BoatStays is here: Britain's boat owners invited to share their vessels

A new platform is giving Britain's private boat owners a way to share their narrowboats, river cruisers and dayboats with holidaymakers on their own terms, and earn from them when they're not aboard.

BoatStays, a newly launched service connecting private boat owners with guests looking for something more personal than fleet hire, is designed to make weekend breaks, week-long trips and afternoon escapes on the water easier to arrange, connecting travellers with the boat owners who know our canals and rivers best.

Britain's brand-new owner-hosted platform dedicated to narrowboats and river cruisers, it introduces a model already familiar in other sectors but relatively new to inland waterways. Instead of relying on traditional fleet operators, boatstays.org lets individual boat owners list their vessels when not in use, earning income while staying in full control of their availability, their pricing and their house rules.

A founding owner offer for Towpath Talk readers

Central to the launch is a founding owner offer for early adopters from the waterways community. Towpath Talk readers who list their boats before 30 September 2026 will keep 100% of their earnings for their first full season, with BoatStays waiving its standard 15% commission entirely as a welcome to the people who make the platform what it is.

From the founder

Founder and CEO Joseph Butcher was inspired to launch BoatStays through a lifelong love of holidays on the water. He said:

"BoatStays is so much more than a business. I want to build a community which shares the same passion I have for boating holidays. Some of my best memories have been spent on the canals, and I've always felt there's something special about that slower, more connected way of travelling.

"What makes BoatStays different is that it puts boat owners at the heart of the experience. Instead of a traditional hire model, it gives people the freedom to share their boats on their own terms, rather than fitting into a one size fits all model. You've got real people sharing something they care about, and guests getting a much more authentic experience in return.

"For me, it's about creating those genuine connections and building a community around a shared love of the waterways, rather than just focusing on transactions or bookings. This reflects the spirit of the waterways and the people who use them."

Built around the realities of boat ownership

The platform is built around the practical realities of boat ownership. Listing takes minutes. Owners add photos, a description, what's onboard and their house rules, then set their own nightly rate, minimum stay and security deposit. A live calendar syncs with iCal and lets owners block out any dates they want the boat for themselves. Every guest must make a profile before they can make a booking request, and funds are released to the owner approximately 24 hours after check-in.

A free licensing guide for every UK waterway authority

For owners who are not yet set up for commercial hire, BoatStays provides a free licensing guide covering every UK inland waterway authority: the Canal and River Trust, the Environment Agency, the Broads Authority and Scottish Canals. The guide covers paperwork, costs and timelines for each, alongside application checklists, handover templates and guest waivers, all available free in the owner dashboard.

Joseph added:

"BoatStays connects you directly with people who own and love their boats. No fleets, no anonymous handovers, just a warm welcome and a great trip. And it's not just about enjoying these places, but looking after them too, and making sure they're protected for future generations."

Giving back to the waterways

BoatStays contributes a share of revenue, currently 3% of every booking, to The Rivers Trust.

Visit boatstays.org to find out more or list your boat.