Project Gull was conceived to allow people to explore the beauty of the River Hamble who did not own their own boat, obviously we needed a boat and electric power seemed a green and nicely quiet way to explore. So the old Hamble ferry has been reborn. From our base in Swanwick Marina we are positioned nicely in the centre of the easily explored River Hamble. Gull seats a maximum of 12 although 8 is probably more practical and is electric powered and easily helmed.
Important Information about Tides
Being a tidal river means that the tide dictates where you can go on any particular day. So, going down the River is possible on any tide, but to explore up river towards Botley means that you need to leave about an hour before high water. Please note you are not to go past the Fairthorne Manor site on the Botley branch or up towards the Horse and Jockey Branch without our specific permission as the River has shallowed over the years and you will need guidance. If you do not comply with this restriction and cause any damage to Gull you will be liable for that cost. Charter Options
Read what our clients say…
Jo Fleming
2020-09-12T16:52:56+0000
What a fabulous way to spend a Saturday afternoon to celebrate my dad’s birthday! The boat was charming, the river… picturesque and Fran a fantastic host. Fran’s knowledge of the river and the surrounding area was an added bonus!read more
Mel Broach
2020-08-16T19:58:23+0000
We had a fantastic trip on the Gull. It was a great trip and the kids loved it. It’s a lovely boat and great fun to… take it out for a couple of hours pottering on the river. We would recommend it and will definitely be back for another trip.read more
Darren Dyson
2020-08-16T08:56:19+0000
Had a great time on the river on Gull. Great service, hilghly recommend. Thank you!
Bertie Marsh
2020-08-05T17:29:44+0000
Lovely afternoon exploring upstream on the River Hamble. Easy booking, seamless collection of keys and peacefully… voyage past Manor Farm Country Park for a picnic in the sunshine. Many thanks Franread more
Danielle Rutherford
2020-07-22T20:37:50+0000
We had a lovely afternoon on the Gull! From booking to the moment we got off everything was spot on. So peaceful and a… lovely experience which I would absolutely recommend for anyone. Thank you so much Fran! 💯read more
Andy Sc
2020-07-20T15:30:08+0000
This is a hidden gem, hired it for two hours on a glorious July day, a fantastic quiet boat and beautiful scenery. … Very easy to operate. This is something I’d wanted to do for a long time and finally found this gem!I will be back again!read more
Daniela Carrad
2020-06-26T18:53:15+0000
Perfect afternoon with the family on the river Hamble. Can’t recommend Hamble River Boat Charter enough. Professional… fast service from Fran that runs it all. We hope to be regulars! 😊read more
Liam Dobbin
2019-10-28T17:02:58+0000
Great morning today onboard Gull. Very well maintained and quiet boat. Highly kitted our and very safe. From emailing… to getting the key the service was amazing. Looking forward to chartering again but when it’s much warmer, highly recommend.read more
Ruth Cole
2019-09-14T14:19:25+0000
It was such a lovely experience, so quiet and unspoilt. The electric motor really helped see more wild life. Thank you.
Phil Clark
2019-07-23T16:03:38+0000
Lovely way to spend a few hours, bareboat pottering on the Hamble. Not stupidly expensive, and lovely and peaceful. … Just make sure you don’t go too heavy on the throttle as the battery will only last a few hours!read more
John Westgarth-Pratt
2019-07-15T07:56:41+0000
A fantastic way to explore the Hamble, and the history of Gull, and the wonderful restoration work just adds to it.
