From time to time we get asked many varying questions and quite often we feel that these are great questions and we’ll post these here for all to benefit.
What’s involved in hiring a boat?
Enjoy a day on the canal with your friends, family or work colleages. Ideal for family days out, friends, reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, work outings, etc.
Our boats are available to hire during the day, they are easy to handle, so no previous experience is necessary.
We pride ourselves in our training and are RYA Inland Waters Helmsman certified. When you arrive we will conduct a safety brief, demonstrate how the boats works, offer everyone in the group buoyancy aids and will offer to come out with you to show you how to steer the boat, turn it around, moor up, tie up and explain the rules of the waterways.
We are in the middle of a 12 mile stretch of canal between locks as the boats are not permitted to travel through the locks.
A detailed explanation of how to hire a boat from the initial enquiry to the time you get home from your day out can be found by visiting our Hiring a boat page.
To make a booking please call us on 01257 480 825 or click Daily hire or Evening hire to reserve online.
Try an experience you won’t forget!!
Where can we go?
Our canal route takes in many scenic places of interest and lots of places to stop and enjoy a traditional English pint!
Please click here for venues along the way guide.
What boats do you hire?
The blue boat “Mirlees”, is a semi traditional style narrowboat with more standing space to the rear whereas the red boat “Ruston” and the green boat “Crossley” are traditional style narrowboats with space for two people to the rear with seats.
The boats have a large front deck with seating for all.
Each boat contains the following for 10 people:
- Hob and grill;
- Saucepans and frying pan;
- Cooking utensils and cutlery;
- Plates, side plates and bowls;
- Mugs and drinking glasses;
- Sink and drainer with hot and cold water (Washing up liquid, a tea towel and hand towel provided);
- A table on the bow deck which can be bought inside;
- A Flushing toilet (Toilet rolls are provided);
- Dustpan and brush, broom and mop & bucket;
- Bin and two additional black bags for recycling;
- A life ring and two bouyancy aids (More are offered during the safety briefing)
Take a look at our boats
How many people are allowed on board?
Each of our boats take a maximum of 10 persons on board which includes small children and babies.
If you have more than 10 people in your group why not consider hiring more than one boat.
Can we bring dogs with us?
YES!! We have no problem with dogs other than if you can help us out by clearing up the dog hairs that get left behind that would be very much appreciated.
We even have doggy life jackets with handles to help lift them out of the water if they go overboard!!
Where are you, and how can I get to you?
From the South
Take junction 27 off the M6 then take A52 09 to Standish. In Standish Centre go straight ahead at the traffic lights, from the left hand lane. Continue onto T junction, passing traffic lights under the railway line to A5106 and turn left. After 3¼ miles turn right into Rawlinson Lane. The boat yard is ½ mile on your left just before the main A6 junction. Drive past the bungalow down to the workshop.
From the North
Take junction 8 off the M61, take the third exit off the roundabout following A6 Chorley, take the 2nd exit at next roundabout. Follow A6 through Chorley towards Manchester over ten small roundabouts. You will pass Morrison’s super market on the left as you leave Chorley on the penultimate roundabout. Take the 2nd exit on the final roundabout still following A6 towards Manchester. After 1½ miles take the right hand fork through the traffic lights still following A6 then after ½m immediately after the 40mph sign turn right into Rawlinson Lane then immediately right again in to the boat yard and drive past the bungalow down to the work shop.
Using Satellite Navigation
Use our postcode (PR7 4DE-Rawlinson Lane) and enter the house number 68. We are not number 68 but this house is right next to us and you can’t miss The Boat yard. Drive past the bungalow down to the workshop.
