Dry Dock and Slipway on the Aylesbury Arm
The Dry Dock and Slipway
Are you looking for a dry dock that can handle all your boat maintenance and blacking needs? Look no further than the Aylesbury Dry Dock! With its state-of-the-art facilities and expert staff, the Aylesbury Dry Dock is the region’s premier destination for boat owners. Our electronic winch allows for the smooth and precise lifting of boats in and out of the dock, while our extraction fans and heating options create a comfortable working environment.
But that’s not all—our dry dock can also lift boats to 0.7m in the air, allowing easy access to the underside of the hull. You can black your entire boat underside for maximum protection against corrosion and wear. Don’t settle for anything less than the best—choose the Aylesbury Dry Dock for all your boat maintenance needs!
Book The Dry Dock
View availability and hold your dates today — daily hire is £52 + VAT (excl. heat and electric), £210 + VAT for a lift in and out
Deposit is £30 per day
How your Dry Dock hire booking works
Booking your Dry Dock hire happens in two stages. Here’s what to expect.
Choosing your dates
Your first selected day is the day your boat is slipped; most hires start and finish on a Monday, which means, in most situations, a boat will be coming out before you go in.
We start the slip out between 8:30 and 9 AM — Your should be here for 9 AM many of our hires arive over the weekend and take advantige of our free moorings
Then select each day you’ll be in the dock, up to and including the day before you leave. Don’t select your departure day itself.
For example: if you’re booking the dock from Monday to Monday, select Monday through to the Sunday before you leave — not the Monday you come out. This is because another hire may be entering the dock that same day, right after you’ve left.
Paying for your booking
- At booking, pay a £30-per-day deposit to hold your dates. Read and agree to the documents linked below, and upload a copy of your boat’s third-party insurance (minimum £2,000,000 cover). If you don’t have this to hand, you can email it over later, but we must receive it before your booking.
- After you depart: we’ll send a final invoice for the days hired, metered electricity, and any sanding discs purchased during your stay.
Please read and agree to the following before booking
Why Choose Our Dry Dock?
- Electronic Winch: Our electronic winch allows for the smooth and precise lifting of boats in and out of the dock.
- Full Hull Access: Lifts boats up to 0.7m in the air, giving easy access to the underside of the hull and base plate.
- Comfortable Working Environment: Extraction fans and heating options keep things comfortable while you work.
On-Site Amenities for Dock Customers
You’ll have exclusive access to:
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Dedicated Kitchen Area: Sink, kettle, and microwave just for dock users.
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Private Shower Facilities
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Laundry Room: Two washers and dryers for your convenience.
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Toilets
Additional Workshops
Located adjacent to the dry dock:
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Dirty Workshop: Ideal for heavy-duty tasks; includes workbenches and vices.
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Clean Workshop: A quieter, dust-free space suitable for detailed work and painting prep.
Perfect for DIY Boat Owners
Whether you’re blacking your boat, sanding down for maintenance, or preparing for a full refit, our dry dock and support facilities are tailored to help you get the job done — comfortably, safely, and to a high standard.
What is the Aylesbury Dry Dock and Slipway?
The Aylesbury Dry Dock and Slipway is a facility provided by the Aylesbury Canal Society for lifting narrowboats out of the water for maintenance, blacking and surveys. A unique winch system gently lifts boats up to 0.7m in the air, giving full access to the hull, base plate and other vital components. It’s located at Circus Field Basin on the Grand Union Canal (Aylesbury Arm).
Why should I choose the Aylesbury Dry Dock over other options?
Our electronic winch allows for smooth, precise lifting of boats in and out of the dock, and boats can be lifted up to 0.7m in the air for full access to the underside of the hull and base plate. Extraction fans and heating options keep the working environment comfortable, and our experienced staff are on hand to help with any specific requirements.
How much does it cost to hire the dry dock?
Lift in and out costs £210 + VAT. Daily dry dock hire is £52 a day + VAT, excluding heat and electricity. A £30 per day deposit is required to confirm your booking,
What facilities are available to dry dock users?
Dry dock customers share access to: • Dedicated kitchen area (sink, kettle, microwave) • Private shower facilities • Laundry room with two washers and dryers • Toilets
Adjacent workshops include a Dirty Workshop (for heavy tasks with workbenches and vices) and a Clean Workshop (for detailed work and painting preparation).
What is the dry dock used for?
Mainly for narrowboat blacking — protecting the hull and base plate against corrosion — and for boat surveys, since the lifting system gives full access to areas that are normally underwater.
Is the dry dock suitable for DIY boat owners or only professionals?
It is perfect for both. The facility is used for DIY blacking and maintenance as well as professional surveys and repairs, with experienced staff on hand to help.
How do I book the dry dock?
Call us on 01296 252101 or use the booking widget above. Let us know the length of your boat and the nature of the work when enquiring.
What size narrowboats can use the dry dock?
71ft is the maximum length for both the Wet Dock and the Dry Dock and Slipway. Please provide your boat’s length and beam when booking so we can confirm it will fit comfortably.
Are there any additional costs?
Electricity is metered at 41p per unit, and heating at £3.18 an hour — both charged separately from the daily hire rate.
Where is the dry dock located and how easy is it to reach?
It is located at Circus Field Basin on the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal. Boaters report that navigating down the Arm is straightforward and well worth the journey through beautiful rural surroundings close to London.
Book the day Today
Dates go quickly, Secure your date today
What Customers Are Saying
“We blacked our boat here in July 2024 and cannot recommend this facility enough. Good space, modern facilities, access to fantastic kit to get the job done, and extremely helpful advice from experienced boaters. Going down the Arm was pretty easy as well and absolutely worth doing. Thank you to the team for the help! We hope to come back one day to winter moor here, that’s how much we recommend it, most friendly marina we’ve ever been to.”
“Absolutely wonderful experience whilst blacking a boat here. Staff and community are super friendly and the facilities are awesome. Highly recommend!!”
“Friendly and helpful folks with a beautifully-maintained marina and top-notch facilities.”
“Excellent boater’s facilities, free visitor moorings, close to town. Well worth the run up the pretty Aylesbury arm.”
“Aylesbury Canal Society is a friendly society where boat owners are able to moor canal narrow boats. They welcome new comers. There is pump out, fuel, dry and wet docks.”
Get In Touch!
01296 252101