How marina operator has a wealth of boats for sale in Limehouse and Poplar that are ready to move onto
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“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats”.
So says the Water Rat to Mole in Kenneth Grahame’s classic The Wind In The Willows.
It’s a quote that would well resonate with Richard Hogarth, broker at Boat Sales by Aquavista.
The company operates and manages the largest group of inland marinas in the UK, including Limehouse Basin and the joint waterways of Poplar Dock Marina and Blackwall Basin in east London.
But it also sells vessels, complete with residential moorings, for those seeking a life afloat.
“I’ve always been involved with boats from about the age of five onwards,” said Richard.
“I grew up in a tiny village between Fleetwood and Lancaster near the coast and friends of mine went sailing, so I started racing at the age of 10, going on to compete nationally.”
While pursuing a career in automotive sales, Richard continued sailing in his leisure time so, having spent some time living with his family in Paris, it was a natural move to join Aquavista on their return to the UK.
“That was about four years ago when the company was starting up its Boat Sales operation and I’ve found I really enjoyed working with boats as well as sailing them as a leisure activity,” he said. “You meet a fascinating variety of people.
“Last year I sold £6.5million worth of boats and we’re already on track to supersede that this financial year.
“We’ve progressed from selling just used boats to marketing new ones – I thoroughly enjoy it and it’s led me in a roundabout way to get involved in the design of them too.”
a lifestyle choice
Boat Sales by Aquavista currently has vessels available for between £33,000 and £297,500 at its east London marinas – but what’s really involved on giving up life on dry land for the water?
“It’s really a lifestyle choice, a bit of an adventure,” said Richard. “It’s not really an economic decision.
“First and foremost, living on a boat is something very different.
“But at our marinas you’ve got all the features and benefits of life ashore as well as the excitement of being able to move around and the wonderful floating communities of Limehouse and Poplar.
“People buy boats here from all over the world – we’ve sold them to clients from Australia, America, Canada and France over the last 12 months alone.”
the practicalities: Boat Sales by Aquavista
But what about the practicalities – what kind of lifestyle and costs can those who opt to live on a boat expect?
“Driven by the pandemic, with people sitting at home and thinking about alternatives, continuous cruising in London has exploded,” said Richard.
“That’s where people sail up and down the canals, moving every two weeks.
“That really is a lifestyle decision, given the practicalities and you have to want to do it.
“Having a residential mooring in a marina is different and we’ve seen an increased demand for it.
“The only way to get a boat into our London marinas is to buy one that already has a mooring.
“We’re massively over-subscribed and Limehouse is the most central marina in the capital where you can live full time on a residential mooring.
“St Katherine Docks, for example, only has leisure moorings.”
a permanent home
While buying a boat and hoping for a slot is a non-starter, the existing moorings are transferable with vessels already moored at Aquavista’s facilities and there are plenty of new and used craft on the market to consider.
A mooring in a marina also takes the headache out of searching for services while cruising.
Richard said: “With us, your boat literally plugs into the mains and tap water is supplied.
“We have a laundry room for boat owners, toilet and shower suites and we take people’s post to a letter box on your pontoon.
“Our facilities are accessible 24-hours and we have a parcel room as well to take in deliveries.
“We sell used boats and new ones that are 70ft long and 12ft 6” wide so there’s plenty of space inside.
“What is refreshing is that more people buying boats here are actually using their boats, going out on the canal network and enjoying them, and that’s good to see.
“One of the benefits of Aquavista is that we have a reciprocal mooring scheme where boats can book into other marinas at no extra cost around the country.
“Your mooring back home stays empty and ready for you when you return.”
In addition to the cost of the boat, buyers pay 7.5% (plus VAT) as a one-off fee to take over the mooring. They’ll also need a survey to assess the craft’s condition.
Ongoing costs for owners include an annual mooring fee based on the size of the boat (£14,522 for a £33,000 narrowboat, for example) and council tax in Band A.
Other costs to consider are regular blacking to protect the hull, boat insurance and the cost of a safety certificate.
catch Boat Sales by Aquavista’s Limehouse Open Day
For those interested in learning more, Boat Sales by Aquavista is set to host an Open Day at Limehouse Marina on September 14, 2024.
Running from 10am-5pm Richard and staff from Aquavista will be on hand to talk visitors through the process of buying and owning a boat in east London.
“People can just drop-in, but we’d love them to get in touch beforehand so we can find out what they’re potentially interested in and make their visit as relevant as possible,” he said.
“There are so many options.
“If I was a single man, I’d probably just be looking at narrowboats.
“I also love the new wide-beam boats we have for sale – they come with everything.
“You can just move on board and get on with your life just as you would in an apartment.
“Also the charm of the Dutch barges – some of which are more than 100 years old – is compelling.
“They have so much history associated with them and many have been beautifully fitted out.”
case study: new boats at Limehouse and Poplar Marinas
Guide: £297,500
Boat Sales by Aquavista is currently selling a number of new boats that come with residential moorings in east London.
These 70ft, wide beam barges come with two bedrooms, a bathroom with shower and bath and an expansive, open-plan living area.
Built by Waterspace Living, the Greenwich boasts the kind of interior features usually found in luxury apartments such as a wine cooler, underfloor heating in the bathroom and a skylight to flood the craft with natural light.
Viewing is highly recommended.
key details: Boat Sales by Aquavista
Keen to view? Richard and his team will happily show prospective buyers the options at Limehouse and Poplar Marinas by appointment.
Call 020 7308 9930 or email richard.h@aquavista.com to arrange a viewing.
Find out more about buying a boat with a permanent London mooring here
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- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
