First decisions

Where do you want to cruise?

There are around 4000 miles of waterway open to boaters in Britain. The system has evolved over hundreds of years, and not all locks and bridges are the same size - so you'll need to ensure your boat is the right size for the places you want to go.

A steel narrowboat can cruise almost any waterway, though they are not so well suited for tidal rivers. They are 6ft 10in (2.1m) wide and up to 70ft long. The canals and rivers of Yorkshire have shorter locks, so if you want to explore this area, your boat should be no longer than 56ft.

A fibreglass cruiser or a Dutch barge can cruise rivers, the Norfolk Broads, and wider canals such as the Grand Union and Leeds & Liverpool. The canals of the Midlands are generally off-limits, unless your cruiser is under 7ft wide. River locks and bridges often get smaller as you cruise inland - the largest cruisers, for example, cannot cruise above Oxford on the River Thames.

A trailable boat, built of fibreglass or aluminium, can be towed behind your car and launched in any navigation around Britain.

How many people will use the boat and how often?

If you intend using your boat just for sunny afternoons or the occasional weekend, you may feel a small cruiser would be suitable. But if you want to spend more time on your boat, you'll probably appreciate the extra space provided in longer narrowboats. Roomy Dutch barge-style boats are becoming increasingly popular with people cruising the larger waterways.

What style of boat appeals to you?

Modern narrowboats are generally made of steel, though some are aluminium, and many older craft are wooden. There are many design options to choose from, but the most important decision is the stern (the back of the boat):

• With 'traditional' sterns, the cabin extends all the way back to the steering position.
• 'Cruiser' sterns have an open space in front of the steering position.
• 'Semi-traditional' sterns have an enclosed space, which looks traditional but still gives your crew space to stand.

River cruisers are made from glassfibre, well suited to the deeper water and wider locks. Unlike narrowboats, they are available in many different widths.

Dutch barges are wide steel craft. They provide more spacious accommodation than a narrowboat, but cannot navigate smaller canals. They often have enclosed wheelhouses, for maximum comfort while underway.

More information on boat types, on-board facilities and how the interiors are organised is contained in the Canal Boatbuilders Association's helpful guide, How to buy a boat for canal or river. There is also detailed advice in waterway books and monthly boating magazines.

How often are you planning to cruise?

Decide on the extent and quality of the fittings you need. If your cruising plans are simple, all you will need is somewhere to sit down. But if you are planning extended summer cruises, or to live permanently aboard your boat, you will want all the comforts of home.

Do you want to buy new or secondhand?

New boats are generally built to order, so you can insist on the features you want.

Secondhand boats are considerably cheaper, but maintenance is likely to cost more. You will need to have the boat surveyed before committing to a purchase.