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Astley CAAW Bell-Boat Club - Equipment    

David Train invented the Bell boat, a vessel similar in design concept to a catamaran, in that is twin hulled. The Bell boat very stable and it is almost impossible to overturn in calm water. The central walkway makes for easy embarking and for the redistribution of crew on the water. These features make the Bell boat ideal for introducing people of all ages to canoe sports.   There are around 16 seats per Bell boat with a additional helm situated at the rear of the central walkway. The Bell boats are approximately 25 feet in length.

Bell boats are ideally suited for use on a variety of water types, such as lakes, flat water courses, rivers and canal systems.   Bell boats are fairly heavy and cumbersome and this means that they must use locks, wherever it is feasible. They can be dissembled into two halves and transported on a trailer. A downside is that some lock keepers insist on everybody disembarking and pulling the bell boats through the locks!

16-seater Bell boat - a very stable craft

The club has a wide range of sizes of bouyancy aids, a seat support and a multitude of paddles - plus oars for helms.

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