The inland waterway market has few shipyards offering new production units, which logically limits the choice of second-hand boats. We will therefore find very few second hand boats from private owners. Most of them have had other lives, as commercial or rental boats, with the notable exception of boats coming from abroad and in particular from the Netherlands. They can be mixed boats or former transport boats converted to pleasure craft. These boats have superb lines and there are some excellent ones, but some are showing their age and we will not blindly trust the numerous importers.
No propeller without protection
One may be tempted to opt for a sea-going boat, as long as one finds a model that fits the gauge of the desired waterway. The superstructures of speedboats are often a problem when crossing bridges and some canals, particularly in Brittany, do not allow passage over 2.40 m. The main concern of this type of boat is the overly powerful and energy-consuming motorization, but also the lack of protection of the propellers and rudders. A single-engine boat whose propeller and rudder are protected by a long keel will do, but a twin-engine boat powered by Z-drives will not be suitable at all.
From one waterway to another
The interest of choosing a maritime boat is to be able to make a mixed use of it. This allows you to vary the pleasures, but also to go from one waterway to another when they are not connected. It is the case for example of the Breton canals, the Charente or the Gironde which offers to join the Canal du Midi and the rest of the network. According to your habits, your experience and your projects, this choice can then be justified.
Rental fleets
River tourism experienced a major boom in the 1980s. The main rental companies built their fleets with models ranging from 2 to 12 persons. Some of them have developed their own shipyards, but others have called on manufacturers such as Jeanneau in the past. The oldest boats are clearly outdated in terms of motorization and comfort, but those built in the early 2000s, when the market was mature, represent a good compromise between simplicity and modernity.
Customize without distorting
Boats from charter fleets have often received some shock, but in most cases they have been maintained and cared for. Their main drawback is that they are impersonal and have too many cabins and bathrooms for the use of a private individual. It is however relatively easy to refresh the decoration of a boat by replacing the floor covering, the covers and the curtains. The bulkheads, which are often attached, can generally be pushed back or removed. Above all, these boats were designed to be reliable and easy to use and maintain. This can be an excellent choice.
Third or fourth hand
Charter companies started to renew their fleets in a big way in the 90's and there are many boats on the market that were acquired by individuals in those years. These boats can be good choices if they have not been too customized and if the possible modifications have been well done. This is not always the case and we sometimes see questionable workmanship, or even boats that have been completely gutted, but never finished. It is better to have a boat that has just come out of a rental fleet than one that belongs to a private owner who has left it too long at the "quai de l'Oubli".
A manned boat
Buying a houseboat is quite an adventure! First of all, be aware that no matter what the sellers say, a berth is not transferable and can never be part of the sale! There are some beautiful boats, but others have been excessively customized or fitted out in spite of construction or safety standards, especially in terms of electricity and insulation. In addition, ecological awareness is recent and too few of these boats are equipped with effluent treatment or recovery systems.
Convert the hold
Fitting out the hold of a transport ship is tempting and many achievements are brilliant successes. If one has the means and the shoulders, it is an exciting adventure. It allows you to create the habitat that you want and that is in accordance with your convictions in terms of energy for example. It is a titanic task, but it allows you to build a floating habitat that complies with current standards and expectations. However, you will need to find a location, which can be difficult if not impossible in some areas.
As a general rule, and whatever the intended use, a reasonably sized boat will have fewer doors closed than a larger one. In riverboats, 20 meters is a pivotal size. It is the limit of the pleasure craft license, and it is also a threshold to access most ports without constraint.
