The Association of Pleasure Craft Operators

The APCO Guide to Inland Waterway Boating Holidays

APCO –  Companies offering Day Hire Boats
Hiring a boat for the day is a wonderful way to experience the delights of the inland waterways.
If you have never boated before, day hire provides a good taster of the joys of cruising canals and rivers.
If you are an experienced narrow boater you can sample new waterways.
Day Hire Boats vary in design, size and facilities but all offer good value for a family treat, an unusual way to celebrate events and a fun day out for the whole family.
Most companies also have boats available for short break and week long hire.

The links below right to waterway maps and route planning may assist you in choosing the most appropriate route, waterway and company.
Companies who take part in the British Marine Federation, Boat Handover Scheme, display the following logo.

APCO members offer a large number of bases, routes and boats to choose from.

Day Boat Hire Bases
Alvechurch Waterway Holidays www.alvechurch.com
Anglo Welsh Waterway Holidays www.anglowelsh.co.uk
Ashby Boat Company www.ashbyboats.co.uk
Avon Boating www.avon-boating.co.uk   
Bath Narrowboats www.bath-narrowboats.co.uk
Black Prince Holidays Ltd www.black-prince.com
Blackwater Boats www.blackwaterboats.freeserve.co.uk  
Chertsey Meads Marina www.boatsthames.com
Clifton Cruisers www.cliftoncruisers.com  
Copt Heath Wharf www.coptheathwharf.co.uk
Debbies Day Boats Ltd www.debbiesdayboats.co.uk  
Freedom Boats www.freedomboats.co.uk  
Galleon Marine www.galleonmarine.co.uk  
Kilworth Marina Ltd www.kilworthmarina.co.uk  
Maestermyn Marine Ltd www.maestermyn.co.uk 
Oxfordshire Narrowboats www.oxfordshire-narrowboats.co.uk  
Saltisford Canal Centre www.saltisfordcanal.co.uk  
Sileby Mill Boatyard www.surftech.co.uk  
Snaygill Boats Ltd www.snaygillboats.co.uk  
Stoke Bruerne Boat Company Ltd www.stokebruerneboats.co.uk  

Boating Holidays
What to expect on a UK boating holiday, different types of holiday and much more.
About APCO
Explaining the purpose and background of the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators.
APCO Members
Listing all APCO member, with their full contact details.
Handover Scheme
When hiring a boat you need to be sure you will be given suitable tuition.
Boat Grading Scheme
Explaining the Boat Grading Scheme from VisitBritain for Hire Boats and Hotelboats.
Boaters Code
British Waterways guide to how all canal users should behave. PDF download.
Boaters Handbook
The BW handbook, available here as a PDF to download, covers everything from Boat Handling, Safety and Rules of the Road.
Kid's pages
Things for the children to do, including a waterways game courtesy of British Waterways.
Useful Links
Links to other useful waterways websites.
Members Section
Information for APCO members, password needed to enter.

Waterways Map
Multimap
Boating Guides to Individual Waterways
Principal Navigations Information
Hotelboat Companies
Hire bases in the North West
Hire bases in the North
Hire bases in the Scotland
Hire bases in the Midlands
Hire bases in the South
Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO), Marine House, Thorpe Lea Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 8BF
Tel:  0844 8009575 Email info@apco.org.uk