| Rugby Boat Sales | |
| Stowe Hill Wharf, Heyford Lane, Weedon, Northamptonshire, NN7 4SF, UK | |
| Contact: | James Millsop |
| Telephone: | Reveal Telephone Number |
| Website: | Visit Website |
Rugby Boat Sales is the premier high quality brokerage service. Whilst we subscribe to to the time honoured values of friendly and comprehensive customer service we also take a thoroughly modern approach to marketing in this internet driven age.
Originally started by Dominic Miles, a boat owner for 30 years and a long standing contributor to waterways magazines, Rugby Boat Sales has become established as one of the best brokerage services on the inland waterways. Dominic retired from the business in October 2016 and James and Claire Millsop, who having lived aboard for nearly seven years, acquired the business - continuing to run it with the same philosophy and professionalism as before.
The business now operates from a premises on the Grand Union at Stowe Hill, Weedon, and also has brokerage arrangements with Blisworth Marina on the Grand Union in Northants, Bugbrooke Marina on the GU in Northants and Lechlade Marina on the Upper Thames
The company is a member of the BRBA, the brokerage arm of the British Marine Federation, and as such we operate under their Code of Conduct which includes a proper protected client account for customers funds.
We provide proper paperwork for each sale and ensure that any boat being sold has the RCD certification in place, where applicable.
We produce high quality photography using professional Nikon equipment, not just a snapshot camera or worse, a mobile phone.
Our brochures are available to everyone in a format designed to work on all home printers without the need to fill out off putting web registration forms to obtain them. They are noted for focussing on the important detail in a concise and easy-to-read style and are not padded out with irrelevant waffle about curtain colours or the serial number of the fridge.
Our advice pages are extensive and are based on direct experience and boating knowledge. Most of our staff are boat owners so our love of boats is genuine and first hand.
Maisie Ellen is a sweet 46’ cruiser stern narrowboat built in 1989 by Fernie Narrowboats. She is fitted out in painted ply with solid wood trim, with vinyl and carpet flooring.
She had a hull survey carried out in March 2024, and was also blacked at the same time. There are 4 anodes fitted which were deemed satisfactory at blacking.
A step leads down, from the 3’2” well deck, through glazed forward doors and bulkhead, into the generous 9’10” saloon. This features ... read more
Lazy Monkey is a charming and very well looked after 45’ reverse layout cruiser stern narrowboat built in 2012 by Piper Narrowboats and beautifully fitted out by Brayzel Narrowboats.
She is in lovely condition both inside and out having had the front & rear decks & roof repainted in the last year and a half. She was last blacked in January 2024 and there is also a full survey on the vessel from April 2025.
The rear deck is 6’6” and is a lovely social space. Th... read more
MacMac is a charming and super cosy 58’ Semi Traditional narrowboat built in 2003 by Midland Canal Centre and fitted out by John Holmes. She has been well looked after and is in nice condition both inside and out. She was repainted in 2025 and the pram hood and cratch cover were new in 2023. She was last blacked in October 2023.
She had a full survey in June 2020, available for inspection in the office.
The pram covered semi trad cockpit is a good size and good social space for cruising... read more
Holly B is a charming 62’ semi-trad stern narrowboat built in 2001 by Andicraft Fabrications and fitted out by Warble Boat Builders. She was last blacked in May 2023, with 4 new anodes fitted at the same time.
The cratch covered well deck is 4’6”, with lockers either side and padded seat cushions, making a sociable outdoor space.
Steps lead down, through glazed forward doors, into the 7’7” saloon, with 2 captains chairs, a 240v Bush 22” TV/DVD, and a couple ... read more
Whirlwind is a charming 48’ traditional stern narrowboat built in 2006 by Peter Nicholls. She benefits from 2pk epoxy blacking in September 2024, and an engine service at the same time with a new alternator belt fitted too.
She is sprayfoam insulated, and fitted out in oak faced ply with oak trim throughout, and a mix of wood, tiles and carpet flooring.
The open well deck is 4’1”, with space for a couple of folding chairs to enjoy the outdoors whilst cruising. The stainless s... read more
Eliza Rose is a lovely 57’ reverse layout semi-cruiser stern narrowboat with an enclosed bow, built in 2017 by JD Narrowboats, and fitted out by Living The Dream. She has been well maintained, benefiting from a hull survey in May 2025 followed by blacking and 4 new anodes, and the external paintwork remains in good condition.
She is fitted out in a mix of painted ply and painted T& G, with oak trim, and oak flooring throughout (except for carpet in the bedroom).
The cruiser stern... read more
South Downs is a charming 55’0” semi-trad narrowboat built in 2005 by Colecraft. She is fitted out in a mix of oak faced ply and tongue and groove, with engineered oak flooring for a light and modern feel.
She was 2pk Epoxy blacked in July 2021, with a survey from May 2017 available for viewing in the office.
The cratch covered well deck is 4’0” with lockers either side, and a folding table for al-fresco dining. The 400L integral water tank is housed below.
Steps lead ... read more
This is a rare opportunity to acquire, Sara, an historic Icebreaker dating from the 1850’s.
A bit on the history first;
The wrought iron hull was commissioned by the Oxford Canal Company as an open horse drawn ice-breaking boat. The frames were supplied by the Harts Hill Iron Co of Dudley and she was probably built in the 1850’s making her one of the oldest craft in the inland waterways.
As an ice boat she would have been based at either Banbury or Thrupp on the southern secti... read more
Tiger is a lovely 58’6” reverse layout semi-trad narrowboat built in 2007 by M& D Engineering, and fitted out by Midas Narrowboats to a very high standard.
She was last blacked in 2023.
The semi-trad deck features a portside locker, with the Barrus Shire 45hp engine housed below. A reasonable condition pram cover keeps this deck protected from the elements, with steps leading down through the off-centre door.
The saloon is 11’0”, and features 2x single chair... read more
My Lady J is a charming 48’6” semi-trad narrowboat built in 2009 by G& J Reeves, and fitted out by Weltonfield Ltd. She has been in the same hands since new, and benefits from a new cratch cover and rear tonneau in 2023, along with blacking and 4 new anodes in 2023 as well.
The bows contain the 700L integral water tank, which creates a deep well deck (head height on the boat is 6’4”). There are lockers either side for storage, and a demountable table for alfresco ... read more