Hi.
If it is your first holiday.. in a way i would say go for it as you will not have expectations.
What I forgot to say that we took this holiday after having boated for many years.. including with private share boats.. so maybe our expectations were higher? - although this does not excuse the engine problems - there again these are probs. very rare!!
Although on the flip side of the coin... if you can... I would suggest going with someone like Viking Afloat or Alvechurch Boat Hire (run by same company).... as I only have good things to say about these companies.... they are perfect... and their fleet is very nice!
(we moved one of their boats for them last summer - brand new fleet that they are introducing.. which is very nice indeed)
Can't remember the name of the base... but it is close by to the Ashby Canal.
One other very bad point about this base was that they had left everyones credit card details over the seats in the 'hut' where you check in and where the staff 'hang out' - a bit worrying seeing as everyone (especially staff) had access to all your details.