Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Read up on the system's 2,000 miles of waterways. The canals are mostly narrow and usually traverse flat areas (some use locks to raise or lower boats past inclines). Most canal trips pass both towns and countryside.
Step2
Check out the unique boats. Because the canals are narrow, the boats are also. In fact, the ideal rental is called a narrow boat, which is about 7 feet (2 m) wide and up to 70 feet (21 m) in length. Look for a boat with a cruiser stern, as these provide the best outdoor lounge space. If you're a beginner, steer clear of boats longer than about 55 feet (17 m).
Step3
Decide whether you will rent a boat with a captain or without one, taking into account your boat-handling skills. On the calm water of a canal, most people do fine after a little practice. Hire a skipper if you would rather not be responsible for 50 feet (15 m) of steel hull with a mind of its own.
Step4
Visualize life on board. "Cozy and charming" are boatspeak for limited storage, cramped kitchens and minimal bathroom space. And although many boats are modern and well equipped, life aboard could never be called spacious.
Step5
Research boat rental agencies online or through a travel agent. Since almost every section of canal has an agency, it makes sense to choose your starting destination first. For example, if you will be based in Oxford, start there to search for agencies.
Step6
Expect to pay $2,000 to $2,200 during peak periods (late summer and holidays) for a boat that sleeps four to six people. You can find significant savings during slow times.
Step7
Take a break and stretch your legs. Most canals are bordered by well-maintained paths for walking and cycling. Ask the canalboat rental agency if bicycles are available to rent nearby and if they are allowed to be stored on deck.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 Have a great time on the English canals by planning your route. Before you go, study maps carefully, and don't be too ambitious. Remember that you can't travel fast, that you will have to work the locks yourself (fun, though), that you will see lots of places you want to stop, and that you will be glad to stop early for dinner at that special pub you have read about.
On a pleasant canal cruise you will not cover more than three locks or three miles per hour, and will want to stop at lots of pubs and villages. 30 lock-miles (locks and miles added together) is the distance you will cover on your longest, most tiring, day, with no stops. Most days you will make lots of stops, and tie up early, and find that you have covered less than 20 lock-miles. Also, your first and (especially) last days will be short.
So, on a one-week trip you will barely cover 100 lock-miles. In other words, if you are not doing a ring, you will turn back only 50 lock-miles from your base. But 100 lock-miles is plenty of locks, plenty of cute towns, plenty of quaint pubs, plenty of lovely English scenery, and plenty of fun.
If you plan your trip is to cover lots of miles, you will inevitably get behind your schedule - and your last few days will be focused only on getting back to your base in time: thundering down the canal for hour after hour, belching black smoke, no chance to stop for a leisurely pub lunch or a stroll round that lovely village.
If the point of your vacation is to cover lots of miles, or go fast, then rent a car instead!