What an incredible day

[Ex- Member]

Well today was the day we were craned on to the water. After 6 years being on dry land and slowly completing the fit out, seeing our boat back in the water was a truly momentous moment.

 

The boat weight in at 32 tonnes exactly, 1/2 a ton lighter than when it came out the water in 2007. Considering all the work that's been done over those years the boat sat in the water almost true, it's basically listing a 1/2 inch, so we'll get that sorted tomorrow.

 

The day began well, the crane turned up early and was all set up and ready to go for 9am.

 

 

My mate Dave and a couple of my employees & myself set up all the 20T straps and socks.

 

After 2 attempts we got the straps pretty much centred, crane driver happy and so it's lift off.

 

 

A fair bit of creeking, not the boat but the crane. Weight came out at 32T, the heaviest lift this crane driver had undertaken.

 

 

Well off the sleepers now, if something's going to go, it probably will now LOL

 

 

Few seconds later and all is well, a flying boat happy in it's 20T slings.

 

 

All lined up on the lorry with fully extended trailer. Big smiles, stage one complete and it's only 10am. It takes another hour for the lorry driver to get the boat strapped down and the crane driver to to pack up, my guys kept the slings in place and secured them to the boat using removal ties. This saves a lot of time, the 20T slings weigh nearly 2CWt each with socks on, it rained earlier as well so making them even heavier. My guys and Dave did really well getting these wrapped around the boat and securing them there for the journey to Trowbridge.

 

Will be posting part 2 shortly. Delivery at Sally Boats, Trowbridge.

[Ex- Member]

CONTINUED

 

 

The crane arrives at Sally boats around 11am and sets up, 30 minutes later the boat arrives.

Lorry driver loosens the load, crane is all ready to go and the straps get linked up to the 4 crane hooks.

A slight problem arises though, some thick dumb ass ignorant boater decides to park their car inside of the cones that were left out overnight to reserve space for the crane. She laft the car there to go off for a jolly in their boat. Not only was the area coned off, it's not even a parking space when not coned off. I turns out he person can't be contacted. So in consultation with the crane driver we continue on regardless. It just means slewing the boat at extra height for the full 180 degree swing on to the marina, a bit more nerve racking especially when un-necessary.

I remember to fit the stern fender before going on the water, the smiley face made from a couple of tyres.

All sorted and So it's Thunderbirds are go.

Looking good, it's pretty high though so pretty nerveracking especially for Lynn.

At this point I seriously wonder how that car would fair should we lower the boat on it. I joke with Dave I reckon it would end up just 18 inches high if we lowered 32 ton on to it, I would have hung around just to see the look on the ignoramus's face had we done so LOL.

At last it's Touchdown, all done & dusted before 1am, just brilliant.

The next hour or so is spent fixing and fitting all then usual stuff. Extremely pleased with the solar panel array. At around 2pm we were wavering between 13 and 20 amps and that was with white fluffy clouds around.

Now 18.30 but just 3.5 amps going into the batteries, batteries reading full though.

We cruised for a couple of hours as well so the batteries have had a pretty good charge from the engine. Although initially nervous in piloting the boat, it really was a piece of cake, or like riding a bike a some would say. I handles so well, and even when you go awry through lack on concentration you can correct the boat really quickly. We passed Hilperton Marina where a new to us marine supply place sells fuel and almost everything else. so we stopped and topped up with diesel all tanks now full, £0.82p per litre. They are apparrently going to run a regular diesel supply boat from Hilperton to Bath every to weeks commencing September, could be really useful in the winter, so we've signed up for deliveries.

We're now moored just outside Hilperton, superb evening, dinner on the go beer & wine, didn't have time for the Champagne earlier so will polish it off another time with friends.

This is so surreal, feels like home though. I'm truly knackered though and so is Lynn, as long as we own this boat I hope never to see it on a crane again. Having said that, We are tinkering with the idea of going to France LOL

[nb Innisfree]

32 tonne? Are you sure? thats normally the weight of a widebeam. That sort of weight in what I assume is a 70' narrowboat would take in the region of 30+ inches of draught.

[MtB]

Excellent pics!

 

Your should definitely print a copy of that photo of your baot over the car and tuck it under their windscreen, lol!

 

MtB

[magpie patrick]

32 tonne? Are you sure? thats normally the weight of a widebeam. That sort of weight in what I assume is a 70' narrowboat would take in the region of 30+ inches of draught.

 

Erm, it is a widebeam isn't it? Looking at the pictures before they lifted it

 

edited to add, looks good. What is the next step? Holidays, extended cruising? Liveaboard?

Edited August 22, 2013 by magpie patrick

[mrsmelly]

 

Erm, it is a widebeam isn't it? Looking at the pictures before they lifted it

Its Deffo a Widebeam id I recall the many posts thus far.

 

Tim

[nb Innisfree]

Its Deffo a Widebeam id I recall the many posts thus far.

