Selling a boat isn’t just about finding a buyer — it’s about positioning your boat correctly, presenting it professionally, and managing the process properly from start to finish. At ABNB, we combine market insight, targeted marketing, and hands-on brokerage expertise to help you achieve the best possible result.
Selling a Narrowboat in the UK
Sell your boat with confidence through ABNB, a trusted UK brokerage based in Leicestershire
Selling a boat is about more than just listing it online. It’s about reaching the right buyers, presenting your boat properly, and managing the process from enquiry through to completion.
At ABNB, we take a hands-on approach to selling boats across the UK inland waterways. With a strong reputation, an engaged audience of buyers, and decades of experience, we know what it takes to achieve the right result.
From initial valuation to final handover, we make the process clear, structured, and straightforward.
Proven Exposure
We generate consistent interest with strong online visibility, targeted email alerts, and key events like the Crick Boat Show. Backed by our trusted reputation, buyers feel confident, helping turn interest into enquiries and a quicker sale.
Get A Market Price
Targeted Marketing
Promotion across our website, buyer database & social media ensures your boat reaches serious, active buyers. Our established reputation helps drive strong enquiries and maintains consistent interest throughout the process.
Get A Market Price
Professional Presentation
High-quality digital marketing, detailed descriptions, and professionally produced brochures ensure your boat is presented at its very best. Clear, accurate listings build buyer confidence & help create stronger interest from the right audience.
Get A Market Price
How It Works
We offer 3 months FREE mooring when selling from North Kilworth Marina
When you choose to sell your boat through ABNB at North Kilworth Marina, you can benefit from up to three months of complimentary mooring (narrowboats only). This gives your boat a secure, well-presented location for viewings, helping it reach the right buyers while reducing your ongoing costs during the sales period.
Our Brokerage Fees
Transparent Fees, No Sale No Fee
We operate on a simple, transparent basis – you only pay when your boat is successfully sold. Which in our opinion, is the only way a brokerage should operate.
6
% + VAT
Standard Brokerage Fee
- Minimum fee applies
- Discounts available for returning customers
There are no upfront brokerage fees, meaning we are fully aligned with achieving the best possible result for your boat. A small administration fee is payable at the outset to cover the identity verification checks required as part of the sales process. From valuation through to completion, every step is handled professionally, with clear communication and no hidden surprises. We are always happy to talk everything through in detail so you know exactly what to expect before proceeding.
Why Sell Through ABNB?
We strive to deliver efficient, secure sales at the right market price
Selling a boat isn’t just about listing it online and waiting for interest. It’s about getting the pricing right, presenting it properly, and managing the process with experience.
At ABNB Boat Brokerage, we take a proactive approach to selling. Every boat we represent is positioned to attract serious buyers, with careful attention given to how it’s marketed, who it reaches, and how enquiries are handled.
When you sell through ABNB, you get:
- A clear, market-led pricing strategy from day one
- High-quality presentation designed to attract the right buyers
- Exposure to an active and engaged database of boat buyers
- Experienced handling of enquiries, viewings, and negotiations
- A structured process that keeps your sale moving forward
- Secure handling of deposits and final payments
Assurances
Professional Standards & Accreditation
For added reassurance, we are proud members of leading industry bodies, ensuring every sale is handled with professionalism, transparency, and care.
ABYA Professional Yacht Brokers
As full members of Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents, we follow a strict code of practice and recognised industry standards. This ensures every transaction is handled professionally, transparently, and with expert guidance.
British Marine
We are also members of British Marine, an organisation that promotes high standards across the marine industry and provides additional reassurance for both buyers and sellers.
We'd Appreciate Your Feedback
Our team are always looking to improve our services, please let us know how we did!
Leave Review View All Reviews1 / 5
Our Reviews
"ABNB presents a professional and well-structured approach to narrowboat research that makes choosing and buying feel straightforward. Their listings are detailed and thoughtfully prepared. The team comes across as knowledgeable and very responsive, creating a reassuring environment for those navigating the buying process. A worthwhile stop for anyone considering narrowboat ownership."
