Boat Share in France | Bon Viveur



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BON VIVEUR

Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur

General information

Type of schemePrivate
Nominal number of sharers13
Year of build2004
Home mooring (2025)BV is overwintering in Toul. It will move further north, 
constantly cruising, during the 2025 season. 
I anticipate that the 2025-26 overwintering will be 
done in either Belgium, or the Paris area 
(subject to moorings being available). 

This will be the subject of a vote in the next few weeks.
Length50' X 13'
Engine Type (last known)Diesel engine Beta/Ford/Bowman Marine,
5 litres, 4 cylinder, 85 HP with Vetus hydraulic pump.
(Rebuilt 2016)
Berths4 + 4
Change over daySunday
Are pets allowedNo
Is smoking allowed insideNo
Booking system
Fixed weeks
Priority for school holidaysNo such scheme on this boat

General Comments About the Boat

Bon Viveur was built 2004, from tough fibre-reinforced epoxy composite. It is extremely well insulated and panelled throughout in both solid oak and oak veneer. It is planned to be repainted at the end of the 2025 season. Most winters the hull is treated with antifouling, and blacked every other winter. 

On the rear fly bridge / sun deck there is an external helm steering position, with engine controls, instruments
and thruster controls . There are seats for 4 for dining, with room for the two extra seats from the saloon.
 
There are steps down each side to the wheelhouse, which has a large sliding sunroof. There is an inside steering position.  It offers dining for 4-6.  The seating in the wheelhouse  is an 'L'-shaped dinette, which is on a raised plinth, providing maximum visibility through the panoramic windows. The dinette can also be arranged to provide sleeping accommodation for two. There is  floor level access, down steps to the engine.

There are steps down aft to a "first class" king sized berth owner's cabin, with an en suite shower and WC.

There are also steps down forward from the wheelhouse to the saloon, which offers a sofa bed, TV/Monitor, chairs & table, and a fully fitted galley.
 
Walk forward through to separate WC and shower on left, and  a double cabin on the right.

Walk out through a bow door to the bow front which has seating with storage, and access to gas bottles etc.

This is an ideal boat for two - four people who like to have occasional guests. Although it can take eight people we would not recommend this for extended cruising.

Dimensions 

Length overall: 50 ft approx.
Beam: 13 ft approx.


Engine / Propulsion
 
A Beta / Ford / Bowman Marine diesel engine, 5 litres, 4-cylinder, 85 HP. In lieu of conventional marine gearbox, a variable Vetus hydraulic pump is installed which drives the main prop, or the bow and stern thrusters. It is very easy to manoeuvre, even sideways or turning within its own length.

Capacities

Fuel tank approx. 350L, Fresh water tank Holding tank approx. 800L
Starter battery 
Service / inverter batteries 2 x 240 Ah
Alternator 2 x 150A
Inverter 230 V
DC Charger 50 A
Shore power 230V
Automatic and manual bilge pumps

Deck / General Equipment

aft boarding ladder
port & starboard and stern navigation lights
forward headlight, and fold-down navigation / anchor light
rails around aft deck
full width Bimini hood & “shade sheet” with clips
external helm with stainless steel ship's wheel
engine controls and instruments
forward & reverse and bow & aft thruster controls in both steering positions
2 Houdini roof hatches, 1 in forward cabin, 1 in saloon
Anchor & manual anchor winch with shaft handle
30m chain, 30m warp
6 stainless steel mooring bollards
6 mooring lines
4 mooring spikes
1 4lb hammer
8 s/s fender eyes
2-4 'balloon' fenders medium and large
6-7 finger fenders assorted sizes
6 ladder fenders
1 step fender
1 gang plank
2 poles with hooks
flags and staff + securing device
2 shore power leads
2 13kg propane bottles (Europe) + regulators
Fire extinguishers throughout
2 smoke alarms
Six slimline life jackets
 (NOTE, no children’s jackets are provided, ensure you bring suitable ones for your children’s weight / height)
1 x sun umbrella for upper steering position
A full set of mooring ropes and lines
2 solar panels
Smart gauge for battery management
Electric cable and assorted connectors
2 x water hoses and assorted connectors

Aft Cabin - trimmed and panelled in oak

5ft wide bed with good quality foam mattresses
storage below for tools and accessories
cupboards, drawers, wardrobe, large open shelved storage area (takes cases)
Bedside tables with storage 
3 pairs curtains with tie-backs 
Carpeting
Central heating radiator
LED lights and reading lights
Electrical Sockets (UK)

Aft en suite WC & shower

Sea toilet with hand pump
Basin with tiled vanity unit
Mirror and shaving mirror
Towel rail
Tiled shower cubicle with curtain
Electric shower pump-out
Central heating radiator

Wheelhouse - trimmed and panelled in oak

L-shaped dinette with removable/washable upholstered foam cushions for conversion to double bed
Demountable table
 Helmsman's stool
Ship's wheel, mahogany
Engine controls and instruments
Thruster controls
Double USB socket and 'cigarette lighter' style power socket
First Aid kit, 2 throw lines
Diary, Maintenance log
Maps and guidebooks
carpeting
Central heating radiator
2 fire extinguishers
4 mooring spikes
Sledgehammer and club hammer 
LED lights
Access to all fuses

