Guide To Keel Boat Services

Originally booked in for a replacement seacock on the 17th July 2023.

Went to see them the week prior to check they would still be doing it that day and was told by Carl (one of the owners) that they would no longer be able to do it at that time and I would need to rebook, but Simon (the other owner who deals with admin) was on holiday.

Went back in August to rebook and Simon tried to blame the job not being done in July on myself not chasing them up, which seemed both rude and ridiculous considering they were supposed to come and weigh up the job but failed to do so, and I had been to chase them up the week before the 17th of July, which Simon wouldn’t have known as he was on holiday. Nevertheless, the job was rebooked for August. Again, they failed to turn up.

This left me in a predicament, the seacock needs fixing for winter or I may face a catastrophic loss, but it’s difficult for reasons of waiting lists and personal schedule for me to now take the boat elsewhere. Reluctantly I had to book the boat back in with them for the 4th of September. Yet again, they let me down. I heard nothing from them until Simon rang on the 7th of September to tell me in a somewhat cheeky and jovial tone “bad news Ross, we won’t be able to do your seacock this week” to which I just replied “well it was supposed to be coming out on the 4th, don’t worry about it, I’ll be taking it somewhere else now”.

Literally the day later, on the 8th of September, I found out in conversation with another moorer that Simon has a boat and that it had been out for blacking at Keel boat services the week commencing the 4th of September I.e the same week in which, for the third time, they breached a contract to undertake critical work on my boat.

I certainly would not recommend travelling any distance or booking any critical jobs with keel boat services as their organisation and respect for customers is beyond the pale.

It’s difficult to find people who speak well of them in the local boating community, now I see why.

What a terrible company to work for…….advertise a skilled job with a salaried wage then just pay daily rate at not even minimum wage. No work documents requested at start of employment, no health and safety policies, Dodgy accountant and company that don’t comply with current legislation….no wage slips provided, no tax or NI contributions made, no health and safety policies being followed

Not too dissimilar to modern day slavery really….maybe thats why they have the job on indeed all of the time….probably can’t get the cheap labour since brxit

Anyone who uses this company is guilty of allowing people like these to break the law and function in an unethical way

I wouldn’t trust them and have been a boat owner all of my life

Good luck if you use them

If you ever have a problem doesnt matter how small or large this is the place to use. I would recommend them.

WE have our boat based in Tattenhall Marina and have heard nothing but positive reviews about the lads at Keel Narrowboat Services from other boaters in the marina so we took them up on the offer of a free battery health check as we knew we had a problem with ours. They came along and did a full diagnostic test… helped us out with advice on another issue we had and were nothing but helpful from the get go. We had no hesitation in booking in for the new batteries and our regular service and from start to finish we received nothing but a top notch service from them all. From the genuine fab advice, competitive pricing, full communication and attention to detail nothing has been too much trouble for them. I can honestly say I am more than happy to add my voice to the glowing reviews I have heard already…cracking business and cracking service. Keep it up guys… we are lucky to have you at Tattenhall ! and thank you for all your help with Migsy… very much appreciated.

We took our narrowboat to Keel Narrowboat Services after having a quote from another marina not too far away. Keel came in at half the cost. Our experience there was excellent. Both Dave and Carl were very professional with extremely good communication. The work content which was quite extensive was completed before time and to cost. The quality of the workmanship was excellent. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they bent over backwards to help us. I would recommend Keel Narrowboats to any narrowboat owners who want value for money with a quality service.