Luxury Canal Boat Cruise Business Located Gloucester

Luxury Canal Boat Cruise Business Located Gloucester
Four Boats Included & Ancillary Equipment
Skippered Picnic Cruises
Lifestyle Business
Ref 3101

Asking Price £125,000

Location
This respected Canal Boat Cruise Business is located in Shepherd’s Patch, Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. Positioned on moorings on the banks of The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. The location is often recognized for its scenic beauty and rural surroundings. Shepherd's Patch itself is a small area within Slimbridge, which is known for its wildlife, particularly the Slimbridge Wetland Centre, famous for birdwatching.

Business Description
Veritas Business Sales offer to the market this outstanding Canal Boat Cruise Business which is located in Shepherd’s Patch in Gloucestershire. The business was established by our clients back in 2020 and they are now offering the business for sale so that they can enjoy a well deserved retirement.
Since ownership there has been continual investment in boats and ancillary equipment which are all bought and paid for and included within the sale price which is a huge plus for any new purchaser as additional funds will not need to be spent for some time. Blackshed Brokerage is owner operated by four partners with the help of 2 part time crew members as and when they are required and has a seasonal turnover of circa £45,000. They offer a variety of cruises on traditional classic boats, catering for day trips and special occasions. Trips sail to Purton Hulks, Saul Junction, Sharpness and Gloucester Quays. Picnics are also available if booked in advance, and can be enjoyed whilst you are gliding around the stunning Gloucestershire countryside. These are booked on Still Waters with Natural Habitat, an American tour company that organise tours in our area. Since 1985, Natural Habitat has delivered life enhancing nature and wildlife experiences to small groups of passionate explorers. They have bookings for 2025 and 2026. Blackshed Brokerage also work with Stroud District Council as providers for the HAF Programme (Holidays, Activities and Food).
Boats included within the sale price are Meanderer which is a 20 foot clinker built historic harbour boat, with a wooden superstructure, built in approximately 1953, value (£25,000) and trailer worth (£3,000). Still Waters which is an historic double skin carved built boat with a wooden hull and superstructure, built in 1922, value (£40,000). Marion of Largs which is a 24 foot historic wooden motor sailboat built in 1937, value (£27,000). Lollipop which is a small GRP vessel, value (£16,750) and trailer worth (£3,000). Also included is all the usual ancillary equipment.
We believe that there is further potential to increase trade as its operated at a gentle pace to suit the current owners. A larger operator could relocate the boats to London or The Grand Union Canal. They have built a strong reputation within the local community and beyond for and as such have a high level of regular and repeat trade. This is a superb opportunity for a boat enthusiast to purchase a readymade business which is a great base to build upon and as such early viewing is highly recommended.

Moorings
The moorings have electric hook-ups and are on a yearly lease with Canal River Trust. Cost £8,325 pa.

Boats Included

Meanderer
Meanderer is our 20-foot clinker-built historic harbour launch.
She has a wooden superstructure and was built in approximately 1953.
She is fitted with a Vetus 3 cylinder diesel engine with direct shaft drive to a 3-bladed propellor.
Meanderer finished her career as a harbour launch early 2021 and joined us here at The Boat Station shortly afterwards.
Meanderer is fitted with seating to accommodate up to 6 people.

Still Waters
Still Waters is an historic double skin carvel-built boat with a wooden hull and superstructure.
She was built by Thornycroft at their Southampton yard in 1922.
Still Waters was originally built as a tender for the RMS Mauritania, which was built in 1906, and she then went on to tender for Mauritania 2, built in 1936.
Both Mauritania 1 and 2 served in both World Wars as transport ships, with the earlier ship also being used as a floating hospital.
Both ships were known for their luxury and, outside of war times, their service.
RMS Mauritania held the Atlantic Blue Riband for speed until 1929, with her only challenger being her sister ship, the Lusitania.
Still Waters was originally fitted with a Thornycroft six cylinder engine which was replaced in 2021 with a Barrus Shire 85hp engine.
She has seating for up to 12 passengers.

Marion of Largs
Marion is the latest member of our Boat Station team.
She is a 24-foot historic wooden motor sailboat, built in 1937.
Marion has a tiller, setting her apart from Still Waters and Meanderer who both have wheels.
She has a 3-cylinder Lister engine and seating for up to 8 passengers.

Lollipop
Lollypop is a 17-foot Replica Edwardian River Launch built of GRP in approximately 2010, she has capacity for up to 5 passengers and has a Stuart Turner 5 H.P single cylinder 2 stroke engine with shaft drive to a 10” brass propellor.
Lollypop has undergone a complete hull overhaul carried out at Mark Rolts Historic Boat Yard in Bristol during the period of 2024/5 in conjunction with a complete overhaul and re-build of the Stuart Turner engine.
The sunroof has also been completely re-built, the covering now being a one piece fibreglass construction replacing the old fabric cover.
Lollypop has the capacity to comfortable carry a total of 6 passengers.