Posh hireboat?

[richardf]

A friend of mine who is, to say the least, not short of a few bob, has asked me for a recommendation for a hireboat holiday. Having seen some of the sorry state of some of the hire boats that come past us, I just know that he would be disappointed. Does anyone know of a company that either has a one off boat or a fleet of boats that are nicer than the average? Would be pleased to hear any suggestions. Thanks

[Naughty Cal]

Posh hire boats

[Serendipity]

A friend of mine who is, to say the least, not short of a few bob, has asked me for a recommendation for a hireboat holiday. Having seen some of the sorry state of some of the hire boats that come past us, I just know that he would be disappointed. Does anyone know of a company that either has a one off boat or a fleet of boats that are nicer than the average? Would be pleased to hear any suggestions. Thanks

 

I know exactly what you mean, the standard varies enormously. Moonboats are aimed at the luxury end. No connection, except I've seen the boats.

 

Odd - my link isn't working - http://www.bath.co.uk/moonrakerboats/

Edited February 12, 2010 by Serendipity

[Chris-B]

Edited to remove silly comment !

 

 

BUT

 

What sort of area Richard ????

Edited February 12, 2010 by Baldock

[Bones]

I don't have mch experience, but I think Oxfordshire Narrowboats on the Oxford Canal are lovely as are Shire Cruisers on the Rochdale.

[richardf]

Edited to remove silly comment !

 

 

BUT

 

What sort of area Richard ????

 

I'm not sure, but it will in the spring, so anywhere nice - the Llangollen would not be too busy, Oxford Canal, Shroppie - but that may just be my choice rather than his!

[Jayseaess]

Hi

 

I think this would be near the top of my list

 

http://www.braidbarboats.co.uk/boathire/

 

Nigel

[Naughty Cal]

I know exactly what you mean, the standard varies enormously. Moonboats are aimed at the luxury end. No connection, except I've seen the boats.

 

Odd - my link isn't working - http://www.bath.co.uk/moonrakerboats/

 

So what is a luxury traditional style widebeam narrowboat?

[Athy]

Napton Narrowboats have some top-end craft in their fleet and they're well situated too.

[Neildudman]

Yep!, thumbs up for Moonboat - you wont get better - EVER.

[deletedaccount]

There's another widebeam hire company based in bath...

 

http://www.bathcanalboats.co.uk/

 

no idea what either company is like though.

[magpie patrick]

Weltonfield, just up the Leicester Line fro Norton Junction, used to have some fine boats

 

And I think both Anglo-Welsh and Black Prince have "top end" premium boats... at a price

[mrsmelly]

So what is a luxury traditional style widebeam narrowboat?

 

Crikey got to agree with you phylis, whenever I see the term, Widebeam narrowboat it make me cringe its as stupid as calling someone a Fat skinny bloke..........

[magpie patrick]

Crikey got to agree with you phylis, whenever I see the term, Widebeam narrowboat it make me cringe its as stupid as calling someone a Fat skinny bloke..........

 

I've just struggled with this in a report, as "wide beam" alone doesn't cover it (Phylis's boat is "wide beam" as it is more than 7 feet wide), so we coined the term "wide beam canal boat" with Phylis's, or a Viking wide beam, being "wide beam cruisers"

 

The Gu used to call them "wide boats" and the Manchester Bolton and Bury called them "Bastard Boats", I suspect the latter wouldn't sell well today.

[mrsmelly]

I've just struggled with this in a report, as "wide beam" alone doesn't cover it (Phylis's boat is "wide beam" as it is more than 7 feet wide), so we coined the term "wide beam canal boat" with Phylis's, or a Viking wide beam, being "wide beam cruisers"

 

The Gu used to call them "wide boats" and the Manchester Bolton and Bury called them "Bastard Boats", I suspect the latter wouldn't sell well today.

 

And on the L and L they were called short boats..........but a widebeam narrowboat....aaaaggghhhhhh

[barge sara]

A friend of mine who is, to say the least, not short of a few bob, has asked me for a recommendation for a hireboat holiday. Having seen some of the sorry state of some of the hire boats that come past us, I just know that he would be disappointed. Does anyone know of a company that either has a one off boat or a fleet of boats that are nicer than the average? Would be pleased to hear any suggestions. Thanks

 

Does it have to be the UK? There are some excellent boats to be had in the South of France.

And a better climate!

Five years ago we had 2 weeks on one of these Locaboat.

Seriously pricey but the best holiday we ever had.

 

It was actually what decided us to trade in the NB for something wider......

[Naughty Cal]

Crikey got to agree with you phylis, whenever I see the term, Widebeam narrowboat it make me cringe its as stupid as calling someone a Fat skinny bloke..........

 

And what is a luxury traditional style?

 

Come to think of it just what is traditional about a cruiser sterned, widebeamed, modern canal craft?

[RLWP]

And what is a luxury traditional style?

 

Come to think of it just what is traditional about a cruiser sterned, widebeamed, modern canal craft?

 

How long does it take for something to become tradition?

 

Richard

[Naughty Cal]

How long does it take for something to become tradition?

 

Richard

 

Not sure, but when you think of a traditional boat is it one of those for hire above?

[Richard Fairhurst]

The Gu used to call them "wide boats" and the Manchester Bolton and Bury called them "Bastard Boats", I suspect the latter wouldn't sell well today.

I've heard "fat boat" several times...

[Pluto]

And on the L and L they were called short boats..........

Apart from the ones that only worked below Wigan called long boats.......

[Ray T]

Napton Narrowboats:

 

http://www.napton-marina.co.uk/EdwardianElite/index.asp

[Roger Gunkel]

Seeing as just about every other boat that isn't on the canals is wide beamed, couldn't we just call widebeams - 'boats', and narrow ones for canals 'Narrowbeamed Wideboats', we could even shorten it to 'Narrowboat'

 

Roger

[andywatson]

Valley cruises on the Coventry seem to have a very well turned out fleet.

[Athy]

Valley cruises on the Coventry seem to have a very well turned out fleet.

They do, Andy; we moored at their Springwood Haven base for some years and were impressed by the boats - only their rather self-effacing paintwork stops them from making a stronger initial impression. I believe that they were the first (only?) hire boats to feature an en-suite cloakroom.

The Wagstaffs who built the fleet up have now sold it, although I think they still own the marina, so I don't know how the new owners may have changed the hire fleet. If they have any sense, very little should be the answer, except maybe for a splash of brighter paint!