 

Tim

My mistake then, I haven't been following J's posts. It looks for all the world like a nb to me. Must start going to bed earlier.

[Pete & Helen]

Excellent pics!

 

Your should definitely print a copy of that photo of your baot over the car and tuck it under their windscreen, lol!

 

MtB

Was thinking the same thing.

 

Nice thread great pictures

[Ex- Member]

My mistake then, I haven't been following J's posts. It looks for all the world like a nb to me. Must start going to bed earlier.

 

I'm so glad you came to that conclusion, the design of the boat was as such that it looked like a n/b especially from side on. it's only a 10/6 wide beam as well to assist the illusion, It's quite often been mistaken for a n/b especially in photo's but even when we were last on the canal as well.

 

ETA

 

We will be Continuous Cruising, initially Devizes area then to Bath and return, then probably venture up the Caen Hill flight and on to Newbury, all depends on many factors though LOL

Edited August 22, 2013 by Julynian

[magpie patrick]

 

I'm so glad you came to that conclusion, the design of the boat was as such that it looked like a n/b especially from side on. it's only a 10/6 wide beam as well to assist the illusion, It's quite often been mistaken for a n/b especially in photo's but even when we were last on the canal as well.

 

However, if you tried to fit it into a lock with Juno I think I might notice...

[DeanS]

Congratulations....fantastic for you ))

[nb Innisfree]

 

I'm so glad you came to that conclusion, the design of the boat was as such that it looked like a n/b especially from side on. it's only a 10/6 wide beam as well to assist the illusion, It's quite often been mistaken for a n/b especially in photo's but even when we were last on the canal as well.

 

ETA

 

We will be Continuous Cruising, initially Devizes area then to Bath and return, then probably venture up the Caen Hill flight and on to Newbury, all depends on many factors though LOL

We'll be down that way in a couple of weeks (hopefully) so look forward to seeing it in the flesh. I'm not too sure about the looks of some 'broadbeam narrowboats' but yours is well disguised and looks ok.

[mrsmelly]

 

I'm so glad you came to that conclusion, the design of the boat was as such that it looked like a n/b especially from side on. it's only a 10/6 wide beam as well to assist the illusion, It's quite often been mistaken for a n/b especially in photo's but even when we were last on the canal as well.

 

ETA

 

We will be Continuous Cruising, initially Devizes area then to Bath and return, then probably venture up the Caen Hill flight and on to Newbury, all depends on many factors though LOL

Hi

 

10ft 6inches is what we went for after carefull consideration of various waterways and cruising possibilities. Has proved ideal so far. After 22 years living in a narrowbeam the difference of only 3 ft 6inch is unbeleivable. We bought a fab suite from ebay last week and it took three of us ten minutes to persuade the setee out of the sellers house through the front door, it was nearly impossible. Got it to the boat and walked it straight in thro the front doors in seconds

 

Tim

[Guest]

Incredible days are relative...the real fun starts now!!

Edited August 23, 2013 by The Dog House

[adam1uk]

well disguised and looks ok.

 

Praise indeed!

[canals are us?]

Found the boat craning very interesting, although would always worry if the straps broke and the boat came crashing down! Has that ever happened and I presume it's insured by the carrying company.

 

Have a wonderful new life afloat

 

James

[Guest]

Brill. boat and pics, and all the best for your cruising ahead

Edited August 22, 2013 by Guest

[luctor et emergo]

Oh great, just what we need , another fat boat, mooring on corners...

 

 

But seriously, good luck, and have fun.

[deckhand]

Wow, great pictures and I agree with Dean, that picture above that car (and a sarky thankyou for parking there) posted on their windscreen.

Hope you have a great life and time on the water. Congratulations. )

[tillergirl]

Many Happy Boating days ahead now.

[LoneWolf]

Smashing looking boat - enjoy the cruising

 

 

Excellent pics!

 

Your should definitely print a copy of that photo of your baot over the car and tuck it under their windscreen, lol!

 

MtB

 

yes!

[nb Innisfree]

Found the boat craning very interesting, although would always worry if the straps broke and the boat came crashing down! Has that ever happened and I presume it's insured by the carrying company.

 

Have a wonderful new life afloat

 

James

I always feel that the straps should be doubled up just in case, they are strong enough but subject to abrasion damage. Thats why we have opted to cruise down to Devizes, lorrying would have saved a lot of long tiring days but I just don't like to see our boat being craned, gives me the eeby jeebies.

[ditchcrawler]

Found the boat craning very interesting, although would always worry if the straps broke and the boat came crashing down! Has that ever happened and I presume it's insured by the carrying company.

 

Have a wonderful new life afloat

 

James

Yes it has and don't count on it being insured by someone else.

[Starcoaster]

Well done guys, I don't think I could have watched it going in if it was mine!

[FadeToScarlet]

You should have used the crane to put the car across the other side of the cut, or on the roof or something!