Neil TNC

Well we liked it, mainly because "Donald" looked rather like a boater we know. There did seem to be a lack of scratches on the film, until you came to the Pathe News end credit.

This is indeed true...and one that knows the launch site and does not want to rip you off. Once we knew accurately the weight of Earnest (from the gauge on P&S crane - 18.5 tons), the firm we used in Ireland said the quote would be cheaper, because they could use their 20 ton crane, as the jib would be near vertical. I thought that P&S were good, but these guys made the whole lift quick and effortless.

I think you will get a better idea if you differentiated between wide beam narrowboat or barge. It does now appear that fitted wide-beam narrowboats are all aimed at and bought by liveaboards...and for that matter, most of the recent build barges I have looked at. People/builders/brokers do seem to be trying to attach a premium to all wide beam craft, re the fact that many are sold with a "residential mooring", in most cases this being unofficial. My idea of a barge is a craft that will actually steer, be quite happy going across the English Channel and be set up/have bits in the correct places so two people (or one in an emergency) can work it through large locks. Also capable of being lived on full time, but not the prime function. One day I might actually find one that I want to buy!

Go for it! We gave some of the Scudamores punts a bit of a "shock" as they were jam packed under the last bridge. I don't think it came out in my cr@p trip report, but in reality you will find few oportunities to do the Backs with just the right water level. The Cam Conservators keep the level lowered during the winter to allow for floods. NB Frogmoore II had higher airdraught than Earnest in normal cratchless trim (1.75m), so you should find a time with the conditions OK.

If you moor on The River Cam over winter you can navigate the Backs (through and above Jesus Lock) during the winter. I did it in a TNC members boat, back in 2001: http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_01/01Backs.html It states this is still allowed in the Cam Consvervators Boat Regisration notes: http://www.camconservators.co.uk/ Motorised vessels are restricted from navigating upstream of Jesus Lock from 1st April to 31st October inclusive each year. This is to ensure safety for the large number of people using small craft such as punts on the ‘middle’ river (the Backs) during the summer months. Between 1st November and 31st March motorised vessels may navigate upstream above Jesus Lock. The gates are Jesus Lock are operated manually and a windlass is secured to the slacker. Please contact the River Bailiff if you require assistance or experience problems locking through. Headroom clearance along the Backs is restricted and the minimum headroom is 2.08 m or 6 feet 9 inches under Kitchen Bridge, St John’s College).

Yes Basic map http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/IMG/gif/31_tourism_1_2.gif

I can't comment on the trailing bit...we have more luck with a 58ft narrowboat. The best place to get a SH one is straight through Ian Graham, Wilderness Boats (the designer and old manufacturer) Wilderness Boats Unit M Chelworth Malmesbury Wiltshire SN16 9SG Tel: 01666 577773 Mobile 07973 815920 Expect to pay around 12 grand for a decent Beaver with trailer. Some of the self fit out ones have more room for a couple than the traditional 4 berth jobbies Mrs TNC's Mini Me can be seen at the end of this page http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/TourMM_0...7MMBristol.html They fairly whiz along and being only 8" draught hardly cause any bow wave. You will need a 4x4 (or a Transit van) to pull the trailer, something thay will tow 2000Kg, so that rules out a Freelander or a Nissan X-Trail. Landy, Deaf-ender or Range Rover would fit the bill. A lot of Wildernii owners use Izuzu Troopers. Once you have one you can join the very friendly and (even by TNC standards) intrepid Wilderness Boat Owners Club http://www.wilderness.org.uk/ If I *ever* get a barge, then Mrs TNC's could well be for sale....along with the KIA Sorrento! ;-)

Are you ar a member of an AWCC boatclub? http://awcc.ruralnet.org.uk/ ...We left Earnest a few times at the AWCC affiliated Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association moorings in the secure basin at Langley Mill http://www.erewashcanal.org.uk/index.html If not you could join the Cutweb Internet Boat Club for a fiver and get the reciprical agreement, re-free 2 weeks mooring at another boat club. http://www.cutweb.org.uk/ Please do not be put off the Erewash Canal. In the present climate it really is "Cruise It Or Loose It" BW would just love to not have the financial burden.

In a nice marina, with Clarkies "C Moon" You have made him so jealous he is thinking of getting a 26ft Westerly somethingorother

There are three of their boats built on spec, that are at Harral. I noticed these a while back... http://www.harralbrokerage.co.uk/detail.asp?id=1799 http://www.harralbrokerage.co.uk/detail.asp?id=1800 http://www.harralbrokerage.co.uk/detail.asp?id=1658

