Madmark62 Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 I've heard "fat boat" several times... I have been called something like that before too,but I thought the second word was slightly longer :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrigateCaptain Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 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/ Nice boats, wouldnt hire from them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josher Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 Valley cruises on the Coventry seem to have a very well turned out fleet. We hired Calder Valley a couple of years ago - a cut above the rest, no doubt about it! www.valleycruises.co.uk/calder_valley.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1 Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 we always hire from aqua narrowboat hire they have always been spot on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 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.......... Nearly as good as those Stowe Valley boats on brokerage where the unpowered one was regerred to as a "tug style butty", (or some other such nonsense!). Not much market I guess for a "wide-beam tug style narrow boat butty" though ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tillergirl Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 For the Traditionlist Black Country Narrowboat Hire (would love to hire this one) Florence 70ft Northwich Tug. http://www.narrowboatforhire.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david and julie Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 Any particular area? I know that Claymore at Preston Brook have one hire boat that has no livery and is supposed to be quite nice. http://www.claymoore.co.uk/private-boat-experience.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo_ Posted February 13, 2010 Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 Hi I think this would be near the top of my list http://www.braidbarboats.co.uk/boathire/ Nigel We hired Skye a couple of years ago so can back up Nigel's recommendation 100%!!!! She is a simply lovely boat and, unlike every other hire boat I've had, is like a real privateers' boat! Little stove at the front, pullout on double bed which takes width up to 5', etc. Peak Forest Canal up to Buxworth is a great route. Mind you, we don't know if your pal is wanting a boat which can sleep more than two. I don't know if your pal has boat experience; they're a bit wary about giving Skye to novices I think. They're selling Skye so maybe your pal will hire, love and buy all at once! We bought our boat partly because Sky spoilt us for ever hiring anything else. Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 13, 2010 Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 (edited) http://www.napton-marina.co.uk/EdwardianElite/index.asp This is the boat type we have booked for April so we are indeed hoping they are nice. We also passed a couple of Valley cruisers' boats this week and have to say they looked immaculate externally. Edited February 13, 2010 by MJG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmark62 Posted February 13, 2010 Report Share Posted February 13, 2010 For the Traditionlist Black Country Narrowboat Hire (would love to hire this one) Florence 70ft Northwich Tug. http://www.narrowboatforhire.co.uk/ Thats the boat I would go for if we were hiring. Looks lovely and very smart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modge Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 MJG, We too have booked an Edwardian Elite for April, called Hannah. Picking it up on 3rd April. See you there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 MJG, We too have booked an Edwardian Elite for April, called Hannah. Picking it up on 3rd April. See you there? Hi Modge, We are there from the 17th (The period we are away covers my birthday hence us being on our jollies then) Our boat according to the invoice is called Helena. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredDrift Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 Valley cruises on the Coventry seem to have a very well turned out fleet. Mrs HN & I hired NB Taw Valley (49ft semi trad) last year - very well 'turned out' as you say. Externally, immaculate and internally it was very well fitted out and comfortable. If I had any criticism it would be the bench seating in the saloon but that is probably nothing more than personal preference and barely worth a mention. A nice boat indeed. Beacon Park Boats on the Mon & Brec also have some very nice boats and a delightful, if sometimes very shallow, canal. HN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy-Neil Posted February 14, 2010 Report Share Posted February 14, 2010 Surprised nobody's mentioned Middlewich Narrowboats, 'Larch'. It's an ex Challenger stealth hire boat (Spirit of Georgia) on a washer josher hull with boatmans back cabin and engine 'ole with speedwheel controls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 What about Teddesley - Linda's boats are always well turned out.Both hire bases at Middlewich are OK - Middlwich narrowboats and Andersen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neildudman Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 The thing is everyones 'posh' is different to all of you. MY posh would be solid wood floors, bling kitchen, bling bathroom (Moonraker has a Jaquzzi bath) proper matresses, Heating, quality fixtures and fittings. Some of the above dont have half of that and are running 10 year old boats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplehaze Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Well as you say its what an individual defines as 'posh', With a hire boat I would say that its down to several factors including good interior design, some boats lack storage, lovely boats but no thought of where you might put your clothes!! Ok we don't take that much but you still need somehere to put them, last year we were on a boat which had no shelves/drawers whatsoever, luckily I had a soft sided case which I could pop under the bed to hold my pj's etc. Others go overboard on storage and Black Prince are brilliant for this, so much in fact that it was day 3 before I found additional shelves!!! I would say a 'posh' boat is one that allows all on board their own berth (no need to make one up at night) a good mattress, a good layout with good storage, for us two loos (two showers is brilliant as one of our crew could shower for England) and it must be clean. We once spent our first day on board cleaning all crockery etc plus the sticky kitchen floor (a firm that no longer hires from Stone) Also of importance is how the boat handles, some are brilliant others not so good, I can't really comment as I do locks and don't steer but I have over the last 20 odd years picked up the muttering from the stern if the boat doesn't respond as the steerer would like Little things that count, decent curtains, 240v supply, decent hairdrier, mirrors (once went on a boat with none) Good hire boats - Napton, Blackprince, Ashby, and the Ginger boats at Stone (interesting exterior paint choice but brilliant boats) We actually don't expect a 'posh' boat we just want a really nice place to spend a week on board, we often try to come up with a design for the perfect boat but we are still working on it, when we win the lottery maybe we will be able to have a go Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harleyj Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 (edited) The thing is everyones 'posh' is different to all of you. MY posh would be solid wood floors, bling kitchen, bling bathroom (Moonraker has a Jaquzzi bath) proper matresses, Heating, quality fixtures and fittings. Some of the above dont have half of that and are running 10 year old boats. Somewhere to put the petite miniature beer bottles. P.S. Did you find the best named town in England.(Canalside pub for lunch tomorrow-Friday) Edited February 16, 2010 by harleyj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee J Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Hi Modge, We are there from the 17th (The period we are away covers my birthday hence us being on our jollies then) Our boat according to the invoice is called Helena. Oi. Keep your hands off! Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Well as you say its what an individual defines as 'posh', With a hire boat I would say that its down to several factors including good interior design, some boats lack storage, lovely boats but no thought of where you might put your clothes!! Ok we don't take that much but you still need somehere to put them, last year we were on a boat which had no shelves/drawers whatsoever, luckily I had a soft sided case which I could pop under the bed to hold my pj's etc. Others go overboard on storage and Black Prince are brilliant for this, so much in fact that it was day 3 before I found additional shelves!!! I would say a 'posh' boat is one that allows all on board their own berth (no need to make one up at night) a good mattress, a good layout with good storage, for us two loos (two showers is brilliant as one of our crew could shower for England) and it must be clean. We once spent our first day on board cleaning all crockery etc plus the sticky kitchen floor (a firm that no longer hires from Stone) Also of importance is how the boat handles, some are brilliant others not so good, I can't really comment as I do locks and don't steer but I have over the last 20 odd years picked up the muttering from the stern if the boat doesn't respond as the steerer would like Little things that count, decent curtains, 240v supply, decent hairdrier, mirrors (once went on a boat with none) Good hire boats - Napton, Blackprince, Ashby, and the Ginger boats at Stone (interesting exterior paint choice but brilliant boats) We actually don't expect a 'posh' boat we just want a really nice place to spend a week on board, we often try to come up with a design for the perfect boat but we are still working on it, when we win the lottery maybe we will be able to have a go Julie I concur with much of the above. Our boats are unliveried, Grace has been refitted to a 5 star standard including leather recliners. On every turnaround without fail we remove every item of kitchenware and replace with a set which has been dishwashed to ensure no dodgy stickiness ! We provide a minimum of 3 hours training for first timers (and indeed anyone who wants a refresher) Bedding is egyptian cotton, we have 2 towels per person and a fluffy dressing gown. We don't charge for hidden extras, the price you see is the price you pay. Plug over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrish Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 http://www.napton-marina.co.uk/EdwardianElite/index.asp This is the boat type we have booked for April so we are indeed hoping they are nice. We also passed a couple of Valley cruisers' boats this week and have to say they looked immaculate externally. We have hired Napton boats for the last few years from both bases at Napton and Autherley and always found them to be excellent, well equipped and maintained, staff always very helpful and friendly. We have one booked again this year in August probably be our last time as our own boat should be ready in about twelve months time, can’t wait Les & Chris H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrish Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 We hired Skye a couple of years ago so can back up Nigel's recommendation 100%!!!! She is a simply lovely boat and, unlike every other hire boat I've had, is like a real privateers' boat! Little stove at the front, pullout on double bed which takes width up to 5', etc. Peak Forest Canal up to Buxworth is a great route. Mind you, we don't know if your pal is wanting a boat which can sleep more than two. I don't know if your pal has boat experience; they're a bit wary about giving Skye to novices I think. They're selling Skye so maybe your pal will hire, love and buy all at once! We bought our boat partly because Sky spoilt us for ever hiring anything else. Jo Skye has been sold and the new boat is being finished off ready for the new season. Braidbar are building our new boat later this year and we had a meeting with Peter and Susan last week to discuss our plans. We had a look around the new hire boat and it is fabulous wouldn’t like to be the first to take it out though!!!! Les & Chris H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplehaze Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 We are off with Napton narrow boats in May going from Autherley (again) crew of 10, we love their boats, we are going with Valley Cruisers in September, first time for us, they seem very strict re the time we can pick up the boat and how we can bring the boat into the boatyard, unlike Napton, Ashby and the Ginger boats where if its ready off you go. I wonder about the attitude of hire boat companies some are so strict about when you can arrive, we have gone from a couple that were so regimental that we will never use them again, I wonder if they know that their attitude puts people off. As far as I can see if the boat is ready why not let it go out, we used Black Prince at Crick, no one allowed anywhere near the boats until 2.30, result a convoy all the way down the canal, stuck behind a novice and really irritating a fishing match. I doubt if we will go from there again. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 We found Asby particularly good regarding the issue of pick time when we hired with them in Nov and Feb. Ok quieter months but we had no problem and we could pick the boat up virtually as soon as it was ready - well before the std. 2.30pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayalld Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 We are off with Napton narrow boats in May going from Autherley (again) crew of 10, we love their boats, we are going with Valley Cruisers in September, first time for us, they seem very strict re the time we can pick up the boat and how we can bring the boat into the boatyard, unlike Napton, Ashby and the Ginger boats where if its ready off you go. I wonder about the attitude of hire boat companies some are so strict about when you can arrive, we have gone from a couple that were so regimental that we will never use them again, I wonder if they know that their attitude puts people off. As far as I can see if the boat is ready why not let it go out, we used Black Prince at Crick, no one allowed anywhere near the boats until 2.30, result a convoy all the way down the canal, stuck behind a novice and really irritating a fishing match. I doubt if we will go from there again. Julie That would be irritating. However, looked at from the other side, what do you do if the new crews for all your boats arrive at 11:00, and you release the first boat at 11:30, and find that the crew of the last boat to be ready at 14:15 are annoyed that they had to wait longest. There is also the question of whether the turnround is done properly. If you are turning the boat round, and know that the crew will be on board and off as soon as you are done, it adds pressure to complete the turnround quickly rather than properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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