Keeping Your Feet Dry

An Introductory Day on Windermere, run by the Steamboat Association of Great Britain

This page provides information about the Keeping Your Feet Dry introductory days that the SBA is running at Fell Foot Park on Windermere. These are designed for people interested in owning, building or just using a Steamboat. There is no expectation of attendees having any prior knowledge or technical expertise. Places can be booked at the next event at a cost of £17:50 per head.

The next event is scheduled for 13th September 2024 from 10am to approximately 3:30pm, we can accommodate up to 16 attendees. You can book a place(s) via the links below.

Joining Instructions

Please note the following before booking:

1. We can accept bookings for any person over the age of 13, but each attendee under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, who will need to book their own place and be available to supervise the minor throughout the day.
2. The event is being held at the National Trust Fell Foot Park site. Please visit their website to get information on location, parking, accessibility, facilities etc.
3. While  the site is fully accessible (see  https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fell-foot) we are sadly unable to provide on-board tuition for disabled attendees. (However, you might like to visit Blackwell Sailing for the Disabled web site to see what they can offer.) 
4.  Please read and understand the risk assessment for this event (download here), as there are risks, including drowning, while  participating in water-based activities. Moreover, steam-driven machines (including Steamboats) always include the risk of burns or scalding. 

Provisional Programme:

The session will start at about 1000 and finish at about 1500.

1. Introduction and Safety Briefing
2. Familiarisation: The group will split into several smaller groups, and be introduced to a steamboat ashore, then look over several more boats, ashore and afloat, to show variations and answer questions. (~1 hour).
3. Launching and mooring: groups will monitor and assist in launching and mooring a boat, preparing to light up, Shut down and haul out: groups will monitor and assist in hauling out a boat and securing it to a trailer. (80 minutes).
4. lunch  (and an "acquiring a steam boat" discussion)
5. Raising steam and cruising: 2 people per boat + trainer/skipper (80 minutes).
6. The role of the SBA and steamboating for the non-technical.
7. Report and de-briefing.

Clothing

Wear suitable clothes for the expected weather, and bring spares in case of bad weather/falling in the lake. You are likely to get your hands (maybe more) oily or dirty, but waders, overalls or a boiler suit are not needed. Work or oven gloves are desirable. You must wear soft shoes on board boats.

All persons on board a moving boat must wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket. If you have one, please bring it. We will try to have a variety available to borrow, but you are responsible for making sure you are wearing one of the right fit. If we cannot suit you, you will not be able to participate in the on-board  steaming session.

Please familiarise yourself with the risk assessment via the link above before attending the event