Boating Tips for Hirers

[Cruising Mike]

As someone suggested in another thread, i thought it would be good to create a new thread where people can share tips they use to help them as a hirer. Tips on storage and any other things. Private boats can be mentioned only in reference to an example. Already mentioned has been storage drawers and plastic shelves with suction cups.

 

I will start us off....

 

Beer cans - Instead of using up valuable space in the fridge, Put them outside during the cooler months, perhaps in the storage bins on the bow. This will keep them relatively chilled. In the warmer summer days, do the same, but this time before consuming, wrap them in kitchen roll then soak them. Put them in the freezer, and they will be ice cold throughout within 10-15mins

 

Wine - Buy only the 3/5L boxes as these take up less space and can be stacked.

 

We always (if possible) hired a boat with 1 or 2 extra berths than needed. Use that bed space for storing stuff such as clothes, bags, microwave?, Deck chairs etc

[Ricco1]

If it's your first hire do a bit of research before you turn up. CRT's 'Boater's Handbook' isn't comprehensive, but it gives some useful tips, and covers at least some safety aspects. I email a copy to all my day boat customers, experienced or not, a few days before their trip.

[Naughty Cal]

Don't set yourself destination targets and over optimistic cruising targets, it's a holiday, it is supposed to be relaxing.

[Cruising Mike]

Valid advice. I personally find it is advisable for hirers, especially first timers to do a little research towards daily targets in order to keep on schedule, which really only applies to cruising rings. Depending who you are, it can also be part of the fun!

[Bunny]

Take more than one pair of trainers and a spare umbrella. Cords for specs , leave mobiles inside the boat not your back pocket. Get a map and agree on how long your day should be or the best pub to stop at . Lifejackets for dogs and non swimming children , don't let the kids hang their legs /hands off the boat (legs ect can get broken) or wander around on top of the boat ( knocked off by bridges) . Bunny

[b0atman]

Be wary of falling into the trap "I like this want one" it has snared a few of us ex hirers.

[cuthound]

Don't try a ring for your first holiday, once past the midpoint any delays will force you to rush to get back on time.

[Burgiesburnin]

Agree who will lock up and keep the keys when you leave the boat to go shopping or the pub.

[mango]

Beer cans - Instead of using up valuable space in the fridge, Put them outside during the cooler months, perhaps in the storage bins on the bow. This will keep them relatively chilled. In the warmer summer days, do the same, but this time before consuming, wrap them in kitchen roll then soak them. Put them in the freezer, and they will be ice cold throughout within 10-15mins

You will save more space if you drink in the pub instead, and you can have proper beer too.

[pophops]

If the local Alvechurch hirers are anything to go by don't forget the pirate costumes and ghetto blaster.

[Pete of Ebor]

orrr

 

You will save more space if you drink in the pub instead, and you can have proper beer too.

Well said mango !

On our first trip way back in 1992, we took two polypins of beer, (approx 9 gallons) wondering whether that would be enough for 8 of us for a whole week. We didn't even finish the first one ! We found there is no need for beer on board, except for a relatively small amount for use in an emergecy. We did once arrive at The Anchor at High Offley at about noon to find it shut, and not knowing whether it would open later or not at all - and getting no answer on the phone either. We drank the emergency beer, and once that was gone, as The Anchor was still shut, we headed for Norbury Junction, ans still had a good lunchtime session.

 

The only time the emergency beer failed was on a trip up The Huddersfield Narrow. We'd had to drink it the day before and hadn't replenished supplies when we arrived at Milnsbridge. We found two pubs closed and a third open but with no real beer. They blamed it on some Morris Dancers drinking the pubs dry... It has now entered our vocabulary...

.. to do a Milsnbridge.. (v) To arrive at a village or pub where there is no beer.

[Laurie Booth]

Be wary of falling into the trap "I like this want one" it has snared a few of us ex hirers.

Yep, we fell into that trap.

[Alan de Enfield]

However slowly the helmsman thinks he is going, it will be too fast for 'the wife / child etc' to lasso a bollard / cleat - and - if they do manage it, they will get 3rd degree rope burns trying to stop the boat.

[Naughty Cal]

Don't be tempted to try and use your extremities to stop the boat.

[Cruising Mike]

You will save more space if you drink in the pub instead, and you can have proper beer too.

True. And I'm a big fan or going to pubs. But it can get expensive if went every night

[Janet S]

From the other thread...

 

One of our tricks is to use a large recycling box to pack most of our canned/dried foodstuff and supplies. These are packed in the box in carrier bags. On arrival at the boat the first thing we do is pull the bags out and dump them in the kitchen. We then fill the box with the stuff on the boat that we know we won't use - cafetiere, tea cups/saucers, egg cups, teapot, milk jug, egg poacher, rolling pin (yes really, there was one one board on of the boats we hired!) etc and we put this in the boot of the car ready to replace when we get back. We had one boat that had no less than three sieves, all taking up valuable storage space in the kitchen cupboard!

On arrival, we usually empty our bags of clothes straight onto our beds and all bags are then put back in the boot of the car to save storage space on board. It's a two minute job to pack them when we're leaving.

We also pack small things, toiletries etc in a plastic biscuit tin which is very useful to keep on the boat roof or the back deck to hold anti-vandal keys, mobiles, BW keys, glasses, sun cream, cigarettes, lighters, hand sanitiser etc - it usually sits inside the life ring on the top of the boat so no danger of it going overboard and it's a simple matter to put the lid on if it rains! This way we always know where everything is and there's no hunting around in pockets to find out who has the BW key!

