House Boat.it/LeBoat

Mark checking out Le Boat Magnifique 7

From Venice, we boarded a pre-arranged taxi van to deliver us to the village of Precenicco, a Houseboat.it/LeBoat Base and starting point for our canal cruising adventure. 

Departing Precenicco

After provisioning the galley with food stuffs and supplies from a nearby grocery (a quick stop by the taxi van), we arrived at the base and received our canal maps and boat operation instructions from Houseboat.it/LeBoat office staff. 

Our 44-foot Magnifique 7 boat had a 40-horse power engine with a top speed of about 5 miles an hour; yes, one could run or even walk as fast as the boat could move. 

Departing around 4:30pm, we motored south down the Fiume (River) Stella, stopping at a restaurant moorage facility consisting of poles along the river bank. 

The bow line and stern line are wrapped around the poles and brought back to cleats on the boat; a typical procedure used along the rivers and canals.  To go ashore, a plank is placed perpendicular to shore, extending from the boat to land – sometimes grass, and sometimes a wooden walkway or cement bulkhead.  A good sense of balance is a plus when “walking the plank” ashore. 

Seeing that the boat was securely tied-off to the poles, we stepped ashore to enjoy a nice dinner at this beautiful location. 

No extra fee for moorage is charged at dining customer locations, so it’s a nice option while touring the canals.

If you would like more information on Canal Boating in Europe, or to book a canal boat trip for 2019, contact Mark Bunzel, (mark.bunzel@gmail.com) for information and briefings on canal boat trips in France and Italy now being planned.