A blog about boats, fishing, water sports and having fun on the ocean
How much does it cost to rent a canal boat in the UK?
by
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.
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 rent a narrow boat?
The minimum hire is one month and monthly increments thereafter; you can hire for any duration provided it is for bona fide continuous cruising with a minimum crew of two adults over 18. Great value for money extended holiday option. Try the boating life before you buy your own boat.
The narrowboat is the modern version of the cargo vessels that travelled the canals before the railways. Now these boats contain every creature comfort and are available for hire across the UK and in Ireland. These canal boats have modern kitchens, beds which can be left made up, heating, showers and toilets.
How much does it cost to rent a canal boat in the UK? – Related Questions
Do you need a license to drive a canal boat UK?
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.
How much does it cost to rent a narrowboat?
Average monthly cost of renting a narrowboat in London: £650
Sharing a houseboat with the owner can help you learn more about boat maintenance and can result in incredibly cheap rent of as little as £300 per month, but the average rental is around double this.
Do canal boats have toilets?
Narrowboat Toilet Systems – Pump-Out Toilets. In its most basic form, the pump-out toilet is a conventional toilet which sits on top of a stainless steel tank. If you want to transfer your waste to the steel box, you need to open a flap between the toilet and the reservoir.
How much is a narrow boat UK?
A narrowboat costs just £57,000 on average, with new and cutting-edge boats costing up to £150,000. As long as you stay on top of renovation costs, it’s no wonder owning a narrowboat is attractive.
Do I need a license to drive a boat or canal boat? Unlike a car, you do not need a licence to drive a canal boat or any other kind of pleasure craft on the canals.
Is it difficult to drive a canal boat?
Narrowboats are fairly straightforward to drive but they take a little practice to master. Accidents are rare and even with minimal training, a combination of common sense, care and caution should carry you through your holiday without any problems. The speed limit on the canals is 4mph.
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.
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 go both ways on a canal?
Narrowboats can travel in both directions – however, when you encounter either a lock or a bridge, you may need to allow for one boat to enter at one time. If you see a boat approaching in the opposite direction and you predict it will reach the bridge before you, ensure you slow down and give way to them.
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.
Can you drink canal water?
Never drink water from rivers, canals or lakes.
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).