Our Trips - Call us for more details 07920402530
Kraken Cruises
We offer a unique managed introduction to the British canal system to ensure that when you feel ready to take a trip on your own you are fully confident.
Throughout your time onboard you have the use of the lounge (with TV, Wifi and more charging ports than you can shake a stick at) and kitchen as well as the two bathrooms. During the day you can enjoy cruising and, if you like, acting as crew for the captain managing any locks, swing bridges and lift bridges that we encounter on our trip. You can even take a turn on the tiller supported by the captain.
Cruising is all about the journey and not at all about rushing to a given destination. More often than not there is no specific destination and a mooring spot will be chosen based on how nice it looks or its proximity to a decent pub!
What You Will Learn
- Navigation and management of a Narrow Boat
- Safety and handling procedures
- How much fun you can have a 2 miles an hour!
Our Offer
Managing a 70' 26 tonne narrow boat takes some training and practice. Join us for a day's supported canal experience with Captain Mark Husband to acquire the training and confidence to set out on your own adventures.
We can accommodate groups of up to eight people. Cruises take place between 10am and 2pm and cost £250 regardless of the number of guests.
What to Expect
Almost everything about being on a narrowboat involves some degree of adaptation or adjustment for people used to land based living. Perfection is not possible and given the large number of systems in operation on board it is best to assume that something or other has gone wrong or will go wrong; this is just part of boating.
Squeak By is well maintained and regularly serviced but if something fails while we are cruising it will need to be fixed. We do carry Gold River Rescue cover (like the AA for boats) so if the captain cannot fix it there is a good chance that they can and they are usually able to send someone within a few hours. Again, it is important to stress, that taking time to fix things is a normal part of boating life - it is a chance to have a G & T or go for a walk rather than a problem.
Guests are free to bring alcohol aboard and to enjoy a drink whenever they choose but we do ask that you avoid getting drunk - a narrowboat is a very safe environment but boating and boozing to excess do not mix. Further, a narrowboat is a quite confined environment and unruly behavior of any sort will not be tolerated.
Safety
Your captain has passed the RYA Helmsmans course and is solely responsible for the safe operation of the boat. All of your captain's reasonable instructions must be followed; for example the number of people on the stern while moving must not exceed three - this is so the tiller can be moved through its full range when needed. There is to be no climbing on the roof of the boat while in motion - simply because of the risk of falling off. In the very unlikely event that you do fall off the boat - just stand up - most canals are only 3 or 4 feet deep! The boat will not reverse back to you and you should not panic and just await the captain's instructions. We have life rings and a boat hook aboard and should they be needed they will be deployed. In reality you would just need to wade to the bank and have someone help you out.
Should you need assistance with using any of the systems on board just ask - there are no daft questions. If unfamiliar with using a log burner or gas stove or unsure how to drain the shower tray (this uses a "Whale Gulper" pump!) for instance, asking is always better than having a go!
Health issues - Should you have a known health condition which could create an urgent need for care - epilepsy, diabetes, heart condition etc. please do let the captain know when you board or when you book. This will not limit your trip in any way but will give the captain a starting point for seeking / providing help should something happen to you. For people with limited mobility the good news is that there is never a need to be athletic aboard a narrowboat; you never jump on or off, just step on and off and there is never a rush to do anything. Getting into the boat does involve a small flight of three steps - these are best navigated backwards on the way down and forwards on the way up.
