New and Used River Boats for Sale

River boats cover a broad spectrum of vessels, from small fishing skiffs to large houseboats. When searching for used river boats for sale, consider the best size and style for the river conditions. Narrow search results by brand, location, or price point to find the best-suited used river boat. ... learn more about River Boats

475 New and Used River Boats

Freeman 22

United Kingdom

22.01 ft.

1962

Used

A classic of the popular Freeman river cruisers built with high quality throughout, renowned for their interior finishes. Fitted with a WaterMota Sea Wolf Crossflo...

$5,699 *

Pedro H2home 1150 Cruise Edition

In verkoophaven ()

37.57 ft.

New

The H2home is designed for pure enjoyment. Designed as a holiday home to discover rivers and lakes. The H2home is easy to sail. H2home 1150 Cruise Edition The H2ho...

$246,577 *

Woonboot 38.00

onbekend (Netherlands)

124.67 ft.

1955

Used

Very nicely lined houseboat with 2 sleeping cabins. On the foredeck there is a large roller shutter, including a large space, suitable for studio or workspace, wellnes...

$166,802 *

Reddingssloep 10.50

onbekend (Netherlands)

34.45 ft.

1920

Used

Classic 1920s lifeboat

$41,438 *

Interboat Intercruiser 27 Cabrio

onbekend (Netherlands)

27.23 ft.

2010

Used

Super neat boat, new condition Lovely day boat, which you can even water ski behind. Spend the night with two people. Nice, spacious lockable toilet for all privacy....

$115,398 *

Flexmobil Houseboat Insula

onbekend (Netherlands)

33.79 ft.

2024

New

Houseboat 30 HP 4 stroke Tohatsu What is a houseboat? A Houseboat is a relatively new type of vessel. It can best be described as a sailing vacation home. The spac...

$145,821 *

Nidelv 950 AC S Line

Chertsey (United Kingdom)

31.0 ft.

2022

New

New to the UK, the Nidelv 950 A/C S-Line is a very capable Cat C Semi Displacement Cruiser suitable for light coastal and inland waterway cruising. This delightful mo...

Bates Wharf Marine Sales Ltd logo

$253,229 *

Viking 275 Highline

Reading (United Kingdom)

26.9 ft.

2016

Used

This 275 is packaged with a Honda outboard with bow thruster, 240 v ring main, battery charger, Cabin heating, to give easy boarding side cutout access rather than tr...

Tingdene Boat Sales Limited logo

$63,260 *

Vamos 46 Houseboat With Charter

onbekend (Netherlands)

47.57 ft.

2021

Used

Strong houseboat with Steel underbody, with lots of space and sleeping places for 6 people. Dutch construction. Still houseboat (CE-D) with berth in Monnickendam nea...

$194,078 *

Shetland 4 Plus 2 Soft Top

Windsor and Maide... (United Kingdom)

21.0 ft.

2011

Used

This Shetland 4 Plus 2 Soft Top is a small, family-friendly cabin cruiser powered by a Honda 20hp outboard engine is perfect for inland waterways. TheShe...

Tingdene Boat Sales Limited logo

$25,266 *

Colecraft 63

Bray (United Kingdom)

63.0 ft.

1998

Used

This 1998 Colecraft 63 Traditonal Narrowboat is a popular choice for those looking to explore the waterways in style. With its traditonal design and spacious interior...

Bray Marine Sales logo

$56,928 *

Flevo 1495 Spiegelkotter

Scotland (United Kingdom)

49.02 ft.

1998

Used

'Wave of Maldon' is a superb example of this popular size of Dutch steel motorcruiser, constructed to an excellent standard and a very high specification by the hig...

$215,300 *

Custom Notarisboot Thames Beavertail 9.65

onbekend (Netherlands)

31.66 ft.

1992

Used

Beautifully lined custom notary boat / canal boat Due to relocation for sale this beautiful custom built canal boat from 1992 with polyester hull with wooden deck, s...

$22,550 *

Motorplatbodem Varend Woonschip

onbekend (Netherlands)

60.7 ft.

1995

Used

Well-insulated ship with central heating suitable for habitation A well insulated sailing houseboat with central heating. General Steering system: Hydraulic Accom...

