Phoenix_V

which was enforced by random checks conducted by conservancy staff at no cost to the boater and the rules not changed every year to keep someone in a job

Heres one https://www.visuris.be/waterwegenvergunning to save you reading all through a 10m boat is 174 euros/year

I would be interested to learn if anyone can come up with a single country apart perhaps from scotland were the licence fee is similar or more than here most are far less.

No idea whether its any good but there is this, cheap too https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CHVTLQ6W/?coliid=I3OX9U1FK7A9AM&colid=16ROWSQE6UN83&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

which mats did you use?

Since the tories ran our nhs down there are numerous "private" doctors surgeries now.

Our local Aldi have now sold out of Stollen

It does get a bit crowded too

I think you will find that if its left the eu for more than 3 years it will have lost whatever vat status it might have had. There is plenty of information out there on the internet, not all accurate. There may be an exception if you are permanently moving to reside in the EU?

There are many interesting areas of France where there are no hire boat bases, so I think it reasonable to assume that the hire companies have picked the most interesting areas, have a look at the blurb and suggested itineraries for any bases of interest, all will have some scenery but if you like towns that will vary most will have some small towns but larger towns are more rare. France like New Zealand and unlike the UK is much more spread out geographically. There is always a (slight?) flood/high stream risk for rivers and this last year central and mid France suffered from drought, I wouldnt worry too much about any route which needs mixing with large boats. Pont a Bar would be worth investigating lots of quiet routes, canal if its a wet summer, River Meuse if dry. The older Locaboat penichetes are lovely, proper boats.

True in Belgium though I am not sure even there if the historic canals are directly subsidised but Canada the historic canals are run by Parks Canada do the commercials subsidise them? Even in France you have the Roubaix, Charente, Somme etc no direct subsidy at all.

I keep looking at this topic and thinking what a rip off this country is so i asked AI as you do; Conversation with Gemini can you please produce a list ranked high to low of the cost for an inland waterways boat licence/toll 12 months 30 foot by 10 foot vessel leisure use home mooring in UK France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, USA, Canada Do not include mooring costs This is a challenging request as the exact fees depend heavily on the specific waterway authority within each country, the method of calculation (length, area, or a fixed rate), and currency conversion fluctuations. However, based on typical structures and current general pricing for a 12-month leisure use license for a vessel of approximately 30ft x 10ft (or 9.14m x 3.05m), here is an estimated ranking from high to low. 💰 Ranked Annual Inland Waterways Boat License / Toll Costs The costs provided below are estimates of the annual fee or toll for the right to navigate the main inland network, based on search results and common size calculations. They do not include mandatory operator license costs (which are often one-time or indefinite) or insurance. Rank Country Estimated Annual Cost (GBP/EUR/USD) Cost Basis & Notes 1 United Kingdom £850 - £1,300+ Area/Length based. For a 30' x 10' (300 sq ft or ≈28 m2) vessel on the Canal & River Trust (CRT) network, the cost is calculated by area, plus a wide-beam surcharge and potential discounts/surcharges (e.g., prompt payment, no home mooring). This is a high-end estimate for a wide boat. 2 France €500 - €600 Length-based Toll (VNF Vignette). Calculated by length for the Voies Navigables de France (VNF) network. A 10m vessel typically falls into this range for an annual leisure pass. 3 Netherlands €300 - €500+ Registration/Taxes. Registration is generally required for fast boats or those over a certain length. Annual costs may involve provincial waterway taxes, though the main operator permit (ICC/Klein Vaarbewijs) is typically a one-time fee. The wide beam may incur higher fees in some areas. 4 Germany €0 - €300 Limited Tolls. Recreational use of Federal Waterways is often free or has very low annual fees/tolls, particularly for pleasure craft of this size. The main cost is typically the one-time Sportbootführerschein Binnen (inland boat license) qualification. 5 Belgium Very Low / Free Limited Tolls. Similar to Germany and the Netherlands, the cost for a vessel of this size is often very low or non-existent for the right to navigate the main canals, focusing instead on operator licensing requirements (which are one-time/indefinite). 6 USA / Canada $30 - $100 (Vessel Registration) Registration Fees. In North America, the main annual cost is the Vessel Registration fee (state/provincial level), which is generally low and based on length. Operator licensing (Boating Safety Card/PCOC) is a one-time, indefinite fee, not an annual toll.

Not in UK but Fontinettes in France 13m. Bigger ones are available. It is actually very gentle, side filling and with floating bollards. A little bit more exciting if you have to share with a commercial though.

A big lock

I dont think they gave a reason did they? But it is a fact that rivers cost less to maintain than canals and our river only licence costs more than equivalent independant waterways such as the Wey, Avon, Chelmer. So no I dont think we should pay the same. They made a mistake some years ago when they agreed that it was possible to continuously cruise just on the Lea and Stort should have insisted on a longer range. Maybe the could increase the river fee just for continuous cruisers so that all ccers paid the same !