12v – this means you can only charge your mobile phone through an in car charger and there are no 3 pin sockets on board. You can hire hair dryers to use on these boats.

240v – there are some 3 pin normal plug sockets on the boat – however, not all home electrical appliances can be plugged in especially high powered ones like hair straighteners and hairdryers – only small home electrical items under 1000W can be used, but special hairdryers can be provided.

Aft – towards the back of the boat.

Aft Cockpit – this means the seating area has a folding canopy and you drive the boat from the back.

Air Draft – this is the height of the bit of the boat above the water.

Bank – the land at the side of the river.

Beam – the width at the widest part of the boat.

Berth – a bed on the boat.

Berthage – the maximum number of people the boat will sleep.

Bow Thruster – a small propeller or water-jet at the font of the boat – this basically makes it easier to manoeuvre the boat.

Bow – this is the front end of the boat.

Buoyancy Aid – helps to keep you floating in the water if you fall in! On a serious note – please wear these – available for adults and children from us and you can even buy one for your dog before you come!

Centre Cockpit – there is a large sliding roof over the main seating and driving area or just a large sliding sunroof over the driving area so in nice weather you can have a large exposed seating and driving area.

Class – a group of boats that are very similar.

Cockpit – the driving area in the boat (not the outside bit – that’s the deck!).

Crew – that is you and anyone joining you on your boating holiday. But don’t forget Richardson’s are also your crew as we will train you how to drive the boat and then set you free – but don’t forget we are here 24 hours should you need us!

Cruiser – this is the boat or craft that will carry you on your adventure! On the boat you will find a kitchen, living space, beds, toilet and shower – maybe even a bath! It really is like a caravan on water! There is even heating!

Deck – the outside seating area on the boat.

Dual Steering – this means you can drive a boat from 2 places depending on where you prefer. One will be outside and one inside so great for British weather!

Draft – the depth of the boat below the water.

Electric Winch – this will move the mud weight for you.

Forward Drive – you sit at the front of the boat to drive it. These boats tend to have a single level deck.

Galley – the kitchen area.

Heads – this is the bathroom area.

Helmsman – the person driving the boat. Don’t worry if you’ve never been on a boat before. No licence is needed, in fact not even any previous boating experience is required! We will provide everything you need to know before you set off and you’ll be taken out on the water and given a hands-on demonstration – we will make sure you are happy before your maiden voyage. It really is easy. You can see a video of a trial run in our First Timers section of the website.

Moor – parking the boat and attaching it to mooring posts (you will need to do this to keep the boat in place!).

Mud anchor/mud weight – the large weight on the boat tied to the boat with a thick rope – use this when moored to stop your boat drifting!

Port – left hand side of the boat.

Radiator Central Heating – the heating is run by a boiler system on the boat. This is like the heating system used in many homes.

Sedan Cruiser – the seating/living area has a fixed raised roof with a sliding sunroof and patio doors and the driving position is raised for excellent all round visibility. The boat has outside seating in a welled area at the back.

Starboard – right hand side of the boat.

Stern – the back of the boat.

Warm Air Heating – the heating in the boat is generated from the engine and tends to last about 4 hours after the engine has been switched off!