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Hire boat with a decent bed and comfy seating.


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After our disastrous holiday on the broads last year we are thinking about giving the canals a go next year.

 

We are looking for something with comfy lounge seating rather than the typical L shaped dinette and a bed that is either wider than the normal 4ft or can be extended as such. 2 berths only needed but happy to consider a boat with more.

 

We have hired Helena from Napton and I have found a boat from Wyvern that has reclining chairs and a bed that extends. Both fit the bill.

 

Would prefer the south if poss, but this not binding.

 

Anybody hired anything like the above.

 

 

Edited by M_JG
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The posh boats from Napton Narrowboats are exactly what you're looking for, wider bed and comfy chairs or sofa in the saloon -- we've hired several 4-berth versions. For example (in descending order of price and luxury):

 

https://www.napton-marina.co.uk/boats/regency_fleet/regency_2.php

https://www.napton-marina.co.uk/boats/elite_fleet/elite_2.php

https://www.napton-marina.co.uk/boats/explorer_fleet/explorer_2.php

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8 minutes ago, IanD said:

The posh boats from Napton Narrowboats are exactly what you're looking for, wider bed and comfy chairs or sofa in the saloon -- we've hired several 4-berth versions. For example (in descending order of price and luxury):

 

https://www.napton-marina.co.uk/boats/regency_fleet/regency_2.php

https://www.napton-marina.co.uk/boats/elite_fleet/elite_2.php

https://www.napton-marina.co.uk/boats/explorer_fleet/explorer_2.php

 

Thanks.

 

We've hired an Elite 2 previously but the Regency one looks perfect.

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7 minutes ago, M_JG said:

 

Thanks.

 

We've hired an Elite 2 previously but the Regency one looks perfect.

Just be aware that they're popular (especially the 2-berth for couples) and get booked up early, last time we wanted a Regency 2 they were all taken.

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14 minutes ago, Lily Rose said:

What's occuring?

 

No insults!

 

Have you two kissed and made up?

 

 

 

I asked a question, 

 

@IanD answered it.

 

Nothing to see here....move along.

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21 hours ago, IanD said:

The posh boats from Napton Narrowboats are exactly what you're looking for, wider bed and comfy chairs or sofa in the saloon -- we've hired several 4-berth versions. For example (in descending order of price and luxury):

 

https://www.napton-marina.co.uk/boats/regency_fleet/regency_2.php

https://www.napton-marina.co.uk/boats/elite_fleet/elite_2.php

https://www.napton-marina.co.uk/boats/explorer_fleet/explorer_2.php

Those interiors are a bit old hat and boring for what is supposed to be a luxury hire boat!!

21 hours ago, M_JG said:

After our disastrous holiday on the broads last year we are thinking about giving the canals a go next year.

 

We are looking for something with comfy lounge seating rather than the typical L shaped dinette and a bed that is either wider than the normal 4ft or can be extended as such. 2 berths only needed but happy to consider a boat with more.

 

We have hired Helena from Napton and I have found a boat from Wyvern that has reclining chairs and a bed that extends. Both fit the bill.

 

Would prefer the south if poss, but this not binding.

 

Anybody hired anything like the above.

 

 

I know you didn't have a great experience on the Broads last time with the boat you hired but have you considered something a bit higher up the range from one of the other yards?

 

https://www.broads.co.uk/boats/fair-consort/

https://www.broomboats.com/holidays/captain/

https://www.ferry-marina.co.uk/holiday-cruisers/sleeps-2-to-4/whisper-emblem/

https://www.barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk/hire-boats/brinks-tempo/

 

Or something on the Thames

 

https://www.hobbsofhenley.com/Lilibet

https://www.hobbsofhenley.com/Knights-dream

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14 minutes ago, Naughty Cal said:

Those interiors are a bit old hat and boring for what is supposed to be a luxury hire boat!!

I know you didn't have a great experience on the Broads last time with the boat you hired but have you considered something a bit higher up the range from one of the other yards?

 

https://www.broads.co.uk/boats/fair-consort/

https://www.broomboats.com/holidays/captain/

https://www.ferry-marina.co.uk/holiday-cruisers/sleeps-2-to-4/whisper-emblem/

https://www.barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk/hire-boats/brinks-tempo/

 

Or something on the Thames

 

https://www.hobbsofhenley.com/Lilibet

https://www.hobbsofhenley.com/Knights-dream

 

Nice boats.

 

Various health related issues (which I wont go into) also now mean canal rather than river boating is a better option for us at the mo and probably in the future.

 

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8 minutes ago, Lily Rose said:

 

No problem, don't suppose we'll have long to wait for the next little spat.

 

 

Why not wait and see instead of stiring the poo?

