About Countess

Sleeping a maximum of six, the Countess is a great canal boat rent well-appointed with warm and inviting wood cabinets and extensive interior space. The grand saloon has a radio/CD player (some have flat-screen TV/DVD players), and the large rear deck is an ideal venue for socialising and watching the scenery glide by!

Jump aboard and take a look around with our virtual tour...

Layout of Countess

Countess Deckplan

Sleeps up to

6

Cabins

2

Bathrooms

2
  • Boat Size: 10.20 m x 3.56 m
  • 1 cabin with two twin beds and adjacent bath
  • 1 cabin with double bed and en-suite bath
  • Settee in salon converts into double bed

Countess's key features

  • The central saloon with convertible double settee bed has a radio/CD player and an inside steering station.
  • The spacious U-shaped kitchen/galley has an electric refrigerator, stove, sink, and lots of cabinet space.

  • The forward cabin’s two single beds and adjacent shower and toilet are great for children or two adults.
  • Ideal for Mum and Dad, the extremely private stateroom at the rear of the boat has a double bed and an en-suite shower and toilet.

  • The rear sundeck is large and well suited for entertaining. The second steering station affords excellent visibility.
  • The swim platform runs the full width of the boat. It also makes getting on and off the boat easier at the dock.
  • The onboard electrical system runs on 12-volt DC power. There’s also 220-volt shore power.
  • The Countess is equipped with an efficient and reliable diesel engine.

Countess Specifics

Fridge
64 to 130 L
Freezer
Microwave
Oven / Grill
Hob
MP3/USB features
Internet access
Flat Screen TV
Flat Screen DVD Player
CD / Radio player
Heater
Fans
Cabin air cooling
Air Conditioning
Cigarette lighter plug (12V)
12/220V Converter
220V on cruise
Shore Power (220V on dock)
Internal Steering Position
Bow Thrusters
External Steering Position
Moorings joystick (easy dock)
Alfresco dining
Ambient light
Sun shade (Bimini)
Deck Shower
Fridge on sundeck
BBQ / Plancha
Portable cool box
Sliding roof
Sundeck
Water Tank
1000 L
Water draft (bottom of boat to water line)
0.80 m
Max. Headroom
1.90 m
Length
10.20 m
Fuel Tank
300 L
Engine Type
Diesel
Width
3.56 m
Air draft (height of boat from water line)
2.80 m
Toilets type
Manual
Safety Box

Good to know...

  • Hire of the boat and its equipment
  • A galley (kitchen) with all the utensils and appliances you would expect
  • Towels and linen for all passengers
  • A boat handling demo
  • Technical support
  • On-board cruising information
  • Locks free (except in Ireland & Holland)
  • Moorings & navigation fee included in Canada, Scotland & Italy (Casale-return trip)

  • Optional holiday extras
  • Boat damage waiver
  • Running costs (diesel, gas, engine wear and tear) - charged by the engine hour
  • Travel to and from the base(s)
  • Waterside services if you use them (i.e. moorings where a charge is applicable, pump-out if needed, water, etc)
  • Cancellation plan & any travel/personal insurance
  • Food and drink
Added on 22 September 2018

Glenn Johnson said

Everyone was so helpful and friendly when we got to the boatyard before starting the holiday and again when we got back at the end. The week on the river was relaxing and everyone was so friendly, the lock keepers are great and everyone helps everyone. The Countess is a lovely boat and would book again
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Added on 01 September 2018

Stephen Mckelvey said

Air France lost our luggage, so we had to start our holiday with what we could buy locally; however, Fabrice and all the team at Messac helped us out by bringing our luggage to us when it arrive two days later. (We were at Redon, 34km from Messac when the luggage arrived.) So we were able to have a great holiday with the minimum of disruption. We have hired lots of boats in France over the years from; Le Boat, Locaboat, France Passion Plaisance and Caminav. Generally, the boats from Le Boat are in better condition than the rest. Air France lost our luggage, so we had to start our holiday with what we could buy locally; however, Fabrice and all the team at Messac helped us out by bringing our luggage to us when it arrive two days later. (We were at Redon, 34km from Messac when the luggage arrived.) So we were able to have a great holiday with the minimum of disruption. We have hired lots of boats in France over the years from; Le Boat, Locaboat, France Passion Plaisance and Caminav. Generally, the boats from Le Boat are in better condition than the rest.
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Added on 12 August 2017

