We have opened two new bases in France. In addition to Vermenton, we now have one at Gannay-sur-Loire close to Decize at the southern end of the Canal du Nivernais and Moissac in the south west of France on the Canal Lateral a la Garonne which leads to the Canal du Midi. These two new bases will widen your choice as to where you wish to have your boat.

Sponsorship offers you the possibility of both enjoying your boat and earning an income from it! Indeed in these times of low interest rates, the return on capital makes sponsorship look attractive even as a straight investment opportunity.

We will promote the boat world wide through France Afloat and our network of agents to maximise your return. You receive free use of the boat (excluding the cost of the diesel used and as detailed above) plus 30% of the retained hire income. For more details or a specimen copy of the agreement, please do not hesitate to contact us further.

After another successful season that saw record bookings and the introduction of the Capestang base on the Canal du Midi, France Afloat are looking to expand their hire fleet. Currently the fleet consists of 34 boats of which half are EuroClassics. Now that we have four fully operational bases we would ideally like to see an additional 7 EuroClassics together with several Linssens. The Linssen Grand Sturdy 29.9 that has been introduced at Capestang already has 17 weeks reserved and is likely to be the best-booked boat in 2008.

The sponsorship scheme is an ideal opportunity for those who would like to own a boat in France safe in the knowledge that the boat is well looked after, and earning them money! The boats in the scheme remain the property of the purchaser and once in the fleet, France Afloat are responsible for all the costs relating to mooring, insurance, cruising licences and maintenance. This means that the owner has no annual costs associated with owning the boat. On top of this the owners have four weeks use of the boat in the season and receive a percentage of all the earnings of the boat. When the value of the annual charges and the holiday, are added to the cash received, this can be equivalent to a 10% return on investment.

Gannay is an attractive village on the banks of the Loire just south of the fortified island town of Decize. Cruising to the north takes you to Nevers, the historic capital of the Duc's de Nivernais where many ancient vestiges remain. The canal continues through delightful countryside past ancient towns and fine chateaux to Sancerre, famed for its wines, and on to Briare where the canal crosses the Loire via Eiffel's famous aqueduct. The Loire offers much to see, a distinct regional cuisine and a wide variety of excellent wines.

Moissac The western end of the Midi is less well known and subsequently less crowded than the stretches closer to the Mediterranean. This is surprising given the charms of Aquitaine where a treasure trove of historical sites, bastides, abbeys and cathedrals, compete with magnificent scenery. This region is also home to the Grand Wines of Bordeaux and is famous the world over for its gastronomy.