What’s provided, what’s not
Narrowboat hire companies supply an impressive amount of what you’ll need. Almost all boats will come with a full kitchen, including refrigerator, cook top (and probably an oven/grill) and sink. There’s often a microwave oven and a full range of pots and pans, dishes, cups and silverware, plus the necessary washing up liquid, sponges and drying/tea towel. You’ll even have toast racks (but no toaster) and eggcups, something most Americans will find amusing. We used the eggcups as shot glasses.
Things almost every boat will have
Diesel engine
DC-to-AC inverter
Windlasses
Mooring spikes and mallet
Mooring clamps
Pole and boat hook
Boarding ramp
Life ring (life preserver)
Water tank (at least a hundred gallons)
Hot water tank or calorifier, uses waste heat from the engine
Liquid propane gas tanks
Gas furnace, probably a boiler that heats water that is then piped to registers throughout the boat, may be tied into the hot water system
Fire extinguisher, fire blanket
Appliances, conveniences
TV, CD player, radio and probably a (Region 2) DVD player
Refrigerator
Kitchen sink
Cooker with oven and grill
Bathroom(s) with toilet, sink, shower and/or tub (with switch operated pump)
Kitchen
Plates (several sizes), bowls, coffee/tea cups, water glasses, wine glasses
Forks, knives, spoons
Fry pan
Fish slice (we’d call it a spatula or turner)
Several sauce pans
Colander
Bread box
Serving and cooking forks, spoons
Whisk
Carving knife, cutting board
Kettle
Tea pot
Tin and bottle opener, corkscrew
Tea towel, dish towel, sponge, scouring pad, washing up liquid
Paper towels
Sufficient cups, plates, cutlery, etc., are provided for the maximum number of passengers the boat can accommodate. You’ll also probably have a potato peeler, masher, oven gloves, egg cups, casserole dish, toast rack, butter dishes, sugar bowl, etc.
Waste bin (small)
Bucket, broom, mop, dust pan
Bed and bath
You’ll have towels and bedding for how many people you told the boat hire will be aboard
12V hair dryer
Precious little toilet paper
Small waste bin
What may be provided (especially if you ask)
Buoyancy aid (life vest)
First-aid kit
Waterproofs (rain gear)
Umbrella
What’s probably not provided
Facial tissues
Facecloths
Hand soap
What you might want to bring
Coat hangers
Boat shoes (Crocs slip when wet)
Toilet paper
Facecloths
2-way radio
Ear plugs
Extension cord (to charge multiple devices)
UK-to-US plug adapter
Paper towels
Facial tissues
Hand soap
Plastic storage bags
Garbage bags
Cooking oil (for the fry pan)
Butter
Sugar
Coffee
Tea
Soft drinks
Spirits
Spices
Breakfast food: cereal, rolls, scones
Fruit: bananas, apples, grapes
Jams, honey
Condiments
Cheese
Crackers
Cold remedies
First-aid kit
Clothesline
Storage hooks