KJT

Thanks for the clarification. I thought it was still missing. Ken

But it doesn't really help to recover that stolen boat either, just posting on a closed fb account. We are just setting off down the Coventry from Fradley and could easily keep an eye out for that one at the same time. As it is I have no idea what I might be looking for. Ken

Would that not be a positive thing? The sooner the boat is re-licenced the better in terms of locating it. Not for the poor un-suspecting new owner of course, but there can't be many 50' boats being either registered for the first time or re-licenced. I think it would be a new registration rather than a re-licencing anyway, which would at least narrow it down initially. Of coure it would not just be CRT that would need to be looking into this but all of the waterways authorities. Ken

Actually, I don't think it is a long shot at all. The midlands seem to have been searched pretty thoroughly with no sign. My gut feeling is that it has either been removed from the waterways somehow or, more likely, now is at the far reaches of the network. By now ALL connected parts of the network are just as likely as the midlands, perhaps more so. Ken

I can recommend Craig Allen, he is based in Daventry. I used him for my pre-purchase survey and found him to be very knowledgable and helpful. http://craig-allen-marine.co.uk/ Ken

Do you have anything that might be drawing more current than the alternator is producing at idle? Ours will do the same if, for example, we are running the washing machine, but the charge light goes out once the charge exceeds the current draw. Ken

I think the pic posted by MJG was in reference to the boat stolen quite some time ago and never found. Ken

That's very interesting Harald. Thanks for taking the effort and putting it online. Ken

That is the way we are headed on our way down from Great Heywood to Braunston so will of course continue to keep a sharp look out. Ken

We have cruised the Staffs & Worcs today from Gailey to Tixall Wide. We also checked Otherton Boat Haven, Teddesley Boat Company, and the Staffordshire Boat Club marina by bridge 96. Still no sign of any boat resembling the one in question. Ken

I would think technically you would need to licence it before you took possession, but I don't think 2 days would be an issue. Licences are valid for whole months only, like car tax so it would almost certainly be 'back dated' to cover your period of ownership. The Bridgewater canal is not a CRT waterway but there is a reciprocal arrangement allowing CRT licenced boats to use the Bridgewater for seven continuous days without charge with no return within 28 days. So you won't need to pay £40 to transit the Bridgewater provided you are CRT licenced. Ken

Sounds very much you have the right idea. Enjoy your adventure. Very happy to help. Ken

We all had to learn. You are doing the sensible thing and asking for advice. The most important thing is to enjoy your adventure with your new boat. One minor thing I forgot to mention regarding the tunnel at Preston Brook is that it, and the one after at Saltersford are one way working. Entry going in your direction is restricted to 30 minutes past each hour to 40 minutes at Preston Brook and 30 to 50 minutes past each hour at Saltersford. There is a big notice at each tunnel entrance but it helps to know in advance what the timings are. Ken

I don't know if Braunston Marina stock the keys, but Midland Chandlers just up the road certainly do. One other swing bridge you will come across is south of Wigan at Plank Lane. It is fully automatic using your CRT key, but is automatically disabled weekdays during road traffic peak periods (0800-0930 and 1600-1800). Ken

A CRT key is a standard Yale type key that you use on water points, elsan etc. The same key is used on swing bridges. An anti-vandal key is more like a box spanner used to release the paddles on some locks. It is also used on some swing bridges. You will probably be able to buy them from Scarisbrook Marina. If you are in Rugby already you can buy them from Midland Chandlers in Braunston. I would also suggest you buy some canal maps or Nicholsons guide for your route. It will be invaluable for your journey. Ken

Between Scarisbrook and Wigan you will encounter five swing bridges. You will need a CRT key to operate them. I personally wouldn't overnight in Wigan, but there are good moorings around Crooke. Then you can go through Wigan to Dover Lock Inn south of Wigan on the Leigh Branch, which is another good place to moor, in a day. If you can pair up with another boat going through the locks it will make your life much easier. You will also need an anti-vandal key to operate the locks. For mooring you will also need mooring pins and a hammer. But you already new that. There aren't many places to top up with water on the Bridgewater. There is a water point in the public toilets in Worsley, then the next one is at Ye Old No.3 prior to Lymm. The next after that is, unless you use one of several boatyards, Anderton services on the Trent & Mersey. Plenty of good places to moor on the Bridgewater once you clear Sale. You will also need a tunnel light for Preston Brook and subsequent tunnels. Ken

We came through Breward yesterday having been keeping an eye out since Hurlston Junction. If it went that way it's either gone up the Llangollen (I would think unlikely) continued on towards Chester and Ellesmere Port or (more likely) joined the T & M via Middlwhich and could be on the northern waterways now. Ken

Thanks for the update re pics. I think the rear skirt is so distinctive that it would have been covered up by a tarp, otherwise disguised or even removed by now. I feel the pics of the window/hatch layout are more useful as they too are quite unusual. I am fairly certain that superficially the boat will look quite different by now so one would need to use a little imagination regarding possible sightings. Ken

We have continued on the Staffs & Worcs from Autherly Junction and currently just north of Gailey. No sign along that stretch, including the entrance to the Hatherton Branch up to the first lock, and we also checked out Calfheath Marina. Ken

Whereabouts are they fitted? Looks like a soundproofing panel to me. Ken

We have been keeping a sharp lookout over the past several days and have covered the Shroppie from Hurlston Junction (with the Llangollen) south to, currently, about 3 miles short of Autherly Junction. Tomorrow we join the Staffs & Worcs travelling up to Great Heywood over the next few days. Nothing remotely resembling the missing boat has been seen. Ken

And of course, whilst the bathroom is in use it effectively blocks passage from one part of the boat to another. I think the idea is good in theory but in practice you would get fed up with it after a while. Ken

Every time I go past the old Cadburys wharf there are a couple of old working boats moored under the canopy, breasted up. They seem to be permanently moored there. Ken

We are currently at Audlem heading towards Autherly Junction and then to Great Heywood. Will keep an eye out. Ken

I would think most diesel heaters have the option of remote control. Certainly the Hurricane does. Ours can be operated by the 'Boatwarden' boat monitoring system which uses a smart phone app. It also provides hot water which can be independent of the radiators, for example.in summer. Ken