The Association of Pleasure Craft Operators

The APCO Guide to Inland Waterway Boating Holidays

APCO  Companies who offer specialised services to the Inland Waterways Industry.

APCO represents all parts of the Inland Waterways industry, not just companies who directly operate boats, but also those who support them.

The links bottom right to waterway maps and route planning may assist you in choosing the most appropriate route, waterway and company.

Below, separated into sections, are APCO members who offer specialised services.
Many companies listed under the hire boat sections also offer boat yard, chandlery and mooring services

Boat Yards, Marinas and Chandleries

  Website / Contact
All-Aboard Marine Services: Boat repairs and dry dock in Newbury on the Kennet and Avon Canal www.aamarine.co.uk
Ashby Narrow Boat Company: Boat Builders and Marina on the Ashby Canal ashbycanalcentre@bigfoot.com
tel: 01455 212636 
Blue Haven Marine: Boat builders and marina operator near Rugby on the North Oxford Canal www.bluehavenmarine.com
info@bluehavenmarine.com
tel: 01788 536002

Canal Transport Services Ltd: Boat builders and boat yard at Norton Canes in Staffordshire on the BCN.

canaltransport@hotmail.com 
tel: 01543 374370

High Line Yachting Ltd: Boat Brokers and three boat yards in London areas on the Grand Union www.high-line.co.uk
sales@high-line.co.uk
Holidays Afloat Ltd : Boat yard at Market Drayton on the Shropshire Union tel: 01630 653181
James Mayor & Company: Boat Yard at Tarleton near Preston on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal tel: 01772 812250
Middlesex & Herts Boat Services: Boat yard and dry dock at Winkwell on the Grand Union www.nucleus-analysis.demon.co.uk
Severn Valley Boat Centre: Boat yard, boat builders and chandlery in Stourport basin on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal www.severnboat.com
sales@severnboat.co.uk
Stone Boat Builders: Chandlery and boat yard in Stone on the Trent and Mersey Canal www.stoneboatbuilding.co.uk
Stroudwater Cruisers: Boat builders in Stourport basin on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal www.stroudwater-cruisers.co.uk
keith@stroudwater-cruisers.co.uk
T & D Murrell tel: 020 7681 3966 
fax:
020 7681 3966
TW Marine: Specialist boat yard on the Peak Forest Canal supplying engines, gear boxes and silencers www.twmarine.co.uk
Topaz Marine Services Ltd. Boat yard based on the River Avon near Stratford tel: 01789 750878
Torbay Seaways & Stevedores Ltd based in Torbay in Devon torbayseaways@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: 01803 320008
Uxbridge Boat Centre: Boat yard and dry dock in Uxbridge on the Grand Union ubc@uxbridge99.fsnet.co.uk
Warings Green Wharf: Boat yard and moorings near Solihull on the Stratford upon Avon Canal stephen@nblouth.freeserve.co.uk
tel: 07879 818456
Weltonfield Narrowboats Ltd: Boat yard, Marinas and Boat building on the Grand Union Leicester Branch www.weltonfield.co.uk/service.htm
Corporate members, Booking agents and shared ownership companies
British Waterways: The main Government Navigation Agency responsible for over 2000 miles of canals and rivers. Also owns and runs many waterside facilities including numerous marinas. BW also issues boat licences. www.britishwaterways.co.uk
Broads Hire Boat Federation (BHBF). Trade body- part of the British Marine Federation- representing the hire boat industry on the Norfolk Broads. tony@thowes.wanadoo.co.uk
tel: 01603 897326
Canal Boatbuilders Association (CBA. Trade body- part of the British Marine Federation- representing boat builders. SClarke@britishmarine.co.uk
tel: 0844 800 9575  
Hoseasons Holidays Ltd. Boating Holiday booking agency. www.hoseasons.co.uk
Companies offering services to the inland waterway industry
Andy Davey Boat Painting: Specialist Boat Painter based near Aylesbury with covered paint dock. tel: 01628 603764
Canal Junction Ltd: specialists in website design, management and internet promotion for inland waterways companies. www.canaljunction.com/webdesign
services@canaljunction.com
tel: 01691 623126
Eugene Baston Communications: specialists in inland waterways marketing activities. Drive customers to your door with professional marketing campaigns. communications@eugenebaston.com
tel: 01869 322466
H & H Training and Consulting: Part of H &H Narrowboat Hotels. Waterway Tourism and Health & Safety consultancy. Qualified Mediator and ADR services www.hindandhart.co.uk 
info@hindandhart.co.uk
tel: 01926 408 377
Marine & General: David Brett specialist in Waterways Insurance david@dbrett.fsnet.co.uk
tel: 01622 201106
Michael Carter: Boat surveyor and consultant, affiliated to the YDSA. All types of vessel and surveys. www.mcarter.co.uk
ws@michaelcarter.co.uk 
tel: 07831 184495
Robin Smithett: Inland Waterways professional photographer, brochure design and marketing consultancy. Member of the Guild of Waterway Artists. www.smithett.co.uk
robin@smithett.co.uk
tel: 01981 540334
Top Lock Training- Based near Stockport offering training courses in all aspects of boat handling, including RYA Inland Helmsman and MCA Boat Master; also consultancy and bespoke training courses. www.toplocktraining.co.uk
info@toplocktraining.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.
Joining APCO
Benefits and membership information for companies considering joining APCO.
Members Section
Information for APCO members, password needed to enter.

Canal Maps & Guides
Multimap
Boating Guides to Individual Waterways
Principal Navigations Information
Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO), Marine House, Thorpe Lea Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 8BF
Tel:  0844 8009575 Email info@apco.org.uk