Britain's waterways, shared by the people who love them.
Boat stays hired directly from the owner. Narrowboats, river cruisers and dayboats, for a weekend, a week, or an afternoon adrift.
What BoatStays actually is
Four checks.Then it floats.
Every boat carries the same paperwork the established hire fleets carry. We check it before the listing goes live.
Clear boundaries, too
We don't sell insurance, issue licences or operate a hire fleet. We simply do not list a boat until its paperwork checks out.
Business licence
Held with their navigation authority, not a private licence.
Hire boat BSS
The tougher hire boat safety exam, in date.
Hire and reward cover
A leisure policy does not cover paying guests.
Verified owner
ID and payout details confirmed before any booking.
Our story
Boating holidays, made for everyone.
BoatStays emerged from a passion for slow holidays along Britain's network of rivers and canals. It only made sense to create a platform letting more people live those magical moments on the water.
Safety, community and environmental preservation are at the core of everything we do.
Our story
Boating holidays, made for everyone.
BoatStays emerged from a passion for slow holidays along Britain's network of rivers and canals. It only made sense to create a platform letting more people live those magical moments on the water.
No two boats are the same. Whether you're an owner seeking extra income or a first-time boater looking for something different, BoatStays connects the people who know their boat best with those ready to discover the waterways.
Safety, community and environmental preservation are at the core of everything we do.
How it works
Booked in minutes. Crewed by you.
Find your boat
Browse boats hosted by owners across England, Wales and Scotland.
Book live
See real-time availability and confirm dates with a few clicks.
Cast off
Meet the owner, get your handover, and slip into waterway time.
For boat owners
Your boat earns when you're not aboard.
For boat owners
Your boat earns when you're not aboard.
List in minutes. Set your own calendar, prices and house rules. We handle bookings, payments, and host approval on every guest request.
- You approve every guestBank-authenticated card on file, plus optional ID checks.
- Live calendarSync with iCal. Block out your own trips.
- Owner-set pricingYou choose nightly rates, deposit and minimum stay.
You will need a business licence, a hire boat Boat Safety Scheme certificate and hire and reward insurance, which you arrange with your own marine broker. We check all three before your boat goes live.
Founding Owners
Become a Founding Owner.
0% commission on every booking taken before 31 December 2026, whenever your guests cruise. List your boat by 31 December to qualify. From 1 January 2027, Founder Members pay 10% instead of the standard 15%.
Wondering about insurance and licensing? Read this first.
What we believe
Boating holidays, made accessible.
BoatStays exists to open Britain's inland waterways to a wider audience affordably, safely, and in a way that supports the communities along them.
Passion for boating
Built by people who grew up on these waterways.
Supporting our waterways
3% of every booking goes to The Rivers Trust, which works to protect and restore the UK's rivers.
A real community
Owner-hosted means a warmer welcome and honest local advice.
Safe and secure
Verified owners, licensed and insured boats, payments held until check-in.