Well, with us Jalsea came out with a big scary torch...had a quick look, then did the paperwork. My mates boat had sticky starter at that time and they were not even worried about that. Your Certificate of Seaworthiness lasts for a year, I would advise making use of it and doing the whole MSC in that time period. Once you have your COS lodged with them it is much easier. It is not really that scary, they even gave up with the "Catch 22" situation and let us do it solo. I don't know whether the new Harbour Master insists on NB's being breasted up...we never did, only in locks, to make it easier to take only one set of lines. The MSC staff like a big loop on the end of the rope you hand them (they use a hooked rope to pick this up), they the loop round a monster inner bollard, then leave you the free end to make fast on your boat. The only boat we passed at speed in a cutting was a large tanker barge, the secret is to speed up as you pass the other craft, then you will not get sucked about. The scariest meeting we had was with a Mersey Ferry, doing a trip. As it approached us coming up from Latchford (obviously going for it), we could see an amazing bow wave crashing along the banks. It was an anti-climax, as it slowed down for as as we passed. As John mentioned, it is really worth while to go up the Irwell, if you are up that end. As you are presumably Bridgewater registered, Pomona and the Upper Reaches should be free, well that is what Mike told us a few years ago. He also said that you can now moor in Salford Quays for a couple of days FOC. The "mooring" in the town is a bit iffy, even if you get permission to moor by the Mark Addy pub. For people thinking of doing the MSC from down south, Jim Mc Donald did do us a free Certificate Of Seaworthiness, when he did a BSS on Earnest (the MSC insist on either an approved boatyard / individual or some one who is a naval archietect to do the COS, a boat surveyor will not do.) It should only take 1.5 hours for the trip Weston Marsh lock to Ellesmere Port. Some of our MSC stuff to whet your appetite: http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_95/95Tour4.html http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_02/Tour02_27.html http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_03/Tour03_9.html

Haven't they always had full order books? They are brilliant, TNC have not managed to break ours (yet) I had to get my own as Mrs TNC would not let me take hers to Ireland...my best e-bay bargain ever, brand new, just the spec I wanted and half price!

If you have not got a Certificate Of Seaworthiness Jalsea Marine will come out in the vicinity an do you one while you wait and process the MSCC form. On one of out improptu visits to the MSC they came out to Anderton and were reasonable on cost. We had more trouble with BW opening the decrepit Weston Marsh Lock. Yes you are right about the one lock mimimum cost...what ever that is now! Mike Webb only handles the Upper Reaches and Pomona Lock. This is impoprtant to know if you are doing a trip right through, as you have to book Pomona seperately through Mike, even though you can pay for thr whole passage through the MSCC at Eastham. Last time through Mike was sad that we were not stopping at Salford Quays, as at the time I think they thought they needed a bit of colour on the wharves! From the TNC archives... ******************************************************************************* MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL Manchester Ship Canal Company Marine Operations Administration Building Queen Elizabeth II Dock Eastham Wirral Merseyside CH62 0BB Mr Carr 0151 327 1461 Navigation Conditions: Certificate Of Seaworthiness Adequate anchor and cable Two warps of at least 50ft. (We recommend 100ft) Navigation Lights (waived for pleasure craft as they will not be able to navigate in the dark.) 2 fire extinguishers Sufficient life saving apparatus Admiralty Chart of Ship Canal AND surrounding waters (last bit waived if not going out on Mersey) Copy of Company’s Bye-Laws (given upon initial application) Current tidal almanac (waived if not going out at Eastham) Person in charge must be over 21 years old 48 hours notice in writing required There are local boatyards and surveyors in the area that can examine your boat and issue the “Certificate Of Seaworthiness” necessary to navigate the Ship Canal. Jalsea Marine Weaver Shipyard Off Darwin Street Northwich Cheshire CW8 1LB 01606 77870 Will come out to your boat, if in the vicinity, and issue the Certificate Of Seaworthiness and handle the MSCC paperwork for you. Latchford Locks 01925 635249 controls the canal above Old Quay Swing Bridge to just above Mode Wheel Locks VHF channel 14 listening watch, after contact continue communication on channel 20 In 2003 the first section from Manchester to Ellesmere Port cost £82.50 and the section from Ellesmere Port to Eastham, £33.00. The charging is worked out on £16.50 per lock +£16.50, i.e. even the lockless passage from the Weaver to Ellesmere Port incurs a charge. Ellesmere Port Lower Basin and the swing bridge by the Holiday Inn are operated by Ellesmere Port Borough Council. 24 hours notice is needed for its opening. Contact Barry Smalley or Darrell Smith 0151 356 6561 General Number 0151 356 6789 Currently no charge Mooring in the Middle Basin is controlled by the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. A ticket for the museum for each adult crewmember entitles you to moor there for 7 days. There is limited mooring. The Ellesmere Port Boat Museum South Pier Road Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH65 4FW 0151 355 5017

It was traditional, before the new secure moorings were created for the departing revellers to un-tie your boat. On one occasion "John" was told by his female aquaintance "Don't do it!". "John" of course did not listen, but failed in his mission because we only had sacrificial ropes out and were chained to the OS fence. In the morning we found two hire boats adrift in the top lock...they had been compleatly unaware.

