All You Need To Know

What Costs Are Included?

The costs include this full package boat hire charge, comprehensive inventory, BW cruising licence, fuel, gas, navigation equipment, maps and guides, radio, colour TV, car parking, buoyancy aides, bedding, kitchen consumables, toilet rolls, pets and insurance (excluding the first £80 of any claim).

VAT is also included at the current rate of 17.5%.

The only items not included in the price are your own food, drink, travel to and from the base, personal cancellation cover and a damage waiver of £45.00.

When Should You Book?

To be sure of getting your first choice of date, it is wise to make your booking as soon as you can. However, it is always worth checking with us, even if you are planning a last minute holiday - sometimes we have a boat available at short notice.

How To Make Your Booking?

Complete the booking form and send it together with a deposit of 50% of the hire fee to the office. We will send you formal confirmation of your booking. Later, you will receive an invoice for the balance of hire fees, together with an information package. However, FULL payment must be sent with your booking form if you are booking with less than 6 weeks notice.

How About Your Crew?

We recommend that you have at least two adults in your crew. Children will enjoy helping with steering the boat and with working the locks, but please ensure that they are supervised at all times.

Long Or Short Holiday?

The standard holiday period is one week. If you book for two or more consecutive weeks, you can deduct 10% from the second and each subsequent week's hire fee. The hire period begins at 2pm on the first day of your holiday, and the boat must be vacated by 9:30am on the final day of your holiday.

Can I Cancel?

When we have receive your signed booking form and deposit, you have a legally binding agreement which may not be broken by either party.

For your own protection, we recommend that you take out private cancellation insurancee.

What Insurance Is Included?

We insure the boat and contents and we insure for third party liability except for the first £80 pounds of any claim. We do not insure you nor any of your belongings. We recommend that you take out your own personal accident, medical and personal property insurance. (Your domestic insurance may cover you).

Novice? No Problem!

All the boats are designed to be easy to operate. No special driving licences are required and we will give you all the instruction you require on boat handling and lock operation before you set off. We will also accompany you until you feel confident to carry on by yourselves. The boat manual is full of useful information and reminders.

Where Can You Cruise?

All our boats are licensed for British Waterways which represent most of the routes open to you. The booking office staff will advise you if there are restrictions on a particular waterway. Only experienced hirer’s are permitted to use tidal waterways.

Where Can You Moor Your Boat?

In general you can moor where you please along the towpath. Do not moor close to locks, bridges or sharp bends.

Mooring is usually free.

Safety Afloat

Boating on the inland waterways is very safe. The canals are quite shallow, but the rivers can be deep. It is common sense for children and non-swimmers to wear a buoyancy aid which will be supplied free. Swimming in the canals is not allowed.

Getting To Grips With Locks

Locks raise and lower boats where waterways climb over hills. They range from picturesque to the spectacular. You will normally work the locks yourselves, but within the commercial waterways system, BW staff operate them during the normal working day. The operation of locks is not difficult and you will be shown how they work prior to the start of your holiday.

How Do I Reach The Base?

When you are sent your final invoice we send you detailed instructions for reaching the base. Free open air car parking is available. If you travel by public transport, frequent services operate to Selby. Or check out the map on our contact details.

Your Catering Provisions

Our arrangements with local shops mean that we can provide you with a good initial supply of groceries at the start of the holiday. There is no charge for this service, although you will of course have to pay for them before you leave your base at the stat of the holiday. During your cruise you will have no difficulty in finding grocery shops, post offices and other shops you may need close to the canal. You will also find many waterside pubs and restaurants which provide a welcome change to self catering.

What Should You Bring?

Your boat will be fully equipped for a self catering holiday. So apart from food you will only need to bring your own casual clothes, personal items and your own towels. You will find flat, non-slip shoes to be the most practicable both on and off the boat. The boats have a good heating system and an airing cupboard; however, as we cannot guarantee the weather, it is recommended that you bring a warm sweater and some waterproof clothing.

Drinking Water

Your boat has a large tank of water for drinking and washing.

But this will need topping up daily. There are plenty of free water points on all waterways - usually at locks and boatyards. These are marked in the cruising guides supplied.

Angling... Can You Fish From The Boat?

You can fish from your boat except in the closed season.

Fishing licences and permits will be needed.

Can You Bring Your Pets?

You may bring your cat or dog if you wish, but you must make sure that they do not go on to the beds or the seats. Dogs must be kept on a lead whilst at our base. We reserve the right to charge a £100.00 cleaning fee if the boat is left in an untidy state.