Rule Changes for 2023
New rules on the stability of hire boats will come into force later this year and it means we will have to restrict the number of people onboard to 6. This is outside our control and is being enforced by the licencing authorities.
All 2023 bookings will only be for 6 people!
Rambling Thorn
Day boat hire - Rambling Thorn is a purpose built self drive day boat. Designed to carry 6 passengers. There is ample seating inside and out with a large open front deck, if the British weather is on your side!
The boat is equipped with everything you should need including;
- 2 burner cooker
- Fridge
- Fully equipped galley (kitchen) for 6
- Seating inside and out
- Safety equipment
- Flush toilet
Prices and Important information
2023 Day Boat Hire
The cost of Day hire is £160 weekends and bank holidays and £150 weekdays
Cruising times are between 9:00am until 4:00pm. Maximum 6 people
Important information for Boat hire
We require a deposit of £50 (non refundable) with the booking and the balance is due one month before (non refundable). You will also need to provide us with £50 security deposit on the day, this needs to be in cash, this is refundable if you keep to the Terms and Conditions. See the fully terms and condition and booking condition below.
We do not accept Stag or Hen parties, Groups turning up with large amounts of alcohol will be refused hire and no money will be refunded.
We do operate all year round, except for maintenance, usually January
During winter if the canal is iced over and we believe it is unsafe for you to take the boat out we will either have to cancel or reschedule your trip, this is beyond our control and your safety is important to us.
Training
Never driven a boat before don't worry we've got you covered!
Every hire begins with a comprehensive handover that meet industry standards
We will cover;
- Safety
- Equipment locations
- Boat handling, mooring and turning
- Emergency actions
- Maps and timings
We will then take you down the canal for some practical training.
Routes
Probably the most common question is which is the best way to go?
The best route to take is to go east, the canal wanders through the Cheshire countryside and through very picturesque villages.
You will pass through Grapenhall, Thelwall, Lymm, Outrington, Dunham Massey. You can make it through Altingcham although if you are wanting to stop for lunch, either a pub Lunch or a Picnic we would recommend turning round at Dunham Massey, once you are passed Dunham Massey the rout becomes very Urban.
You can also go in the other direction, heading out through more stunning countryside and the villages of Walton, Moore and Daersbury, going this way you will have to turn before Preston brook tunnel, a journey of about 2 hours, you can head down the Runcorn Arm, this is quite and urban area but there are some more great places to visit including Norton Priory and the currently (disused) Runcorn Locks, the old route from the Bridgewater to the Manchester Ship Canal
See below for more information lunch stops and places of interest.
Booking and Availability
We do not have any facilities to book the day boat online as this allows us to control the type of customers who hire the day boat, to book please call on 01925 265129 or email us on bookings@thornmarine.co.uk. You can also visit us in Facebook. Please do not message us on Facebook as we have found it to be very unreliable and messages have disappeared in the past.
Location
We are based on the Bridgewater Canal in Stockton Heath, just south of Warrington. With easy access to the motorway network.
Click here for our location details
Day Boat Hire Availability
Booking for 2023 open on the 1st October 2022
To book our Day boat for 2022 find a free date and then give us a call on 01925 265129
The availability calendar is not a live system and booking may have been made and not updated!
