For flexibility, freedom and value for money it is really
hard to beat Canal Boat, Narrow Boat, Canal Barge or River
Boat hire or rental. Our friendly and experienced team
are here to assist and provide valuable free advice, plus
the most competitive quotes. We offer the widest selection
and we have a best value and best price guarantee.
Through
the magic and the freedom of water travel, the Pénichette
brings you close to nature's secrets. With
its fleet of 400 Pénichettes and 23 bases in France,
Holland, Italy, Germany and Ireland, Locaboat Plaisance
tempts you back time after time to discover a variety
of routes and array of regions. Whether
you go as a couple, as a family or with friends, there's
a Pénichette that's right for you, and with weekends,
mini-weeks or longer on offer, you can find the time
to become a real inland navigator.
Pénichette Classes
The
full range of Pénichettes are comfortable and
easy to handle, and is constantly
being improved and updated to satisfy the demands of an international guest.
Across Europe there are now 400 Pénichettes. Whether for couples, families
or
groups of friends there is always a Pénichette to suit your requirements.
"Classic"
Traditional Styling, Ideal for couples
and Families.
"Aft
- Deck"
Spacious, elegant and modern. Ideal for
Families and Friends.
"Flying
Bridge"
Inside and outside steering positions.
Advanced technology.
"Europa"
Inside and outside steering positions.
Advanced technology.
Life
on Board
Comfort on board:
Everything is planned for your well-being. You're so close to nature, yet the
boats are roomy, with showers and running hot and cold water. There's storage
space to satisfy the most demanding. It's easy to fill the water tanks every
day at locks and villages. Sheets and bedding are provided.
Relaxation on
deck:
The deck is one of the most acclaimed features of the Penichette. Spacious, flat
and right under the captain's eye, it can act as reading room, sunlounger or
picnic table. Moving around the boat is easy and safe. Indoors, the saloon is
the place for board games, family discussions or intimate dinners.
Meals
on board:
On board you'll find everything you need for cooking and eating. Prepare your
meal in open countryside or at the quayside. Villages are never far away, and
you can use bicycles to fetch fresh bread or warm croissants for breakfast.
Under
way:
Driving your boat is straightforward and enjoyable once you've received some
simple guidance at the base. You'll soon get used to going through locks and
start to enjoy handling your craft. Detailed navigation guides show where you
can moor, shop, take on water or go sightseeing.
With
23 Bases to choose from out of 5 Countries, you
will have no trouble at all exploring the beautiful
scenery of Europe. There only hard thing is deciding
which region.. They are all magnificent.
Getting to the
base:
The sheet of base details sent with your confirmation shows you how to get
to the base, whether you're coming by car, by train or by plane. Bases differ
in size, but all offer you a warm welcome. When you arrive, go to the office
with your voucher. Your reception at the base:
Our staff are there to help you all through your holiday and to make sure it's
a complete success. It takes about 15 minutes to get through the paperwork
such as signing the hire contract, paying the damage deposit (by cheque or
credit card), paying for any extras, and arranging to have your vehicle moved
if you are doing a one-way cruise. Then you'll be told about any special features
of your cruise, as well as how to go through the locks. If you haven't yet
obtained your navigation guide book, this is the moment to buy a copy. You
will be given the boat's hand book which has full instructions as well as recommendations
for places to stop en route. Learning to handle the boat: Now
you are ready to go aboard! Once you're settled in,
a technician will come on board to show you how everything
works and to teach you about handling the boat. In
just a few minutes you will have grasped the basics.
If you're not confident about anything, ask the technician
to go over it again. Often he'll speak two or three
different languages. Cruising at speeds of from 6 kph
to 12 kph allows unhurried manoeuvres and gives plenty
of time for looking around. Hiring bicycles:
Whether small-wheeled bicycles or mountain bikes, they are an indispensable
adjunct to your cruise. Tow paths along canals make ideal bicycle tracks. You
can reserve them when you book or hire them on arrival. You pay at the base. Parking:
All our bases have enclosed parking and some offer undercover parking. A charge
will be made of between 25F and 35F per day. Journey's end: The
reception staff will check over the inventory and take
note of any comments. Your deposit will be returned
to you and you will be asked to pay the fuel charge
based on running hours.
