Buying FAQ | For boat Hire, boat sales, chandlery | York Marina

1. Where can I go boating from York Marina

The marina is located on the non tidal section of the river Ouse a short distance from Naburn lock, you can head as far inland as Ripon which can be reached in around 6 hours, York city centre is approximately 40 minutes away. Alternatively you can head south through Naburn lock which will take you onto the tidal section of the Ouse, from here you can gain access to Selby canal, the Aire and Calder, the river Trent and the Humber estuary. Detailed maps are available from our chandlery.

2. What are the local speed limits?

The speed limit on the non tidal section of the river Ouse is 6 knots and the tidal section 10 knots. The speed limit is de-restricted after you pass Goole bridge where BW jurisdiction ends.

3. Do I need a driving licence?

You don’t need a driving licence as such but it is recommended if you don’t have any previous experience to at least undertake an RYA training course. Further information is available from the RYA http://www.rya.org.uk/.

4. What other costs do I need to budget for when buying a boat?

There are several main costs you need to consider when buying a boat namely:

  • Mooring fees
  • Insurance
  • British Waterways (BW) Licence
  • Boat Safety Certificate (If the vessel doesn’t already have one.
  • Surveyors costs
  • Hoist lifting charges
  • Administration fees (only if the vessel is registered)
  • General maintenance and up keep

    Below is an approximate example of these costs based on a 25 foot motor cruiser with a single inboard petrol engine.

  • £1440.00  12 month mooring at York Marina based on our 2011 rates  
  • £220.00    12 months insurance                                                                
  • £293.00    12 month BW Rivers only licence                                            
  • £150.00    BSS examination and certificate                                              
  • £350.00    Pre purchase full survey                                                          
  • £137.16    Hoist lift for survey                                                                   
  • £350.00    Engine service                                                                          

 5. What is a British Waterways Licence and do I need one if I moor at York Marina.

Almost all of Britain’s waterways are run by three main authorities each of which issues it’s own licences. British Waterways runs almost all the canals, and rivers such as the Severn, Trent and Yorkshire Ouse. The Environment Agency runs the River Thames, the River Medway, and the rivers of East Anglia. The Broads Authority runs the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.

York Marina is a private marina so you only need a licence when leaving the marina entrance.

BW issue licences for any period from a single day up to a long term 12 month licence. You can choose between a rivers only licence or rivers and canals depending which areas you intend to cruise. Recent price lists are available from the marina reception.

Further information about licensing and where and how to obtain a licence is available on British Waterways website www.britishwaterways.co.uk/licence-it

6. What is a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate (BSC) and why do I need one?

A BSS certificate is essentially an MOT for boats. The BSS scheme only applies to vessels on the inland waterways. When boats are new out of the factory they are supplied with a certificate of conformity (CE). This certificate lasts 4 years before a BSS examination is required. When a BSS is due an examiner is required to examine the boat and issue a new 4 year BSS certificate if the boat complies. If there are areas in which the boat doesn’t comply then remedial work will have to be undertaken before a new certificate can be issued. You need either a certificate of conformity or a BSS certificate to be able to apply for a British Waterways licence. Further information can be found on http://www.boatsafteyscheme.com/.

7. What do I need to be able to apply for a BW licence?

To apply for a BW licence you will need to complete an application form for the relevant licence, you will also need a current BSS certificate or certificate of conformity and at least third party insurance.

8. What are the advantages/disadvantages of buying a petrol engine boat?

If you have started looking at boats already you will have noticed that there tends to be a large price difference between a boat with an inboard petrol engine compared with the equivalent boat fitted with a diesel engine. There are various arguments for and against but the main points to consider are;

  • Where you are planning to do your cruising. We stock petrol at York Marina so if you are only cruising locally this wont be a problem, however a lot of other marinas including coastal marinas only stock gas oil (red diesel). If petrol is widely unavailable in the area you intend to do your cruising you will have to refuel using jerry cans or from road side filling stations etc.
  • Range. If you are planning on cruising long distances where you need to travel a significant number of miles before re-fueling this is very important. A diesel powered boat for example might be able to cover 300 miles before refueling is required where the same boat with a petrol engine might only be able to cover 230.
  • Economy. Many boats are fitted with large capacity petrol engines which on the face of it look like they will be very expensive to run. With such a large engine very little throttle is required to reach river speeds meaning most of the time the engine is running a little above tick over. As an estimate a 28 foot motor cruiser fitted with a 5.0 lt engine running a little above tickover will typically consume 1.5-2 gallons an hour.
  • Initial cost. The big debate with petrol versus diesel is the initial outlay. For example a petrol engine boat worth £25,000 maybe anything up to £10,000 cheaper than the equivalent diesel powered boat. £10,000 buys a lot of petrol so is it worth spending the extra outlay for the same boat with a diesel engine?

9. How do I get a mooring at York Marina?

We just need you to fill in an application form which can be obtained from reception or download from here. Click here to download our mooring application form

10. What about trailerable boats?

Trailering a boat can give you the flexability of moving the boat around to explore different areas. This usually limits you to around a 25 foot boat but be aware you will need a reasonable 4x4 to tow a boat this size. Other things to take into consideration is the additional maintanence and storage costs of the trailer when not in use.

For further information regarding trailers and the law please visit www.ntta.co.uk

11. Where can I find further information about boating?

The following websites are all good resources for further information.

British Waterways http://www.waterscape.com/

Royal Yachting Association http://www.rya.org.uk/