The Continuous Cruiser.
No home mooring wanders the system like a nomad.
The Leisure boater.
Pays for a home mooring, would like to be a CCer.
The Hire boater (family).
Parents enjoying the summer cruise, the kids sweltering in bright orange foam buoyancy aids four sizes too big.
The Hire boater (couple).
Big smiles ... thinking of the day they might own a boat.
The Hire boaters (two couples).
Same as above first day aboard. Then ensconced bow and stern wondering when this nightmare will be over.
The Piss-taking boater.
Found a rusty hulk and lives aboard but the furnishings are strewn around the towpath. Pays no licence or insurance, doesn't move ever, everything is C&RT's fault. The boat is always on slack ropes so he can yell F'$%ing slow down. Roof adorned by beer bottles and a toilet cassette.
The Bridge hopper.
Moors as near to a bridge as possible, their car on the bridge is parked as inconveniently as the boat.
The Amateur workboat boater.
Beard, flat cap and waistcoat uniform. Has a crew of four or more. Courtesy is not in his vocabulary. Workboat in pristine condition never seen a bit of cargo in its life. Abuses the infrastructure by barging gates open and rattling paddles closed without a windlass. He could well be a stockbroker playing at being a Number One a couple of sunny days each year.
The Singlehanded boater.
Brave fearless friendly type. Resourceful. Sometimes cruisers out of hours. (We once met a proper single-hander, he only had one arm).
The More-money than sense boater.
Deck shoes. Has a boat built with every conceivable electrical gadget then wonders why the batteries failed. Sells the boat within a year. Wifes had a boob job.
The Angry boater.
Doesn't want help at locks, doesn't want neighbours, everything is C&RTs fault. He was around in 'the good old days' when you couldn't move your boat for weed, rubbish and dead things. He once had a fox wrapped around his prop.
The Stuck up boater.
Usually in the leisure/pristine section, won't acknowledge passing boaters dislikes helping at locks.
The No-all boater.
They have been on the cut a few months. Can't help but give advice to anyone who will listen. Knows all the best mooring spots, pubs and historical places but hasn't been to any of them. Cruising cock-ups are always the winds fault even on calm days.
The Ordinary boater.
Chilled out, nothing fazes them, their boat is in excellent working order but might not look it. Resourceful and helpful but with a dry sense of humour. Acknowledges everybody. Enjoys company and a beer.
The London boater.
Doesn't understand boats. Just wants cheap accommodation (who can blame them). They can dream up 101 reasons not to move within the rules. When he does move it is at 4am and he swaps spaces with his mate a hundred yards away.
The Pristine boater.
Polish on Polish off. Spends more time polishing than cruising The boat hasn't been further than the nearest pub with a winding hole.
The Vlogging boater.
Uploads their journeys on Youtube. Some very slick, well put together and informative - others..... Holds a virtual cap out for donations to their hobby.
The Blogging boater.
Same as Vlogger but in print and capless.
The Speedy boater.
Puts the afterburners on to get to a bridge hole before you. Washes every living creature out of the bank with his wake. Likes to tug on mooring lines when passing moored boats.