Forward Cabin - trimmed and panelled in oak

4ft 6" wide bed with sprung mattresses
Three storage units below for duvets, pillows, and 'stuff'
(duvets are provided and regularly replaced but bring your own linen)
Drawers, wardrobe, bed side unit and shelves
2 pairs curtains with tie-backs
Large mirror
Carpeting
Central heating radiator
Fire extinguisher
LED lighting

Forward WC

Sea toilet with hand pump
Basin with tiled vanity unit
Mirror
Towel rail
Central heating radiator

Forward shower

Tiled shower cubicle with curtain
Towel rail
Electric shower pump-out
Central heating radiator

Saloon - trimmed and panelled in oak

Slide-out sofa-bed with removable/washable upholstered foam cushions
Vacuum cleaners (stored under sofa bed)
Storage cupboards
Radiator, carpet
Fold away table & 2chairs
 
Galley

Fridge with freezer compartment
1 propane cooker with 4 burners.
A 2 slice electric toaster and 1.5 kw electric kettle (these two items are hook up only).
Drawers and cupboards
All kitchen equipment - cutlery and crockery
Fire extinguisher
Fire blanket
Tool drawers
Wine rack

Technical

1 kit engine spares - fan belts, impellers, oil filters, alternators - constantly updated
1 tool kit which allows for most on the go repairs and servicing 
Miscellaneous tools, paints and brushes
Miscellaneous spare pumps and containers
1 spare toilet bowel
1 kit toilet spares
1 instruction manual and one folder of manuals for all equipment
1 ship's log
1 SSR certificate

The above list is meant as a general guide and if there is something there that you consider essential please check with the vendor that the item is on the boat, or can be obtained.
 

 



Pictures of the boat

Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur
Shared French cruiser Bon Viveur

Specific details for the share offered

Size of share as a percentage or fraction2 fixed weeks
Price in UK Pounds£2,000
Reason for sellingThese shares were bought back by the 
syndicate as part of a consolidation, 
and are now offered to the public.
Pre-booked weeks included
2025

Sunday 26th October 2025 (UK Half Term) 
& Sunday 2nd of November 2025.

2026

The dates in 2026 will be 
Sunday 25th October 2026 (UK Half Term) 
& Sunday 1st November 2026.)
Holiday entitlement with share offered here.Two fixed weeks per annum
School holiday option possible?There is no such scheme on this boat
Running costs for 2025£950 per week owned

(See comments below)
How are the running costs to be apportionedOn the basis that the incoming owner would take 
both of the weeks for 2025 they would be asked to 
pay the 2 weeks total of £1,900
Contact details for vendor
kelvin.harding@gci-ltd.co.uk

General comments by vendor

Note re fees 2025

The fees for 2025 are 950 GBP per week owned (this was due to extensive work being done to the wheelhouse to make it watertight, and repair / renew framing and veneer, and to replace the front door and hatch, and replacing the front locker lids.)
We also replaced the engine water pump and the heat exchanger along with various upgrades and renewals.
(This is also expected to contribute towards painting the boat at the end of the 2025 season.)
There are 29 shares for 29 weeks starting around the end of March and running until the end of the third week in October. Each share entitles the owner to use the boat one week. Please see section above entitled “Pre Booked weeks Included”

The owners agree among each other where to hand over.

New Eberspacher heater fitted in 2019

Wiring updated in 2020

New Victron installed in 2020

Galley refit completed in 2020

Interested purchasers can be supplied with the Minutes of the last AGM (November 2024) including the accounts delivered at that time, and up to date Current Account and Reserve Account balances at the time of the request.

RUNNING COSTS : 
 
The running costs are agreed by a vote of all owners at the AGM each November.
The running costs for 2023 were £450 per week owned
The running costs for 2024 were £700 per week owned
The running costs for 2025 are £950 per week owned
 
Note re: The increase in Fees for 2024 and 2025

These are due to extensive work being done to the wheelhouse to make it watertight, and repair / renew framing and veneer, and to replace the front door and hatch, and replacing the front locker lids. We also replaced the engine water pump, the heat exchanger, and had the raw water pump serviced, along with various other upgrades and renewals.

This increase is also expected to contribute towards the painting of the boat at the end of the 2025 season.
 
Shares / Owners
 
There are 29 shares for 29 weeks starting around the end of March and running until the end of the third week in October. Each share entitles the owner to use the boat one week. These shares are currently held by a total of 13 owners. Please see section above entitled “Pre Booked weeks Included”
 
Please note that there must be at least one owner on board with an International Certificate of Competence when the boat is underway..
 
The owners agree with each other where to hand over.
 
MORE READING
 
Although a little out of date now there is an interesting article from Waterways World about shared boating in France that includes Bon Viveur and Bon Viveur II . Read it here and here .

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