Narrowboat Hire - Chesterfield Canal

Enjoy The Experience Of A Narrowboat Hire Holiday

Take That Canal Boating Holiday You Always Wanted To...
Hire Our Narrowboat 'Beautiful Baby'

Details On The Hire Of Our Narrowboat

Base:

The Chesterfield Canal at Walkeringham
The Chesterfield Canal is an ideal choice for a one week boating holiday. The countryside is idyllic with plenty of wildlife and wonderful scenery, The Chesterfield Canal is also documented as a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest to Nature.' A much quieter canal than most others with 69 locks in total including a flight of 23 locks approaching the summit of The Chesterfield Canal. On your journey up to the top, the locks are well spaced out allowing you to appreciate the beauty surrounding The Chesterfield Canal. There are canal side pubs with overnight mooring too, where you will enjoy fine food and a warm welcome.

Maps & Guides:

Maps & Guides are supplied on the boat free of charge to enable you to plan each day. There is also a copy of 'The Boaters Handbook' on the boat, however, it is a good idea to download your own copy from our website by clicking here... Boaters Handbook (you can also phone British waterways for a copy free of charge). Having a copy prior to your holiday will help to familiarise yourself with inland waterways boating.

We are also an RYA Recognised Training Centre, therefore safe boating is paramount for us and our customers. On arrival at your boat you will have chance to load your luggage etc (please do not bring large suitcases, soft holdalls are ideal for storage), you and your party will all receive a 45 minutes safety briefing, together with instructions on 'start and end of day boat checks.' On leaving the mooring we will take you to a 'winding hole' where we will teach you how to turn the boat round. We will then proceed through two wide locks and the Drakeholes Tunnel, instructing you on steering, taking the boat into locks and lock management.

Novice Boaters:

Throughout your holiday we will only be a phone call and a short drive away from any assistance you may require. You will want to feel confident and relaxed throughout your holiday therefore you may wish to take advantage of our 'Narrowboat Taster Day' (discounts available if you are hiring from us). This is an eight hours training day, enabling you to become a step closer to being a competent and safe boater. Many of our students take this a step further and partake of the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate.

Your Boat:

Your Narrowboat is called Beautiful Baby (B.B.) and is a 60ft cruiser stern narrowboat with four berths – full size doublebed and make-up double in dining area. Shower room with vanity basin and cassette toilet and a second toilet (electric flush cassette) and basin forward of the galley. The galley is fitted out with stainless steel 4 ring gas hob and grill/cooker, domestic size fridge with freezer compartment, sinkand drainer, worktops, recessed lighting under wall units andceramic tiled floor. The bedroom area has dressing mirror and shelving and is fully carpeted as is the lounge and dining area.

Inset ceiling lights, digital TV and DVD player and four 12v charger units for mobilephones etc. Comfortable seating for four persons in the raised dining area and two further lounge chairs for relaxing. The boat is fully equipped for four persons with crockery, cutlery, pans, utensils, pillows, duvets, sheets, bath and hand towels, kitchen towels and tea cloths.

Pets:

Pets are welcome (2 maximum) at a cost per pet of £25, please refer to conditions of hire for more information on pets on board. Pets are not allowed on any furnishing therefore please bring a pet bed or pet cage.

Buoyancy Aids:

Buoyancy aids are provided on the boat, it is essential that children under 16yrs of age wear a buoyancy aid when cruising and at locks.

Arrival/Departure:

Arrive Saturday at 1.30pm to transfer your luggage etc to the boat. Safety briefing at 2pm and after that you will start your holiday together with instruction as stated in the 'Tuition' section above. You must arrive back at our base by 9.30am the following Saturday, it is extremely important you arrive back on time to enable the boat to be cleaned and ready for use again. Failure to return on time will result in a £50 an hour lateness fee. The boat should be returned in a clean and tidy condition, failure to comply will result in a minimum charge of £50.

Speed:

The maximum speed limit on the Inland Waterways is 4 miles an hour, however, The Chesterfield Canal is best cruised at no more than 3 miles an hour due to its natural banks, width and depth. During your safety briefing you will be instructed on speed and when to reduce your speed i.e. passing boats, moored boats and fishermen, which should be done at TICK OVER ONLY. We will instruct further on these points once you commence your holiday.

Hire Condiditions:

Please read all our Terms of Hire on the 'Conditions of Hire' page. Please also note that the person hiring the boat is totally responsible for the safe navigation of the boat and returned in the same condition it was hired in.

Damage/Accident:

In the event of an accident or damage to the boat, document name and registration number if any other boats involved, together with names and addresses of persons and boat owners. Contact us immediately after the accident with details and location, we will instruct you on the procedures to take. Do not admit liability to any person involved.

Accidental Damage Waiver:

An additional charge of £50 (non refundable) damage waiver is added to your holiday hire cost. Please notify us of any damage or breakages to enable us to rectify/replace prior to the next hire.

Negligence:

The damage waiver fee excludes damage caused from negligence such as contact with lock cill resulting in damage to the rudder, skeg or prop or any other stern equipment. Also any damage caused by negligence generally. £100 refundable bond to be paid on arrival of your holiday and returned to you at the end of your holiday, providing no damage through negligence has occurred, you arrive back at base on time and the boat is in a clean and tidy condition. The Hirer will indemnify the boat owners against any damage, expenses, costs, liability and claims arising from the Hirer’s negligence. You will also be responsible for any negligence caused to third parties such as other boats, lock equipment, lock gates etc.

Mechanical Failure:

We are proud of the high standard of our boat which is regularly serviced and maintained, however, should a mechanical failure arise, please DO NOT attempt to rectify the fault. You will find our contact details in the welcome pack, we will respond in the shortest time possible to enable you to continue your holiday. Please note, if mechanical failure is due to your negligence an additional cost will be incurred by the Hirer , please refer to our Hire Conditions.

Hire Charges:

Depending upon the week you choose, hire charges vary according to the season, please refer to the 'Season Chart.' A deposit of 25% of the weekly hire is due on booking, the remainder will be due 6 weeks prior to your holiday start date. Payment can be made by cheque or BACS Transfer payment, details are printed on the booking form.