Boat Ownership Seminars
Hosted by Waterways World magazine Technical Editor, Mark Langley
Seminars are 45 minutes long and include a Q&A session at the end.
Boat Buying: starting out right
Buying your first boat can be daunting, but to help you, in this Seminar we explore:
- choosing the right boat for you
- different types and styles of inland boat
- what to look for when buying new or used.
We help you navigate some of the common pitfalls when buying boats, especially on used craft.
Living Afloat
Having a boat as a home has never been more popular, but is it always plain sailing? In this Seminar we:
- look at what you need to consider if you think a life afloat is for you
- pose questions you will need to answer
- give you further sources of information.
Boat Maintenance
Keeping a boat well-maintained is essential, for comfort aboard, reliability, value and above all, safety. We look at three key areas:
- The boat itself; the hull and superstructure needs regular care and attention. But there are many choices to be made. What works best for you?
- The engine and services need to function well, but not everything is obvious. Simple checks can keep problems at bay and minor alterations can make life a lot easier.
- Upgrades and other top tips to keep the rest of your boat in good order- and important safety considerations that you should always have in mind.
Cost Saving ideas for your Boat
NEW for 2026
Rising costs are adding pressure to boat owners; this session will look at effective ways, in the short and longer term, to reduce your outlay, while often being kinder to the environment. We will include:
- How maintenance can help reduce costs- advice for owners as for a more DIY approach, including early diagnosis of potential issues
- Ways to save money when using the boat for cruising and living afloat
- How to keep running costs down
- Simple upgrades that can reduce outlay in the long term
We will also consider some of the money-saving approaches when buying a new or used boat, as well as examples of how boaters can improve the value of their current boat.
Converting your Boat to Electric
NEW for 2026
Moving from diesel and petrol engines propelling the boat to hybrid or pure-electric drive is the ambition of many boaters. This session will look at:
- What the options are in upgrading an existing boat
- Do the finances make sense?
- What range will I get and will it suit my boating?
- Will it fit in my boat?
- Safety and other design considerations that need addressing
We will look at a variety of approaches, including battery, solar, shoreline and generator options alongside the electric drive itself, that can help boaters navigate the choice in making an upgrade to electric propulsion
