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You may wish to acquire a boat for long-distance cruising on Europe's waterways, for a few weeks' vacation, or to make it your primary or secondary home... All these projects are equally laudable, but the choice of boat will not be the same. Before starting the search, we take the time to introspect and define our program and our desires (and those of the rest of the crew). This will enable you to do everything you can to match your desires, needs and the means you are prepared to use to satisfy them.
A travel boat?
For long-distance cruising, you'll need a sturdy unit, preferably made of steel, and sufficiently self-sufficient in energy to simplify the choice of stopovers. We'll opt for reliable, tried-and-tested technical solutions and equipment that's widespread enough to be repairable in the remotest places, even by a village mechanic. We'll choose a unit that is sufficiently motorized to travel up the currents of major rivers without faltering. A Dutch launch, for example, would be a good choice.
River boating
If you want to spend a few weeks' vacation a year, you'll probably want a boat that's large enough to accommodate friends and family. In this case, the emphasis will be on comfort, with a large open galley, plenty of cabins with an equal number of toilets and, outside, a terrace equipped with a second helm station and a bimini for sunbathing. With young children or less agile people, a forward cockpit will allow everyone to participate in maneuvers without risk. For this purpose, a polyester boat from the rental fleets is ideal.
A floating habitat
If the boat is to become your home, you won't need to travel far. We'll be looking at habitability and layout capacity, as well as the ability to insulate, heat or install the equipment necessary for modern life: Internet or washing machine, for example. In this case, the age or condition of the mechanics will be a secondary criterion of choice. Except in the case of nomadic sojourns lasting several months during the summer months, we know that houseboats move very little. An old merchant yacht between 25 and 30 meters long is a dream accommodation boat, but the more comfortable it is, the harder it will be to break the leash to go sailing.
The right boat for the right purpose
Once the program family has been defined, it's time to look at the real need. Each case is unique, and the worst thing to do would be to slip into what you believe to be a rigid mold. It's not because you want to be able to do everything with your future acquisition that you should start looking for the universal boat. We all have our technical, physical, family or professional limitations, and it's a good idea to be aware of them, so as to choose the boat that's right for you, which will guarantee a happy purchase and years of frustration-free happiness on the water.
Local constraints
Needs also depend on external factors, such as the waterway on which you plan to sail, the capacity of local ports, the availability of yards and maintenance professionals... Add to this your own availability to enjoy the boat, the distance of the planned parking area from your home, or your technical or physical ability to carry out maintenance yourself.
Small boats, small problems!
Once you've decided what you want and what you need, it's time to talk about how you're going to meet those needs. The financial means for the purchase, of course, but also for the upkeep and maintenance of the boat: insurance, berths, as well as maintenance, fuel and navigation permits. At this stage, it's time to ask yourself the question of size, and possibly revise your ambitions in favor of reasonably-sized boats. Boats that are easy to handle and maintain, but also more frequent and pleasant to sail.
Once you've defined what you really want and expect from your future boat, you can finally start looking at the units available on the second-hand market. The choice is vast, but much simpler now that you know what you want.
