Fees for letting moorings will probably comprise your single largest income stream so a good demand forecast for your proposed site will be critical.
The demand for long-term moorings derives directly from the increase in popularity of inland waterway boat ownership. Approximately 95% of owners of powered craft on The Canal & River Trust's waterways require a long-term mooring - the remaining 5% cruise around the network continuously not staying in any one place for any length of time. The Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) collates annual data from the leading navigation authorities that together show the national picture across the waterway network as a whole. We have collected data from 1992 to identify trends in boats licensed annually by Canal & River Trust.
The main influences on demand for moorings at a specific new site are:
See links below for more information.
The size and character of the competition for your site. We publish information about existing mooring sites on our customer website canalrivertrust.org.uk. This will identify existing mooring sites in the vicinity of your site and may also include details of mooring rates and facilities. See link below
A significant consideration will be whether to provide berths for residential boats. There is strong demand for residential moorings in some locations. They have a different impact on local communities than pleasure boats and will require specific planning permission. Early discussions with the LPA on this aspect should avoid difficulties once your scheme is submitted for approval. They may also raise issues relating to Council Tax. Most leisure marina operators find that random mixing of residential and leisure berths can create operational difficulties, so some zoning within the site that takes account of the differing needs of the two groups is worth considering.
There are few paid-for visitor moorings on the Canal & River Trust network in England & Wales but there is growing evidence of demand for more sophisticated services and security at popular destinations. Boaters are free to tie up almost anywhere along the towpath for short periods, and many enjoy peaceful, remote moorings with no facilities in the countryside. However, where demand regularly outstrips the space available at popular visitor moorings, the Canal & River Trust makes a charge and/or restricts the length of time a boater may stay there. Depending on the location of your mooring site, you might be able to capture a share of the emerging market for superior overnight or short stay facilities.
We encourage you to consider creating a destination on the waterway for a broad range of visitors, not just a place for boats to moor. Attracting the public onto your site with opportunities such as retail, catering, and leisure pursuits e.g. boat or bike hire to explore the wider area, can provide additional revenue and stimulate interest in your moorings.
There may be opportunities to capture a share of the passing boater market by making your services and facilities available to them as well as your long-term moorers. Contact our local waterway office to see if there are opportunities to provide essential boater services such as water, refuse disposal, elsan/pumpout etc.
Last date edited: 22 July 2015