|
Hire Companies provide
the most common source of Canal and Narrowboat holidays. There are
several hundred to choose from offering a good range of locations and a
good range of services.
Things to consider:
- Reputation - As in any
industry some suppliers outperform others in terms of service and
price. It is also true to say that companies also inevitably go
through good and bad periods due to uncontrollable circumstances.
Long established large companies are likely to be the most reliable,
but do not discard the smaller companies completely. Some of these
offer equally good services at very competitive rates. Ask around
and do a bit of research, online Forums can be a very useful source
of current experience and recommendation.
- Location - Hire companies can
be found in reach of most stretches of inland waterway. Guidebooks
and facilities such as Canalplan Ac can be a great help in choosing
the part of the country you wish to explore as can various online
Forums.
- Boat and Services - The range
of Boats and services is varied. Boats vary from the traditional to
modern in several different styles and sizes. You may even come
across electric or horse drawn boats and I believe at one time a
steam powered boat was also on offer ( though I do not know on what
terms). Economy can be served by 10 or 12 berth boats, though at the
sacrifice of comfort, while at the top end of the market some very
superior boats are available - at a price. Generally boats are
covered by an AA type repair service in event of breakdown, which
serves the waterways well, but do check the reputation of your
potential hire company first to try and avoid those who might have
servicing problems.
- Marinas and Moorings. Though
there are many excellent marinas across the country, providing
moorings, shops, entertainment and a whole host of other services it
is not essential to use them. free moorings for short stays can be
found in almost any area at any time of year even in the city
centres. however it is wise not to leave looking for a mooring until
too late in the day, or you may have problems. Also spend a little
time learning how and where to moor safely, for your own benefit.
Finding the boat has gone adrift in the early hours of the morning
is not the happiest of discoveries!
- Training and safety - The hire
company will provide a brief introductory training session before
you depart, which will include basic handling of the boat and health
and safety issues. they should also leave some safety literature
with you. Do take the training and safety concerns seriously,- there
are risks for those who don't. You can find a safety guide on the
British Waterways website which is quite useful. Boat handling
issues are also discussed on Canal Forums. For those that are
interested there area number of Narrowboat handling courses as well.
- Legislation and Insurance -
For the most part these are questions best handled by the hire
company as restrictions of use are far more likely to be put in
place by the insurance company rather than the law. A licence is not
required to enable you to handle a boat, except for commercial
practice possibly. The boat should be insured against damage to
itself and any possibly damage you might do to third parties. It is
worth taking the time to check.
|
