Le Boat How-To Guide | How to book a canal house boat

#boatrental #canalboat #leboat

Watch this video to see the ins and outs of choosing and booking a boat to cruise through the canals and rivers and lakes of Europe and Canada! We've taken two trips with Le Boat (links below), and---- overall--- we would do it again. But, there are some things to consider before you spend your hard-earned cash on such a trip.

Out first Le Boat adventure:    • Le Boat rental: what it's really like | Ou...  

Our second Le Boat adventure:    • Best Boat Rentals | A warning about Le Boa...  

ABOUT US: We are two 60-somethings who are fortunate enough to be able to smell the roses---and we do---while we still can! We don't like videos in which the content creator is the star of the show. We prefer to show you what you want to see: the surroundings, the physical space and the atmosphere. We want to impart good, useful information to help you plan your travels! We give you how-to-guides, flight reviews, airline lounge tours, train excursions, cruise information, info about boat rentals, amazing hikes and luxury lodging, garden tours and 4K walkabouts.

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00:00 intro
00:47 basic info
01:18 Step 1: Choose Your Destination
02:05 Step 2: Select Your Boat
02:53 Step 3: Make a Booking
03:27 Step 4: Prepare For Your Trip
03:56 Step 5: Enjoy Your Cruise!

How-To Guide: Houseboat and Canal Boat Rentals in Europe and Canada

Are you Looking for a fun and relaxing way to tour Europe or
Canada? We can highly recommend renting a canal
houseboat!
Think about it: you can travel from town to town, never
having to pack and unpack each night, and you’ll be off the
highways and viewing the countryside from a totally different
perspective.
Welcome to your ultimate guide on how to rent a vacation
canal boat!

When renting a canal boat in Europe or Canada, you typically don't need a boating license because canal boats are designed to be very easy to maneuver, with simple controls and limited speeds, making them accessible to novice boaters. Rental companies provide a brief instruction session to ensure you are comfortable operating the boat before setting off, eliminating the need for a prior license!

Many of these tips may also pertain to other rental companies, but our only experience is with Le Boat, the world’s largest operator of river and canal boat rentals. So, let’s learn how to book a trip with Le Boat!

Step 1: Choose Your Destination

First, decide on your destination. Le Boat offers a variety of locations across Europe and Canada. Consider what kind of scenery you prefer. We have found that canals are prettier than rivers.

And the other major factor when selecting a location is how many locks you may encounter on your travels. When we traveled in the Aquitaine region, southeast of Bordeaux, we had—- on average—- about 1 lock per hour. On the other hand, some routes will have you navigating about 2 to 3 locks per hour. That’s a lot of stopping ——and a lot of work if the locks are manual!

The Le Boat web site tells you exactly how many locks you’ll pass thru and how many hours your journey will be. Just do the math and determine if that route will be relaxing or taxing.

*Step 2: Select Your Boat*
Next, choose the right boat for your group. Le Boat has a range of boats that sleep between 2-12 people, from budget-friendly classics to luxurious, fully-equipped vessels. Think about the size of your group and the level of comfort you desire.

Make careful note of air conditioning. The more expensive rentals have true AC, while others have what they call “air cooling” which uses the canal or river water to produce cool air. Naturally, if the water temp is high, this significantly reduces the performance of this type of cooling system.

So, if you’re traveling during the warmest months and you want to guarantee you’ll be cool, make sure you select a boat with true AC.

*Step 3: Make a Booking*
Once you've chosen your destination and boat, it's time to make a booking. You can book online through the Le Boat website or by phone. A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance due 11 weeks before your holiday begins.

*Step 4: Prepare for Your Trip*
Before you set off, Le Boat provides a boat handling demo and all the necessary equipment, including kitchen utensils, towels, and bed linen. Encourage ALL members in your party to review the on-board cruising information and safety guidelines provided by Le Boat on their site.

*Step 5: Enjoy Your Cruise*
Finally, it's time to enjoy your boating vacation! Navigate the waterways at your own pace, explore charming towns, and soak in the beautiful scenery. Le Boat offers technical support and assistance throughout your trip, so you can relax and make the most of your adventure.

*Conclusion:*
Renting a boat is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of Europe's waterways or Canada's scenic lakes.

Until then, please post any comments or questions below. Thanks for watching and Bon Voyage!