The purchasing process made easy

We’re here to lend a hand with every step of your boating journey— as you start your exciting new venture, we want to be there to ensure it starts off as smoothly as possible.

The first step to waterside life is buying a boat that’s right for you. So …

How do I choose the right boat for me?

Will you live onboard or use for extended cruising? If so, narrowboats and widebeams are often more suitable – and equipped for residential living.

Or will you use your boat for day trips and short breaks? Cruisers are more suited for short breaks away or just a base to relax in. They are often less expensive for a mooring, river license and insurance. But as they don’t have insulation, they are only really suited to use in warmer months.

If you’re planning on cruising, check the lock dimensions and height limits (air draft) of the routes you think you’ll take – and buy your boat to fit these needs. Boats wider than 6ft 10inch can only navigate waterways with double width locks, whilst some larger cruisers may be too big to fit under canals with arch bridges.

Think about how you will use the space aboard - traditional sterns offer more internal space and room for storage. A cruiser stern gives you more outside space that allows you to be much more sociable and have friends around you when cruising.

How do I view a boat?

If you see a boat you like, make an appointment by following these steps...

If you see a boat you like, make an appointment to view the boat at a time that suits you – contact us via email or telephone. Our team will be happy to show you around and find out more about your needs.
After your first viewing, if you want to view again, just get in touch.
If the boat is right for you, submit an offer.
Our experience crew will liaise with yourself and the seller to help agree on a price and make the whole process as easy as possible for you.
Once an offer has been agreed we would advise you to have a pre-purchase survey. You usually have to diarise this and securing a time can sometimes take a couple of weeks. Don’t worry though, we can help and provide you with a list of useful contacts that are able to help. At this point we ask for a holding deposit to secure the boat whilst the survey, arrangements for finance (if required), trial runs etc, are carried out.
Once your survey is returned, if you’re happy with the findings on the survey and the agreed price we will contact the seller and arrange for you to make your final payment for the boat. If you now feel that the boat is no longer right for you, you can cancel the purchase at this point with no penalty – other than the price you have paid for you survey.
At this point, if you haven’t already secured a mooring, this is the best time to enquire.
To progress with purchase, final payment is made into our client account and the boat cannot be released until cleared funds are seen.
Once received we make sure the final paperwork is signed.
Then the boat is yours!

Where do I find my boat?

Visit www.aquavista.com/buyaboat and filter by location and boat type.

Tip: If you have decided to buy a widebeam boat, we recommend securing a mooring as soon as possible as they can sometimes be trickier to secure.

But what about a mooring? Where do I keep the boat?

We can help with that as well. With 29 Waterside & Marina locations we are certain to have a location that suits your requirements.

Boats sold in our London Marinas are sold with a transferable license to moor, subject to a successful application. In these marinas additional charges will apply to transfer the berth into your name if you choose to buy your boat through Aquavista or a third-party broker.