Day Boat Hire on the Aylesbury Arm
Day Boat Hire Prices
Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays) £144 inc VAT.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and bank holidays £180 inc VAT.
From £144 • Up to 8 people + dogs welcome • Full training included • Kitchen, toilet & heating onboard • Perfect for families, picnics & celebrations
5 * Reviews
We hired Catalina for a birthday treat with friends. Everything from start to finish was great. Catalina was lovely… and had everything we could possibly need on a day boat including a kitchen, clean flushing toilet and hot water
Book Your Day
Select your preferred day below. and book instantly. Limited spots, especially weekends!
Use this booking form to reserve your day
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Full payment is taken online via Stripe at the time of booking.
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A £100 deposit for damages will be collected on the day in cash or by card reader.
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Parking is available on-site
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The hire starts at 09:00 — please arrive 15 minutes early for briefing and training
Where Does the Trip Start?
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Aylesbury Canal Society, Circus Field Basin, Stocklake, Aylesbury, HP20 1AP Buckinghamshire
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Parking is available on-site
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The hire starts at 09:00 — please arrive 15 minutes early for briefing and training
Day Boat Hire on Catalina Available any day (including weekends & holidays) from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Perfect for family outings, picnics, birdwatching, or a relaxing day with friends on the peaceful Aylesbury Arm.
Catalina is our charming 31ft traditional stern narrowboat — your floating home for the day.
Onboard features:
- Comfortable front deck seating up to 8 people
- Galley kitchen with gas hob, sink, kettle, plates & cutlery (just clean up after yourselves!)
- Flushing toilet + sink
- USB ports & socket for electric cool box
- Radiator in the cabin for cooler days
- Life jackets & safety gear provided
No experience needed — watch our safety video before your trip, and receive full hands-on training on the day.
How many people can the boat carry?
The boat has a maximum capacity of 8 people.
This total includes all passengers over 1 year old, including children.
What are the hire times?
Our hire times vary by season.
• Spring & Summer: 09:00 – 17:00
• When daylight hours shorten: Return time is dusk
What facilities are provided on board?
The boat is equipped with the essentials for a comfortable day out.
On board you will find:
• Two-ring gas hob
• Kettle and lighter
• Cutlery and crockery
• Four folding chairs (for use when moored)
• Small radiator at the bow end of the cabin for cooler days
Fridge:
There is no fridge, but there is a cigarette-lighter socket suitable for an electric cool box. A cool bag also works well.
Do we need boating experience?
No previous boating experience is required.
Before your trip you will receive a short training video to watch. On the day of your hire a member of our team will also provide:
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A safety briefing
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Instruction on steering and boat controls
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Guidance on operating canal locks
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Help through the first lock
Most people feel confident operating the boat after the training.
We’ve never done this before. What training is provided?
After making your booking, you will receive a training video to watch before your hire date.
On the day, a member of our team will:
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Welcome aboard, Catalina
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Provide a health and safety briefing
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Explain the boat controls and boating etiquette
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Give practical instruction on steering and handling
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Assist you through the first lock
This ensures you feel confident before setting off.
We’ve hired boats before. Why do we still need training?
Even if you have previous boating experience, we will provide the training necessary to familiarise you with Catalina and any specific considerations when travelling along the Aylesbury Arm.
How much does it cost? Is fuel included?
Fuel is included in the hire price.
Hire rates:
• Monday (excluding Bank Holidays) – Thursday: £144
• Friday, Weekends & Bank Holidays: £180
What should we bring with us?
We recommend bringing the following for an enjoyable day on the canal:
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Food and drinks for the day
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Weather-appropriate clothing
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Sunscreen and hats in summer
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A cool bag or electric cool box, if you wish to keep food chilled
Cutlery, crockery, a kettle and a hob are already provided on board.
What time should we arrive?
Please arrive around 15 minutes before your hire time.
This allows time for:
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Boarding the boat
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A safety briefing
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Basic training and instructions
Your hire period begins at 09:00, so arriving slightly early helps ensure you can make the most of your day.
Are dogs allowed on board?
Yes — dogs are welcome on board.
Please note:
• We do not provide life jackets for dogs
• Dogs remain the responsibility of the hirer
Is alcohol allowed on board?
Alcohol is permitted in moderation.
