The home of exceptional shared ownership narrowboats
Founded in 2002, we are proud to say that Carefree Cruising is the oldest and longest established of the major shared ownership schemes. We currently have 17 syndicates under management, all of which have been managed by us from their start.
A cut above the rest
Artie and Ruth Chalmers, our Directors, were boaters for many years before they set up Carefree Cruising. Today, their love of boating continues as proud owners of a share in one of our syndicates. Their experience as Boaters, Customers and Managers of our scheme has enabled us to develop a market leading management service that is second to none.
Owning the enjoyment but sharing the cost is how Carefree Cruising can help you realise your dream.
Latest from Carefree
Virtual 360 Tour of Heddwen Now Available
A 360 degree virtual tour of our latest shared ownership narrowboat Heddwen is available to view by clicking here
Cost effective ownership
Shared-Ownership is very popular and cost effective. A group of like-minded co-owners is assembled, each of whom owns a share of the narrow boat. Each co-owner’s entitlement to use the boat is determined by the proportion of it that they own – i.e. if you own a 1/12 share you get 1/12 (4 weeks) of the year to use it.
Holidays on the water every year
Owning a share in one of our luxurious narrowboats will give you holidays every year for life at a fraction of the cost of hiring. In fact, it is nearly impossible to find hire boats that are equivalent to what we offer, as our boats include a bow thruster, a washing machine, tumble drier and dishwasher as standard. Not to mention the superb quality hull that attracts admiring looks and comments at every lock!
Sell your share any time
And when you consider that if you ever decide to hang up your windlass for good, you can sell your share and get a substantial amount of your purchase monies back, this is by far the most sensible and economical way to get afloat!
Top quality boat builders
To ensure that you get the best, our boats are built by our sister company, Elton Moss Boatbuilders, using only the best quality materials. This means that we are able to ensure quality workmanship at every stage of the build, especially important when you consider that on average our boats are in use for around 46 weeks of the year, during which time they will cruise the equivalent of 7 years average use for a “private” boat. And, importantly for you, cutting out the boat builder’s profit means we can sell superb quality boats at value prices our competitors find difficult to match.
Many advantages for shared boat owners
1. As you’re only purchasing a proportion of the boat, rather than the whole, it’s likely you’ll be able to afford a higher quality boat, constructed to a superior specification.
2. You pay only a proportion of the narrow boat’s annual running costs. This would typically reduce the running cost per week’s ownership to around £400, making it cheaper than narrow boat hire.
3. Your pride and joy is not left to deteriorate at expensive moorings for much of the year, but is used, aired, serviced and cleaned regularly and professionally.
You open the hatch.
The smell of new oak and a real fire climb up to welcome you.
As you step inside, relaxation floods over you. You sit, kick off your shoes, uncork that special bottle you’ve saved especially for this moment and pour yourself a generous measure.
And why not? You deserve it. It’s your first night on board your very own boat. Not one you’ll forget in a hurry.
A dream come true.
