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Boatyard services at Shire Cruisers

Warland, Rochdale Canal

Boatyard services

We specialise in narrow boats with diesels, but we can also work on other types of boat (we don't service outboards). We'd be pleased to discuss any work you need. Our advice is free (you don't have to take it) and we try to make realistic estimates; we only do extras if you authorise them. For standard charges see our price list.

Charges from 1 January 2023
Craneage - flat bottomed

32ft and over: out £400; in £325.
Under 32’: out £240; in £180.

Craneage - vee bottomed

32ft and over: out £495; in £325.
Under 32’: out £310; in £180.

Craneage - onto or off transport

32ft and over: £420 flat bottomed, £500 vee bottomed.
Under 32’: £275 flat bottomed, £320 vee bottomed.

Engineering £42.50 per hour.
Pumpouts £18.
Car Parking One car per boat, free while moorings paid. Non-moorers £30 per week if available.
Slipway

£30 each way, DIY, £50 both ways; paid in advance. Assistance from us at hourly rates.

Cranage prices are based on group lifts, subject to availability. Boats over 18 tonnes may be subject to extra charges to allow for a bigger crane.
ALL PRICES INCLUDE VAT.

DIY
Whether you want to do a small quick job or a total rebuild (the one is apt to turn into the other!), our yard is the place to DIY. If you want to have part of the work done for you, we are of course happy to quote for any jobs ourselves. Or you are welcome to bring in an outside contractor (subject to our Health & Safety rules).
DIY customers pay a storage charge, see moorings page.

Painting
'Did you spray it?' Certainly not, but few can beat our brush painted deep gloss. We prepare very thoroughly, pay great attention to detail, and follow carefully the owner's requirements as to colour layout and decoration.

Boat sales
We sell a small number of second hand boats. See our current list and our advice on buying a boat.

Engine repairs
From an oil change to a complete overhaul, we can give your engine the care it needs. We work on your boat to the same high standards as we apply to our hire fleet, where avoidance of breakdown and long service life are vital.

Gas fitting
Our Gas Safe Registered team can fit a proper, safe gas system on your boat, or do repairs. If you are fitting your own gas system, look on the Boat Safety Scheme site for lots of useful advice. Bear in mind that DIY work is illegal on residential boats.

Chandlery
We have a modest shop selling simple things like bilge pumps, blue loo - and gifts…... We have a much bigger stock of things for our hire fleet which are available for sale but not on show. If a piece of kit works for us, it certainly will for you. And we can get anything you need to order, often overnight.

Calor Gas, Diesel and pumpout
We do these at all reasonable hours. Our diesel is Gas Oil, containing up to 7% bio-diesel. We buy from reputable suppliers, but take no reponsibility for the performance of our fuel over time. The law will shortly change, at which time we shall sell only white diesel (but not into vehicles).

Craneage
We lift boats out onto our large hard standing area, in batches to get the cost as low as we can. The crane we normally use can handle up to about 18 tonnes (say a 65 ft narrow boat) - larger boats may require a larger crane, at extra cost.
We also lift boats onto and off transport. Narrow boats can go on standard 40 ft or extending trailers. Wagons hired by customers must provide their own supporting timbers. Vee-bottomed boats will generally require specialist trailers.

Bottom blacking
We can pressure wash your boat and apply 2 coats of Intertuf. Or we can scrape off old blacking, and wire brush (powered) rust before blacking. Price £14.00 per foot. We do the hull sides and under the counter, but not the base plate. We do not allow grit blasting on the yard. Prices exclude lifting, see above.

Hull repairs
Our skilled boatbuilders can overplate your hull, replace anodes or carry out any other underwater repairs. We can replace worn-out stern gear.

Insurance surveys
When boats reach a certain age, insurers tend to ask for a hull survey. The worst time to find this out is when they write to you the day after it goes back in the water. The second worst time is when you ring and ask if they want a survey – ‘oh, thanks for the suggestion, yes please.’ In an ideal world each insurer would publish its policy, but as far as we know they don’t. So if you are planning to come out for blacking or other underwater work, it's worth considering whether to have a survey. We can't provide this service ourselves. We may be able to suggest surveyors you could try. The older the boat, the more likely that a survey will be useful - and the more likely that you don't want to be told it needs expensive repairs.

Hull repairs
Our skilled boatbuilders can overplate your hull, replace anodes or carry out any other underwater repairs. We can replace worn-out stern gear.

Fitting out
Our very high standards of joinery can be applied to refits on your boat. Millimetric accuracy and a staggering gloss on varnish-work hide robustness that will stand the test of time.

Other information
On our Links Page we list other sites we think might interest you, including canal sites and living aboard.

Moorings and boatyard

Sowerby Bridge Basin looking west

Sowerby Bridge Basin looking west

Sowerby Bridge Basin looking east

Sowerby Bridge Basin looking east

The DIY area looking east

The DIY area looking east

Repainting

Repainting

Lifting out

Lifting out

Painting

Painting