For over 32 years, Locaboat has been designing, building and updating Penichettes.
Their fleet of comfortable and easily-handled craft undergo a continual programme of maintenance and improvement.
More than 400 Penichettes now cruise the waterways of Europe: whether for a couple, for a family or for a group of friends,
there is always a Penichette model to take you in comfort wherever you choose.
Locaboat have checked out France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Ireland and Poland, and have selected
Europe’s very best cruising areas, positioning their bases so as to give you the best possible
experiences, the best places to see, the best gastronomic adventures. Boating is a great holiday for
families, with something of interest for everyone.
The people at Locaboat are extremely helpful, the hostesses at all their bases will
give you their local know-how and tell you the places you shouldn’t miss. Their technicians will show you over
your boat, and demonstrate just how easy to drive it is. Then it’s over to you to discover all the freedom and
pleasure of cruising on a holiday which is sure to become your best ever.

We are the Western Australian agents for Locaboat. Lynne and Peter have been on many holidays on the French canals and are a font of knowledge should you want to pick their brains.
They love it so much they have in fact recently just bought their own barge!
Should you want any information about cruising the canals, please call Dani or Lynne who'll be happy to help you.
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} want a brochure?
The 2012 brochure is now availble. There are a couple of ways you can get hold of it. You can download a copy (12Mb) by right clicking on the link below and choosing 'Save Target As...'.
Or contact us and we can send you out a hardcopy.

download brochure
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get us to send you one
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ask us sometihng
We have plenty of copies in store as well if you live nearby.
} faqs (click to expand)
comfort on board
Everything is planned for your well-being. You're so close to nature, yet the boats are roomy, with showers and running hot and cold water.
There's storage space to satisfy the most demanding. It's easy to fill the water tanks every day at locks and villages. Sheets and bedding are provided.
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going through locks
There are many different types of locks. How they work is explained in the Locaboat manual sent with your confirmation, and will be explained
to you again at the base. Going through locks is a major feature of your cruise. You can chat to the keeper and often buy fresh produce, or simply enjoy the very different view which you get
as you change levels. Locks make for a varied and enjoyable cruise.
In France, the locks are generally open from 9am to 7pm from the end of March to mid November. There are some days when the locks are closed such as 1st May, 14th July
(open on the Canal du Midi, Lot et Garonne, in Alsace, Lorraine, Ardennes and the Saone between Soing and Corre) 1st November (open on the Canal du Midi and Lot et Garonne).
There aren’t any closures on the Somme, the Baise, Anjou, Brittany, the Canal de Roanne a Digoin in Southern Burgundy, the Camargue, and the Seille.
In Ireland, Germany and Poland the locks are open every day.
In Holland the locks and bridges are in full service between the 15/4 and the 15/10. The Vecht is open every day. In Friesland the canals and rivers are opened every day.
In Italy navigation is possible every day on the lagoons. On the Sile and the Brenta, there are certain closures. These are detailed in the Locaboat manual.
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things to do on your holiday
You like the spot? Just moor up. You can go for a walk or a bicycle ride, visit a church or a chateau, go for a bathe or
try your hand at fishing. At the base we will tell you how to get a fishing permit and what you might catch. The log book that is on the boat will give you many good addresses
to make your waterway holiday a success.
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relaxation on the deck
The deck is one of the most acclaimed features of the Pénichette. Spacious, flat and right under the captain's eye, it can act
as reading room, sunlounger or picnic table. Moving around the boat is easy and safe. Indoors, the saloon is the place for board games, family discussions or intimate dinners.
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under way with your boat
Driving your boat is straightforward and enjoyable once you've received some simple guidance at the base. You'll soon get used to going
through locks and start to enjoy handling your boat. Detailed navigation guides show where you can moor, shop, take on water or go sightseeing.
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hiring bicycles
The mini bikes for children or classic bicycles are an indispensable addition to your cruise. The paths along canals make ideal
bicycle tracks. You can hire them on arrival. You pay at the base.
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gastronomic encounters
On a Pénichette you can seek out local specialities - home grown produce or regional
dishes. Shop for them in markets and cook on board in your fully-equipped galley, or alternatively try them in the many restaurants along your route. You'll find a list of recommendations
on board.
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meals on board
On board you'll find everything you need for cooking and eating. Prepare your meal in
open countryside or at the quayside. Villages are never far away, and you can use bicycles to fetch fresh bread or warm croissants for breakfast.
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VNF maintenance work
Many waterways have "stoppages" when they are closed for maintenance. Mostly these are
scheduled for the winter months but occasionally they occur during the hire season. Dates are announced in early March. Please check with our reservation staff.
VNF or Voies Navigable de France is the French Waterways Authority.
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floods on the rivers
On rivers (but not canals) there can be floods in springtime or occasionally in autumn.
In this case we may have to restrict your cruise to canals only, or possibly to switch departure base, but it should not be necessary to cancel your cruise. The Rivers Lot and Baise are
the most prone to flooding. You should check on river levels before starting out for your holiday.
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open waters
The Bassin de Thau in Southern France as well as the Muritzsee and the Plauertzee in
Germany and the lakes in Ireland as well as the Venice Lagoon should not be attempted in winds stronger than Force 4. Our staff at the base will tell you the position and give
instructions.
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one way cruises
You will find in our base access notes full details about methods for getting back to
your car. We must draw your attention to the fact that one-way cruising is an optional feature which can never be totally guaranteed owing to the possibility of cancellations or other
difficulties. You must therefore recheck 48 to 72 hours before departure whether the one way cruise is available and in which direction it will be.
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hiring without a licence
In France, Locaboat Holidays has been authorised to offer boat hire WITHOUT need for
a captain's permit. After you have been given instruction in handling your craft and navigation rules you will be given a permit for the duration of your cruise. In Holland,
in Ireland and in Italy, no licence is required.