BOWNESS-ON-WINDERMERE BOAT RENTAL FIELD GUIDE
Fantail Boat Hire: Electric gentleman’s launch cruises from Bowness-on-Windermere
A short-hire, no-license-required option for up to 10 people that pairs classic launch styling with eco-friendly electric motors—this guide tells you how to book, board and get the most from the lake.
Fantail Boat Hire: Electric gentleman’s launch cruises from Bowness-on-Windermere.
Fantail Boat Hire outfits classic gentleman’s-launch lines with Bluetooth stereo and an eco-friendly electric motor, offering up to 360-degree views of Windermere for groups of up to ten. No boat license is required and full training is provided, making it an accessible way to experience the lake from a private vantage.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Classic styling, modern electric drive
The Fantail pairs traditional launch aesthetics with an eco-friendly electric motor and FM/Bluetooth stereo. Spacious seating with a central table and removable clear sides create a social, convertible platform for cruising.
360-degree vistas of Windermere
With clear, removable sides and an open seating plan, the boat is arranged to maximize uninterrupted views across the lake, making the water and surrounding landscape the focal point of the hire.
No license, full training, easy hands-on handling
Fantail hires require no boat license and come with full on-site training and a simple-to-operate electric control system, so groups can relax and enjoy the cruise even if none of the party are experienced skippers.
What the day feels like
What the outing feels like
You meet at the booking office, receive a short orientation and then slide out onto Windermere in a quiet electric launch. The layout invites conversation around a central table while the clear sides either shield you or, when removed by staff, open to full lake exposure—an easy, social way to spend one to four hours on the water.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this hire suits—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Hires run from one to four hours; arrive punctually for the mandatory training so you do not lose on-water time.
A buoyancy aid is available for all persons on arrival; you may bring food but must remove all rubbish at the end of the hire.
All hires must be booked via the operator’s online system or at the Booking Office; the Booth sits opposite the Glebe Road car park (allow time for parking during busy periods).
Floating pontoons are wheelchair-accessible to the pontoons but boarding will require lifting; lifejackets and an emergency phone protocol are provided—if weather makes conditions unsafe, hires will be cancelled with a full refund.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How do I book?
Book a boat using the operator’s online system or at the Booking Office on Glebe Road when open; hires cannot be booked elsewhere.
Do I need a boat license?
No boat license is required; full training and an orientation on the lake are provided before launch.
Can we take a dog or a baby onboard?
Well behaved dogs are welcome; babies may be taken but must be included in the total number of people onboard.
Are children charged?
Children under 11 years (primary school) are free; over-11s are charged as adults—note that all children and babies count toward the boat’s total allowed passengers.
What happens if I return late or arrive late to pick up the boat?
Booked times must be strictly observed—arriving late may forfeit your booking and staying out longer than the booked time is not permitted because it delays subsequent hires.
What if the weather is bad or there is an emergency?
If weather produces unsafe conditions the operator will cancel hires with a full refund; an emergency phone number is posted in the boat and a rescue boat will be dispatched if alerted.
Where do I collect the boat?
Collect your hire at the Booking Office, Quays, Glebe Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3HE.