Bickerstaffe Boat Company \BickerBoats\ Buying a Narrow Boat Made Easy // RYA Inland Waterways Training Centre Reviews

Anthony Smith-Storey

As a couple who have had limited experience navigating a narrowboat, this course was exactly what we needed. From the very start of the experience, Kev puts you at total ease. He makes no assumptions about your ability and quietly watches to see where your knowledge base is and what is needed. He is a very patient guy who managed to convert novices into more confident boat handlers. We learnt how to stop the boat safely and in a controlled way. We learnt how to correctly reverse a boat. We managed to moor the boat and how to tie and moor and cast off. Mistakes were made and these were taking in Kev’s stride as he, in a humorous and supportive way, guided us and took positives from mistakes. The boat we trained on is similar to the one we are buying and consequently, it made the experience all the more relevant for us. The experience was like a boutique hotel weekend. Sue fed us to within an inch of our lives. Nothing was too much trouble. We not only gained the experience we needed to feel confident in our abilities to navigate our own boat, but we also gained experience of what it is going to be like to live aboard our own boat. Thanks you so much to both Kev and Sue. This, weekend, whilst predominantly was to learn, was one of the best experiences we have had in along time and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this course to anyone wanting to join the waterways either for leisure or as liveaboards.

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Foxes Afloat

We made a life-changing decision to sell our house and buy a narrowboat to live and work from. Having spent six months visiting boat builders, boat shows, and brokerages, we felt an instant close connection with Kev and Sue from the Bickerstaffe Boat company The team at Bickerstaffe are friendly, committed to quality, and it's obvious that they strive for perfection. We got to feel on our first visit that the care and attention to every hand-built boat demonstrates a personal connection between the craftsmen and their boat. A determination to create a home rather than a production line of narrowboats. We were invited at any opportunity to visit the workshops and watch our boat develop, which we recorded and vlogged on our YouTube Channel (Search Foxes Afloat). It was an amazing experience watching the boat being created. As of the date I wrote this review we've know the team at Bickerstaffe for two years and they continue to be close friends, like family, and that's how they talk about their customers. 'Fambobs', and I'm sure all their customers feel the same way. The after sales service is truly world-class. A phone call with an issue leads to a rapid response and any issues are dealt with professionally and swiftly. We had no major issues with our boat but we know we can trust the team if anything happens. If we could give these guys 10 stars we would. I'd 100% recommend going to see them, have a cup of tea, talk for hours, see the boats in build. These guys don't need to sell you a boat, you'll fall in love when you see them for yourself.

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Lucia Davies

As we were considering buying one of their boats we also decided to take a RYA course with Kev Kenny of Bickerstaffe Boat Company. Stephen didn't really need the course but as a very nervous boater I did. Kev was just wonderful, more a counsellor than a trainer who helped me through everything from mooring to turning. If you are thinking of spending time on a boat and you are at odds because one of you is dreading the experience through fear of doing the wrong thing, I can guarantee Kev will improve any couple's relationship and well as their united boating skills. As a couple Kev and Sue were just a dream, providing us with a beautiful boat, the Katie K named after Kev's Mum, not only to train on but to use as our own every night to wake refreshed the next day for another fun day of training. Thanks for all the great food and wine you provided. We feel we have made some truly good new friends. Oh and by the way, we will be hoping to order a new boat next year!!

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Sheila Bevan

We set off early yesterday morning from the NE to visit Bickerstaffe Boats. On arrival we were met by Rob who straight away put us at ease. Within 5 minutes Sue appeared and offered us a welcoming cup of tea. We were then given a thorough tour of one of their nearly completed boats where we also met Kev. They then spent well over an hour answering each and every one of our various questions. We particularly liked their complete honesty and transparency with no hard sell whatsoever. As for their boats, they are truly works of beauty and exceptionally crafted. We were so impressed we’ve asked to be added to their build waiting list and have booked their helmsman course for later in the year. Once again guys thanks for all your time and look forward to seeing you soon!

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Colin & Rachel NBCorkey

RYA Training Course We chose to do our training with BickerBoats, despite it being a 6.5 hour drive from our home, to say we have not been disappointed would be an understatement. I'll start by stating that Kev and Sue are the most welcoming and pleasant couple you are likely to meet. We are both fairly novice boat owners and wanted to gain experience and confidence to help us enjoy our time on the canals, rivers, and importantly gain valuable tips on control of the boat, learn to enjoy the waterways and not worry that around every corner may be an obstacle which may hinder progress. Kev put put us both at ease on the boat, Sue did the same as we drove to the pick up point. Over the next 2 days we were shown how to control, moor, turn, lock and reverse the boat with ease and safely. With tips on how to use the throttle to stay fully in control we even did emergency stops! Not something we thought was possible. The boat Katie K was exceptionally well presented, both inside and out, Sue was the host from heaven, providing food and drink for the duration which was absolutely lush. By the end of the 2 days, we had both learned new skills, new ways and importantly boosted our confidence thanks to the patient and calm tuition from Kev. Its so important to be talked to, rather than talked at, which is something we have both experienced in the past. If you want to take the RYA course, look no further, if you want a boat, there really is only one place to go. Thank you so much for all the help and assistance over the duration of the course. You have given 2 nervous boaters the biggest boost they can get. In case you're wondering we both passed! Colin & Rachel

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