Depreciation/appreciation
Cost of purchase, 2002: £50,000
On the market now: £150,000
Annual costs
Insurance: £1,425
Thames licence: £868
Mooring: £7,350
Total: £9,643
NB: Temple Marina is among the more expensive options
Regular maintenance
Hilfranor is an example of a completely yard-maintained boat. As Simon puts it: “If I’d looked after Hilfranor, she’d be worthless by now.” Every other year, Hilfranor receives new antifoul and paint (around £2-4,000) and a varnish top-up (£2-3,000). In the 2024/2025 maintenance period, she was taken back to bare and refinished, at about £8-£10,000.
Fuel consumption
Hilfranor’s two 60hp diesels will push her along at 6 knots at 1,300rpm, drinking two litres of diesel an hour each. She will cruise quite happily at around 7.5 knots at the expense of a little more diesel.
The thirty-year…