$83,401 *

Sloep 635

onbekend (Netherlands)

20.83 ft.

1975

Used

Unique and very charming sloop with plenty of seating and recent engine and bow thruster Once built as a solid Danish fishing sloop, this charming little vessel is n...

$15,684 *

Broom 35 Coupe

Reading (United Kingdom)

35.01 ft.

2017

Used

Jollification is a Broom 35 Coupe delivered by Tingdene Boat sales in September 2017, as one of the very last Broom Boats built for the private market. The boat has h...

Tingdene Boat Sales Limited logo

$291,288 *

Water Space Living 60ft Cruiser Stern

Nottingham (United Kingdom)

196.85 ft.

2024

Used

The Fareham is Aquavista's exclusive model of brand-new cruiser stern 60ft narrowboats. Included in the sale price is the bow thruster, stern cushions and washing ma...

Aquavista Boat Sales logo

$173,506 *

Viksund 660

onbekend (Netherlands)

21.65 ft.

1996

Used

Beautiful Viskund 6.60 with new hood and rock solid Sabb Equipped with new cockpit tent (2024). Engine, electrics, water Other: Equipped with a reversing screw ...

$10,438 *

Shetland CRUISETTE 16

Nottinghamshire (United Kingdom)

16.0 ft.

1978

Used

Caby is a 16ft x 6ft wide cruiser built by Shetland in 1978. She is fitted with a Tohatsu engine and has 2 berths. Caby is an excellent example of the very pop...

Aquavista Boat Sales logo

$8,549 *

Zalmschouw 730

onbekend (Netherlands)

23.95 ft.

1937

Used

Very special restored salmon smack with many options. Ideal to use as a sloop with sleeping possibility. Incl. toilet and kitchen. Very versatile, special restored (...

$15,212 *

Engelse Barkas Zeil Sloep

onbekend (Netherlands)

18.7 ft.

2012

Used

Self-built by seller 12 years ago: Iroko keel, corridors of Red Cedar, ash trusses, epoxy glued. Always in dry storage. Self-built by seller 12 years ago: Iroko ke...

$5,193 *

Scherpel Kajuitsloep Teak- Mahonie

onbekend (Netherlands)

24.44 ft.

1989

Used

Sloop/cabin sloop in exceptionally good condition offered by 1st owner. Yard maintained by Scherpel. Over-seam copper riveted cabin sloop in exceptionally good condi...

$34,095 *

Antaris Fifty 5

onbekend (Netherlands)

19.36 ft.

2020

Used

Ruime sloep met sterke motor Deze prachtige Antaris Fifty 5 met strakke lijnen en moderne afwerking verkeert in uitstekende staat en ziet er vrijwel als nieuw uit. D...

$47,156 *

GS 22 Tender   Electric

Bray (United Kingdom)

22.3 ft.

2023

New

The New Electric version of the GS22 Tender features the latest E-Propulsion I-Series 10kw electric inboard motor with twin long-range battery packs and provides user...

Bray Marine Sales logo

$107,483 *

Broom Boats Ocean 30

South Norfolk Dis... (United Kingdom)

29.99 ft.

1970

Used

1970 Broom Ocean 30 - Powered by a 1.5L BMC diesel 38hp. This ever popular classic is on the market and priced to sell quickly. She has been shown some love and atte...

Tingdene Boat Sales Limited logo

$18,934 *

Viking 275

Reading (United Kingdom)

27.0 ft.

2017

Used

Adelicia is a well prepared and presented example of the Viking 275, Powered by a Honday 40HP outboard newly serviced in July 2024 The boat has been fully structuall...

Tingdene Boat Sales Limited logo

$63,260 *

Motor Skutsje 20.14

onbekend (Netherlands)

66.08 ft.

1907

Used

Sailing houseboat, headroom 1.90. Total refit 2009. No duplicates and equipped with all conveniences. Very manageable sailing houseboat with bright light, equipped w...

$103,333 *

Holland Houseboat Sundeck 41

onbekend (Netherlands)

43.96 ft.

2024

New

Very durable and strong maintenance-free houseboat from the experienced Dutch builder Stamhuis. Sundeck 41 Holland Houseboat is a houseboat by the well-known Dutch b...

