On Monday, May 12, 2014 5:26:45 PM UTC+1, Jack Campin wrote:
Anyone ever hired a barge/riverboat in England?



Once. It went horribly wrong but I might think about doing it again.



The wife and I fancy doing this. Is a licence/permit required?

Companies doing this sort of stuff? Costs?



If you've never done it before, stick to canals. Rivers are a lot

more challenging, and I doubt if anybody would allow a newbie to

hire a boat and take it out on one. You can get to a lot of places

by canal.



uk.rec.waterways is the place to ask.



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Jack Campin, 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU, Scotland

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Take your point, although the Broads are wide open to newbies (sometimes unfortunately) including tidal waters which has caused some mooring humour! :-))
I don't think river cruiser hirers would turn down newbies either.
But canals are inherently easier, no doubt, and perhaps the best choice for learners.
Have just returned from a Force 7 crossing of the Solent in a friend's cruiser, which was 'interesting'! :-))