Dayboat hire
Dayboat hire in the UK, direct from owners
A day on the water without committing a whole weekend. Drive it yourself after a handover, bring a picnic, be back by teatime.
Boats available now
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What a day out looks like
The handover
Fifteen to thirty minutes with the owner covering the controls, mooring, life jackets and where the good stopping points are.
How far you will get
At 3 to 4mph a four hour hire is a comfortable six to eight mile round trip, or less if there are locks in the way.
What to bring
Soft-soled shoes, layers, sun cream and lunch. Most dayboats have somewhere to sit and a table, not a galley.
Who it suits
First timers, birthdays and anyone testing whether they want a longer trip later in the year.
Dayboat hire, the practical bits
Do I need a licence to hire a boat?
No. The owner holds the boat's licence and the hire endorsement that lets it be hired out. You just turn up and cruise.
Do I need experience?
No. Every owner runs a hands-on handover before you set off, covering steering, mooring, locks and the safety kit on board.
How is BoatStays different from a hire fleet?
You book the owner's own boat and deal with them directly. They know the water, the moorings and the good pubs, and you get their number for the whole trip.
Can children come along?
Yes. Owners provide life jackets, and each listing states the maximum number of people on board.
Book the morning slot in summer. The water is calmer and the locks are quieter.