So don't take our word for it, see what thousands of our customers are saying about us!
The holiday was a great experience for fist time narrow boaters. More help with locks would have been appreciated.
13 Oct 2021
Excellent hand over and return, fantastic time on Sanderling. Volunteers manning the locks were fantastic, very supportive and made the whole journey to the Kelpies and back seemless.
13 Oct 2021
No hassle and no issues with hire and staff were very helpful and accommodating. Boat was clean and tidy and we were able to board quickly and start our holiday without any difficulties.
13 Oct 2021
Wonderful experience. Best 60th birthday suprise.
12 Oct 2021
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the 60th birthday surprise! Thank you for the fantastic photo which we would love you to share with us https://www.abcboathire.com/share
13 Oct 2021
We felt that the vessel was showing it's age and some aspects of the handover cleaning/preparation were superficial/rushed. Battery power seemed to diminish despite limited use of toaster/microwave. The engine was always necessary for toast at breakfast! The pump used to evacuate the shower basin was noisy and not very effective. Our main disappointment was with the route we chose. The availability of mooring on the K&A towards Bristol was severely limited by resident boats. This impacted on pleasure and cruising speed so we didn't achieve the distance we had hoped. Mooring on the Avon was limited by availability of suitable bank space. It would have been helpful if we had been warned when picking up the boat. Very few pubs/inns were providing a normal food service despite no warnings on their websites. Realise that ABC can do little about this...!
12 Oct 2021
We enjoyed the boat and the trip experience. The pick-up was excellent, boat well cleaned and kitchenware immaculate - probably the best we have ever had. Two minor criticisms, I couldn't get my hands in the oven gloves!! Also we found the steering much heavier than other boats we have had, this combined with a longer craft than ordered did cause some difficulty in tight situations, Well that's my excuse for making a right pig's ear (I nearly forgot the cross wind!) of between the staircase locks in Stourport.
12 Oct 2021
Booking process was clear and efficient. Staff were friendly and accommodated our large group. The marina was flexible on return time due to an unforeseen canal closure.
12 Oct 2021
The boat was clean and comfortable, we were given a thorough training session on arrival and the staff were helpful and friendly
11 Oct 2021
No radiators had their thermostatic valves fitted so heating was uncontrolable.
10 Oct 2021
Amazing holiday, very clean and all staff made us feel very welcome, they couldn't do enough for us, will definitely be back at Blackwater, they are a credit to your company!
10 Oct 2021
The Canals were unkept with not many tying up places. The water points were often blocked by private boats, Hardly any places to put rubbish, definitely no places to recycle. The map given us was often inaccurate re: tie ups & water points. The information given us re: turning @ Edinburgh Quay was incorrect!
09 Oct 2021
The mattresses on the beds are hard and uncomfortable. Some things such as the toaster didn’t work, the wind blew through the gaps around the front doors . The boat is generally getting old and tired.
09 Oct 2021
Excellent slow paced holiday. Perfect for unwinding and spending quality time with the family.
09 Oct 2021
The boat is a bit sparse in terms of storage space and shelves - a folding bedside ledge and a light to read by in bed would be a big help
09 Oct 2021
We have hired from ABC for a good number of years now and have always had a good hiring experience and this holiday was no different in that experience. This was the first time we had hired from a base that wasn't one of ABCs "Alvechurch" bases, this was Red Line, so a company purchased by ABC which is on the "Mon & Brec" a canal that is not connected to the UKs main canal network. Whilst the weather was mixed with some heavy rain days (ABC can't help that) we enjoyed the canal in South Wales. The boat however was a bit "tired" in relation to other ABC boats we have hired but it was perfectly serviceable with everything you could need to live comfortably onboard. The handover on the first day was excellent with friendly advice and thorough instructions. To be fair as we have been hiring for over 30 years we knew most of it but there are some details about cruising the Mon & Brec that are different to the main canal network especially the locks and the fact that the canal is so shallow so it's a good job we paid attention. During the week after a particular rainy and cold day we put the heating on to dry us and our clothes to find it didn't work, aaggghhhh! Next morning we phoned the base and agreed a point at which a person could meet us (all the bridges are numbered so it is easy to locate access) and rectify the problem. And so it was ... Ashley met us at bridge 131 and having brought an exchange heater with him the job was done in about 30 mins and we were on our way with a working heater and, eventually, dry clothes. So a good holiday, a decent boat and great staff, what more could you want? Oh yes and money back at the end because we didn't use all the diesel ... oh yes!
08 Oct 2021
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. As you say the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is shallow by design which is why the boats available at Goytre Wharf are different to the rest of the ABC fleet. We are delighted to hear that you were pleased with the service you received from the marina when you had a technical issue and that your holiday was not interrupted. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
08 Oct 2021
