When we speak of boating holidays, we aren’t referring to a day set aside to celebrate everything boating – although many boating enthusiasts would probably like a holiday like that! In Europe and many other places, vacations are referred to as holidays, so a boating holiday is essentially a boating vacation in Europe.

There are many wonderful boating holiday destinations around Europe. England is a great place to enjoy a boating holiday. They have miles and miles of canals where you can take a narrow boat up and down the waterways enjoying the beautiful countryside along the way. Narrow boats are like cabin cruisers with sleeping quarters and spacious decks for sightseeing.

One great part of taking a boating holiday in England is the availability of water side pubs (places to have a refreshing drink) where you can pull up to, tie off at a dock, and enjoy some old-fashioned English delicacies as well as some fine ale. Just be sure you don’t overdo it lest you become a dangerous boat captain!

You may want to also look into an Irish boating holiday. Many say that cruising Ireland’s rivers and lakes is an experience never to be forgotten and often repeated. Not only is the Irish countryside some of the most beautiful in Europe, there are many shore side places ripe for exploring including woods and castles open to the public.

There are many towns and villages along the way, and the local people are well-known for extending hospitality to visitors. The local shops and pubs on the waterways where you can find some great local entertainment found nowhere else. The fishing in Ireland is also excellent with some prize-winning trout, perch, and salmon readily found along the way.

Boating holidays in the beautiful country of France also are among top choices for avid boaters. French waterways travel through some of the most varied countryside in Europe with each region steeped in its own particular culture, history, and architecture.

The real France is found on a leisurely cruise along the French rivers and canals. On a boating holiday in France, you can see vineyards, chateaus, and quaint villages far from the usual tourist haunts. You can sample gourmet delights in beautiful country inns or feast on board your boat in the open air with some of the finest wines in the world.

Boating holidays in Europe are easily planned as there are boat rental places everywhere along the European waterways. Europe is a beautiful place, and when you plan a boating holiday in this beautiful part of the world, you’re sure to have memories that you will want to share for lifetimes to come.
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Boating is more than a fun way to enjoy nature and the water. There are all sorts of ways to enjoy boating. Think outside of the square and explore new ways to have fun on the water.

Just on its own, boating is fun. But when you involve your family and friends, the fun increases massively! If you have a pontoon boat, you can throw a party on the water and let those you care about enjoy boating as much as you do. If you own a speedboat, your friends and family will have a lot of fun taking turns on board as they enjoy water sports like skiing and tubing.

And of course there is always the serious part of boating and doing it responsibly. If you are captaining your vessel, DO NOT drink alcohol. It is illegal, dangerous and it can impair your judgment and can cause an accident. As you can imagine, THAT would not make boating fun!

Boating fun is guaranteed when you enjoy your time on the water with your family. Keep a positive attitude and teach those around you what you are doing in a responsible manner. Point out interesting places and sites on your trip. Liven the atmosphere with some boating trivia or boating songs. You might be surprised to see how much those around you will enjoy your trip when they see you enjoying it as well.

Part of the fun in boating is enjoying the scenery as you glide across the water. Don’t let that pass you by. Take the time to watch as nature passes you by. Notice the color of the trees, pay attention to any wildlife you might see, find unique sights that you don’t usually see. We think you will find that noticing nature is definitely a big part of boating fun.

Water skiing, inner tubing, wake boarding, and fishing are all fun activities you can do while boating. In fact, many boat owners wouldn’t think of owning a boat without having a ski rope or a fishing seat. Find the joy in these activities and fully embrace that joy. See the joy in the faces of those around you as well. That can be amazingly satisfying as you watch other people with smiles on their faces.

Having fun while boating is easy. Boating is an activity that should take you away from the stresses of everyday life. So sit back, relax a little, laugh a lot, and experience fun like you’ve never known – all while boating!

Probably the most important part of boating for kids is to teach them boat safety. Boating is an activity that the whole family can enjoy – especially kids. Boating safety is something they need to learn early so that they can carry it with them throughout their lives.
The number one safety thing to do when boating with kids is that they must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) or life vest (jacket) at all times. Accidents can happen and extremely quickly , no matter how careful you are. The number one reason for drowning is when people are thrown overboard and are not wearing a PFD. Many kids can’t swim well enough to stay afloat in a traumatic situation like that, so the PFD will literally save their life in most scenarios.
Teach your kids about the safety equipment that must be on all boats and why that equipment is there. For example, the fire extinguisher must be there in case of a fire starts while you are on the water. Some kids think, “Why do we need a fire extinguisher when there’s water all around to put out the fire?” Explain to them that not all fires should be put out with water. The boat runs on gas, and if a fire erupts, you should not put a gas fire out with water.
Boating safety for kids also entails letting them know what various distress signals are and why they are used. For example, flares indicate a stranded boat. A continuous foghorn means a problem on board, etc.
Older kids may want to try out steering the boat. This can be a very exciting time for them. Start them out slowly and above everything else, explain to them the “rules of the road” including which boats have the right of way and how to pass safely. Plus, you should definitely stress to them to travel at a safe speed and not too fast to avoid accidents.
Kids should also know about basic first aid procedures. They should know not to move a person who might have a broken limb and even how to perform mouth to mouth resuscitation. CPR might be a little advanced for younger kids, but older kids can learn CPR from a Red Cross first aid course.
When you are boating with kids, the experience can be great for all of you. It’s a wonderful opportunity to teach them about nature, water life, and so much more. There are all sorts of boating trivia questions that kids will love to try and answer. Ask them why they think life jackets are orange and why they call the bathroom a head. You can make a game of your day on the water while boating and teach your kids valuable lessons. Boating for kids is a great learning opportunity that will stay with them forever and ever!


Boating equipment can be a wide and diverse subject, the list is endless and the pockets may have to be deep. When you take up the sport of boating, the amount of equipment you need can be as complicated or as simple as you want to make it. But the basic boating equipment that everyone needs includes a boat, a trailer and safety equipment.

The boat, obviously, is a no-brainer. You have to have a boat in order to participate in the sport of boating. But a most important piece of equipment is your boat trailer. It’s essential that you match your boat trailer to your boat. This will depend on the size of your boat mainly, but there are other considerations to be thought about as well.

What is the size of the vehicle you will be using to tow your boat on the trailer? There are some lighter weight trailer models that can accommodate vehicles with less horsepower. Ideally, you’ll want a four-wheel drive truck that can handle both the boat and the trailer easily. But if you just have a small vehicle, look into a lightweight aluminium trailer that is easily towed by a smaller vehicle.

The type of boat you choose is also dependent on your vehicle. Most people choose their vehicle first and then their boat. If all you have is a smaller car with little horsepower, you won’t want to be towing a 30 foot power boat behind you. Handling will be difficult, the vehicle may not cope and you run the risk of being dangerous on the roadway if you don’t pay attention to this big detail.

So, you’ve got your boat and you’ve got your trailer, what other type of equipment will you need in your boating adventures? Your boat must be outfitted with a life jacket for every person aboard, fire extinguishers, some type of sound emitting device (your mother-in-law doesn’t count), and adequate lighting for night boating.

Two other essential pieces of boating equipment would include a two-way radio as well as some type of navigation device like a GPS system. When you are on the water, you don’t want to risk becoming stranded and not having any way of communicating with the outside world or being able to find your way back to shore.

If you will be participating in water sports, the boating equipment will differ from pleasure cruising. For water sports, you’ll need a tow rope and some skis or an inner tube for tubing.

What type of boating equipment you need will really depend on how you’re going to be using your boat. Decide for yourself what’s important to you and then go buy your boating equipment, but be sure you have the basics as outlined above!