How to Read an Apollo Duck Listing: What to Check Before You Book a Viewing

A narrowboat advert tells you as much by what it leaves out as by what it says. Before you book a viewing, check seven things: the steel specification, the last blacking date, the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate expiry date, any mention of overplating, the index number, the engine hours, and whether the photos show the complete picture. Missing two or more of these from a listing isn't proof of a problem — but it tells you exactly what to ask the seller first.

What should a good listing include?

A well-written advert for a steel narrowboat states the builder, year, length, steel specification, engine make and hours, blacking date, BSS expiry, and mooring status. The original steel spec is usually three numbers in millimetres (baseplate/sides/cabin), and 10/6/4 is the common modern standard. A listing that gives the paint colour and berths but stays silent on steel and blacking is describing the boat's decor, not its condition.

Which missing details matter most?

Blacking date. Bitumen blacking needs redoing roughly every 2–3 years. 2-pack epoxy lasts 5+ years but costs more to apply. No date in the advert often means it's overdue. Budget accordingly, and ask before you travel to view.

BSS expiry. A Boat Safety Scheme certificate must be renewed every 4 years and is required to licence most boats. If it's expired or unmentioned, price in an examination (typically £200–£400) plus any remedial work, and treat it as a hint of wider deferred maintenance.

Survey history. "Recent survey available" is a good start. Ask for the actual report, ideally with ultrasonic thickness readings. Any underwater steel reading below 4mm risks uninsurability or expensive overplating.

What wording should make you pause?

• "Overplated" mentioned casually, with no date, extent, or name of the yard. Overplating is a legitimate repair, but poor welding or undisclosed extent can hide ongoing corrosion. Ask exactly what was done, when, by whom, and whether a survey followed.
• "No survey needed." No honest seller discourages a survey.
• "Recently repainted" with no other hull history. Fresh paint can be a tidy-up or a cover for repairs. Look for it in the photos too, especially patches along the waterline.
• Probate or repossession sales. Not a red flag by itself, but authority to sell may be unclear. Boats have no national title register, so the paper trail is your main protection.

Why do the photos matter as much as the text?

Photos crop out problems. If every shot is interior or taken from above the gunwales, you're not seeing the part of the boat that costs the most to fix. Look out for waterline streaks, mismatched paint patches, and a rusty bilge.

Should the price itself tell you anything?

Yes, but against comparables, not in isolation. A boat priced well under similar-age, similar-length boats usually has a reason: short BSS, overdue blacking, tired batteries (£400–£1,200+ to replace), or a hull story. A low price isn't a bargain until you know which of those you're paying for.

Can you trust the spec table?

Mostly, but cross-check it. Listings are written by sellers and brokers, not verified. For boats built from 1998, the Recreational Craft Regulations require a 14-character hull identification number and a declaration of conformity. Details should agree with the advert. Inconsistent length, year, or engine details between the listing and the paperwork are worth resolving before any money moves.