lockfreepoundsrus

The moorings do dry out so you need a boat that will dry out flat. Narrowboats are fine for that, it's some cruisers that you have to be careful with, sterngear, V hulls etc., I have seen narrowboats moor there, in fact the lifeboat towed one in the first night of our stay there in the Dawncraft. There is no danger that the boat will not re-float as the power of the buoyancy of a boat against the relatively light vacuum in the mud is never going to hold the boat down. (It could suck your willies off if you stand in the wrong place though!!). Most narrowboats have flat hulls and sterngear protected by the 'swim' so subject to again, you knowing the underside of your boat, it shouldn't be an issue. The only real issue you may have is getting the boat in to the back of the pontoon (the front is usually full) but if you are on the top of the tide there should really be no problem,

I have used the Douglas and Ribble many times, sailing as well as in motor cruisers, and I once had to take a Dawncraft 25 over with only 8hp. (underpowered, max about 4.5mph) I came out of Tarleton the day before on the high tide (slack water) and had arranged to stay over night on the pontoon at Hesketh Bank. The stay was pretty cheap for one night and it's an interesting mooring with water on the end of the pontoon and toilets, showers, etc ashore. I actually left the mooring two days later due to bad weather on the middle day (safe on the pontoon though), as soon as I was afloat. I stayed right to the side of the river out of the way of the fast flowing centre of the river (the depth sounder was useful there) and creeped down the Douglas at a very low speed, but still reached the 5 mile perch (pictured above as the Astland Lamp) well before high tide, in fact they were only just letting them out at Preston, so once around the perch I was WITH the tide most of the way to the entrance to Savick Brook (the canalled bit that leads from the Ribble to The Lancaster) and made very good time. I am not suggesting a narrow boat stays as far to the side as I was (remember I had the depth sounder), and some sandy bit jut out but I was on a rising tide, but by breaking the journey I was able to take a very slow boat across without the initial hard punch that is there leaving Tarleton Lock. If one were to leave Hesketh Bank about 15-20 minutes prior to the time you would normally arrive there, you would be starting on a cold engine and have no need for the initial 'thrash'. I don't suppose this is any substitute for a well cooled engine though. I spent many years 'doing' the Link in a Norman 20 with a 20hp engine which would do about 12mph and it was never used at flat out as it simply wasn't necessary. I think the answer is to know your boat and it's limitations. Also take Harry's advice at Tarleton, he is THE expert on those rivers and what he says is ALWAYS to be listened to. No one knows them better.

I once booked an 'Assisted Passage' in the late 1990s from BW as it was then. Superb, two lock keepers at the bottom lock at 8am. They took us half way then another two took over. They operated the paddles on the lock I was in whilst my wife went up and set the next lock and gate etc. We arrived at the top at 10.30!!! I was in the Norman 20 with a 20hp Mariner fitted and they could open all four paddles at the top from the start whilst I help the boat using the engine only (no ropes) at the bottom of each lock (nose in to the wall, stern out about half way, much steering and bursts of power). It was a superb service but I don't think they do it now, we were on our own last time we came down. There is a cracking butty shop somewhere near the railway bridges but the boat we shared with knew it and went for the butties so I don't know where it is, sorry!! It's a good trip and I have always enjoyed that area. I'd 'bob' down to help but I will be at work unfortunately. Have fun.

This is of interest to me as I will shortly have use of my father's three berth boat and there are five of us so I am considering a tent. North West England I am looking at. (That's where I live, used to be on the Lanky). I once came across a charity canoe paddle who were camping every so often on the Leeds Liverpool. I will post when we've tried it for the first time. Got an issue towing the boat from the Lakes yet!!!

What is the situation when using these tunnels with a fibre glass cruiser? Is it advisable to enter when no narrow boats are in? What do BW think and others?