Boating Basics by Clive Edwards

Before you leave home -
Your hire-cruiser operator will normally have provided you with a list of all the equipment that you will find on-board when you collect your boat from the base. But this will obviously not include items such as personal clothing and footwear, so the following is a guide as to what you should take with you:

Bags: Hard suitcases are certainly not ideal on a boat, so you should try to pack your things in soft bags

Clothing: Clothing should be practical, comfortable and easy to clean, even though you may want to take some “smart-casual” clothes for evenings out etc. Don’t forget that it can turn chilly and even rain on occasions, even on the Canal du Midi, so packing a warm sweater and lightweight wet-weather gear is advisable. Shoes – Non-slip “deck-shoes” are ideal, but trainers will probably do – high heels and slippery-soled smart shoes are definitely unsuitable! Gloves are useful for handling anchor warps and mooring ropes, and caps, as a protection against the glare of the sun, are also very useful – almost essential for the driver (helmsman).

Toiletries: Boats do not generally have electric razor sockets, or sockets for 240Volt hair dryers! Water reflects and intensifies sunlight, so don’t forget the sun-glasses, the sun-tan lotion and the after-sun!

Maps & Guides:  Maps used on the water are usually called “charts” and you’ll definitely need to have such a chart, and a waterways guide both as an essential reference in terms of the location and opening hours of locks, for distances between them, where you can find moorings, and other crucial information, but also as a guide to tourist attractions, restaurants etc. The multi-language “Guides Fluvial” series covering all the main inland waterways of France are highly recommended, and can be purchased in the UK from Boating in France (see www.boating-in-france.com)

Fishing Tackle: If you’re a keen angler you’ll know what to take in terms of tackle, but don’t forget you’ll probably need permit – in France these are available from fishing tackle shops and some “tabacs”

Children & Pets: Although at sea we would recommend life jacks both for children and for adults, on most inland waterways lifejackets as such are not absolutely essential, but we would strongly recommend the use of “buoyancy aids” by young children and/or non-swimmers, and you can even get  buoyancy aids for dogs these days too! Books and some games will help to stop kids becoming bored once the novelty of being afloat begins to wear off, and don’t forget the pet food, their beds, leads and food/water bowls if you’re taking the dog(s) with you!

Bicycles: Some hire-cruiser operators also offer bicycle hire as well, and these will certainly add to your enjoyment and be useful too for shopping expeditions –  if you’re taking your own bikes don’t forget to make sure they’re insured.

Barbecues: Handy when you’re ashore, but not normally allowed to be used on board

Bin-Bags: These are useful for depositing rubbish into the bins provided at most locks and official mooring places.

Documentation: Anyone operating a boat on continental waterways requires a Certificate of Competence (ie a Licence) but those who hire a cruiser from a recognised hire-cruiser operator are normally provided with a temporary licence covering the period of hire, so when booking you should check that this is the case – many operators actually advertise “no licence required” which in effect means that they will give you a temporary licence when you collect your boat from their base. However cruiser operations on the inland waterways of Europe are governed by a set of quite complicated regulations, rather like the Highway Code, and your hire-cruiser operator will normally provide you with a summary of these regulations illustrating the more important points you will need to comply with. If you’re interested in knowing more about this subject before you leave home there are booklets available from  the Royal Yachting Association  including “The RYA Book of the International Certificate of Competence” and the CEVNI European Waterways Regulations, published by Adlard Coles Nautical, Telephone 01480 212666.
(www.adlardcoles.co.uk)