RichardH

Anyone who thinks hotel boats are commercial enterprises in the same league as Tescos are away with the fairies. Hotel Boats are best described as 'lifestyle occupation' which means that unless you are passionate about the work you'd have to be off your rocker to consider doing it commercially (narrowboat hire incidentally falls into this category) My wife works 2 days p/w in the local high school for free. Is she being exploited? No. She truly enjoys it. What if the person who secured the work dearly loves narrowboating but can't afford to own or hire. Just think, 3 days afloat vs £750 to hire is like being paid a good proportion of that £750 opportunity cost benefit and all that. In a world where small businesses are struggling to survive, the acidic lack of empathy on here has been pretty disappointing.

To be clear, are you wanting to swap a boat or a house? I quite like the idea.

It isn't a huge surprise that very few companies are based around here - in all my time on CW, I can't recall a previous enquiry. Indeed, when we relocated in 2010 to Selby when the L&L closed, trying to sell holidays on the Aire and Calder was nigh on impossible. I think the advice of booking both boats from Yorkshire Narrowboats is sensible.

I know a man who can - will PM you details

No consultation whatsoever. In fact, it was almost a 'keep the peace move' after several of the hire companies had their guests moaned at by the householder for daring to moor there and reported his behaviour to BW.

I must admit to have chuckled at the rather grand 'Lord Vernons Wharf' they all have painted on - especially when they are moored 100's of miles away. They are nicely fitted out boats on nice shells but nothing out of this world vs the price tag.

Like that! However, I suppose the subtle difference is that the hire van company will have seen a driving licence prior to the hire demonstrating a level of competence (albeit on a 1hr test years earlier) The UK hire boat industry would probably keel over if all hirers needed say the RYA Helmsmans before hire could commence.

Perhaps he is having a very long lie down after the marathon hire boat insurance thread

I was in the Garden most of yesterday (Sunday) on the summit of the canal (i.e. one of the most scenic bits) and saw 6 boats moving. I think that rates as quiet

And people ask us 'Do you miss hiring boats'.......this sounds like a normal turnaround weekend which we were just meant to accept as ok from our paying guests.

In reality hire companies are relatively easy to mount a challenge against - they know that some guests make mistakes and with their company name on the side of the boat it is difficult to deny that the boat was there.

And she sold a couple of weeks ago to a lovely couple who are enjoying the head turning effect the boat has.

If you end up struggling I could pop out tomorrow aft and help you down Gargrave

Just seen you sail past the house - couldn't get out quick enough to holler a 'Hi' Enjoy the stretch to Gargrave it is lovely.

How much sugar? Liking the idea....

Just seen a stoppage through that another has gone down inbetween Lock 46 (second from top) and 47 at Barrowford

Correct and just a tad frustrating for the rest of the hire community who pay twice the licence he pays. I wonder what insurance they have. I do wonder how this operating model would stack up should an 'owner' ever take them to court over an issue. Heard a cracking story last week about the latest person wanting to live the dream. He called out a plumber because the toilet on the boat he had bought off ebay was blocked "Sir I think you might just need to empty the cassette" was the plumbers reply.

Half right Martin. He is just grumpy. Sorry I missed you and your lovely boat.

It is a fabulous canal and deffo in my top 5.

I have never had a problem on this stretch nor have to the best of our knowledge any of our guests in the 7 years we hired

Yes we have - we had them made up for the singles on the hire boats at a local supplier in 100% Egyptian. Still have a few brand new ones left. Can do them for £9 + postage.

I think we might have some - let me check and will come back

Thanks Howard, you were there before me!

Would you be able to own, insure a boat and earn a living from just over £100 a day if training was one to one? And on top of that is the mandatory book and certificate.

Receiving that call saying 'we've had a bit of a mishap' is sickening - I have been there. Hopefully all guests are ok.