Running your boat THE COST OF BOATING
How much does boating cost? It’s a diffi cult question to answer, given the enormous variety of boats and boaters and the many types of waterways, moorings and more. Here, we try to put some fl esh on the bones.
LICENCE
Most canals and rivers in the UK are managed by either British Waterways or the Environment Agency. A typical BW licence for a 50ft narrowboat, covering its canals and rivers, might cost around £670. A 12- month Gold Licence is priced at just over £900. You can fi nd full price tables at
www.britishwaterways.co.uk/license-it and
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/navigation. But what if you want to go further? For a 50ft narrowboat normally moored on BW waters, a visitor licence might cost you £33 for a day on the ames, or £9 for a day on the Basingstoke Canal. A week on the Bridgewater Canal is free, because a reciprocal arrangement exists.
BSS CERTIFICATE After their fi rst four years, boats need to be tested for safety by qualifi ed examiners every four years. e test points are identical for all boats, irrespective of size or type, though there’ll be less for the examiner to look at in a gas-free boat. David Tucker is the Membership Secretary for the Association of Boat Safety Examiners. He said: “ e safety examination is a very black and white affair and so quite easy to budget for. Although the cost of the test is not fi xed, most inspectors will charge around £150 which will cover the examination and the issue of the certifi cate. “Most fail points can be remedied with minimal fi nancial cost and a couple of man hours, although non-compliant gas
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cookers are sometimes more easily replaced than repaired. Some examiners may make an additional charge if a second visit is required following a fail, particularly if they have any distance to travel.”
INSURANCE
Like all insurance, the price is dependent on risk and the amount of cover required. Rod Daniel of Craftinsure sheds a little light on the dark art of boat insurance: “ e value and age of the boat are key premium factors rather than the length or beam width. Other factors to consider include where the boat is based, and any additional cover you might require for boat contents. If you live aboard, you can expect to pay more.” Avoiding tidal waterways and opting for a higher excess can reduce your insurance costs. Some insurers will ask for a survey if your boat is over 20 years old. We found £190 to be a typical quote for a 57ft narrowboat, built in 1996 and worth £50,000. A new wide beam boat, 60ft by 12ft and worth £130,000, was quoted at £500. So you can see that the value and age of the boat really do make a difference to the premium.
MOORINGS
After buying the boat itself, moorings are the most variable cost you’ll come up against. Mooring costs are dependent on location, facilities, the size of your boat, and an ever- fl uctuating market. Most marinas will charge different fees if moored alone than abreast to another boat, and some differentiate between residential, frequent cruising, and infrequent usage. Let’s look at some examples. A boat club on the northern Leeds & Liverpool Canal charges £700 per year for a 50ft narrowboat, keeping costs low by breasting boats up
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