Beginner's Guide
Before you go
If you're new to boating or just want to refresh your captain skills we've got some useful information for you.
Navigating waterways and locks
The quiet waterways chosen by Blakes Holiday Boating are largely non tidal, with only the gentlest of currents, making them extremely easy to navigate. The current and levels of most are calmed by locks, many of which are operated by lock keepers or will operate automatically as you approach.
You will enjoy the locks as they provide a fun place to meet with other travellers. Some hire bases are located adjacent to locks allowing you to be taken through a lock before handover. Your hire base will provide you with training on arrival at your selected hire base.
Where to go
The website shows the difference countries you can cruise in and the information on local waterways, situated within the individual base descriptions, outlines the various routes you can follow. Once you’ve chosen and booked your destination, we will send you information showing places to see and things to do. We will also be happy to help you choose – simply give us a call.
Steering your boat
All Blakes boats are self-drive. Many of our customers have never been near a boat before and we will not let you go until we are confident of you. Remember you are only going at 4mph. However, if you feel that you would like to attend a training course to achieve an RYA recognised helmsman's certificate, then please visit the Inland Waterways Cruising School website for further details.
Accidents
They do happen! Boating is an inexact science and so no-one gets it right all the time. But nobody worries and the boat is built to withstand all sorts of indiscretions. A comprehensive manual (skippers guide) will be given to you as you are shown how the boat works. It remains with you on your holiday, and contains detailed information of the equipment and appliances. Useful telephone numbers are also included.
The Skipper!
Older children will enjoy a spell at steering, as long as they are supervised. The minimum age to hire a boat varies from 18 to 21 - some hire bases will allow persons of 18 only with written parental consent.
Boating safety
We do not own any of the boats shown in our brochure, but as part of our “Safety First” policy we ensure that our operators take your well-being very seriously. That means your boat will be maintained to the highest standards.
You will receive information about safety and handling your boat before you set off on holiday. Also, your Hire Base will give you full safety instructions. However, should you have any concerns about safety please do tell the operator immediately. Ideally wear non-slip shoes and a buoyancy aid whenever you or your children are on deck and follow the simple rules in the Skipper’s Manual on board.
Planning your distance
Normal cruising speed averages about 8-10kph
and it can take up to 20 minutes to go through a lock, though an energetic crew can often manage
a fraction of this time. Four hours cruising a day suits most people. This enables you to cover about 80 to 100 miles in a week, with plenty of time for “shore-leave”.
Plan to cruise no more than 4 to 5 hours each day and you’ll cover 30 to 40kms. Remember to allow time for each lock you need to pass through! On most of the inland waterways the maximum speed is around 4mph (a brisk walking pace) however the average speed is closer to 3mph. In calculating how far you can to travel in a day, you should work on the basis of "lock miles" . To do this count each lock as one mile and add the distance in actual miles to make "lock miles". Divide this by 3(mph) to give the total time in hours to cover the required distance including locks. Expect to cruise for anywhere between three and seven hours a day, with six full cruising days in your holiday. Hire-fleets do not permit their craft to cruise at night.
You can plan an out-and-back voyage, turning back halfway through the week - the scenery always looks different on the way back! Or you can choose a 'cruising ring', a circuit comprised of several canals. To help you navigate easily and discover the surrounding countryside, we offer a good range of maps and canal guides.
Fuel and water
The diesel and water tanks will be full on arrival. Water will need topping up from time to time from one of the many points on route. Gas for cooking and the diesel should last for the cruise. Boats use very little fuel, and the hire-base will have sent you out with a full tank. So you're unlikely to need to refill.
You will need to fill up with water regularly. There are water taps at regular intervals along the canals, rivers and at all broads hire bases for this purpose. If you're on a longer cruise, you may need to have your toilet tank pumped out. Most boatyards can do this for you.
Working locks
Locks are used to lift or lower boats from one level to another and can be found on almost all canals and many rivers. On major rivers and waterways such as the Thames and in Scotland's Great Glen, the locks are manned and operated for you during the summer.
On the canals, the locks are much smaller and are operated by you and your crew. Care must however be taken around locks and your hire base will brief you fully when you collect your boat.
Operating locks is very simple and part of the fun of a boating holiday. Remember, you will be given expert tuition before you go – so you can cast off with confidence! To raise or lower your boat through a gradient, you take it into the lock chamber, which has gates at either end. Close the gates, then fill or empty the lock by raising small trap doors, called paddles, with an L-shaped windlass (lock key). When the chamber is completely full or empty, you push the solid wood balance beams to lever the gates open.
All of this does require physical effort but the reasonably fit will have no difficulty at all. You can’t rush locks – each takes about 15 minutes or so – so there’s plenty of time to get it right!
Your holiday price includes the self-drive hire of your chosen boat
On the UK canals, this will normally (but not always) include the cost of all fuel used. In Ireland, it is more usual that the fuel cost is excluded and the hirer has to fill up before returning the boat at the end of your holiday. In the rest of Europe, the hirer will be asked for a fuel deposit based on a set amount per engine hour to an agreed number of engine hours. Any surplus is returned to the hirer at the end of the cruise. Likewise, any additional engine hours incurred will be charged for.
Optional extras often include a colour TV and all bedding. Your boat will be licenced to use the waterways managed by British Waterways and this will be included within your holiday cost.
If you wish to use other waterways, you should check with at time of booking if a separate licence is required. This is the case if you wish to spend part of your holiday on the canals and a few days on either the River Thames or the River Avon, as they are all managed by different licencing authorities.
