Canalboat Hire - Narrowboat Rent - River Cruising
throughout Europe

Canal Boat Hire, Narrow Boat Rentals and River Cruising

Europe Afloat indexes hirers of self-drive boats, hotel barges, cruise ships & River Cruising, (Canalboats, Narrowboats, Canalbarges, houseboats, Hotel Barges, Riverboats, Cruiselines on the waterways of Belgium, Czech Republic, East Anglia, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Wales and the United Kingdom (Uk).
 

Reliable Information on Canalboat Hirers

Canalboats are comfortable self contained vessels that float on water and are easy and economical to operate. Canal boats are available for rental - hire or rent from a large variety of popular tourist destinations in many countries throughout Europe (including Belgium, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and - UK (Great Britain).

Many boats are very luxuriously appointed and can include satellite navigation, central heating, air conditioning, bathrooms with showers and toilets, a galley with refrigerator and freezer, microwave, TV, video, DVD, stereo, radio, generators, awnings, a sun deck, bicycles, comfortable cabins, sun deck and much more. Others are more basically equipped.

Like many other products they are known by a variety of names, depending upon where you live. These include: Canalboat, Canal Boat, Canalbarge, Canal Barge, Houseboat, House Boat, Penichette, Hotel Barge, Fluvial, Ship, Hotelbarge, Riverboat, River Boat, Narrowboat, Narrow Boat, Holiday Boat, Vacation Boat or Clipper ,Charter Boat. Moorings can be along the towpath side, in a marina, loch, lake, quay, pier or near a lock or other navigation landmark out of the main shipping channel of the inland waterway. 

What is a Narrowboat

A narrowboat or narrow boat is a boat of a distinctive design, made to fit the narrow canals of Great Britain.

In the context of British Inland Waterways, "narrow boat" refers to the original working boats built in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries for carrying goods on the narrow canals (where locks and bridge holes would have a minimum width of 7 feet (2.1 m)). The term is extended to modern "narrowboats" used for recreation and occasionally as homes, whose design is an interpretation of the old boats for modern purposes and modern materials.

Purists tend to use the term with a space (narrow boat) when referring to an original boat or a replica, and to omit the space when referring to a modern boat used for leisure or as a residence - but this is not a hard and fast rule. The single word 'narrowboat' has been adopted by authorities such as British Waterways and the magazine Waterways World to refer to all boats built in the style and tradition of the narrow canal locks.

Although some narrow boats were built to a design based on river barges, it is incorrect to refer to a narrowboat (or narrow boat) as a barge. In the context of the British inland waterways, a barge is usually a much wider, cargo-carrying boat or a modern boat modelled on one, certainly more than 7 feet (2.1 m) wide.

On most narrowboats steering is by a tiller, as it was on all working narrow boats, and the steerer stands at the stern of the boat, aft of where a person emerges from the hatchway and rear doors at the top of the steps up from the cabin. The steering area comes in three basic types, each meeting different needs in terms of maximising internal space; having a more traditional appearance; having a big enough rear deck for everyone to enjoy summer weather or long evenings; or protection for the steerer in bad weather. Each type has its strong advocates.

If you have ever wanted to be a sailor and drift gently afloat through the countryside, visit local art galleries, castles, vineyards or museums - wander through the quiet country canals, sailing along rivers, lochs and lakes, cycle or walk along the tow path of scenic waterways and backwaters enjoying the fresh air and peace, and maybe do a spot of fishing - in comfort, then a canalboat is for you. They are fun and offer complete freedom and flexibility. They are terrific for singles, honeymooners, families, groups, retirees and everyone in between.

Like many other products they are known by a variety of names, depending upon where you live. These include: Canalboat, Canal Boat, Canalbarge, Canal Barge, Houseboat, House Boat, Penichette, Hotel Barge, Fluvial, Ship, Hotelbarge, Riverboat, River Boat, Cruiser, Yacht, Motor Yacht, Narrowboat, Narrow Boat, Holiday Boat, Vacation Boat or Clipper. Moorings can be along the towpath side, in a marina, loch, lake, quay, pier or near a lock or other navigation landmark out of the main shipping channel of the inland waterway.

What is a Cabin Cruiser

A cabin cruiser is a type of power boat that provides accommodation for its crew and passengers inside the structure of the craft.

A cabin cruiser usually ranges in size from 25 to 45 feet (7.6 to 13.7 m) in length, with larger pleasure craft usually considered yachts. Many cabin cruisers can be recovered and towed with a trailer and thus easily stored on land, which reduces maintenance and expense. These craft are generally equipped with a head (toilet), a galley, and at least one berth. Most cabin cruisers usually have a small dining area and some have an aft cabin (a cabin to the rear of the cockpit, with a double bed) Some cabin cruisers are equipped with heating, air conditioning, and power generators. Most also have water heaters and shore power electric systems.

The cabin cruiser provides many of the amenities of larger yachts, while costing much less and normally being fully operable by the owner, whereas larger yachts often require a professional crew.

Most newer cabin cruisers are faster than older models because of improved aerodynamic and hydrodynamic designs. Cabin cruisers are generally able to handle the water well because of their size and give a stable ride. They are generally spacious in the cockpit (open seating area towards at aft or centre).