The riverboat rental manufacturer is launching a new version of one of its most successful models, the Estivale Sixto, with new on-board features.

Nicols is a rather special player in the world of licence-free riverboat hire, building the boats in its Vendée shipyard and then offering them for hire from one of its 25 European bases, whereas the majority of players outsource construction to independent shipyards.

The main advantage of this vertical integration is to have a fleet whose functionalities correspond as closely as possible to customer expectations, while at the same time saving on the shipyard's margin, which can also devote its off-peak periods to regular fleet refits.

While the Estivale Sixto + does not revolutionise a well-built 13.50m, 3 cabin, 3 bathroom model, it does have dockside air conditioning, two small terraces at the bow and stern and a bimini on the upper deck, so you can sail under a shade sail while protected from the sun.

The Sixto + also has a bathing ladder and a deck shower for swimming.