Recommendations for Holiday Hires.
I’m a complete newbie when it comes to such a topic but I have always wanted to take a short break on a #Narrowboat
I was hoping this would be a place to ask for some recommendations on good ethical people/companies to hire from?
As for location I would be looking for somewhere near where i grew up #Stourbridge #Stourport .
No matter who you pick, insist that they explain the rules of the
roadcanal.We’ve had to help holiday boaters who were given the keys and sent on their way without even being told what side of the canal to drive on!
Points to ask:
- What side to generally be on
- Where is it ok to moor
- How to use a lock (including priority and also when to wait for other boaters to turn up)
- What state to leave a lock in
- How fast to go
- When to give way
- Etc. Etc.
A decent hire place should be happy to take the time to talk you through it.
I would echo what @TheNumberOfGeese@feddit.uk said about a hire place giving you an introduction on the basics. You should insist that.
Canal & River Trust Boater’s handbook is a a good place to start. They also have a bunch of Youtube videos that’ll prepare you well.
Here are a few random suggestions based on my mistakes and experiences:
- don’t try to cover too much distance per day
- cruise really slow and you’ll enjoy more
- too high boat speed is a recipe for mayhem
- locks may seem scary at first, but they are really easy so long you don’t let water in too fast too quickly
- help others at the locks and you’ll have nice chats as a bonus
- the boat really does not steer unless there is propulsion
- try to learn to use steering and propulsion as gently as you can; shouldn’t take much practicing
- reverse gently if you beech your boat, and if that doesn’t help, the long pole is your friend (also very useful when your boat ends up stuck across the canal!)
- if you are into slow cooking, lamb/beef/vege stew gently bubbling during the day as you cruise is heaven
Thanks for the advice, I would have plenty of questions about how not to break anything too!
I kind of hope there would be a little booklet to help explain all these things too.
I half wonder if some of them just whisper “It’s like Mad Max out there.” as they push you off :p
Very excited for your adventures!
@TheNumberOfGeese 🤣 I was hoping more of a Kevin Costner Water World.
I was so close, yet so far from that joke! Brilliant job!
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