$207,716 *

* Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price.

ABOUT RIVER BOATS

River boats cover a broad spectrum of vessels, from small fishing skiffs to large houseboats. When searching for used river boats for sale, consider the best size and style for the river conditions. Narrow search results by brand, location, or price point to find the best-suited used river boat.

 

Main Characteristics of River Boats

River boats come in all shapes and sizes, from the smallest skiffs to large river barges. While the size and flow of the river will impact what kind of boats are most suited to traversing them, what many river boats have in common is their flat or shallow V-hulls. This allows them to navigate shallow river waters with ease. But that doesn't mean that ocean-going boats can't also navigate rivers, and you'll often see sailboats and sport boats on rivers, too.

Whether the boat is being used as a fishing boat, for long-term living aboard, or as a day cruiser will determine what characteristics make it ideal for the role. A houseboat for example, will have ample living space and home comforts, while fishing boats need to be small, lightweight and capable of navigating shallow or marshy areas.

 

Types of River Boats

Houseboats

River houseboats offer a home on the water and are very specific styles of vessel. They focus on living space and comfort over cruising (they can be either cruising or non-cruising/static styles) and offer couples or families the chance to live self-sufficiently by using features such as solar panels and LPG. They'll usually incorporate several cabins, a full-sized galley, saloon, head, and plenty of deck space. They come in all shapes, sizes, and price points so the market is hugely varied.

 

Jon Boats

The trusty Jon boat offers excellent river daytripping thanks to its flat bottom and tough hull made from aluminum or fiberglass. Suitable for even shallow rivers and waterways, Jon boats can be well-equipped for fishing expeditions. And thanks to their compact and lightweight properties, they can be launched and trailered easily from river slips.

 

Bass Boats

Unlike the Jon boat, a bass boat has a modified V-hull that allows it to cut through rougher waters on larger rivers and river mouths/bays. Bass boats are purpose-built for bass fishing (and often duck hunting), and designed to navigate the shallows and reed-laden shores of rivers and inland waters.

 

Skiffs

Skiffs, too, land in the category of river boats thanks to their small size, flat bottoms, and ability to navigate tight spots and shallow areas. These are best suited to smaller rivers and waterways, and are typically able to carry a couple of passengers for a day of fishing or sightseeing.

 

Canal Boats/Barges

In Europe, traditional canal boats, narrowboats, and barges ply the rivers. These long, slim boats are designed with hulls that run efficiently at displacement speeds and don't create a large wake that erodes riverbanks. They have cabins, heads, saloons, and galleys, and the outdoor space is usually on the roof.

 

Best River Boat Brands

With such a broad spectrum of boats on rivers, there is unsurprisingly a broad selection of brands too. When it comes to Jon boats, brands such as Lund, Crestliner, and Tracker are highly regarded in the industry, as are Lowe, Pelican, and Excel. Many of these brands also build quality bass boats, using their fishing expertise in this different sector. Other brands to consider when looking to buy a bass boat include Ranger, Nitro, and Skeeter.

On the opposite end of the size scale, houseboat builders are constructing large liveaboard vessels designed with all the home comforts for long-term river life. Brands such as Gibson Boats, American Houseboat, and Trifecta Houseboats build modern, luxurious houseboats with plenty of amenities. On the other side of the Atlantic, brands such as Collingwood, Aintree Boats, and Braidbar are just some of the canalboat brands creating traditional narrowboats designed for the narrow canals of Europe and the UK.

 

Why Choose a River Boat?

While any boat can theoretically be a river boat if the river is deep enough for the boat's draft, boats designed specifically for rivers allow for more activities. Small, flat-bottomed fishing boats can navigate even the shallowest waters and readch some of the best fishing grounds, while large houseboats designed for living on rather than cruising, means many more home comforts and self-sustainability.

 

Why are River Boats Popular?

Inland waterways offer some of the most beautiful cruising grounds there are, as well as good access to fishing and hunting. Whether a boat is designed as a liveaboard, or is a small aluminum or fiberglass fishing boat, they make popular choices for those looking to navigate on the tranquil rivers and canals in comfort and safety.

 

This article was written by Samantha Wilson in February 2024.