European boat rental company coming to Rideau Canal
European "self-hire" boat company Le Boat is setting up shop in Smiths Falls, Ont., with a fleet of vessels designed for multi-day outings along the Rideau Canal starting next year.
Parks Canada announced the agreement today, saying 16 boats equipped with a kitchen, bathrooms and sleeping quarters would be available for rent from Smiths Falls in 2018.
Le Boat lets renters captain their own crafts, as long as they have the right boating licence and take an orientation course.
The news release said the company operates in eight European countries including as The Netherlands, Italy and England, and is popular with groups, families and older couples.
Price estimates for its first North American venture range from $1,398 for shorter, four-night hops to Perth or Merrickville, Ont., to as much as $16,030 for a two-week sojourn to Kingston, Ont.
The goal is to at least double the number of boats available over the next five years, according to Parks Canada.
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said in the release Le Boat should boost tourism and give opportunities for people who don't own boats to see the canal from a new perspective.
There are other boat rental companies on the Rideau Canal that operate with smaller fleets. Another company, Ottawa Boat Cruise, does tours of the northernmost stretch of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, but those tours are much shorter and tour-goers are not allowed to operate the boat.
