Nicols
new boats for sale

New Nicols Boats

Nicols is the premier builder of dedicated inland waterways boats, 100% made in France

Nicols has 35 years’ experience in designing boats for its discerning rental customers – boats that are perfectly suited to exploring and enjoying the beautiful French rivers and canals. Nicols’ experience also extends beyond design to the demanding boat-building practicalities of construction, fitting out, finishing and commissioning.

Every one of Nicols’ own 500-strong fleet was made by Nicols, is used by Nicols’ clients week-in week-out, and is maintained by Nicols. This is an unequalled track record of development and a fund of expertise; one that Nicols’ private buyers take full advantage of.

In addition, as professional boat-builders proud of their work and keen to use their skills, Nicols is always delighted to discuss, develop and incorporate bespoke features, layouts and particular systems and equipment tailored to clients needs and wishes. Nearly every aspect of boat building takes place within Nicols large spotless factory at Cholet in western France, so they have the resources to be completely flexible about customisation.

Series and Models

Nicols Design Series and Boat Models

All of the 19 models of boat within 3 design series are available new and built to order, for private purchase. Layouts – for 2 to 12 people – and features are not just tried and tested; in many instances they have been improved and modified in the light of client comments and suggestions. And of course, every boat is not only designed to be aesthetically pleasing but also engineered and constructed to be practical, robust and reliable – ‘from the keel up’.

These are the three Nicols series of inland waterways boats, available to purchase new. For further information use the Enquiry Form.

Nicols Estivale Series – 6 models – 2 to 8 persons

The Estivale series of boats is newly introduced and provides a large ‘walk through’ rear (aft) terrace that is perfect for eating or relaxing. A staircase (moulded into the hull) gives access up to the ‘flying bridge’ (the upper deck) which provides superb elevated views of the passing scene as well as good visibility for a steering position. A galley (kitchen) is fully equipped to a high standard and cabins and shower rooms are spacious and comfortable.

Nicols Estivale Fly Series Boats

The 3 new Estivale ‘Fly’ series boats – 2, 3 and 4 cabins – represent the ultimate development of Nicols’ design and engineering approach. Each features a spacious extended upper deck under a bimini canopy. Click for full details of each boat.

Sedan and Confort models

Nicols Sedan Series – 9 models – 2 to 10 persons

The Sedan series is a very distinctive pleasure boat design and has become Nicols’ unique trademark. The superb saloon has a panoramic view and includes the skipper’s steering position. Large glazed sliding doors give direct level access to the rear sun deck which is perfect for relaxing and dining beneath its integral canopy.

Nicols Grand Confort Series – 4 models – 4 to 10 persons

Grand Confort centre-saloon boats provide space, luxury and maximum comfort. Below deck, headroom is predominantly 2m in height and all private cabins have en-suite shower-rooms. There is also plenty of room to enjoy the passing scene, including a forward terrace at the bow that is perfect for relaxing with a cool drink, a rear deck for sitting and dining, and an upper sun deck with its own steering position.

Ownership Programme

All these boats are available to purchase new and be operated by Nicols under the Ownership Management Programme.

Ownership Programme

Ex-Fleet Boats

Nicols has some retired hire fleet boats available for purchase, located at bases in various parts of France.

Ex Hire Fleet Boats

Finance

Nicols offers personalised financing through their banking partner,  the Banque Populaire Atlantique. For new boats BPA can provide leasing with option to buy, over a period of 4 to 10 years, with an initial lease payment from 20% to 50%.
Ex-fleet Nicols boats can also be financed with standard credit (generally 3 to 7 years). Financing proposals are drawn up on a case-by-case basis. In the first instance, contact Nicols.

Contact Nicols

Piscinette Pool

An exclusive optional feature for Nicols canal and river boats

The French canal and river network is the most extensive and most delightful in the world. Exploring the waterways, passing through towns, villages and beautiful countryside – usually in bright sunshine – is enjoyable almost beyond compare. Equally enjoyable is the opportunity to ‘take a dip’ and with most natural waterways this may be possible.

The unique Nicols Piscinette expands this delight still further, providing one’s own private small pool, with clean water at a warm temperature, the depth certain and the poolside safe. A great splashy playground for the young – and the not so young!

The pool is rather like a floating trailer that is fixed to and towed behind Nicols’ boats. Every recent type of boat in the Nicols fleet is suitable – Sedan, Grand Confort or Estivale. The boat attachment is completely secure and a boat equipped with a Piscinette is as easy to drive as one without. Overall, it is 2.55m long by 3.10m wide and the pool holds 700 litres of fresh clean water that is brought to a comfortable temperature through connections to the boat engine heat exchanger. There is also a circulation pump and filtration skimmer, to keep things sweet, just like its full-size cousins.

The Nicols ‘pool annexe’ has guard rails, storage boxes – and when the pool is not in use, it has sliding rigid covers robust enough to stand on or keep things on.

After Sales

Nicols Boat Maintenance and After Sales Services

The very best care for your French inland waterways canal or river cruiser from the network of Nicols bases

Nicols designs, constructs, fits out and finishes every boat in its fleet itself. And every boat is not only designed to be aesthetically pleasing but also engineered to be practical, robust and reliable – ‘from the keel up’.

As one of France’s leading boat hire companies, Nicols naturally has a well resourced, high quality network of bases. Each one is a dependable resource of expertise and experience because a key factor in Nicols’ business success is the rigorously planned maintenance programme to keep its fleet in the best possible condition.

Nicols also has the skills available to deal quickly and professionally with the day-to-day repairs that may be necessary. Throughout the year Nicols’ staff work to keep their boats in the optimum condition that customers rightly expect.

Purchasers of Nicols boats can draw on this valuable resource, one that is available throughout France. Each base has slightly different facilities but, taken overall, Nicols can provide ‘plaisancier’ clients with:

• Expert advice, either direct at a local base or via the Nicols head office at Cholet in mid-western France.
• Moorings (off-season and in-season) and yard storage (dependent upon local circumstances).
• Winterisation – engine, water system, etc.
• Maintenance and servicing
• Repairs – mechanical, systems, installations, bodywork, glassfibre, metalwork
• Equipment – additions and enhancements.
• Lifting out, cleaning off, attention to hull, propulsion, steering and antifouling.
• Parts and accessories sourced from Nicols own comprehensive stockholding.