Narrowboat Cruise

What time of the year will you be taking the boat? On this Helpline, Ed has done many narrowboat trips and I expect he will chip in and help. We have also had a recent report from a new poster, Leland, at http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/95381/the-kennetavon-canal-during-november-2011august-2012.html I have a little experience, too. Two people can easily maneuver a narrow boat along the canal or river and through most locks. Picking the right layout is important so you don't have to make up the beds and break them down every day. There are various tiller arrangements which have different advantages and disadvantages. Have you viewed any youtube videos about narrowboats? Perhaps have a look at the videos provided by ABC boats at http://www.abcboathire.com/Video.aspx To directly answer your questions - We love the canals - the scenery, the bridges, the pubs, the locks, the camaraderie... yum. The boats vary but much is comfortable - some better than others. Boat handling can be done by children so is not particularly difficult but does take a bit of concentration particularly in the first few locks and the first few bends of the canals.

Nigel pretty well described the fun and ambiance. I'd actually prefer a route with a good number of locks since that's where you seem to meet people. They're easy to operate, you see ten year old kids doing it all the time. Figure in twenty minutes you can cover one mile or pass through one lock. If there's a stack of boats waiting to get through, the line can slow you down, however. I haven't seen it very much, but I don't do it in the summer. I'd pick the route based the number of potential stops more than anything else, especially if you'll be doing an out-and-back. It might seem nuts, but there's an advantage to having a car and parking it the whole time. First, you can more precisely time your arrival and departure at the marina, and not waste a whole day at each end. More importantly the places to lay in supplies at the marina are liked a 7-11 - - expensive and bad. You're probably lookint at twenty to twenty-five bucks a day to rent a cheapo car and they let you park for free everywhere I've been. Working it the other way, see how much public transportation for two costs, plus a taxi back and forth to a decent grocery store, ect.

Keith, they gave you a shilling for just 5 locks, in Yorkshire? Either you are way younger than me or Yorkshiremen are not as stingy as I've been brought up with. I'd have helped for a tanner.

We have been away for the holiday weekend. Thanks for your responses. We are planning to vacation in May. We are in our mid 60's, not spring chickens but in good health. What are the things we should look for in a boat? Any recommendations on cruise companies? There seems to be many to choose from. We were thinking of not having too many locks but stopping frequently. We do enjoy meeting people on our trips. We are also wondering if we will rent a car or not. We have traveled to Europe 6 previous times, and rented a car in Ireland. Very scary experience because of the roads and driving opposite to us. Otherwise, we always rent a car so we have the freedom to explore. England seems to have good public transportation so we thought we might be able to get around without a car.

Each lock is similar to the tediousness and time of changing a tire . the locks are heavy work not impossible for women ( can she change a tire completely -lifting tire- jacking -loosening nuts) Done time on the cut 3 times got my certification --look for fun spots to stop ---I would say if you go on a long circle route hire a divorce attorney before hand !!

@John I'm sorry to see you compare locking with having a flat tyre. Clearly, even after 3 narrowboat holidays it wasn't for you. I love locks. Gimme Hatton Flight, or Foxton any day. Its a great place to meet people, it gives the little'uns a place to let off steam, and most long flights have a shop with ice cream part of the way up or down. I'll give you that some lock gates can be a bit heavy, and the winding gear at Knowle was a bit tight the last time I went through, but most locks can easily be done by big kids let alone their mothers - even my little wife. And if you need help hoiking them up or down, or pushing the gates open (I like pulling) there will often be others nearby to lend a hand.