Chip Drant said

Support staff at Benson and Chertsey were all very helpful. Our boat was just big enough and comfortable for cruising
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Added on 28 July 2017

Philip Holder said

The whole service is excellent. This was our sixth time sailing with them and just as good as the rest. Friendly, helpful with very good staff. Not a lot else to say but Thanks. We had an enjoyable week cruising the Canal du Nivernais aboard the Countess. The boat met all our expectations, it was reliable and performed faultlessly. As a couple we only used the rear cabin which was spacious and comfortable, with an en-suite. The level of equipment and layout compares favorably with other boats we have hired previously.
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Added on 05 July 2017

Clive Tester said

superb, polite service, accurate information. Great vessel with all amenities. Pity there is no view from the galley for the "galley slave"!! Perfect for 2 people would be a bit tight for four. Ideal to have electronic toilet flush on this model now.
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Added on 24 September 2018

Alan Irving said

We had a great week on the Le boat countess Our original booked boat was unavailable so we were given a larger 1. The only thing we found unsatisfactory was the kettle had a lot of scale inside and was broken so we didn't use and some of the cooking equipment was old and worn. The boat had a battery problem after a couple of days but the technician arrived within 2 hrs and had it repaired an hour later. Whilst it made us a bit later leaving we used the extra time to enjoy Bruges for longer So no real issue. It is to be expected that the boats are a bit aged and will have some minor problems sometime but the back up service provided was totally except able. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Added on 21 September 2018

Syl Barrett said

Staff were most helpful, informative and polite. Few obvious bits of damage due to previous clients over time
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Added on 26 August 2018

Peter Lynch said

All round excellent, our 3 year running on Canal du Midi Good size boat for just 2 of use - |However : Issues 2 year running, different Countess boat. Draining the shower total malfunction 1st day in, which knocked that bathroom out, didn't risk using the other in case the same. Showering restricted to ports. Yes we could have called for help but that means downtime. On signing out I was confronted with all well, whatever, should have called for help - not really interested. Boat 1997 is showing it's age imho Big one, the electrics have been changed from last years and we got caught out, phone went down on battery and normal recharge was from 2 pin adaptor from boat battery, that now only works if electric is plugged into port. Now cigarette socket alternative for boat battery, I left mine at home as not required last year. Found a big supermarket and hoped they had suitable, they did - 5km round trip walk. Based on 100% of hirers would have a mobile - This change should have been clearly flagged as a warning. Unforgivable - again not a lot of interest from sign out - at least have a supply available for sale upon departure, don't keep it a secret
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Added on 18 August 2018

Keith Franklin said

I was a bit worried about picking the boat up from Chertsey as they didn't get a good review. I thought they were brilliant, boat was ready when I got there. Staff were friendly and helpful. Benson I was there last year and they were also very good. One down side giving the boat back by 9am. unfortunately for me 6 other boats were also there so i'm off my boat by 8.30 Benson crew are on it cleaning it to get it ready for the next cruise but I have to wait until 9am to check out. Because of the other people there I got checked out approximately 9.45am. Just as well there's a place to have breakfast on site. Lock keepers deserve a mention they were all fantastic. The boat was great so much fun Although the boat was old, it didn't miss a beat. No tv so took some board games. Jenga is fantastic fun on a boat
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Added on 11 August 2018

Jude Williams said

This was our first experience on a boat ever! A little nervous about it, but the information from le boat before the holiday meant that we could prepare ourselves and the team were brilliant at our departure helping us out with a good introduction to the boat supplying us with maps and tips etc. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them and we would definitely consider going again soon. Thanks le boat for giving us a very relaxing family holiday. Not a cheap holiday, but it is worth it. The boat itself was not luxurious and had a bit of a tilt. Also one of our bikes had a puncture. It is for these reasons I am giving a 4 star
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