Have you had the glow plug out?...if you take it out, you will probably find it is carboned up. If after a clean up it happens again in a short while, it may be time for a strip down and a de-coke.

Que J For sale again http://canalboatsales.homestead.com/Slow_Motion_Brochure.PDF Another little wayward R&D? http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=103951

...and to top it all a lot of Local Authorities services are funded by the (now non-existant) Section 106 developers contibutions. Of course this "cash cow" was also going to finance the "Community Waterways". It will be interesting to see what happens to the Northern BCN, if the rumoured trial takes place.

I can't really tell from Earnest. Shortly after launch I had the rudder modifed, with 1" extra leading edge and 3" extra trailing edge. This made a big difference all round. The steering is now much heavier, about the same as a Hudson, or working boat and Earnest turns on a sixpence (bl00dy usefull when coming into West Stockwith, Keadby, Limehouse, Selby or Barmby.) It also steers rather well out of gear. I would say that Earnest does now steer well back wards, but that may be due to skill (unlikely), familiarity, or just being a fairly long NB, which is reasonably well ballasted. The slipper stern does have more noticeable differences to a conventially swimmed boat. It draws much more water from underneath, (fine where there is plenty of depth), it does seem to "dig in" much more. We all know about maximum hull speed, "through the water", but Earnest does seem to be able to keep going in extreme flow conditions, which is why we would attempt the Barrow in mild flood or go up Abbey River / Ardnacrusha Tailrace with three turbines running (the locals thought we were nuts). It does also help, knowing that you have a correct size baffled skin tank, which keeps the engine from overheating, even it run nearly flat out for many hours. The slipper stern makes some minimum depth boating entertaining, due to taking most of the water from underneath it can draw blanket weed off the bottom, but with floating weed and rubbish, it does not drag this onto the prop. Going up dead ends, assuming there is not excessive weed about, we always tend to go up in reverse, as the slipper stern tends to "drag" the boat over silt. There was one occasion reversing up some drain or other that we were startled to hear slurpling noises. Because we were making steady progress I did not touch the throttle, but leaned over and was surprised that the counter was now some 2 inches out of the water. Another strange effect, that may be commom to the slipper stern, is bow dropping a crew member off. (handy on cr@p banks). With a slow or out of gear approach, a blast of reverse will send the bow flying out (more like a bow thruster), as the water is flushed underneath and not to the sides. I have always found Earnest very controllable in windy conditions, but can't really put this down to any one thing, other than perhaps it is somewhat over ballasted. I have heard that the short slipper stern R&D NB's (that Ray copied from the mini Davidson Boats) can be a bit wayward, steering in either direction, but this may be due to just being short boats, or being under ballasted. For fitting, the slipper stern is ideal, as very little swim intrudes into the cabin space, meaning that a floor mounted washing machime or calorifier can go right against the bulhead.

On the subject of Ardnacrusha... Nicholas Crane goes down the Ardnacrusha Lock in "Britannia" (near the end) The 85 MW of generating plant in Ardnacrusha was adequate to meet the electricity demand of the entire country in the early years. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00h4...hrough_Ireland/

So did Mrs TNC http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/TourMM_0...7MMBristol.html Her Wildernii Beaver has an interesting layout, a full size IKEA sofa bed, heating and shower, Owing to the trailer jack knife incident it has now got at a trailer fit only for launching, so we are back to square one.

BW are very touchy about wide beam craft, as they think they will get stuck in the semi-tidal "sewer crossing" section http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/T03_Imag...07/Dsc08037.jpg If you start up the Link, before the flood tide has gone much up the semi tidal section, you should be OK on air draught, but will have some tricky lining up to go through the stone arched Savick Bridge. Of course you may then be rattling on the bottom in a few sections. Our first passage up the Link was after a good thrash, so we were the first to go up after the flood crested the half tide sealock. http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_03/Tour03_15.html At the time, I know they would not let a 53ft x 12.5ft Sagar barge go up the link. I spoke to the rather "p" off owner at Castlefield. During the Ocean Princess (69ft narrowboat) Scottish trip we did manage to get permission from BW to exit the Lancaster by the Ribble Link, but we never went in at Glasson. (As the Rufford Branch will only take a 67ish ft NB, we intended to go back out to sea and go back in at Liverpool Docks.) So BW do not seem to be worried about the length. I don't remember any particularly low bridges on the Lanky, If you are bored enough, all the bridges feature on the link to my first passage.

(I will probably upset someone here) When is that poor old "flagship" going to be re-painted?..it looks really sad.

and the upper locks of the Ure / Ripon Canal Shirley? (also the Grand Canal in Ireland) James Griffin's Ocean Princess is a shade under 70ft. We were told by BW Scotland that although the Forth and Clyde was built to 70ft, fixed walkways were now fitted on the inside of the gates, so we wimped out of attempting it...ho hum, I suppose one day I will have to do it in a hireboat, like we did with the Mon and Brec.