Wide-beam Experience Days
BOOKINGS NOW CLOSED FOR THE SEASON! Drop us a line for enquiries for next year!
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Thinking of buying a Wide Beam Canal Boat or just want a day out?
Why not spend a day on one with one of our experience days!
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Based on the River Thames, at Maidenhead, we can take you out for a day and show you the ropes of ownership and get a feel for it with some time at the helm of a 60ft x 12'6" Wide Beam Boat.
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All sessions are run by our fully qualified RYA Helmsman Instructor.
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Option 1: If you would like to experience the helm, a typical day will include:​
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Introduction and Safety Briefing: Learn about boat safety, essential equipment, and emergency procedures to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
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Basic Boat Handling: Get hands-on experience with steering, mooring, and navigating locks under the guidance of our expert instructor.
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Navigating the Thames: Experience the beauty and challenges of cruising on the River Thames, including how to read the water and understand navigational markers.
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Lunch Break: Bring your own lunch and take in the serene surroundings of the river. Tea, coffee and water is provided.
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Advanced Techniques: Practise more advanced skills such as turning in confined spaces, reverse manoeuvres, and handling the boat in different weather conditions.
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Q&A Session: Ask our instructor any questions you have about Wide Beam canal boats, ownership, maintenance, and the boating lifestyle.
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Conclusion and Feedback: Wrap up the day with a summary of what you’ve learned, and receive personalised feedback to help you decide if Wide Beam ownership is right for you.
Option 1 can be adapted to suit your needs.
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Option 2: Day out on a Wide Beam Canal Boat
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Safety Briefing: Comprehensive safety briefing to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Introduction to the boat’s features and emergency procedures.
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Departure from Maidenhead: Set off on your canal boat adventure. Cruise along the picturesque Thames, enjoying the serene landscapes and wildlife.
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​Lunch in Windsor: Bring a picnic to enjoy by the river. Tea, coffee and water is provided.
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Depart Windsor: Begin the leisurely cruise back to Maidenhead. Relax on the boat, take in the views, and perhaps try your hand at steering.
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Return to Maidenhead: Arrive back at Maidenhead, disembark and conclude your day out.
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Whether you're a novice or have some boating experience, our experience day is tailored to provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to enjoy life on a Wide Beam canal boat.
Book your experience day now and embark on your journey towards owning your own Wide Beam boat!
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£450 for your group of up to 4 people per day:
9.00am - 4.00pm on selected days.
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If you would like more information call:
​07585 715502
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River Thames on our wide beam canal boat
Mooring our wide beam canal boat
Mooring for lock operation
River Thames on our wide beam canal boat
Engine Servicing
Depending on manufacturers recommendations your engine requires servicing at regular intervals depending on how much cruising you do – continuous cruisers would obviously want to service their engines more regularly than occasional cruisers.
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However, brand new engines normally have a maintenance schedule which recommends more frequent servicing to ensure your engine is kept in optimum condition and adheres to warranty requirements.
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At Thames and Kennet Marine Services we will service your engine using the manufacturers recommended products that are required under warranty, knowing you will have full peace of mind.
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We specialise in Canaline engines, fitted on Collingwood boats and supply original parts from Engines Plus.
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A typical service can include (depending on number of hours):
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Oil Change - Engine and Gearbox
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Filter Change - Oil, Fuel and Air
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Coolant Level & Antifreeze Check
Winterisation
Winterising your boat will help you avoid costly repair bills should your boat be damaged by the freezing temperatures during the winter.
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If you intend to stay on your boat over the winter you will not need to do a full winterisation service, however, if you intend to leave your boat for any period of time, then you need to do a lot more to make sure you are protecting your pride and joy.
We can accommodate, whatever your winterisation needs.
Solar Installation
Fitting solar panels to your narrowboat or wide beam will give you much more freedom to explore the waterways and canals.
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Whether you are a fair-weather owner, or live on your boat all year round, we can provide a suitable solar charging solution for everyone! All of our solar installations come with good quality panels, a reliable regulator, and all the wiring you should need. We do recommend running two solar wires at factory if you are having a new boat built to save having these wires fitted externally.
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At Thames and Kennet Marine Services we offer installation of fixed mount solar panels, the feet are glued to the deck and make a strong, stable platform for your solar panels. We also offer low profile stick down panels, as well as tilted mounts.
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We have 3 pre-designed kits to accommodate a range of boats and fit Victron MPPT controllers as standard.
We can also customise solar installation for any shape or size of boat.
We know you can trust these panels even on a grey day as we installed them on our own wide beam!
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