 | Home > Off Topic > Anyone have a little day boat used inland waterways? |
 
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| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610   
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When I had my 18 foot boat you could not get insurance unless you had some 'recognised' certification. I had to attend a course provided by the Royal Yachting Association to secure the insurance. I had paid £16k for the boat and could use it on the water no mither without any insurance at all if I wished but I wanted to protect my outlay, family and have third party liability. The rules are a farce with regards to the amount of people that have no insurance or proper training. If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!
Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
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11th Jun 2016 10:45pm |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5109  
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Boat insurance is very complicated because it adheres to Marine Law even on a canal or navigable river, so make sure you fully understand the policy before taking one out.
The other thing is that if you keep your boat full time on an inland waterway you will need a river boat licence, I note you live in Cheshire so if you use the Bridgewater that canal has its own licence but you cannot use that licence on other canals. If your boat is very small and you only put it into the waterway for occasional trips, a short term visitor licence will be enough. A licences allows you to use your boat on waters managed the by the canal and river trust, including mooring for short periods while cruising. This means you can stay up to 14 days or less, but keep an eye out for signs because you’ll need to move on sooner at some more popular sites. Your boat to be able to use inland waterways needs the boat-equivalent of a MOT known as a Boat Safety Certificate don’t forget to obtain one as if you do not have a certificate your insurance will be invalid and the River trust can seize your boat. Have a look at my video link as the Narrowboat vids are mainly of canals local to your area. I have a sixty foot narrow boat named the ‘Water Dragon’ I have not heard of any accredited use certificates but that probably explains why there are so many people who have not a clue about boats using the waterways. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at.. http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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12th Jun 2016 11:24am |
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| Projectblue Member Since: 22 Nov 2011 Location: Devon Posts: 1096 
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Can I just say thanks for this topic and the above replies? Interesting and useful as I didn't know the above and often wondered about this very topic.
I have had several holidays on narrowboats and thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful week chugging between pubs  New project and it's green: www.projectoverland.info |
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12th Jun 2016 11:56am |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5109
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There is no real challenges using a boat on a Canal just use common sense, I would not suggest using a boat on a navigable river until you have gained some experience as many of the navigable rivers are tidal and have a bore that in some case will sink a pleasure craft. Steer in the Centre of the Canal or river, pass oncoming boats on the right when you do meet an approaching boat, keep to the right (your right) and pass (port-to- port). Boats pass left side to left side, the opposite way to on the roads in the UK. However if there are no boats coming towards you then keep in the middle of the canal or river, the water will usually be deeper there. Try not to go to close to the banks as you can become stuck due to shallow water.
Also when you approach moored boats pass very slowly, there is nothing worse than a boater passing moored boats at speed and causing a wash that rocks your moored up boat violently especially if you are sat down with a full cup of hot tea that spills on your lap. Inevitably you will come across locks there use is easy if you follow the guidelines, it is important to keep your body clear when winding up or down the sluice gates as if anything happens with the winding handle spinning back it can cause serious damage to you. Open sluices in the correct order and do not forget to close them once clear of the lock or you can drain a section of the canal. One important point is you will notice on most locks a painted marker sign saying ‘cill’, keep well clear of the ‘cill’ which lies just in front of the gates when in the lock, if your boat gets caught on the ‘cill’ it can tip the boat and the force of the water entering the lock will soon sink your boat if it has tipped. For those who are new to inland waterway boating then the Canal and river trust have an excellent free downloadable 60 page manual that tells you everything you need to know. The boaters handbook https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/141.pdf For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at.. http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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12th Jun 2016 12:50pm |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2295 
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Hello Stacey007
We went down the Canoe Route... X2 from Costco (£540) then rigged them up in tandem as a 'catacanoe', really stable. X4 Buoyancy Aids (£50 each)-(we learned that they are wrongly called life jackets) X4 Ropes (£40) X1 Long Reach Life Line (£36) X2 Dry Bags (£20) X2 British Canoeing Memberships <£4 / Month per boat (our family membership for X2 boats is approx £60 / PA which gives you access to 4,500km of waterways across the UK + civil liability insurance) Have covered the Thames from Abingdon to Windsor with friends (over 3 years) X2 Adults X4 children, X2 Tents, and just completed a section of the upper reaches of the Thames around Lechlade...a really good way to see some great waterways.  Click image to enlarge Now looking at a quality inflatable (roof box storage / inland waterways + coastal use) for when towing a caravan...(as the rigid canoes go on a trailer behind the 90) http://www.inflatablekayakworld.com/advanc...le-review/ SKIP https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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12th Jun 2016 1:36pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3745
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^ Thanks all
I'm googling and sending e-mails to find out a little more on whats what. Its a small fun family boat I'm looking at 'day boat' I think they call it or even fishing boat? Not big and no sleeping area just some seats and a small inside covered area (again small though) So I can trailer it to the launch, have a day out and bring it back  |
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12th Jun 2016 7:37pm |
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| stigomery Member Since: 10 May 2016 Location: Cambridge Posts: 277 
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Will you get adventurous and want to use on the sea or big lakes? Will the kids want you to tow them on rings or even skis? Boats are tricky things and mean many things to many people. So start with the core, "what do I need it for" and work from there.
I went through this voyage of exploration not so long ago. We wanted something for the sea and rivers. To cut a long story short we ended up with a SIB or Soft Inflatable Boat. It fits in the back of the defender along with 20hp engine (plenty to have fun with on the sea or pootling on the river). You don't need a boat safety cert and you don't need a trailer. With a battery pump we can be parked up and on the water in 20 minutes. Insurance was £60. A license/registration for Windermere was £30. The sea is free Boat lives in garage all packed up and out of the way when we don't need it.
4 of us plus dog fit easily, it's rated to 6 people but could ferry 8 at a push. I've just returned from a 60 mile 2-dayer camping trip round the isle of Bute in Scotland and even in rough conditions the wee 3.8m boat was safe and secure. Oh, and it used a mere 20l of fuel! If it's something solely for rivers and small lakes then I recommend a Canadian canoe... We have one of those too but less suitable for huge lakes or the open sea although fine on calm days. Click image to enlarge |
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13th Jun 2016 9:15am |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3745
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What I fancy is something like this, just easy to use, bob along the canal or Rivers, I'm happy towing a trailer and have the space to lose it with my other toys
Like you say with anything start little and see how it goes... I like the fact I can put a canopy up if sunny.... and we could even have a little picnic on it. Something of this value with a trailer will always be worth what you pay roughly so wouldn't lose much if I wanted to change? Good for the kids as they are only small and they would be 'in' the boat not on it. This is the idea, think its called a day boat or small fishing boat. Click image to enlarge |
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13th Jun 2016 9:50am |
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| stigomery Member Since: 10 May 2016 Location: Cambridge Posts: 277
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If you're going to buy something like that then do your research, take your time and don't rush into it. Careful of things like rotten floors, stringers and transoms although if you're just pootling along you'll not stress the boat much anyway. I'm speaking from experience here and why I ended up buying a new boat and engine.
For what it's worth my kids (8 and 6) generally sit in rather than on my boat and it has a collapsible sun binimi. But, what you're looking at is more practical for simple pottering around if you have the space that's for sure. Also, this is about the worst time of year to be buying a boat |
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13th Jun 2016 9:58am |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3745
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^ Agree its like buying a convertible although I'm not looking at spending a lot...
Want to find out more on the insurance and where I can put it in first. Quote for insurance so far I've had as £90 which is cheap as chips, and I think £120 a year for Launching in the River Dee near where we live. Not sure on canals yet. |
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13th Jun 2016 10:19am |
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