Boat Handling Day Course.

If you have never been on a narrowboat holiday or are thinking of buying your own boat but would like to try handling a boat before committing why not come for a familiarisation day. These days are available to book between the months of January, February and March – week days or weekends.

You will have a full days instruction (approximately 7 hours) by our RYA trained skipper who will teach you everything you would need to know to maintain and competently take a narrowboat out on your own.

Our day courses are for 2 people maximum and cost £95 per person.

If you go on to confirm a weeks hire of Fabuloso III during the current season we will discount £50 off the cost of the hire.

Itinerary

The day starts at 9.30am where you will meet up at Mercia Marina with your Skipper Craig. Before setting off tea/coffee will be served and Craig will spend the first hour familiarising you with the boat and its equipment.

He will explain and show you :-

1)      Safety on board.

2)    How to maintain the engine ready for daily use.

3)    How to maintain electrical power systems.

4)    How to fill the boats water tank and economically use water.

5)    How to use the guides and maps of the canalways.

6)    Rules of the road (canal).

7)    How and where you can stop for fuel, water, toilet pump out or elson emptying and disposal of rubbish.

At approximately 10.30am we will start the engine and take the boat out of the marina onto the canal. You can take the tiller and drive the boat yourself. With guidance from Craig you will soon get a feel for the boat and how to steer.

Once out on the canal you will be taught :-

1)      How to slow down/stop/reverse.

2)    What you should do to be courteous to other canal users.

3)    How to moor up and where.

4)    How to approach/pass under bridges.

5)    How to go though a lock.

6)    How to turn the boat around at a winding hole

7)    What to do in different weather conditions ie. wind and rain – moor up and go down the pub!

At approximately 12.30pm you will come alongside to moor up for lunch. A light lunch and tea or coffee will be served (please let us know when you book if you are vegetarian or have any 

dislikes/allergies to anything).

During lunch you will have the opportunity to ask any questions or go over anything you are not sure about with Craig.

At approximately 1.30pm you will cast off and make your way a little further along the canal way before turning the boat at a winding hole for your return journey.

By now you will be fully confident to practise all that you have learnt with little or no guidance from Craig although, of course, he will still be on hand if needed.

On your return to the marina you will be able to take the boat alongside the pontoon and moor up. There will be time for coffee and a final questions session before you depart at approximately 4.30pm