Should I do it?

coliholic

coliholic

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We sold our boat 6 years ago, we were based on the Great Ouse, and since I'm working abroad at the moment, we haven't bought a new one yet. But we're now in the planning stages of what we'll buy next year and where we'll keep it.

Autumn two years ago we hired a narrow boat on the canals at Stoke and it was a jolly good week and this year we're thinking about hiring one on the Thames at half term (end October) since we've never been on the Thames.

So the question is are Thames boaters really as miseraable and anti narrow boat as Byron and Boatone would have everyone believe or is there hope for us "hirers"?

BTW I have met them both in the past and they make me realise what an admirable organisation Exit is!!! rollaroundonthefloorlaughingiconthingycosit'sreallyajoke.
 
I don't know how I have got this reputation of being anti narrow boats. True I think they are ugly and uninteresting but other than that it is the 'Live Aboards' that I have no time for. I have no time for any Spongers be they NB drop outs, Pikeys or anyone else who leech of society and put nothing back.

Tony, bless him, he doesn't deserve any tarring because if anything he has championed their cause.
 
Waving at NBs

I put my hand up (wave) to all those who use the Thames, whether they are a sailing boat, motorboat, inflatable or NB. I do find it is only really the NBs that do not wave back.

Perhaps they should stay on their canals if they do not like other boats, espeically as I'm too wide for the canals.
 
There is a firm at Penton Hook who hire out Narrow Boats.

However, since you are talking about boating in October, you might like to try Kris Cruisers in Datchet who have a nice range of cruisers. That way you will not have to stand out in the wind and rain....

Of course, we might have an Indian (BBQ) summer in October thanks to global warming!
 
Short memory?

Wot u mean 'never been on the Thames' ??? We gave you and the missis a lovely day out on Legacy a few years ago and I seem to remember you almost gave me a heart attack when you decided to see what pressing a certain red button would do as I was clearing Penton Hook Lock!!! Got a piccy somewhere to prove it - though, come to think of it that was on Tahoe so you had at least two days on the Thames!

I a m not 'anti narrow boat' but I do think you would find a cruiser more enjoyable on the river. Kris Cruisers are very good.

October time the river should be pretty quiet but better not let me know exactly when you're coming or I might try and meet up with you.
 
Narrow Boats

They tend to be seen as a bit of a nusance because they can be slow and take up a lot of mooring space. There are also liveaboards who take up permanent residence on some sections of the river which get the others a bad name.

Other than this I do not think there is really any problem with narrow boats on the river. If that is your preferred type of boat then go for it, I am sure you will have a great time. A cruiser would certainly be my choice though, especially in October. This is not through any prejudice, I just think that narrow boats are not particularly well suited to river cruising.
 
You'll always get a chery wave from me -

However, we're mid way through an expedition to the uttermost parts north of Watford, that is Oxford, Banbury, Leicester, Tamworth and return.

Although I wave vigorously and say "Good Morning" (or whatever is appropriate), wait for approaching boats at bridge 'oles, I am finding the "midlanders" an unbelievable doru and miserable lot. Grunts or a condescending nods ard the best I get.

So perhaps the current batch of canal narrowboaters are a miserable bunch.

I am sad and apologise for the genre. They need educating...

As to nb holidays in October, to my mind (but I mus admit I don't reall know about cruisers out of season), most hire nbs are kitted out with reasonable central heating as the hire companies want late and early season hirings. Apart from Kris Kruisers larger boats and LeBoat at Benson, methinks the others are not.

I would suggest Oxfordshire Narroeboats at Lower Heyford as a good lot - they also have boats at Radcot on the Thames, and College Cruisers in Oxford. Smallish organizations so you get a personal service.

Also to mention are Anglo Welsh at Eynsham, part of a large outfit....

The upper Upper Thames with "proper locks" can be a bit quiet at that time, but if you cruise downstream there's more activity downstream if the weather's a bit dreak (sp?)

As with everything more detailed requirements can help better quality responses.

As your trip is out of season your are more likely to come across hardy and jolly folk...

B1 is a nice chap, especially when on the keyboards, and likewise Mr. Alexander - provided you are "wearing" the correct attire.
 
Thanks everyone for the recommendation for Kris Cruisers and College Cruiser, hadn't thought of a "proper boat", but my mind's now changed and as long as either of them have a boat available we'll do that.

And B1, of course you're absolutley right we had a super day out with you on Legacy, don't think we went on Tahoe though I do remember visiting - and have a vague recollection of some engine or outdrive problem at the time??? Anyway it was a long time ago and I'm almost as old as you and the old memory's playing tricks. Anyway who said you have to tell the truth on internet forums? Tee hee.

Will definitely let you all know if the hiring works out.
 
Are they having a joke?

