Wheelyboats - providing disabled people with freedom and independence on the water
Without the provision of accessible boats, disabled people are mostly denied experiences that able-bodied people take for granted. Wheelyboats remove the barriers to water-based activities thus enabling disabled people to participate alongside and on equal terms with their able-bodied counterparts. For their users, it is an important factor in the quality of life they are able to lead.
We are a registered charity (No. 292216) dedicated to providing mobility, learning and sensory impaired people of all ages with independent access to activities such as powerboating, nature watching, pleasure boating and angling in our uniquely designed wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboats. We are a small charity that achieves great things: we help venues that are open to the public acquire Wheelyboats for the benefit of their disabled visitors and we help groups and organisations acquire Wheelyboats for their own use. We have supplied 228 Wheelyboats to projects on inshore waters, lochs, lakes, reservoirs, rivers and canals all over the UK. As far as we know there is no other charity designing, building, funding and supplying this type of craft anywhere in Europe.
what we do
Find out about what we do and how we do it, the different Wheelyboat models we supply, where Wheelyboats are located and the activities they provide access to.
support our projects
Here are details of the projects we are currently raising funds to support. If you are able to help with a donation....
Wheelyboats are highly versatile and multi-purpose craft that are also used for safety boat cover, casualty rescue, self-drive hire, equipment transport, water skiing, towing, ferry/water-taxi, work/maintenance platforms, etc. Click here for a full spec.
LATEST NEWS:
Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s Mk III Wheelyboat has been loaned to the Canal & River Trust on the Mon & Brec canal at Pontymoile Basin for a trial run. The boat has become available owing to the Dunsfold section of the Wey & Arun canal where it operates being dredged and cleaned. Huge thanks to WACT for helping C&RT take a step towards their ultimate aim for a Wheelyboat to operate permanently on the Mon & Brec.
Avon Boating have installed a custom pontoon for their V17 Wheelyboat. Excellent work!
Our friends at Wallingford Accessible Boat Club are organising ‘WheelyFest’, a charity music festival that will raise funds for the fantastic service they provide in their V20 Wheelyboat. Have a great day out and support this wonderful cause!
The launch has taken place of FS Bulwark Navy Cadets’ Coulam Wheelyboat V17 at their training centre on the River Soar in Leicester. For a full report and more photos click here.
The Wallingford Accessible Boat Club, who operate a Coulam Wheelyboat V20, has launched a new video that beautifully illustrates the operation of their unique facility on the Upper Thames and one that makes a real difference to the quality of life of disabled people in and around South Oxfordshire. Watch the video on their website by clicking here.
The latest issue of our newsletter Waterwheels has been published and can be downloaded here. It is the first issue since Spring 2020’s and as a result is packed to the gunwales with reports of Wheelyboat launches, deliveries and other news. Enjoy!
A Coulam Wheelyboat V17 has joined Avon Boating’s fleet of hire boats at Stratford-upon-Avon and was officially launched on 19 September. For a full report and more photos click here.
In August a Coulam Wheelyboat V17 was delivered to Lough Brackley in Co Cavan where it will be mainly used for angling. It is based at Brackley Fishing Lodges which are two wheelchair accessible self catering holiday cottages. Its Torqeedo Cruise 3 electric outboard runs very quietly in harmony with the tranquillity of the lough.
Ramor Watersports Club’s Coulam Wheelyboat V20 was launched in June in Co Cavan. For a full report and more photos click here.
Disabled Anglers are now able to fish on Loch Earn thanks to the arrival of a Coulam 16 Wheelyboat. The boat operates from Drummond Estates Boat Hire.
Concern Wadebridge’s Coulam Wheelyboat V20 has been delivered to its operators, Padstow Sealife Safaris. The boat is undergoing sea trials and coding before entering into service next year.
The Anderton Centre’s Coulam Wheelyboat V17 was officially launched by comedian and national treasure, Peter Kay, on 23 April. Commons Speaker and local MP, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, was also an honoured guest. For a full report and more photos click here.
The Countess of Leicester launched Blakeney, Cley & District Royal British Legion’s Coulam Wheelyboat V20 at Blakeney quay on 22 April. For a full report and more photos click here.
Carsington Water’s Coulam 16 Wheelyboat was launched on 7 April but foul weather intervened and it had to remain on dry land for the ceremony. Carsington’s first class fishing and excellent service from the fishery staff means it is a very popular venue for disabled anglers, so much so there are now three Wheelyboats in its fleet of angling boats!
Prysor Angling Association’s Coulam 16 Wheelyboat was formally launched on Llyn Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd on 1 April where it is used for trout fishing and replaces a Mk II Wheelyboat that has been refurbished and found a new home.
Llanidloes & District AA took delivery of their new Coulam 16 Wheelyboat for Llyn Clywedog this week. In the photo is a delighted fishery manager, Russ Owen.
Our 2022 Impact Report has been published. Learn more about our work and the benefits of Wheelyboats by downloading a copy here.
Castle Semple Centre has taken delivery of their V17 which will operate in tandem with their V20 launched in 2015. The V20 hasn’t been able to keep up with demand so we are delighted to have been able to help them acquire a V17 to increase their accessible powerboating’s capacity. Official launch will take place in the spring.
A refurbished Mk II has been launched at Toft Newton Trout Fishery. Danny Peet and Ricky Varley christened her maiden voyage on the lake with twelve rainbow trout.
The Wey and Arun Canal Trust have formally launched their Mk III Wheelyboat which will be entering service next spring. For a full report and photos click here.
A refurbished Mk II was delivered to Welton Waters Adventure Centre earlier in the year - see how much pleasure it is providing!
Prysor Angling Association’s Coulam 16 Wheelyboat was delivered to Llyn Trawsfynydd in September but the water was too low for launching so here is the dry launch with the decommissioned nuclear reactor in the background of the photo adding some sparkle and fizz. Official launch will be held in the spring.
South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon, has taken delivery of a Coulam Wheelyboat V17 for accessible power and pleasure boating.
The Coulam Wheelyboat V20 has arrived on the North Norfolk coast where it will shortly be entering service in the Blakeney, Morston and Cley area for accessible pleasure boating and nature watching trips. More news to follow.
After a successful fundraising campaign by the Trust and Ladybower Fisheries, their brand new Coulam Wheelyboat V17 has been delivered and launched. For a full report and photos click here.
The seventh and final Coulam 16 Wheelyboat in our project with the Angling Trust has been delivered to North and South Uist angling clubs. For further info and photos click here.
The Blackwater Community Barge Project have taken delivery of their new Coulam Wheelyboat V20 and are busy training up their team of volunteers prior to the start of their programme of accessible boat trips on the River Blackwater in Co Armagh. BBC Northern Ireland’s Home Ground featured the Wheelyboat in their programme on 21 April. Click here to watch (starts at about 21:10).