really a yachtsman but we are new to Narrowboats!

 

It depends where you are of course in France (access to a suitable crane etc) but you might be able to arrange to be a return load for a company that is delivering a boat (or any big load for that matter) out there. I've used CPL CPL linky to take a boat of mine out to France and was very pleased with their service. Depending where you are etc it might be worth a call to them to see if a delivery is likely and suitably placed for a return load.

Roger

 

Ah yes we have been advised to contact that company by someone else, sounds like the best option. Thanks

[Teadaemon]

The idea of taking her across the channel on her own bottom isn't as mad as it sounds (especially if the skipper is experienced in sailing at sea), and certainly doesn't require a support boat or a pilot (if the skipper is competent - if the boat isn't up to it on it's own then it isn't up to it full stop). Having said that, it's definitely not a journey I'd want to undertake, and the point about not being able to get insurance is very valid. Most narrowboats can go significantly faster than the 4mph (not knots) that they're restricted to on BW waters, the hull speed is going to be around 10 knots, and given a length to beam ratio of nearly 10:1, could well be a knot or two higher.

 

Having said all that, going by road is going to be a lot easier, probably quicker, and definitely safer, especially if she's in need of work.

 

Import duties aren't payable as France is in the EU, but do check on the potential costs of buying a boat in France, there may be local taxes or notary's fees that need to be paid. Bear in mind that a boat in France may well not comply with the BSS (particularly with regard to any gas installation), and therefore might need a fair bit of work before it can be put in the water over here. If you're planning to work on the boat over here before going off cruising (especially if you need to work on the bottom), then finding somewhere to put her on land first is probably the best move, craning her in when she's done (or at least done enough to pass a BSS inspection and after all of the work on the hull is finished). Are you planning to live on the boat while you work on her, or do you have somewhere else to stay whilst she's being repaired?

 

What you propose is certainly possible, but she'd have to be a very good deal to be worth it after all of your transport and repair costs are taken into account. I'd have a very good look at what's available in this country (bearing in mind that asking prices and selling prices are very rarely the same figure) before you seriously consider a boat in France, and you definitely want a survey (written in English) before you take on the boat. Just for the record, I am prepared to travel to Europe for a job of that size (although my quote would have to include travel expenses).

[wandering snail]

Great, thanks sounds very sensible

 

 

 

Yes, the trouble is he is really a yachtsman but we are new to Narrowboats!

 

 

 

Ah yes we have been advised to contact that company by someone else, sounds like the best option. Thanks

Have done this a few times now back 'n forth. If you'd like to pm me I'll give you the details of who we use.

Edited June 7, 2012 by wandering snail

[Guest]

Have tried to pm you about this but its not letting me. Could you try pm'ing me?

 

The OP will only be able send and receive PM's when he has 5 or more posts - his current post count is only 2 at the time of this post.

[George94]

You may like the boat which you've found in France - but you could probably find one similar and just as suitable in England. Or do you already own this boat?

 

The sensible thing would be to keep it in France.

[Guest]

The sensible thing would be to keep it in France.

 

I think some would say that is debatable and dependant on which part of the French system it's on.

 

A traditional steel narrowboat is deemed OK on the sections akin to ours, but having looked into it quite a lot I'm unsure as to their suitability for some of the bigger river sections.

 

Depending where it is of course it could be moved to a more suitable bit for a lot less money than moving it to the UK.

[ditchcrawler]

Have done this a few times now back 'n forth. If you'd like to pm me I'll give you the details of who we use.

I realise they Wandering Snail are one of the few boats that have done this and know best, but I wonder if it would be worth talking to Napton Narrowboats, as they build and fitout their boat in the UK and then ship them to France, there could be the possibility of a return load.

[Athy]

I realise they Wandering Snail are one of the few boats that have done this and know best, but I wonder if it would be worth talking to Napton Narrowboats, as they build and fitout their boat in the UK and then ship them to France, there could be the possibility of a return load.

What an excellent idea.