GoBoat

GoBoat | Sail Your Own Private Boat

Self-driven boats.

They don’t need a particularly good sailsman.

Which is why GoBoat is probably going to be booked solid come the return of warm weather. They first anchored up at Paddington’s Merchant’s Square back in 2017, then opened a second location in Kingston riiiight at the start of 2020. The sea is indeed a cruel mistress. Luckily they remained afloat and, and they’ve since added more flotillas in Canary Wharf and Thames Ditton.

THE CONCEPT

These boats, as we mentioned, are self-driven. That means it’s just you and your chosen companions on there, with no boating experience necessary. The GoBoats are all electric, made from 80% recycled bottles & sustainable wood, and can fit up to 8 people. You can hire them for anywhere between 1, 2, and 3 hours to sail either via the canals of Little Venice and Canary Wharf, or the stretch of Thames that takes you past Hampton Court Palace.

HOW IT GOES DOWN

Okay, so that was a poor choice of words. The boats stay afloat, we can assure you. But the experience goes down as follows: first, you and your crew arrive. You’ll get a brief safety chat, a few life vests, and a map for you to plan your route. And you can then unpack your picnic and booze – each boat is helpfully is fitted with a table – and take off, pootling along at a steady 3 knots (4mph).

So get ready to show off your prow-ess.

NOTE: GoBoats are now available to sail every day, and can carry up to 8 people at a time. Prices are £85-95 per boat, per hour. You can find out more, and make a booking at their website right HERE.

GoBoat | Paddington, Canary Wharf, Kingston, Thames Ditton

Enjoy taking to the high seas? Peruse our guide to the best places to go boating in London