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Check out the Mon and Brec. Cambrian Cruisers have a fleet of two berth boats with leather recliners in the saloon and comfy rattan style chairs on an extended front deck for outdoor living. Two of the boats are 7'4" which allows for a 4'6" bed. Also check out Beacon Park Boats. Some 7'6" and 8'6" boats and some with 5' beds. One with a hot tub on the front deck.

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3 hours ago, gabble said:

Have a look at https://www.venetianhireboats.co.uk/ - pretty much exactly what you are after. Really well maintained boats, just 3 operate from the base so well looked after.

 

gabble

We filled up with fuel there today and I commented to OH on how nice their hire boats looked. Not all covered in hire boat branding too. They looked very tidy.

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3 hours ago, gabble said:

Have a look at https://www.venetianhireboats.co.uk/ - pretty much exactly what you are after. Really well maintained boats, just 3 operate from the base so well looked after.

 

gabble

 

Very nice, cheers.

3 hours ago, gabble said:

Have a look at https://www.venetianhireboats.co.uk/ - pretty much exactly what you are after. Really well maintained boats, just 3 operate from the base so well looked after.

 

gabble

 

Thank you for this link.

 

These are our favourites so far.

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12 hours ago, gabble said:

Have a look at https://www.venetianhireboats.co.uk/ - pretty much exactly what you are after. Really well maintained boats, just 3 operate from the base so well looked after.

 

gabble

They look nice.

 

One thing would bother me though. No table to sit and eat at!

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3 hours ago, Naughty Cal said:

 

One thing would bother me though. No table to sit and eat at!

Serenissima has this, described as "a removable dining solution of a tall poseur table and stools to dine whilst enjoying the view from the windows"

IMG-20210418-WA0003-768x1024.jpg

 

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3 hours ago, Naughty Cal said:

 

 

One thing would bother me though. No table to sit and eat at!

 

We do have a fitted but adjustable table and  a couple of small folding tables on the boat which we use very regularly.

https://www.dunelm.com/product/rubberwood-tv-table-1000004916?defaultSkuId=30055361&ds_c=Living+Room_TV+Stands_[GOO-PLA+PSB-FURNLIVI-TVUNITS]&gclid=CjwKCAjw1MajBhAcEiwAagW9MTO8N7ATKKWlqoDS9t7-8r56Bx0v0tCrVC58_0eUh8sb-TNVwBPjBxoCUBsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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Well thanks for all who have chipped in with relevant comments and suggestions.

 

As things stand and all things considered it looks like one of the Regency class boats from either of Napton's bases at Napton or Autherley Junc. More likely Autherley so we can do the Ponty thingy aqueduct, Ive always wanted to do that.

 

We really like the Venetian boats but I'm put off by a few things, first being the arrangement for exiting the boat at the front (side hatch), an arrangement Ive never really liked. Second is the dining table arrangement and the third being the lack of seating on the cruiser stern which is basicly what looks like a wider padded section on the stern rail. This puts both crew either side of the tiller and in its arc. As discussed recently in another thread not really a good arrangement IMHO. Not only from a safety perspective but also it restricts movements of the tiller.

 

The Napton boats have a seat either side forward of the tiller. Additionally those boats come with a table to drop in between so if its fine you eat out back on the rear deck.

 

Thats our reasoning anyway, and thanks for the help.

 

Just need to dust off my Nicholsons and find our windlasses we kept from our boat when we sold up.

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On 27/05/2023 at 15:49, M_JG said:

Well thanks for all who have chipped in with relevant comments and suggestions.

 

As things stand and all things considered it looks like one of the Regency class boats from either of Napton's bases at Napton or Autherley Junc. More likely Autherley so we can do the Ponty thingy aqueduct, Ive always wanted to do that.

 

We really like the Venetian boats but I'm put off by a few things, first being the arrangement for exiting the boat at the front (side hatch), an arrangement Ive never really liked. Second is the dining table arrangement and the third being the lack of seating on the cruiser stern which is basicly what looks like a wider padded section on the stern rail. This puts both crew either side of the tiller and in its arc. As discussed recently in another thread not really a good arrangement IMHO. Not only from a safety perspective but also it restricts movements of the tiller.

 

The Napton boats have a seat either side forward of the tiller. Additionally those boats come with a table to drop in between so if its fine you eat out back on the rear deck.

 

Thats our reasoning anyway, and thanks for the help.

 

Just need to dust off my Nicholsons and find our windlasses we kept from our boat when we sold up.

Did you look at Aqua Narrowboats? Lovely boats, though location (Barton Turns Marina) might not suit you. They do get booked up a long time in advance though...

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30 minutes ago, IanD said:

Did you look at Aqua Narrowboats? Lovely boats, though location (Barton Turns Marina) might not suit you. They do get booked up a long time in advance though...

 

Thats our old stomping ground when we were based at Mercia so we wont really be seeing much that is new.

 

When we were based there so were Aqua Narrowboats.

 

They removed our pumpout and fitted a Thetford. They did a great job.

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