Caley Cruisers

[abraxus]

On behalf of an American boater on another forum, who I assume is planning a trip, does anyone have any experience of this company and the boats they use.

Caley Cruisers

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[JKay]

used them about ten years ago they were great sent a list of shopping and it was ready to go as promised.They replaced a tender at no charge that we "popped"at a swing bridge that the wee man said "go on your OK"and later when another hire companies boat rammed us we got no hassle at all
PS There are next to no fish in the Lochs the monster got 'Em

cheers Joe

 

[studgies]

They are excellent been on holidays with them more than 20 times and have recommended them to countless others. Still in my mind the best holiday people in the world by far, some of the nicest people you could ever hope to deal with. The only think I have to complain about is it is their fault I got the boating bug in the first place!!

 

[Divemaster1]

[ QUOTE ]
On behalf of an American boater on another forum, who I assume is planning a trip, does anyone have any experience of this company and the boats they use.

[/ QUOTE ]
Otherwise known as "Tupperware" amongst the lock keepers .... Smaller ones are Princess DS 30 and old Princess 32's (Brodie class) and the bigger ones (Balmoral class) are made for them. Name tupperware comes from the way they are being bashed along into the locks .... then they will be handguided up/down the way as handling skills does leave something to be desired. Balmoral Class looks good and fit for purpose, although quite shallow and wind takes the boat very easily. All boats have additional rubbing strakes at strategic locations. The older boats are starting to look a bit run down, but believe that they are sound and mechanically sound and well maintained. Small engines will give a max speed of 5 - 7 knots and if you enter the locks too fast, you have very little power available to hold the boat back .... stopping the forward momentum in the Balmoral class seems to take some liberal use of the stick in reverse. All this is observed from our own boat in 2005 and is not based upon own experience. No experience of the company, but appeared to be OK and no complaints from the people we spoke with.

Great area to go boating for a week or so .... personally I missed the salt water after three days.... some more information about our trip
Here.......

 

[studgies]

as you say their older stock is Princess 30DS's 32's and a couple of 33's. all old but well looked after.

They also have the Highland admiral class, they look a bit odd but have lots of space, not sure of their origins but they build a couple from moulds themselves and called then Highland Commanders, masses of room and a nice raised read deck area. They have a couple of 39 foot birchwood fligh bridge boats and the rest of their boats they fit out themselves to a good functional standard, the bigger ones look a bit like broom hulls and the smaller ones like Haynes I think.

All but a few of the little Princesses have Eberspacher heaters that always seem to work, unlike mine, more expensive boats have excellent power showers etc.

 

[gandy]

Try also "West Highland Sailing". We hired a sailing boat from them. They're a smaller operation.

http://www.westhighlandsailing.com/

Starting from the middle gives some more options, and their hand-over isn't so formal or time consuming.

Tony S

 

[abraxus]

Thanks chaps, much appreciated.