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I'm posting this as an example of what can be found if you keep a good look out. I thought this vessel could be a real bargain for anyone that wants a houseboat in London which is getting very rare these days.
Anyway, back in January 07 I found a 42' part completed project in the form of an Ex Customs Launch being used as a houseboat and moored in London.
The surprising thing was the cost of £13,000.
Now, you would have to be sure the vessel is in reasonable condition before parting with your money and enquire about the status of the mooring (residential?) and if the boat can stay on the mooring. Remember this is a project as it is only part converted so you will have to do some work on her.
If it was me and I really wanted to live in London the most important aspect would be the mooring and the type of questions I would ask would be:
- Can the new own keep the boat on the mooring?
- Is the mooring a proper residential one and is there a proper contract in place that can be transferred?
- If I purchased a new boat could I move the new boat to the same mooring?
- How much are the mooring fees?
Do not forget that if this boat does not work out for you as a project and you have tenture of the mooring you could always sell the project boat without the mooring and then purchase a new boat to occupy your mooring. Finding a mooring in London is very hard so buying a cheap boat on a mooring can be a good option.
A small pad in London for £13,000 is a real bargain in my book, even if the boat needs some work.
Do not forget that all the same rules apply to buying a boat that has a London mooring as they do to any other area. If you don't have a survey and the boat turns out to be in very bad shape then £13K is still a lot of money to lose no matter where the boat is moored!
Here are the details I found with a picture.
42 x 11ft, double diagonal, wooden ex Customs Launch.
Part completed project, currently used as house boat in central London. Perkins 6 engine, excellent galley, solid fuel stove, shore power and phone line.
£13,000
This is a great example of what you can find if you keep searching the classified ads, magazine ads and online boating sites. You never know what you can find and this is a good example of a project boat that is being sold cheap. Sometimes the seller does not realise the value of the mooring so you can get a real bargain.
Keep your eyes peeled for little gems like this, especially if your looking for a London mooring.
Picture: Apollo Duck
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