[Timx]

use latelink and book late if u don't have a fixed idea of where u want to start, otherwise your paying stupid prices

[Ange]

From the other thread...

One of our tricks is to use a large recycling box to pack most of our canned/dried foodstuff and supplies. These are packed in the box in carrier bags. On arrival at the boat the first thing we do is pull the bags out and dump them in the kitchen. We then fill the box with the stuff on the boat that we know we won't use - cafetiere, tea cups/saucers, egg cups, teapot, milk jug, egg poacher, rolling pin (yes really, there was one one board on of the boats we hired!) etc and we put this in the boot of the car ready to replace when we get back. We had one boat that had no less than three sieves, all taking up valuable storage space in the kitchen cupboard!

On arrival, we usually empty our bags of clothes straight onto our beds and all bags are then put back in the boot of the car to save storage space on board. It's a two minute job to pack them when we're leaving.

We also pack small things, toiletries etc in a plastic biscuit tin which is very useful to keep on the boat roof or the back deck to hold anti-vandal keys, mobiles, BW keys, glasses, sun cream, cigarettes, lighters, hand sanitiser etc - it usually sits inside the life ring on the top of the boat so no danger of it going overboard and it's a simple matter to put the lid on if it rains! This way we always know where everything is and there's no hunting around in pockets to find out who has the BW key!

You've got this down to a fine art Janet! Some excellent tips there - wish we'd have thought of them when we were hiring

[Radiomariner]

Insist that all crew avail themselves of pub toilet facilities before returning to boat.

 

A popular brand of pillow manufacturers supply pairs of pillows enclosed in a zip up soft sided suitcase like container. We pack clothing etc. into these to take on the boat. They can then be unpacked after moving off the berth. When emptied the cases can lie flat under a mattress, and can be packed again before arriving back at hire base. (Don't have to wait until suitcases otherwise stored in car are fetched, emptied/packed )

[cuthound]

When setting off from the boatyard, untie the ropes at the land end, not the boat end.

 

Don't ask me how I know this, but luckily on our first hire (camping boat with the Scouts in 1973), we took a canoe, and were able to sent the offender back in the canoe to collect mooring stakes and ropes, when we found we couldn't tie up on the first night.

[mango]

True. And I'm a big fan or going to pubs. But it can get expensive if went every night

Sacrifices have to be made.

[Cruising Mike]

I really like the idea of bringing a box full of goods, and then emptying it on board before stocking it again with unwanted stuff to be stowed in the car. That's a great idea.

 

Another tip, speaking from experience, is to make sure children (Especially younger ones) have things to do. Games, puzzles, books etc. Or in this day and age, make sure there are enough games and films loaded onto tablet, phone etc.

 

I spent many a day building triangle towers using playing cards.

[Janet S]

Take extra strong cooking foil and use it to line the grill pan and oven shelves. Saves a lot of time cleaning on the last night. We tend to do a lot of complete meals in the oven as it means we can cruise for longer.

 

We like to leave the boat spotless so we always do the majority of the cleaning on the last evening then treat ourselves to a nice meal out. It means that both of us get to enjoy the final cruise back to the hire base rather than one being stuck inside cleaning!

 

Our cruises can be anything from two weeks to a full month so we try and plan menus in advance to help with buying supplies. We use the plastic containers from the Chinese chippy to freeze ahead things like Bolognese sauce, chilli con carne, curry etc. Once frozen we take them out of the tubs and wrap them in clingfilm. You'd be surprised how many meals you can get in the freezer compartment in the fridge!

 

Take a good, LOUD whistle with you to attract attention if needed. When working locks its not always possible to hear the boat horn above the noise of the water to alert the person working the lock that there's a problem. It shouldn't be needed if they are paying attention and watching the boat but people do get distracted.

 

Particularly if there's only two of you, work out a series of hand signals so you can communicate when one's working the locks or swing bridges. We have signals for dropping the paddles or slowing down the rate of fill, a very air stewardess type one for the lock wheeler to indicate which side to pick them up on and a walking finger type one to indicate that they're going to walk to the next lock. Sounds daft, but it works! As I'm usually steering the boat my OCM can tell me that there's a boat waiting to come in, there's a vicious bywash to avoid on the left and that he's going to walk to the next bridge hole to be picked up.

 

Janet

[Cruising Mike]

We always took our slow cooker with us (with permission from the hire firm) and this makes life so much easier. You can cook lots of things in it. Plenty of cookbooks out there. Bung it all in in the morning and it will be ready to eat when you are finished. And makes the boat smell nice whetting your appetite! Especially if you are on the stern and the fumes waft past you when cruising.

[Dyertribe]

Insist that all crew avail themselves of pub toilet facilities before returning to boat.

 

A popular brand of pillow manufacturers supply pairs of pillows enclosed in a zip up soft sided suitcase like container. We pack clothing etc. into these to take on the boat. They can then be unpacked after moving off the berth. When emptied the cases can lie flat under a mattress, and can be packed again before arriving back at hire base. (Don't have to wait until suitcases otherwise stored in car are fetched, emptied/packed )

We use those large laundry bags sold in pound shop when we pack for a boating holiday as above they fold flat and the washing can be sorted so is ready for the washing machine on our return home.

 

http://www.shoppingtrolleysdirect.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=LARGE-LAUNDRY-BAG&PARTNER=GBase&gclid=CjwKEAjwycaqBRCSorjE7ZewsmUSJABWzM54KRem5H_a5HyEucBjE4ot8s3Bo5euYGOJT_t4DUw8KRoCXrLw_wcB

 

This sort of thing but much cheaper In the pound shop!