toffeedanish

I had a similar issue. My solution was to use gutter sealent: relatively cheap, black so doesnt draw attention to itself, lasts a relatively long time, bonds to both surfaces. Masking tape on the glass for straight lines. Knife off at a 45 degree angle so there is nowhere for water to accumulate. All still good two years later.

By length, the majority of the Rochdale Canal is in Tory territory (Heywood and Middleton, Calder Valley constituencies. Although it does pass through more Labour than Tory constituencies).

Um... why so?

Taking an average of all the variables (waterway characteristics, boat design, water level) I would say that on a popular good mooring gunnels would be higher than the towpath, but there are countless examples where this is not the case.

And the relative height of the water may change when you are moored as a pound fills or empties or a river rises or falls.

As I understand it you have come to the business decision that you can't keep three or more trad hire boats, but in your heart you do want to do so and would be willing to put in time and effort. It is the financial resources that are lacking. As you have apready begun a process dividing operations in to trad and non-trad hire, I would suggest building on this foundation and taking it one step further and seek a different way to finance these craft. You might wish to sell the boats but on the basis that they are leased back on permanent basis for hire (but giving the owner several weeks per year on board). A bond issue might be another way forward, as done by so many heritage railways for example, with some hire available free at point of use for 'investors'. You might set up a 'Friends of...' kind of organisation, although in my experience this might be more trouble than it is worth. You are the custodian of what could be some very fine boats - there will be ways to keep them all and your business afloat. Done well they will be a floating advertisement for your other hire craft. It would be beneficial if you changed the question posed to 'how do I finance non-profit making traditional narrowboat hire?', and go far and wide asking the question, to all of the canal-based media. You might get the perfect answer, and plenty of free publicity while you are at it.

To answer the OPs questions:- Yes, I have hired from you. As we took 'Willow' out just a few weeks ago, I am well placed to comment as to that particular boat. As to reputation: I am a firm believer that a lot can be gathered from a website. Looking at the Middlewich one, with a pricing grid page which is not customer friendly, ancient photos, and an amateurish feel, I didn't have a high level of expectations for the holiday. Would I hire again? Yes, but with the massive caveat that *you* take each of your boats out for a couple of days to see what they are like to live on, and then fix accordingly. Note that the following is posted in this public forum solely as the operation has changed hands and advice is sought. I would be sorry to see any organisation fail and I am not here to rant. Initially looking to book a particular date showing as available on-line, I received the email response simply stating that 'sorry, the boat is not available'. I'd have appreciated an update to the website that showed that it wasn't (which happened within minutes of my reply), and for something along the lines of 'no, but these other boats are available', or 'these other dates are available'. You might gain some more business if you standardised responses in a positive way. As it was, I persisted and moved the dates. The booking and the welcome were well handled. In common with most replies on here, the boat was a let-down in terms of neglect. Externally the front fender was hanging off to one side, which a snapped chain on the other. Non-slip surface coating was practically all worn off, making boarding and alighting hazardous in the wet. Internally, there was moss growing in the sliding kitchen window. The front curtain rail was bust so one could not shut out the light from the front cabin making sleep difficult, coupled with old thin duvets and pillows. In the main cabin we had the opposite problem, as the bedside lights were broken. Although not a problem for us, there was a disconcerting sound of slopping water from under the floor in the wetroom (which in itself is a daft design for a hire boat, quickly getting very muddy). It was also an inconvenience that the bathroom door didn't lock as it was out of alignment. Just as well we knew each other well. Spanner and screwdriver were pointed out to us. It turned out that the former was for re-screwing on the speedwheel, which was hanging off the cabin ceiling and needed treating very gently. The spanner proved useful to tighten the bolt at the base of the loose tiller which was shredded and needed daily attention. It appeared that the boats electrics were deficient, they may have been getting a poor charge from the engine. As such in the evenings it was not possible to have more than two lights on or the radio would cut out. It was not possible to use the TV at all. My suspicion was that a lack of power kept causing the diesel cooker to switch itself off. It was not possible to have hobs and oven going at the same time, which made self catering almost impossible. Pesisting as not to waste food bought in advance, I did become exasperated when I found that the oven pan provided in which I was making a meal turned out not to fit in the oven. When a knob broke off the oven so it could not be reset, we gave in and called the engineer. He advised calling into another operators boatyard to make the fix, which we did with no problem, and provided them with a big laugh on seeing the state of the boat. Despite having a solid fuel stove at home, we could not use the one on board, as these can be fickle things, and the instuctions for it appeared to be for a different stove. In short it was a great boat for those keen on vintage engines, but poor for those who wanted to eat, sleep, or just relax. It was a constant battle with most items on board. I would focus short-term improvements on enabling a good night's sleep for all, and enabling a meal to be cooked. New instructions need to be provided to cover all of the boats idiosyncracies. Longer term a full overhaul of the basics is badly needed. I would be sorry however, for the boat to be 'modernised', or indeed, retired. It just needs what is provided to work well. Good luck!

Another vote for the Transport Museum - which would be excellent value even if there was a charge of to get in. No problems mooring in the basin last year, although it is certainly worth making the effort to get to the basin once on the Coventry arm. One word of caution - on the approaches to the basin stay to the middle of the channel despite it looking obvious to take the apex on the towpath side of a couple of the wide bends - we grounded.

A little local knowledge to add... Stafford would be the best place to transfer from train to bus as Advance fares are available from Liverpool (at the moment for Sat 30th April for example for £3 single). It is also possible to travel via Uttoxeter, as you will have worked out from the bus map posted above. In Stafford allow 20 minutes to cross town with luggage to Eastgate Street (which is where the 841 departs from - not Pitcher Bank as it says in the timetable). From the train station forecourt cross the pedestrian crossing ahead and follow the main road ahead to the left, crossing over the river. Where the road turns left, continue straight on into the pedestrainised street, passing the war memorial. Continue straight on at the junction, passing St Mary's Church on your left, emerging from the alleyway into the main street. Turn left then immediately right into Martin Street, passing the County Buildings. Where this pedestrianised street emerges into the world of traffic on Eastgate St, the bus stop is just on your right on the near side of the road. You are looking for the 841 to Hixon or Uttoxeter. The fare is currently £2.60 single. On the bus, the driver is not techniclally permitted to stop at the boatyard in Great Haywood, but its worth an ask, as it goes past the gate. If not, you will noticed that you cross the canal then go under an arched rail bridge. The road rises and the bus stop is just before the next junction. This is a well used stop. From here it is a 5 minute walk back to the canal. Facing you when you get off the bus is a local shop to gather provisions if necessary. Have a good trip!