Our Fleet and How to Hire a Boat
Canal narrowboats
come in two distinct styles - "traditional" and "cruiser" and most hire
companies operate the latter. However, half of our fleet comprises traditional
style boats of great character although we do also have four cruiser style
boats and three semi-traditional for those who prefer them.
Our boats
come complete with a full inventory, which includes diesel, gas, pots &
pans, enough crockery, utensils etc. colour televison, all bedding and bed
linen. All our boats feature flushing toilets, shower or shower/bath, fully
equipped galleys, plenty of storage space, gas central heating (boatman's'
cabins have solid fuel stoves - fuel is provided), electric lighting and power
and comfortable furnishings. We can also supply buoyancy aids for both children
and adults. For overseas visitors we also supply free towels. You can bring
bicycles but the only storage is on the roof and they can be damaged by low
branches and bridges.
Our largest trads. are specially designed to
enable 12 people to live comfortably together - for instance they have single
eating areas and large saloons as we realise the importance of "socialising".
Large groups can hire more than one boat including smaller ones if necessary to
achieve the required capacity.
| The Traditional
Style The Traditional style or Trad. (for short) is where the cabin design follows that of the old commercial canal boats and refers usually to the size of the rear deck (or "counter") which is short in length, steerer standing between the rear doors. In our case however, we go much further than that and copy as much of the historic detail as possible, including in some cases making replicas of the famous boatman's back cabins. (see photo). In the original working narrowboats, this small boatman's cabin would be home to the boatman and his family with the rest of the boat dedicated to cargo space. We have five Trads. varying in length from: 47' ("Holly") to the 70', 12 berth "Oak", "Maple" (60', 8 berth) and "Willow" (56', 6 berth). We have a new boat for 2004, the 50' "Cedar", sleeping 2 to 4. |
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 A cosy character boat - much hired, photographed and loved! |
"Holly" 47' 4+2 berth. 1' 9" draught. Holly is a 47' narrowboat designed for easy handling making her ideally suited to both the beginner and experienced crew alike. She benefits from a 7ft long front deck with traditional cratch and cloths giving extra sitting/dogs area. Holly has a Boatmans cabin giving a traditional cosy feel to this boat. Check availability & reserve online |
 A thoroughbred among canal boats - a real "trad." among "trads."! Experienced hirers preferred. |
"Maple" 60' 8 berth. 2' 3" draught. All steel insulated cabin and boatman's cabin and forward engine room with traditional controls. Large front deck, large front windows and side doors. Large saloon, U-shaped galley with eye level grill. High quality cabinet made interior with solid hardwood furnishings. 3 double beds option. Authentic working boat characteristics. Suitable for a large family or group use. Check availability & reserve online |
 A family "trad." built to a very high standard. |
"Willow" 56' 6 berth. 2' draught. All steel insulated cabin. Large front windows, large saloon, U-shaped galley with eye level grill. Tiled shower room and high quality cabinet made interior with solid hardwood furnishings. 3 double beds option including boatman's cabin with 6' cross bed and forward engine room with traditional controls. Check availability & reserve online |
 New for 2004 - picture of similar boat. |
"Cedar" 50' 4 berth |
| Cruiser
Style The Cruiser style has a large flat rear deck which gives no protection, but it is large enough for several people to sit together at the rear - a useful feature for young families and older folk. We have four cruiser style boats. "Damson" at 60', with 6 berths, "Hazel" is a 57', comfortable 8 berth boat, "Cherry", a 50', 6 berth and "Lilac" - an additional boat for 2002. It is a 59', 8/9 berth boat'. |
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 A comfortable boat for a large family or 2 family party. |
"Hazel" 57' 8 berth. 1' 9" draught. All steel insulated cabin with large front windows. Fixed double bedroom with pipe cot facility. Large 3 cu' 'fridge and four separate cabins. Check availability & reserve online |
 A large, magnificent, spacious modern cruiser! |
"Damson" 60' 6 berth. 1' 9" draught. All steel insulated cabin and large tinted front and side windows. Built to a high specification with solid hardwood furnishings. Large kitchen, with eye level grill, large 3 cu' fridge. Master double bedroom and all double beds option. Spacious rear deck. Check availability & reserve online |
 A comfortable cruiser for a family or small group. |
"Cherry" 50' 6 berth. 1' 9" draught. All steel insulated cabin, large front windows. Sit-down shower bath. U-shaped galley. Easy to handle boat - especially good for beginners. Check availability & reserve online |
 We are confident that 'Lilac' will quickly establish itself as a popular member of the fleet during the coming season. |
"Lilac" 59' 8/9 berth. All steel insulated cabin. Large front windows with stable doors at the front. Radio/CD player, kitchen with large cooker and fridge. All singles with option for 2 doubles. All cabins have private access to toilet areas. Radiator central heating. 2 toilets. Water cooled BMC 1.5 engine under a large cruiser stern deck. Suitable for groups or large family boat. Check availability & reserve online |
| Semi-traditional
Style The semi-traditional stern has a large cruiser style deck enclosed by cabin sides and doors (but no roof) combining some of the advantages of both styles, and is becoming increasingly popular. |
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 A comfortable boat for a large family or 2 family party. |
"Almond" Length 43ft Features all steel insulated cabin with
large front windows. Saloon with sofa beds, permanent double bedroom, shower
bath. Easy to handle - good for beginners. 4 key Tourist Board rating as 2
berth |
 Showing the semi-traditional deck style. |
"Ash" "Elm" & "Poplar" Below: Boat Layout for Ash & Elm  Below: Boat Layout for Poplar  70' 12 berth. 1' 9" draught. Ash (new in 2004) and Elm (new in 2006): |
 Photo of similar sister boat |
"Rowan" Boat Plan: Semi-traditional Stern - Alternative Layouts   New in 2006. All steel insulated cabin, large front windows, galley with diesel cooker. Full size domestic shower. Large front windows and saloon. U-shaped galley. Self contained side cabin. Permanent double bed in master bedroom. Semi fixed double bed or 2 single bunks in centre cabin. Check availability & reserve online |
A fine modern boat, specifically designed for family use. |
"Juniper" 54' 6 berth. 1' 9" draught. All steel insulated cabin, large front windows. Large saloon, with U-shaped galley with gas hob.Sit-down shower bath. Self-contained side cabin & master double bedroom. Check availability & reserve online |
How to Hire a Boat
Boats are usually
hired by the week during the season March to October but there are other
possibilities. You can check availability and reserve your holiday online using
our live
availability search
Short breaks are normally 3 night weekend
or 4 night midweek at 65% of the weekly charge.
Bargain Breaks are
low cost short breaks for late bookings - please enquire.
Out of Season
for late autumn and winter hire (November and December) is becoming more
popular; the boats are warm, the canals quiet - and the prices low! Route
restrictions may apply.
Christmas Hire Eat your turkey afloat and
have a different Christmas!
Hardship Cancellation Scheme We
strongly advise that this is taken out, in your own interests. Details can be
found here.
For
further information and to request a brochure, please contact us. You may use
the form provided.