Start and
finish days
• Locaboat Plaisance is the only company to offer such flexibility over days
and durations.
• Starting days available are Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays.
• Take over between 4pm and 6pm.
• Paperwork and instruction are done during this period. Return is also on Fridays,
Saturdays or Mondays, between 8am and 9am. (eg. one week hire covers 7 nights
from 4pm Monday, finishing at 9am Monday).
• Hire duration is generally for one week or two weeks, but you can also go for
periods of 10 / 11 days, for long weekends or for 4-day mini-weeks.
Navigation
• The cruises suggested have been calculated on the basis of a speed of 8kph
on canals, 10 kph on rivers. Above this speed you may damage the banks. Times
allow for going through locks (15 - 20 minutes) and bridges, but not any waiting
time, whether foreseeable or not.
• You may stop where you like when you like. The mooring spikes on board give
you total freedom. You can also stop at developed marinas or public wharves.
Opening
times of locks
• In general locks are open from 8am to 7pm with a one hour break for lunch.
In France there is no charge for locks. They are closed on some public holidays
such as Easter Day, 1st May, Whit Sunday, the 14th July and the 1st November.
All the canals in the midi are now open
every day between 29th march and 6th November.
No more locks closed on bank holidays.
•There are some exceptions:
- No lock closures: Anjou, Brittany, Camargue, Charente, Lot, Baise and
Somme.
- Easter Sunday: all the Midi canals are open as well as the Saone between
Corre and Soing.
- Whit Sunday: the Canals de Bourgogne, du Nivernais, du Midi, de St
Quentin, de Roanne à Digoin and the river Saone all stay open.
- 14th July: the Saone stays open.
• Locks are generally worked by a lockkeeper.
• On the Lot and the Charente, locks must be operated by the boat's crew. As
a result you can cruise all the daylight hours with no worry over opening hours
or public holidays. For these locks you will need a crew of at least two active
members. On other waterways, there are occasional locks to be operated by the
boat's crew, whilst others are automatic, with easy-to-follow instructions. You
will receive full details at the base on departure.
Maintenance
work
• Many waterways have "stoppages" when they are closed for maintenance. Mostly
these are scheduled for the winter months but occasionally they occur during
the hire season. Dates are announced in early March. Please check with our reservation
staff.
Floods
• On rivers (but not canals) there can be floods in springtime or occasionally
in autumn. In this case we may have to restrict your cruise to canals only, or
possibly to switch departure base, but it should not be necessary to cancel your
cruise.
• The River Lot from Luzech is the most prone to flooding.
• You should check on river levels before starting out for your holiday.
Open waters
• The Bassin de Thau in Southern France as well as the Muritzsee and the Plauertzee
in Germany should not be attempted in winds stronger than Force 4.
• Our staff at the base will tell you the position and give instructions.
One way
cruises
• You will find in our base access notes full details about methods for getting
back to your car. You will be told at the base about arrangements for having
your own car driven to the end-point of your cruise.
• We must draw your attention to the fact that one-way cruising is an optional
feature which can never be totally guaranteed owing to the possibility of cancellations
or other difficulties.
• You must therefore recheck one week before departure whether the one way cruise
is available and in which direction it will be.
Insurance
• The hire price includes insurance of the boat and of the hirer's liability
to a third party arising out of use of the boat. Insurance of the hirer, his
personal effects and any other liability to a third party is not included
Navigation
dues
• All government dues and taxes are included in the hire charge.
Hiring
without permit / licence
• in France: Locaboat Plaisance has been authorised to offer
boat hire without need for a captain's permit. After you have been given instruction
in handling your craft and navigation rules you will be given a permit for the
duration of your cruise.
• in Holland / Ireland / Italy: no licence is required.
• in Germany: You don't need a licence for cruising if you start
from Matzlow and Furstenberg and go as far as Liebenwalde to the north of Berlin.
Starting from Ketzin, you will be asked for a licence that is valid in your country
of residence. If no licence is necessary in your country of residence then one
will not be asked for at Ketzin.