Anna Golfetto
via Google
Recently Sold by ABNB
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re here to make things simple. Take a look through some of our most common questions before getting in touch with the team.
Emma’s Top Tip!
When buying or selling a boat, always use a professional broker who is a member of a recognised industry body such as ABYA or British Marine. Members follow strict codes of conduct, use legally sound Sale and Purchase Agreements, and maintain high standards through ongoing training — helping ensure a secure and well-managed transaction.
How do you value my boat?
We will need to take some basic details from you, and ideally see some recent photos. Our market price is based on condition, specification, age, recent maintenance, quality of the fit-out, and current market demand for similar vessels. We carry out comparisons with other similar boats on the market or recently sold. We will not over-inflate the market price to win your business. We believe in suggesting a realistic market price that will achieve a sale in a timely manner.
What do I need to do before you visit my boat?
Presentation is key and first impressions really do count. We recommend that you spend some time and effort in preparing your boat before we visit to take professional photos for our marketing materials. We would suggest that you remove personal effects and clutter. Thoroughly clean the interior, particularly the toilet, oven and fridge. Empty the toilet tank or cassette. Clean the exterior and ensure that the aft and forward decks are clear from clutter.
Clean soft furnishings. Ensure the mattress is clean – leave the bed made up. A hull survey is a very good selling point, along with a recent engine service and boat blacking and will increase buyer confidence. Boats that are presented well and have been well maintained, usually fetch a higher price and of course, sell quicker.
What paperwork do I need to provide?
We will need to see your proof of ownership – a clear chain of title over the years. We will need to see your Boat Safety Scheme certificate, and we will need to see any documentation you may have relating to the Recreational Craft Directive. Any maintenance records or invoices will be of interest.
We will also need to see photographic ID and a recent utility bill – this is because we are required to carry out identity checks in line with Anti-Money Laundering regulations. A small administration fee per person is charged for this process.
Do I need to insure, licence and maintain my boat while it is on brokerage?
Yes, your boat must remain fully insured and licensed for the duration of the brokerage period with ABNB. If your boat is on our sales berths at North Kilworth Marina, a trade plate may be available, which will allow you to cash in your licence – please ask us for current costs and availability. You remain responsible for the on-going maintenance of your boat. We strongly recommend regular visits to clean the boat, run the engine, and ensure appropriate winter protection where applicable.
We can recommend trusted contractors who can assist with interior and exterior cleaning, and the marina also operates an on-site workshop that can provide quotations for any maintenance or repair work required. Please note that these services are operated independently of ABNB.
Can I still use my boat whilst it is on brokerage?
If your boat is moored on our dedicated sales berths, it is not available for personal use during the brokerage period, as it must remain accessible for viewings at all times. If your boat remains on a private mooring, limited use may be possible by prior agreement, provided this does not impact marketing or viewing availability.
Following completion of a water trial and/or survey (whichever is later), the boat should not be used by the seller, in order to avoid any risk of loss or damage prior to completion. Where the seller is residing onboard, continued occupation after survey may only take place with the written consent of the purchaser – this is usually written into the Sale and Purchase Agreement as a variation.
I am moving overseas - can you still sell my boat?
Yes we can, but your boat would need to be on our dedicated sales berths, or at one of our partner marina sites. Communications can be carried out by email, and the signing of documentation can be electronic, apart from the Bill of Sale, which must be printed, signed in the presence of a witness and then posted to us.
What makes a boat sell faster?
Boats tend to sell quicker when they are realistically priced and in line with the current market conditions, and presented in a clean, well-maintained condition. Buyers often form an impression within the first few minutes of a viewing. Well documented service history, up-to-date certification and evidence of recent maintenance help to build buyer confidence.
