We are reliant on the generosity of people to supply the boats we refurbish and loan to veterans – without this kindness we wouldn’t exist. 

So, what kind of boat are we looking for? 

Narrowboat or GRP? 

We are narrowboat people, it’s what we know about – so narrowboats are really what we are after. Narrowboats have a longer life, and the hulls are weldable if there’s a problem. If something hits a narrowboat or it hits something, there's likely to be less damage. 

Our ideal size of boat is 40ft or there abouts. Any smaller and it can be a bit cramped and over 56ft is getting big for a novice boater to handle alone – licensing is by the foot, so they are more expensive for us to pay for too. 

Does a boat have to be perfect?  

No, it certainly doesn’t - we are lucky that we have boats donated to us which only need a small safety modification, and they can have a veteran straight on board – that's unusual. But many boats we are offered need a great deal of work. 

Will we take every boat we are offered? 

We have to assess each boat and judge it on how much time and money it will cost, getting it ready for a veteran. Sometimes there is just too much work to be done for us to take it on. However, if an owner is agreeable, and we think the boat will make a project boat for someone else, we will accept it but sell it on straight away, with all the profit going to the charity. That way, you’ve still helped – a lot – by giving us money to refurbish another boat which is closer to being deployed with a veteran. If this isn’t what you want, then you’re free to say “no” but we’ll also say “no” to taking on a boat which isn’t right for us. 

What we will and won’t do; 

We can’t refloat your boat if it’s sunk, so you can then donate it to us – we're just not set up to do this and a boat which has been fully sunk will probably be too much of a project. 

Please don’t offer us boats half full of water, and with rubbish floating in it, that you know is only for  scrap. We will say no, and we don’t want to offend you or waste your time. 

We will do our best to move your boat as soon as we can – but we are all volunteers, with lives and families outside the charity. If you have a strict deadline, there is a strong chance we will struggle to meet it – so we may have to say no on this basis. 

We are very happy to be named in your will as the beneficiary of your boat – if you understand that it may be one we sell on. 

We won’t give a boat back to you once it’s been donated. We give you every chance to change your mind before you sign the boat over to us, as we don’t want people regretting the decision. 

If all this sounds reasonable and you’re considering donating a boat to us – please get in touch and we’ll have a chat about it.