However, the person steering the boat should remain responsible and capable of safely operating the boat at all times.
Safety on the canal is our priority.
Is there parking available?
Yes, parking is available in the Marina, where the boat is moored.
Full arrival details and directions will be provided once your booking has been confirmed.
How far can we travel?
Our recommended route is:
From Circus Field Basin, through Locks 14–9, to Wilstone, where the canal is wide enough to safely turn the boat around.
To allow plenty of time for the return journey, we recommend turning around no later than 13:00.
Can we moor anywhere?
You may moor on the towpath side of the canal where:
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The water is deep enough for the boat
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The bank is clear of vegetation
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It is safe to step on and off
Please do not moor on lock landings (the area immediately before and after a lock), as these areas must remain clear for boats using the lock.
Can we decorate the boat for a celebration?
Yes — decorations are permitted.
However, all decorations must be removed at the end of your hire, and the boat must be returned in the same condition it was received.
Is the boat suitable for elderly or disabled passengers?
Everyone is welcome to hire our day boat. However, this is a self-drive hire, so at least some members of your group must be able to:
• Steer the boat
• Get on and off safely
• Operate canal locks
Important:
The step from the pontoon onto the boat can vary depending on water levels. When water levels are low, the step down may be deeper.
If you have accessibility concerns, we recommend contacting us before booking.
What safety equipment is provided?
Your safety is important to us. The boat carries:
• Life jackets for all passengers over 1 year old
• First aid kit
• Fire blanket
• Fire extinguisher
What happens if we break down?
In the unlikely event of a breakdown:
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Call the contact number provided during your training.
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Ensure someone in your group has the what3words app, so we can locate you easily.
We will:
• Attend to assess the issue
• Attempt to repair the fault
• Tow the boat back to the basin if required
Can we stay overnight?
No. The boat is not licensed or insured for overnight stays and is not designed for sleeping on board.
Catalina is strictly a day-hire boat and must be returned at the end of the hire period.
What if rain is forecast and we want to cancel?
Our day boat operates in most weather conditions.
If you decide to cancel your booking due to a forecast of rain, the booking will be non-refundable.
What happens during severe weather warnings?
Weather warnings are handled in accordance with the official guidance at the time.
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Red weather warning – We will contact you to reschedule your booking.
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Amber weather warning – You may be offered the option to reschedule, depending on the type of warning issued.
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Yellow weather warning – Bookings will normally proceed as planned.
What happens if the Aylesbury Canal Society cancels the booking?
If the Aylesbury Canal Society needs to cancel your booking, we will either:
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Offer an alternative hire date, or
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Provide a full refund
Book the day Today
Dates go quickly, especially at weekends and holidays. Secure your date today
What Customers Are Saying
“Thank you Jackie, for talking me through the booking procedure and being so efficient and helpful, and thank you Richard for getting seven novices through our maiden voyage on a narrow boat with your excellent guidance. We all agreed we want to do this again – and wondered why we had waited so long in the first place.”
“We thoroughly enjoyed our day out on Catalina. Highly recommended. Thank you to Richard for making us feel so welcome.“
“What an amazing day out Nick and the team were really helpful and friendly. They made sure we understood all the safety instructions. Remember to kill the engine if anyone falls in. The boat was clean and life jackets are available. Working toilet and charging facilities also available. We had so much fun. We turned left and sailed for a couple of hours to “The Halfmoon” it’s a pub with a beautiful bear garden and great food. We will definitely be back.
Thank you Nick.“
“We hired Catalina for a birthday treat with friends. Everything from start to finish was great. Jackie was really helpful from my first enquiry through to the end. Richard was fantastic and gave us the best briefing we’d ever had when renting a boat. Catalina was lovely… and had everything we could possibly need on a day boat including a kitchen, clean flushing toilet and hot water. The route was lovely. Beautiful countryside and very peaceful. Loved it. Will definitely hire Catalina again and have no hesitation recommending the Aylesbury Canal“
“Great canal boat hire today along the Aylesbury Arm. Richard was our host and really looked after us. Would recommend as a good day out.”
“Another wonderful day on the canal on Catalina. The boat was impeccably clean and even has drinking and hot water on board. A fabulous venue for a multigenerational gathering. Thank you so much.“
Get In Touch!
01296 252101