i fished it for a couple of years. now to answer your question's,
Angling wise it can be busy through the spring, especially since they banished the close season. it only closes now when the fish look or start spawning and then it will shut for about a month. if your not used to the public being around your fishing lake then this isn't the lake for you. dog walkers in there 100's throwing balls and sticks in next to your swim ( and sadly you have to tolerate it as any foul and abusive language towards them may well see you banned, most are ok but there are a few who i swear do it on purpose to wind you up), public hiring out boats and then proceeding to go through your lines or move your marker float etc . when the weather is warm and sunny or when the school holidays are on the lake can be an absolute nightmare. it has broken many an angler believe me (it broke me after 2 season's, that said i am a weekend angler when it is 100x worse than mid week). if you can handle all that then it is a special lake with awesome fish in there, some which still haven't seen the bank. proper lumps at that.
now as for boats, me personally i didnt feel the need to use one and in my short spell on there i was top rod for 1 of my 2 seasons on there mainly fishing at no more than 40yds out when most others were 100yds plus . only time i did use a boat was to extract a fish that weeded me up. the weed can be massive problem, fortunately it wasn't that bad when i fished there. anything else you would like to know then don't hesitate to ask. im still in touch with a few of the lads down there and i only live 5 mins away and often walk round to see mates so i know most of whats going on down there.