The boats come comprehensively equipped for your holiday. Really all you need to bring is clothing and food. It is best to have rubber soled shoes for working the boat, and you should bring some wet weather gear, in case of inclement weather.
Are the narrow boats centrally heated?
Yes, all our boats are centrally heated . There are hot water tanks on the boats as well so that you can have a shower at any time.
Yes. Fixed beds normally have an interior sprung mattress, or are 5" high density foam mattresses which have to conform to special standards to ensure that you are comfortable.
Is there a fridge on board the narrow boat?
What sort of cooker is on the narrow boats?
All our holiday narrow boats have gas cookers (the gas is included in the cost of the holiday). These all have 4 rings, as well as an oven and a grill. Please remember that cooking times can vary compared with the more usual natural gas at home.
Is linen provided on board the narrow boats?
Yes, all berths are supplied with a full set of freshly laundered linen, two pillows, a sheet and a duvet. One bath towel per customer is also provided.
Can I bring my hairdryer on board?
All of our boats are fitted with a 240v hair dryer.
Can I charge a mobile phone or camcorder on the narrow boat?
Yes, all of our boats have in-car chargers and 240v power supplies.
Yes on some of our boats. Please refer to the holiday narrow boat layouts to find our pet friendly holiday narrow boats. There is a charge of £30 per pet per week.
On all holiday narrow boats apart from Silver Fox we can offer a cycle rack to carry 2 cycles.
Can I fish from the narrow boat?
Fishing is allowed provided that you have a current E.A. rod licence. Most clubs will not object to you fishing from the boat, but some may require you to purchase a day ticket. This varies from area to area. Please check with the boatyard on arrival.
Can I stop anywhere I like?
Just about. Please do not moor you holiday narrow boat near bridges, junctions, locks or in other company's boat yards without their permission.
Are there pubs beside the waterways?
Yes, these are marked on the maps and cruising guides.
Will there be enough fuel on the narrow boat?
Yes, you will take over your boat fully fuelled. In most cases there will be plenty of fuel for your holiday. Occasionally, such as on an extended holiday, you may need to refill during your holiday, and you will be advised about this situation at the start of your holiday. If this is the case, you will be asked to obtain a receipt and the boat yard will refund you the cost on your return at the end of the holiday.
How do I get water?
There are water points along the waterway, normally at least every 4 – 6 hours cruising. Always try fill up with water at least once a day. Remember you are not connected to the mains!
Will the children enjoy a narrow boat holiday?
Yes, in fact if they are 10+ they will probably take over! They just love to drive the boats, under supervision of course (and where else could they do that?) If you have active children try the river Nene with plenty of locks and open countryside. It is very rare for children to get bored since there is always something for them to do.
Do I need a licence to drive a narrow boat?
No. You will be fully trained as part of the handover routine in how to drive the holiday narrow boat and operate the locks by one of our RYA qualified instructors. Your instructor will not let you commence your narrow boat holiday until he is fully confident in you being able to handle the holiday narrow boat. The show round and training can take around an hour at the start of your holiday.
Is my narrow boat licensed for all waterways?
Your boat is licensed for the rivers Cam, Great Ouse, Nene and Middle Level Navigations. These are shown on the map.
What speed can I do on the narrow boat?
The rivers have a limit around 4 mph, (about walking pace) with some wider rivers having a slightly higher figure usually 7mph. When working out the timing of a route, you need to also allow about 15 minutes per lock. This means that in one hour you should expect to cover either 4 miles, or do 4 locks, or a combination of them both!
How deep are the rivers?
Most rivers are between 3 and 7 feet deep. We supply buoyancy aids for the crew prior to your departure.
How likely is it that I will get lost?
Unlikely, but we would recommend that you buy a guide for your route either when you book, or from the Hire Base before you set out. They are not only useful for your route, but also for pinpointing pubs, shops and local points of interest. If you are uncertain when you get to a particular junction, just ask. Remember the locals are friendly. We have never lost a boat yet!
What happens if we have a problem with the narrow boat?
We provide you with a Holiday Narrow Boat Manual which stays with you on your holiday. In the event that you are unable to resolve the problem yourself we have a 24 hour, 7 days per week, emergency service. At night we will only come out for an emergency.
Can I park my car at the base?
Yes there is plenty of car parking at our base, which is free to our customers for the duration of their holiday. We regret that we are unable to accept responsibility for loss or damage to customers' vehicles.
Can you recommend a hotel for the night before my holiday?
We recommend you check the accomodation list for accommodation before or after your holiday. Visit their websites for further details. If you wish to extend your holiday with a shore based short break Common Right Barns is worth a try.
Can I take over the narrow boat at times other than the published ones?
Yes, we can arrange for a member of staff to be available at a time to suit you. Obviously we can only perform the show round during daylight hours, so if arriving in the evening, this will be performed the next morning. There may be a charge for this service.
What happens if I have to cancel the holiday?
You are advised to take out cancellation Insurance Cover to protect you in the case of cancellation.