Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:00pm

We would like to spend a summer cruising the inland waterways of England and Wales. If we don't want to buy a boat, or even a share in a boat, is there any way to do this? All I can think of is a long term private hire, and we are willing to pay decent money for this. Obviously, we'd take out appropriate insurance and take very good care of someone's pride and joy. Have you heard of anyone else doing this? Do you have any ideas how to go about it?

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:21pm

Any boat on British Waterways water (and probably Environment Agency ones as well) would have to have a change of license from private to hire AND then be made to comply with the stricter Boat Safety Scheme requirements for hire boats if the owners were to accept any payment from you. They would also have to make sure their procedures re the hand over and your training comply with the new requirements that I think come from the MCA. I suspect that to do the whole thing in accordance with regulation would involve the owners in so much expense and trouble most would not think it worth while. I also think you need to try for a few fully comprehensive insurance quotes for a boat that is not yours and that you are paying the owners to use. I suspect you will find you will be charged hire boat rates and you may find companies decline to quote. You must then factor in the cost of any breakdowns and routine servicing - someone will have to pay for it and it would have to be done to the owner's satisfaction. I can not be seen to condone or recommend any course of action that breaches the BW regulations and possibly the law so I think you should spend a little time getting quotes from proper hire fleets. I suspect that many would be happy to do a special price for (say) a six month let because out of school holidays many companies can not let all their boats. I know some Australians have found it economic to buy a second hand boat, use it for the summer and then resell it but at the moment I think the reselling may be very hard. Tony Brooks

Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:50pm

Agree with Tony. It affects licences and insurance. There is a company called Escape the Rat Race who manage long term lets but o one else I know of specialises in this. We at www.canalboatescapes.co.uk do offer long term holiday lets at very favourable rates.