Hire boat prices vary depend on time of year and boat size but are probably between £350 to £450 per person per week. Hotelboat Holidays are usually all inclusive, fully catered and serviced, costing between £1,000 to £1,500 per person per week.
Can one person hire a canal boat?
Canal boats can be skippered and crewed by one person, and it could be a good way to escape for a while and feel like you truly are the master of your own destiny, but some experience is definitely recommended before embarking on any solo adventures.
Can you live on a canal boat?
The canal boat lifestyle is not reserved for one type of person. People from all walks of life choose to live their life floating along the waterways. The community of people living on narrowboats is like no other with a diverse group of people with similar values.
How far can you travel on a canal boat in a day?
How far can I travel? During the summer months you can expect to cruise for anywhere between four and seven hours a day. Travelling at 3-4mph for four hours a day will mean you cover around 80 to 100 miles in a week.
How much does it cost to rent a canal boat in the UK? – Related Questions
Can you moor anywhere on a canal?
Most visitor moorings on canals and rivers governed by the Canal & River Trust are often free of charge. You are permitted to moor almost anywhere alongside canal towpaths for no fee, as long as you are not causing an obstruction to the waterway.
Can you drive a canal boat at night?
If you own a canal boat, it is not illegal to drive your canal boat in the dark – however, if you are renting from a canal boat supplier, such as ABC Boat Hire, these hire boats are not permitted to be driven at night.
How far can you travel on UK canals?
At a rate of 3MPH (rather than 4 to make up for the time lost at locks etc.), this would give you a daily range of around 21 miles. This range will of course vary wildly by how many locks there are on the stretch of canal you are navigating. For example, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is exactly 19.9 miles in length.
How far can you go on canal UK?
The longest river in the UK is the River Severn, stretching 220 miles from Plynlimon in Wales to the Bristol Channel. The longest canal in the UK is the Grand Union Canal, stretching 137 miles from London to Birmingham. Cruising the whole length, non-stop, would take you 74 hours.
How long does it take to get from Birmingham to London by canal?
How long is it from Birmingham to London by canal? If you cruised the entire 137 miles by canal from Birmingham to London without stopping, this would take around 74 hours. However, you’re likely to stop for breaks in between – so if you were averaging at 8 hours of cruising a day, this would take you 9 days.
What is the speed limit on the canal?
Keep Under Control And Below The 4mph Speed Limit.
It’s always advisable to slow down when approaching other boats, locks, bridges or tunnels, especially if they are on a bend and you can’t see clearly through.
Which side do you pass on a canal?
But on most canals, unless there’s another boat coming towards you, you’ll steer down the middle as it’s likely to be shallow near the edges. When you do meet an approaching boat, keep to the right and pass ‘port-to-port’ (the left side of your boat passes the left side of the approaching boat).
Can anyone drive a canal boat?
No. Anyone over 21 can hire a canal boat with no licence or training whatsoever. Most people pick up steering and controlling the boat fairly quickly, canal hire firms will give basic training if you have no one experienced on board before letting you loose, and it is possible to take some lessons in advance.
Can you take a canal boat across the channel?
The short answer is Yes. A longer answer is Yes, but you you are advised to have an experienced crew, a properly-prepared and maintained narrowboat, and cooperative weather.
Can you take a canal boat from UK to France?
Unfortunately not; the locks in the Channel Tunnel are too narrow for British Canal boats.
What is the difference between a canal boat and a narrowboat?
Narrowboats typically have a beam (width) of between 6ft 10in – 7 ft, whereas a barge can typically be around twice the width – often around 14.5 ft. If you come across a boat which is in between, this range of vessels is typically known as ‘wide beam’ canal boats.
Is it cheaper to live on a narrowboat?
Is living on a narrowboat cheaper than living in a house? ‘Yes’ – for most people. Boats are generally cheaper to buy or rent, buy an old cruiser for a few hundred pounds! Moorings usually are cheaper than property taxes, even free as long as you keep cruising!
Do you have to pay council tax living on a narrowboat?
You may have to pay council tax if you live on a houseboat with a residential mooring.
Do you need a licence for a narrowboat?
You do not need a licence or certificate to steer a boat for up to 12 people, the maximum canal boat size. What does the boat hire charge include ? The hire charge is quoted for the boat with up to its specified maximum number of people. A full tank of fuel gives two weeks cruising time on average.