River navigation for all tastes
River navigation has many advantages, changing culture, landscape and gastronomy along the way. It is also possible to visit all the major European capitals along the different canals. Accessible to the greatest number of people, river navigation attracts all categories of people, from retired people to young active people who are looking for mobility to let themselves go according to the opportunities, passing by young couples who wish to enjoy vacations without stress. On a river boat, you can navigate in urban or suburban areas, but you can also live on board in the greatest comfort, with large tanks for autonomy.
Numerous mooring places are available everywhere in France, with the exception of the Mediterranean network, at reasonable rates. For example, a berth in Saint-Jean-de-Losne, center of the waterways, costs 1,800 euros per year for a 12 m boat. In the east, the place is about 800 euros.
A fleet of rental or owner's boats for sale
The rental of river boats takes place mainly from the end of March to the end of October. The boats are then overhauled and prepared for the next season. Among the fleet, some models offered for rent or from private owners in brokerage are withdrawn from the offer to be put on sale . The models vary from 8 to 15 m and from 1 to 4 cabins, with a simple layout up to very equipped models: air conditioning, bow thruster, new electrical system.
The purchase budget for a used boat starts at 25,000 euros for a basic 9.70 m model from 1993 with two cabins and can go up to 190,000 euros for a very little used Linssen boat from 2017 whose new value is 325,000 euros.
The average purchase price for a 9 to 15 meter houseboat is between 60,000 and 80,000 euros and includes between 3 and 4 cabins and all the onboard comforts, including the famous terrace, which is imperative for river cruising. More than 80% of the time spent on a river boat is spent outside, on the water, admiring the landscape.
Boats that are easy to live with, easy to sail and easy to maintain
In order to adapt to the largest number of sailors, the boats proposed by Le Boat are easy to live with. Designed to navigate without a license, they are also easy to handle. However, once you own a boat, you will need a river license. Maintenance is also easy because during the operating period, the boats must be repaired quickly, within 4 hours, between two rentals. The Le Boat bases are present on all the waterways to provide repair services.
An experience that can be acquired quickly
Many customers buy a used river boat without a license, a formality that will be quickly completed afterwards. The navigation of the boat is quite easy, the hardest part being the mooring. The seller takes care of the handover of the boat by giving all the necessary instructions, the same instructions given when renting without a license. The experience is quickly acquired since after two or three days, both renters and owners maneuver quite easily. As for the lock passages, it is often the same maneuver. These boats are ideally accessible since they are intended for boaters without a license.
Facilities that can be modified
Another advantage of the boats offered for sale by The Boat is the possibility to modify the layout. On the same length of hull, the layout can be different in terms of cabins or bathrooms. This service is not offered by the seller, but he will be able to put the owners in touch with qualified craftsmen and building sites. The new owner will be able to adapt the interior layout to his taste and make it his home, whatever the boat model.
Buy your boat anywhere in France
It is possible to buy a used boat at any Le Boat base according to current availability and quality standards. The boats can also be transported between the different bases. Even though a boat from a rental has been on the water a lot, it has always been maintained. It is repaired regularly during the season and during the winter to be ready for the season. The purchase comes with a warranty.
The boats sold by private owners are all known to the seller and selected through the brokerage process. Each boat sold through the brokerage is carefully selected, in good condition and benefits from a maintenance history. A showroom of the boats for sale is located in Saint-Jean-de-Losne, next to Dijon, and therefore easily accessible.
