Looking for a boat?
Below are some of the things you may wish to consider.
I put this together for barges really, but many of the points are applicable to other types of boats too.
These are just the basics, certainly not definitive - just things to think about
You MUST do your own research - you really cannot do too much!
I'll list a selection of publications / web-sites at the end to help.
Before you start ask yourself:
Intended use
Do you want a permanent live-aboard or (summer) holiday boat
A permanent home really needs suitable systems – which can be more expensive
Budget / cost
That's obviously your decision.
Decide what characteristics you need on your barge
It's a balance between the condition of your chosen boat (and what equipment it has) and the extent to which you want (or can afford) to upgrade it.
It is useful to be practical yourself as professional help can be very expensive.
Consider carefully ongoing running and maintenance costs
Beware though – nothing costs as little as you imagine unless it doesn't work!
Consider the VAT status of your barge
Size and shape
There is a huge choice which can be daunting at first from new to 150+ years-old
size may depend on whether it is to be a live-aboard or holiday boat. Holiday boats may be smaller and less well equipped
Different regulations apply dependent on your boat's length (TRIWV for example)
Different regulations also apply to skippers qualifications and communications equipment
Cruising and mooring on smaller canals (central France for example) can be restrictive for larger boats. Canals can be shallow towards the bank.
Many ports and marinas have a 15-metre mooring limit
There are Length, beam, draft and air-draft restrictions
Check carefully to see if your boat can actually go where you want
Accessibility – some boats are high sided and can be difficult to board
A collapsible wheel-house lowers air-draft for low bridges
Do you want to take your barge to sea or tackle big European Rivers (Rhine or Danube for example)
Headroom
Some boats have restricted internal headroom so beware. Some tjalks and skutjes for example.
Condition (see 'survey' futher down)
This is a can of worms - particularly with older boats.
Check outside in – in other words start with the hull, particularly with older boats
Inside there are an infinite variety of 'personalised' fit-outs – some upgrades may be needed!
Engine
These range from single cylinder (old) to high-tech modern diesel engines
Some old ones even have compressed-air start
Make sure you understand what you're getting
Engines have one or more alternators to charge various battery banks
They can also heat water in the calorifier (hot water tank)
Are there separate diesel tanks for red / white diesel?
Engines must run on white (basically road diesel)
Red diesel can be used for heating or running the generator and is usually much cheaper
Understand the engine cooling system (Raw water, skin tanks, matrix)
Number of rooms
Typically - wheelhouse (with dining space or even galley), galley, saloon, bedroom(s), bathroom?
Do you require guest accommodation?
For some, particularly smaller boats, one bedroom plus a sofa-bed is fine
If your boat is for two people, don't necessarily compromise your own space for occasional visitors
Bigger boats can have multiple bedrooms with en-suites
Shower / bathroom – do you want separate toilet(s)?
(Barges often have gas cookers - Have the gas system checked out)
Outside space
Much of the summer is spent outside. Rear deck area, particularly with direct access from the wheelhouse or easy access to the main cabin roof are real bonuses.
Adequate side-decks, rear and fore-deck with space to move around safely while locking or manoeuvering. Well-positioned and well-designed bollards are important here too.
Heating
It's essential for live-aboards to have a decent heating system.
There's a big choice. For example diesel-fired, gas or solid fuel (coal/wood)
And there's a wide choice within each category
Diesel choices include:
Pressure-jet (similar to domestic boilers) which are flexible and programmable and can heat radiators and provide hot water
Drip-fed boilers / natural draught room-heaters which tick away but are less flexible
Smaller heaters - Mikuni, Eberspacher, Webasto, Hurricane for example
Solid (multi) fuel of various heat outputs for coal or wood depending on which is available
Gas boilers / heaters can be expensive to run but can heat water and run radiators
(Both drip fed diesel or multi-fuel stoves can incorporate a back-boiler which can heat water or run radiators)
I feel it's good to have 2 sources of heating.
It's useful to have an alternative in case one malfunctions - in our case pressure jet and multi-fuel stove.
Naturally aspirated heating (particularly multi-fuel stoves) can help minimize condensation
Electrics
This is a huge topic but.....
You'll need a system suitable for your requirements.
You should do an 'energy audit' to discern what you will need.
For example, do you want appliances such as washing machine or microwave. If you do you'll need a good size battery bank and a large inverter.
When the batteries are not charging, every time you turn on a light or any appliance, be it phone charger or hair-dryer, you will need to replace that energy somehow.
The length of time you can go without charging depends on your requirements and the size of your battery bank.
Basically there is mains voltage and low voltage
Low voltage (12, 24 or 48-volt) comes direct from a battery bank.
