Majority were hirers

IN REPLY to Sheila Halsall I would think that the vast majority of boat owners (on the canals at least) were hirers before they became owners, and most of us would definitely regard hirers as fellow boaters. So I hope that her perception is wrong, writes Ted Sedman.

Furthermore it is these (hire) boaters who provide the income from which the hire boat businesses pay their licence fees etc.

Income from boaters

And although there are, I suppose, some canalside businesses such as pubs that cater for people who are not boating, those businesses that pay substantial rents to Canal & River Trust all receive most of their income from boaters, be it for boat-building, repairs, fuel, mooring etc.

So yes, many businesses are involved, but the vast majority of CaRT's income comes ultimately from boaters (of various types).