Checked Kris Cruisers website. Gulp. A week at the end of October on a 37 foot 4 berth boat comes out at £1,279 plus £45 for fuel plus a non refundable damage waiver of £55 OR a cash deposit of £550. Yes, £550 cash, plus £25 so we can take our little cavalier!!!

Or we can hire a 4 berth cruiser from Castelnaudry on the Canal Du Midi down here in SoF for £800 inc ferry Dover - Calais though we don't need the ferry 'cos I live here.

Or we can do a week with Royal Caribbean going from Barcelona to Marseilles, Villefranche, Florence, Rome, Naples/Capri in an cabin with a blacony, inc all food for just over the £1,000. We did this cruise two years ago and might just be tempted to repeat it.

Can it really cost that much to hire a boat on the Thames at the end of October or do they just not want the business?
 
Coliholic, you have just saved me a bit of work with this thread. I have been thinking of hiring a cruiser just like you but those charges would certainly make you think twice. I have been living in Ireland for the past 10 years and am getting fed up with the weather here and the lack of boating windows. I have been toying with the idea of selling my boat (if that's possible in the current climate !) and buying one on the Thames, problem with this idea is that I would have to buy something big enough to overnight comfortably on. The cost of this and a marina berth, license etc. would be hard to justify for the amount of time I could reasonably hope to spend on the river, so I thought maybe just hire a boat for a 4 or 5 weekends and maybe the odd week during the year. Looking at the figures you were quoted its going to add up to a nice few quid. I will have to do a bit more head scratching !!!!!!!
And, as a strange coincidence I have been looking at that very same Royal Caribbean Cruise for SWMBO and the kids for next Summer. Thanks for a helpful thread.
 
Sorry guys, you can't get four people on a cruise for £1000.

It's also very different being on your 'own' vessel, not a 'Herd steamer' isn't it?

Sheesh, keep things real eh?
 
No Regrets said:
Sorry guys, you can't get four people on a cruise for £1000.

It's also very different being on your 'own' vessel, not a 'Herd steamer' isn't it?

Sheesh, keep things real eh?
Click to expand...

You are wrong. You can get a two week cruise in the Med for £10. An Irishman told me. He saw it advertised in a Travel Agency and went in, paid his £10. Someone hit him from behind and he woke up chained to the oars of a galley. He says the food aint up to much but he's going again next year.
 
Ok point taken, but I think Coliholic may be just himself and the missus. A friend of mine is getting a similar cruise next month for 4 @ 1600 euro which is about the same as Coliholics week on the river in October.

Maybe we are just moaning because you guys have it easy.......... a trip to Bray from France or Cork is a lot more difficult then a quick whip round the M25 (then again I'm sure there are days when it might be quicker !).

I think the initial reaction was that is seems quite expensive, especially nowadays with so many holiday deals available. However, as you said there is nothing like being on your own boat if the weather is nice.
 
Seriously, a cheap cruise is not comparable to the freedom and solitude you can enjoy on the Thames.

For most of the cruise, the scenery is mind numbing, and the company unpredictable.

Granted, the lock keepers can be an unruly bunch of ruffians, but your own food should be better quality than a Herd cruise, and the freedom is priceless.

I accept there will be a few advantages on the cruise, but I wouldn't go on one if you paid me.

Seriously!

Given a week, I would head upstream until No Regrets was wedged firmly under Osney bridge before heading home, lobbing a few empties onto Byrons lawn on the way!

(OK, I was joking about the lockies and Byrons turf...but y'know....!)
 
Thanks for the info chaps and sorry to disagree with No Regrets but I bet there speaks a man who's never been on a proper cruise? You really can't compare a week in a four star luxury floating hotel where the weather is likely to be good and where every day you wake up to a new stunning destination, to a week on the Thames where it's more likely to be wet, damp and short of daylight.

And yes there's only the two of us to worry about so the costs are more manageable.

We've been on six or seven cruises now and the one I mentioned yesterday we did a couple fo years back. Must admit we weren't particularly enamoured with that particular ship, we thought it was too big, but we've done a couple of other cruises on other Royal Carib ships and preferred them. The problem is back end of Oct most of the cruise liners are heading for the Carib for the winter so there's not too much choice, hence the original idea of a week on the Thames.


The only thing that makes me still lean towards the Thames is the free food, drink and mooring at Byrons and also the possibility of letting my dog loose on Byron's lawn as long as he can dodge all the beer cans from the chav boat owners!!!!!!!!!

And Stormin, funny you should say that 'cos I did a search on hiring on the Shannon and we can get a week on a "proper" 4 berth cruiser for £630.

http://www.abcboats.com/inver_prince.html

Admittedly we've got to get to Ireland but Ryanair at £50 each return from Stansted still comes out very manageable. And at least with Ireland we KNOW it's going to rain every day so can pack accordingly!!!!

But I really do think the Thames has priced themselves out of the market. Maybe they want to keep it all nice and quiet and underused and just for the hoi polloi??
 
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