Mains voltage (220 – 240) comes from an external mains hook-up, via an inverter from the batteries or from an on-board generator
(Bigger boats may have 380-volt too for larger applications – though much less common)
Solar power is increasing in popularity (for battery charging or water heating for example)
A diesel generator to provide electricity while stationary
Batteries are the heart of the system so choose the right ones!
Plumbing
Basically on-board water is pumped around the boat from water tanks.
An adequate size main water is important (500 litres minimum?)
Types of toilets to consider:
Sea toilet
Electric flush
Cassette toilet (porta-potti type)
Holding tank (needs pumping out periodically)
Macerator (low voltage or mains voltage)
**Is the flush water sourced from on-board tanks or externally**
Pumps, for example - main water supply, shower waste, bilge, deck wash
Insulation
A well-insulated boat will be more economical heating-wise – and warmer
Condensation can cause literally gallons of water in the bilge
Spray-foam may well be the best (make sure it's fire retardant / self-extinguishing) but it's difficult to install retrospectively
Others types are rock-wool (which is non-flammable) or polystyrene (not recommended)
Layout and level of internal finish
This can vary!
One thing to consider is having easy access to plumbing, electrics or under floor for maintenance for the addition or replacement of components (EG taps, traps or shower drain pump).
Access to parts of the boat (engine room for example) is important
Position of windows / port-holes. Large, low-level are better for light and seeing out.
A walk-round bed?
Double-glazed or single-glazed widows? There's no right or wrong
Opening windows / roof hatches for ventilation
Handling
How does the boat handle?
This will depend on factors such as:
Hull shape (including for example draft / shape of swim)
Size of rudder
Keel fins
Lee boards
Engine power
Well-geared steering - which may be hydraulic or chain and wire or tiller
Visibility from steering position
Bow-thruster
(Only people who don't have them don't like bow-thrusters! But in a cross wind while waiting for a lock or manoeuvring in a tight space they can be very helpful.)
You should have a test drive to see what happens!
Running costs
Fundamentally the bigger the boat, the more it costs. Costs include:
Cruising licence
Insurance
Mooring fees
Routine mechanical maintenance / servicing including:
Engine
Generator
Central heating boiler
Sundry equipment (pumps for example - which do go wrong)
Dry-docking (periodically, every 4,5 or 6 years for insurance purposes)
Painting / varnishing
Gas / electric costs (ports and marinas can be expensive)
Fuel consumption
Extra equipment
These bits can add up! For example, does the boat have:
Fenders
Boarding planks / Ladders
A tender
Spare parts (filters, fan-belts etc)
Emergency tiller
Boat poles
Mooring stakes
Adequate ropes
Safety equipment:
Fire extinguishers / systems
Fire blankets
Smoke, CO, Gas and water alarms
Electronic equipment
VHF Radio
Battery monitor / management systems
Chart plotter
Depth-finder
External lights (Navigation lights for example)
The buying process is vitally important
The DBA [Barge Association) is a valuable resource here on such as:
Getting expert advice
Dealing with brokers / builders
Required Paperwork
Registration
The contract
Proof of ownership
The buying process includes:
** A SURVEY **
THIS IS CRUCIAL
Make sure you engage a reputable marine surveyor who will check hull, engine, systems, drive train and installations.
It may not be cheap but it could literally save you a fortune.
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There is a wide variety of barges, differing in size, shape, style, layout and level of equipment.
There are motorized barges, fixed-berth residential barges and sailing barges.
Some are over 150 years old and they differ depending on country of origin.
You could consider a new-build - either complete or a 'sail-away' which can be built to a stage you suggest and complete yourself.
All the above are just pointers - things to consider. I stress you must do your own research.
Looking for a barge, owning one and cruising is a fascinating journey - enjoy it!
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Some choices of where to look for barges for sale:
You can also Google 'Canal Magazines'
Information resources
Probably the best and most extensive place to seek help is:
The Dutch Barge Association - The DBA. (Membership required but an excellent resource)
You will find Information on:
Regulations
Electrics
Surveyors
Cruising
Moorings
Country by country information
Training
TRIWV (Technical Requirements for Inland Waterways Vessels)
Suppliers
Links to other organisations
** The DBA produce The Barge Buyers Handbook which is a wonderful publication **
Experts in various fields advertise in the DBA's Blue Flag Magazine
Nigel Calder - Boat Owners Handbook
Alastair Garrod - 'Electrics Afloat'
Boating magazines
Graham Booth - The Narrowboat Builders Book
These are just examples – there are many alternatives
I stress again - Do your own research. Good luck!