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Buying a used narrowboat: the checks to make

Checked against its sources on 20 Oct 2026.

There is no V5C for boats and no single document that proves who owns one. That puts the work on the buyer. Make these checks before you hand over money.

1. Check the seller can sell it

  • Ask for the full chain of bills of sale, back to the builder if possible.
  • Check that the seller’s name matches the most recent bill of sale.
  • Ask for the builder’s certificate, invoices, and VAT and import records if the boat has been abroad.

2. Check for finance

Make sure the boat is free of outstanding finance, registered mortgages and other charges. If the boat is on the UK Ship Register, get a transcript of registry. It shows registered mortgages and other interests. Do this even if the seller says there is no debt.

3. Get a survey

Make the sale conditional on a survey you are happy with.

4. Check the Boat Safety Scheme certificate

You need a valid BSS certificate, or an exemption, before you can buy a Canal & River Trust licence. Most boats need a BSS examination once every four years. Ask to see the certificate and check its expiry date. The BSS says the record on its database, not the paper, is what counts. The certificate does not name the owner.

5. Sort your licence

You need a licence or registration to keep and use a boat on the water you plan to use. Apply to that navigation authority in your name. The seller should report the sale; the Canal & River Trust’s online portal has an option for this.

6. Get the paperwork at handover

On the day, collect the signed bill of sale, all older bills of sale, registration papers, service records, manuals, warranties and the agreed inventory.

What a Boat Index search can tell you

You can search The Boat Index by boat name. It holds 44,214 records, mostly collected from public boat records in April 2026.

  • Use it to compare details. Check the type and other details against what the seller tells you. A mismatch is a question to ask.
  • A claim is not proof. Only 28 boats have been claimed by an owner, and claims are not checked. An unclaimed record means nothing either way.
  • It is not a stolen-boat check. Very few thefts are reported on The Boat Index’s stolen list. A clear result does not mean the boat has not been stolen.

Sources