British Waterways

THE MAIN authority controlling the waterways and their usage is British Waterways.
It is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the waterways under its jurisdiction, and also responsible for licensing boats.
It publishes many handbooks concerning the operation of the waterways, as well as many guides and maps, that are invaluable to beginners.
British Waterways also issues licences for angling.
Some rivers, including the non tidal Thames are controlled by the Environment Agency, which undertakes its own licensing and operation.

Hiring

BY FAR the best way to experience the waterways is to hire a narrowboat for a cruise.
There are many hire companies situated on virtually all the waterways, and these companies usually give instruction on how to handle the boat and work the locks.
The boats are very well equipped, with all the needed utensils and bedding as well as fuel both for the engine, cooking and heating.

Cost of Boating
The cost of hire varies on the time of the year and the length of the boat, and thus its accommodation.
Off season, say May or September, a week's hire would cost around £600 for a 45-50ft boat for two.
During the holiday period of July and August the cost of hiring can double.
All hire companies provide information and plans of the layout of their boats, and from these it will be seen what would be a comfortable size of boat to hire. Do not make the all too usual mistake of booking a boat larger than what you really need.
A very large boat will be difficult to manœuvre and turning points will be restricted.

Owning a Boat

IF YOU are interested in owning a narrowboat, the main cost is of course, the boat itself.
Though there is always a tendency to get the largest possible, this is not such a good idea, for not only does a large boat take more handling. particularly for beginners, there is an increased cost of mooring, licence and insurance, all of which depend on the length of the boat.
Narrowboats are by no mean cheap, for built of steel, with a great deal of time having to be spent on fitting out, makes them expensive.
Prices vary enormously, depending on the builder and the boat's equipment and fittings. But an average cost of a new 50 feet boat would be somewhat over £40,000.
Second-hand, and an average price for a not too old boat would be in the region of £30,000.

Up keep of a Boat

THE MAIN cost of keeping a boat is the mooring charge. Take our average 50 feet boat, and you will be paying somewhere around £1,000 a year to keep it in a marina, or somewhat less if you don't mind it being against a canal bank.
Another yearly charge is the licence, which allows you to cruise the canals and rivers. British Waterways issue the licence which covers most of the waterways, though some rivers, like the Thames, as previously mentioned, can come under the jurisdiction of the Environment Agency.
The cost of a British Waterways licence for the 50 feet narrowboat is around £300 a year depending on how payment is made.
Insurance is the least of the costs, with comprehensive insurance covering loss of the boat and third party damage being around £100

Boat Safety Scheme

THE BOAT Safety Scheme is the method used by the authorities to make sure that boats are safe, and do not cause any danger to other uses of the waterways. Every boat thus has to be tested and issued with a certificate before it can be licensed.
Though there is some controversy about the scheme, it is sensible in that it lays down certain safety regulations which must be adhered to. The good news is that a certificate lasts for four years.
If you are purchasing a boat, it is essential that you have such a certificate with it, otherwise you could be in for a great deal of extra expense.

Limitations

THERE are various limitations when cruising, the main being a speed limit of four miles per hour.
Though mooring can be virtually anywhere on the towpath side of the canal, there are a few limitations, such as at lock moorings, under bridges and on bends, etc.
Hire companies will not allow cruising at night, and it is not sensible to operate locks in the dark.: