Locaboat Holidays’ fleet provides consistent high quality across the board. Rental boats and Pénichettes®, as well as the Europa and Linssen models, are all extremely comfortable, easy to handle and are perfect for boating holidays on a self-drive boat, with no licence required.
Can I really rent a boat with no licence as easily as it sounds?
Under European law, it is legal to rent a boat without a licence on certain waterways. The water conditions in such areas are generally calm and pleasant. Locaboat’s self-drive boats range from 9 and 15 metres in length but have been designed to be easy to handle and manoeuvre.
Finally, rest assured that we won’t let you set off before we’re certain you’re fully prepared. We are authorised to train our customers to operate self-drive boats with no licence. At the start of your cruise, a technician will spend time explaining how your boat works and the necessary manoeuvres. Once you’re completely confident, you can set off on your boating holiday – you’re the skipper, after all.
Let us help you!
OUR RANGE of canal boats
You will know by now that after choosing one of our many destinations – perhaps France for its famous Canal du Midi cruise or Italy to visit Venice – you need to choose a self-drive boat to match your budget, group size and crew. You can find out all about our different boat types below; if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Canal boat and Pénichette®: comfort and equipment?
Locaboat boats are as comfortable to live in as an apartment. You’ll find a kitchen (called a ‘galley’ in boating terminology) equipped with a fridge, hot plates, a worktop and usually an oven (all boats except the Linssen model). All necessary kitchenware and crockery can be found on board. We also provide sheets, duvets, bath towels and dishcloths. There’s almost nothing you have to bring yourself, but if you’re unsure take a look at the pre-departure checklist.
All our boats have a main room and one or more cabins. Except for the Pénichette Classique®, all our rental boats have an outside deck where a table can be placed for al-fresco dining.
Self-drive canal boats: what about children’s safety?
Safety is a primary concern for those with young children. Our boats are specially adapted and very safe, and problems are extremely rare on canals and lakes. For the most risk-averse parents, we recommend Pénichette® models rather than boats from the Europa or Linssen ranges because they come equipped with guard rails around the outside of the boat. Please also be aware that children tend to adapt more quickly than adults to conditions on board. For these reasons, ensuring child safety on a boat is no more difficult than on dry land.
Where can I find the boats and Pénichettes® ?
For your next river cruise, you can choose among 380 Pénichettes® and licence-free boats available in France, Germany, Holland, Italy and Ireland. In order to find the boat that suits you best, Locaboat recommends you to have a look at the 2020 list of boats available at its 24 departure bases.
Maximum comfort: our canal boats equipped with biminis
During the whole season, Locaboat provides you with all the necessary equipment to ensure your comfort and well-being. During the Summer season, you can make the most of the good weather on the deck of your boat while protecting yourself from the sun’s rays by choosing one of our Pénichettes® equipped with biminis.
