09 Mar 2015

A question about : Narrow boat hire

Hi,

I would like to hire a boat to travel at Leeds/Liverpool canal.

I search the web but there are to many companies and it is difficult to decide which one.

Could you refer any? What do I need to take in account? Fuel?

Best answers:

  • Do a Google on reviews. Also get a TV as opening and closing many locks makes you too knackered in the evenings ;0)
  • We hired a boat about 10 years ago from Shepley bridge marina. The boat was great and the instruction was brilliant for us first time boaters. We cruised around wakefield and into Leeds and had a fantastic time. Just to see the citys from a totally different view. From memory I think the fuel was included but check out the website. I think the boat yard is now run by a trust but still hires out. The only other cost was food as we chose to cook and eat on the boat rather than pay out for meals. The locks are manual locks in part but up near Leeds are electric which just work on the turn of a key. Most moorings were free but the boat had a book which listed places to stay local amentities and distances so you could work out how far to travel and if you are doing an out and back trip when you need to be coming back. Canals and rivers trust have very helpful websites with maps and areas. I have to warn you though that it can be addictive, within weeks we had bought a small boat of our own and we are now on boat number 4 which is a self designed 55ft wide beam. Hope this helps, happy cruising.
  • If you are 4 reserve a 6 berth boat. ( 6 get an 8)
    You need the,Camera , good Beer guide to the Canals
    Quote:
  • Nearly all rings can be done in a week.
    Why go there and see the same things on the way back?
    Whats so special about Leeds Liverpool ?
    Just trying to help.
  • 14 days?
    I only want to hire a boat for 4 days... First time and short break!
  • The canal can be shut in the Summer due to low water, the Canal trust padlock the locks and thats it until it rains again. .
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Counties_Ring
    As I posted ( with a chip , but at least more honest than some!)
    OP only said a 4 days after I suggested a ring .
    quote from link....
    This route is commonly used by holiday boaters typically taking about a week to complete [5] it is 109 miles, 94 locks and takes around 56 hours travelling [6
    Do you require another ring, or could you google
    Ps would be willing to send some photos of my travels on 'rings' done in a week
  • Last summer we were walking along the Leeds Liverpool and as a boat was approaching decided to watch it go through the locks.
    They were having real trouble unlocking the mechanism for the lock paddles so I offered some help.
    We started chatting and they were a family group who had hired the boat for three days. They had left Leeds at 10am that morning, this was mid afternoon and they had done about 3 miles, they found out there are a lot of locks as you leave Leeds!
    They were trying to get to Rodley which is about 6 miles from Leeds. Based on this Leeds to Saltaire may be a sensible target over two days.
  • Uau!!
    14 days, 4 days, ring, south, north...
    Confused!