Day Boat: Dancing Duck

Dancing Duck is our purpose built 39 ft Day boat. It was built at Tooley’s in 2007 and side launched into the canal on the 7th July 2007 the first time that a boat has been sideways launched for 90 years (see photo below). Dancing Duck is 39ft long 7ft wide and Semi traditional style. The Front cockpit can be fully enclosed with a canopy. Dancing Duck Day boat is available to hire for up to 12 passengers. It is also used for trips on Saturdays throughout the Summer months for individual fare-paying passengers.

Boat Trips

Throughout the warmer months of the year we run boat trips on Dancing Duck from Tooley’s Boatyard on Saturdays (approx. 40 mins). All tours are run by qualified helmsman and crew.

Our final scheduled boat trip for 2023 was at Banbury Canal Festival on Sat 30th September and Sun 1st October. We expect to resume around Easter 2024, but come back here later for details. You can still hire Dancing Duck (see Private Boat Hire below) for a bespoke trip in groups up to 12 people.

Private Boat Hire

Dancing Duck is also available for “Private Skippered Boat Trips” outside our regular Saturdays. These are any duration from 40 mins to a full day and will be arranged to suit your requirements.

You can hire with a skipper for trips lasting from 45 minutes to all day. Heading North 45 minutes (lock free) will take you as far as the end of the park at Hennef Way or a longer trip to Cropredy (3 locks) and back. Heading South through Banbury Lock a short journey will take you to Tramway (1 lock) and back. Longer trips can reach Twyford Wharf (2 locks) or Nell’s Bridge (3 locks). This is near to The Pig Place with an excellent menu – ask us to pre-order lunch so its ready for you on arrival.

Please contact us for pricing, availability and bookings on (01295) 272917. Alternatively if you visit Tooley’s Boatyard, you may be able to checkout whether it would meet your needs.