Boat Sales
Of course, the most important thing on the river is to have a boat. If you can get one of your own, rather than a hire boat, so much the better. So, if you want to buy a boat, or you're thinking of upgrading, this is the definitive list of boat yards and brokerages. For links to brokerage sites, see the links page.
Putney
Chas Newens 020-87884587
Brentford - Grand Union Canal
Being on the Grand Union Canal, these thee boat brokerages have to specialise in narrow boats and other canal craft, since many of the beamier boats would not cope with the width restrictions of the British canal system. It is, however, worth contacting them if you are looking for a smaller boat, or an ex-hire craft as well as the normal canal fare.
Brentford Marine Services 020-8568 0287
James Mason & Son 020-8847 1538 / 8568 7041
SPL Marine 020-8560 9326
Twickenham
Hammerton's Boatyard 020-8892 9620
Teddington
Toughs Boatyard 020-8977 4484
Thames Ditton
Thames Ditton Marina offers a wide variety of seaworthy boats as well as those better suited to river work. 020-8398 6159 / 3900
Taggs Boatyard 020-8398 2119
East Molesey
TW Allen & Son Ltd 020-8979 1997
Hampton
Tim Barfield Marine offer a brokerage service for second-hand boats of all sorts. 020-8979 2135
Thames Voyages. 020-8941 2676
Platts Eyot
De la Hunty Marine Ltd 020-8979 2121
Shepperton
Based at Shepperton Marina, Boat Showrooms of London are twinned with BSL at Harleyford Marina. At Shepperton you will find narrow boats and motor-sailers as well as Grand Banks, Covette and Stevens. Definitely worth a drool. 01932-243722 or 07855-315603
In the river course at Shepperton you'll find Gibbs Marine Sales, who offer a wide variety of new and used boats. 01932-242977
At the end of the Desborough Cut, just below Shepperton Lock, is Nauticalia Boats. As well as selling second hand craft of all possible types, they sell the wonderfully fun, flat bottomed metal boats that have been used to great success on the Florida rivers. Now making their mark on the Thames they are a useful, safe family craft or fishing vessel. 01932-254844 / 244396
Eyot House Ltd 01932-848586
Pyrford Marina 01932-340739
Walton
Walton Marine Sales Ltd offer a wide range of new and used craft. 01932-569200 / 226266
Bridge Marine offer a brokerage service for second hand boats. 01932-245126
Chertsey
Chertsey Meads Marine 01932-565195 / 564699
Capitol Marine sell outboard motors, but not the boats to put them on. 01932-564830
M Dennet 01932-563448
Harris Boatyard Ltd 01932-563111
W Bates & Son 01932-571141
Laleham
Penton Hook Marina 01932-568681 or 01932-618358
Staines
Plancraft Marine / Tecmarine 01784-452051
Runneymede
Nicholes Boatyard 01784-432342 / 437580 or 07703-208098
Windsor
Tom Jones (Boatbuilders) Ltd. 01753-860699 or 01753-833166
Kris Cruisers specialise in second hand hire boats 01753-543930
Racecourse Yacht Basin (Windsor) Ltd 01753-851501
Windsor Marina Ltd offers a small but select brokerage list, with the boats available to view at the Marinas in Windsor or Bray. 01753-853911
Bray
Bray Marina Ltd are affiliated with Windsor Marina Ltd and share a brokerage list. 01628-623654
Bourne End
Bourne End Marina 01628-522813
Heyland Marine 01623-528830
Marlow
Wootten's Boatyard Ltd (boatbuilders) 01628-484244
Harleyford
The place to go if you lust after a Princess! Associated with Shepperton Marina, Harleyford offer a wide variety of gin palaces in all manner of shapes and sizes, not just river bound. 01628-471361
Peter Freebody & Co restore traditional boats, and offer a traditional boat brokerage service, as well as the opportunity to purchase a replica traditional craft. 01628-824382
Hambledon
Hambledon Mill Marina 01491-571316
Henley
Hobbs & Son Ltd 01491-572035
Lower Shiplake
Val Wyatt Marine 0118-940 3211 / 940 3836
Bushnell Marine Services Ltd 0118-940 2161 / 2
Sonning
Thames & Kennet Marina 0118-948 2911
Reading
Reading Marine Services 0118-942 3877
Caversham
Being so close to the Kennet & Avon canal and the River Kennet, you are likely to find a good selection of smaller craft and narrow boats at the first two of these brokerages.
Better Boating Co. 0118-9423877
Reading Marine Co. 0118-971 3666
Walker Outboard Services will sell you an outboard, but not the boat to put it on. 0118-9478641
Caversham Boat Services 0118-957 4323
The further up the Thames you go, the less likely a brokerage will be to offer you a large sea-going boat, due to the bridge heights which prevent tall boats from gaining access to the further reaches of the Thames in the first place. Most boats these days have removerable radar arches and collapsable superstructure, but you should definately consider the height of any boat you purchase if you want to travel far up-stream.
Moulsford
Sheridan UK Marine offer a brokerage for small river craft, specialising in Freemans of all sizes. 01491-652085 http://www.sheridanmarine.com/ or http://www.freemancruisers.com/
Abingdon
Red Line Cruisers 01235-521562
Abingdon Boat Centre 01235-521125
Oxford
All boats sold above Folly Bridge will need to have no more than 3.12m / 10' 3" height above water if you are to take them below the bridge. Any taller boats will need to be moved by road, and you should investigate these costs before purchasing your boat.
Bossoms Boatyard 01865-247780
Salter Bros. Ltd 01865-243421
Lechlade
Riverside (Lechlade) Ltd 01367-252229
Of course, not all river boats come from the Thames, and not all brokers have a yard...
Broom Boats
If you have the patience and cash flow to allow you the luxury of a new boat, you'd be hard pressed to find a better range than at Broom.
Tony Ferris
Based on the internet, tonyferris.com will sell you the boat of your dreams, or help you sell your old boatfrom any mooring, anywhere.