Llinos Ogwen Westgarth-Pratt
2019-07-13T20:16:31+0000
We had an absolutely lovely time on the boat! It was so peaceful and lovely! We had our dinner on the Hamble! We… couldn’t recommend it more!! So different and just brilliant.Thank youread more
Steve Cross
2019-07-07T07:42:45+0000
We had great fun with Fran on our skippered tour of the Hamble, getting to see all the sights we wanted to cover, and… quite a few more surprises too. A relaxing way to spend an afternoon with friends. Highly recommended with great service provided. We will be back.read more
Matthew Chambers
2019-06-23T19:11:42+0000
We had a great time exploring the river on Gull for a few hours this weekend. The booking process was simple and good… instructions and all the kit you need are on the boat and made It easy to drive and get going quickly. Very happy with the whole experience and will certainly do it again.read more
Tom Gillespie
2019-06-21T20:35:33+0000
What a day to be on the water! Had such an Amazing time cruising up and down the river. Definitely will be returning to… the Gull in the future!!read more
Moore Lisa
2019-06-16T18:41:08+0000
What a lovely day spent with family exploring the river. Could not have asked for a better way to spend Father’s Day… on a relaxing trip aboard the Gull. The service we received from the Hamble river boat charter was amazing.read more
William Smith
2019-06-02T17:35:14+0000
A great trip out and a delight for anyone who would like to learn about wildlife photography or to capture some unique… shots. A great time is in-store with a brilliant guide and a group of like minded people who are friendly and passionate about nature.read more
Richard Webb
2019-06-02T16:43:19+0000
Fabulous morning out under the expert guidance of David. The Gull is a fantastic boat beautifully maintained and the… electric motor makes a real difference in enabling you to get up close to the wildlife along the river which is invaluable for the group of photographers that I was part of. A brilliant day out and I highly recommend Hamble River Boat Charter.read more
Sam Hughes
2019-06-02T05:30:57+0000
A lovely way to relax and experience Hamble river! The boat is so simple to use and such fun, we had a great time… pottering along with the family and enjoying the sights. Excellent service, easy to book and go!read more
Matt Sherman
2019-05-27T17:31:02+0000
Just got back from 2hrs on the water with my wife, 2 year old and 3year old. Can say we throughly enjoyed ourselves and… would recommend highly. Thanks Fran 👍🏻 Matt sherman and family 😀😀😀read more
Paul Stovold
2019-05-20T09:14:20+0000
Had a great morning trip up the Hamble. David made the most of the wildlife sightings manoeuvring the almost silent… electric boat as close as humanly possible to each subject. My only disappointment is not being able to go on any of the planned trips due to other calendar commitments. Can’t wait until our diaries coincide again!read more
Paul Willis
2019-04-20T11:25:27+0000
Fantastic way to spend a morning cruising up the river Hamble in an electric boat, so quiet. Went on a photo trip with… a few local photographers. Saw some wonderful local wildlife. Being that close to the water gives a whole new prospective to you Photography. Big thanks to David Luetchford for the invite and our wonderful friendly skipper Fran Gibson. Would throughly recommend for a different photo experience in beautiful surroundings.read more
Vanessa McCabe
2018-12-18T18:53:59+0000
Run by a great person with a beautifully restored boat that you can wile away a few hours on the Hamble
John Desty
2018-07-19T15:38:10+0000
We have just spent an idyllic couple of hours pottering up to Botley aboard Gull the restored ex Hamble/Warsash ferry.… Now available to charter she has been converted to electric propulsion she is almost silent and vibration free. I have not been up the upper reaches of the river for 40 odd years and it doesn’t seem to have changed it that time.read more
Charlotte Smith
2017-07-23T16:50:09+0000
A fantastic trip on Gul today, first time for all of us, five adults and a dog and definitely won’t be the last. We had… a lovely amble up the river. It started raining so we moored up and walked the dog along Brook lane Botley, then had a great picnic (in the rain�) would thoroughly recommend this we had a great adventure!!!!read more
Ian Johnston
2017-04-25T21:59:56+0000
We had a lovely family morning, cruising Hamble river. The boat was immaculate, quiet and easy to helm. The kids were… excited to see so many other boats up close! The boat was so easy to moor at the local public houses using their pontoons.read more
Mike Robinson
2017-04-17T13:00:09+0000
A wonderful, relaxing afternoon on the river, enjoyed by the whole family – ages 8 to 80! Everything was pristine and… easily operated. ‘Gull’ attracted admiring comments as we cruised past the yachts through Bursledon and Hamble. Felt like a miniature holiday in an afternoon!read more
James Gibson
2016-07-29T16:20:25+0000
This is excellent. We had an amazing evening, gentle ‘glide’ up the Hamble river, stopped off for a bite at Port Hamble… Marina, and a gentle glide back to the backdrop of the sun setting – just brilliant.read more
