Hukel

For Reference regarding max dimension on the Avon: Bidford Bridge is definitely the choke point for width. It is probably getting on for 14' at it's widest point, but it is circular, and the sides come back in and continues to do so below the water line. Our 12'6" beam has chines under the water, and we actually find when going up the stream, if there is a bit of flow the water in its desperation to flow past us actually channels us into the centre of the arch. Very useful. The problem bridges are the two after the junction with the Stratford Canal, if you are interested in cruising the couple of extra miles upstream to have a look before turning back (or are making the journey years from now when the Higher Avon link to Warwick is completed (one day...)) The first (the tramway bridge) allows roughly 7'ft air draft at low summer river levels, The Second (Clopton bridge) has a higher air-draft, but much narrower arches (maybe 15ft wide), this bridge is also set on an angle to the direction of water flow, which takes the path of least resistance and effectively flows sideways into Stratford marina. Having been in that marina for the last 3 years, I have seen many many boats come a-cropper in clunk the bridge, or even miss it entirely and stick their nose square into the arch coming downstream, as the cross current gets them. For me the water level gauge should read Red when it read Yellow for the rest of the river just for this bridge.

Hello all, thank you for the enthusiastic reply's to this question. It is really a pleasure to see to many like minded people enjoying this lifestyle as much as I do! My family and I are liveaboards, based on the Avon in Stratford-Upon-Avon. We are looking at building and fitting out a new boat (we did the same with this one, it was a huge amount of fun, so much so that I want to do it again), and have subsequently put our boat up for sale. We have accepted an offer from a gentlemen wanting to take the boat to London, hence my question. Having live in Stratford, we have cruised the Avon when time allowed. It is a big boat, but navigation is just about possible. As others have mentioned the locks at Evesham and Chadbury, are the only really difficult ones. Evesham is actually shorter, however it has a triangle cut out of the cill, to stick your rudder or bow in. Chadbury lock does not have this. We require a bit of rain to bring the river level up to get through. Obviously not ideal but for us it has not mattered much due to our particular life style. For us the boat is 99% house. For reference the locks do vary dramatically on the Avon, the Upper Avon locks are generally much larger, some of them having been completely rebuilt, compared to the Lower Avon locks which were restored. Seems a bit odd as Stratford is the navigation limit for widebeams. The Rober Aickman Lock in Harvington is indeed the largest, by a long way, I heard a roumer that during the restoration a pair of hotel widebeams wanted to cruise that stretch and managed to wangle the building of a double widebeam lock to help there operation, I don't know the truth of this though? Going to back to my original question; We have not yet taken the boat past the Avon, and if this sale is to go through, then the new owner would be looking at saving on the transport costs and making the journey to the Regent Canal via water as previously explained., So to conclude, this shouldn't be a problem?

Hi fellow boaters, We have a large Widebeam, 70' x 12'6", not including rudder/fenders, and with square quarters to boot! We are looking to cruise from, London, from Stratford via; River Avon River Severn Gloucester Sharpness Bristol Channel Bristol Avon Kennet & Avon Thames GU/Regent canal. Has anyone done this journey in a similar size boat, who can advise on any locks/bridges etc, where we might have a bit of trouble? Can anyone give a recommendation for a pilot for navigating from Sharpness to Bristol?

The boat is a 70ft widebeam and we are planning on putting the cooker in almost the centre of the boat, so it shouldn't cause too many complications withe ballast. There's already 10 tonnes of ballest in, which we will have to re-arrange on completion of the fit out. I would say we are after something cheap and cheerful looking at the retail prices, however we don't want to be let down by a faulty appliance! We would want something reliable, any idea of how much we would need to pay for this/what's available? Thanks Hugh

A massive thanks for all the advise. It looks like we may have found something that complies. I will post the details when I find out for sure. We are also now looking at the possibility of a solid fuel stove. Has any one got any advise on these, any useful lessons learnt?

Hello all, Thanks for all the replys it's fantastic finding this wealth of support online! What questions do I need to ask to insure that every burner on the oven, grill & hobs etc are safe for use on a boat? This is where I have fallen down before. H

Hello, I am looking for advise on what cooker to buy for my boat I am currently fitting out. I was originally hoping to get a high quality range cooker that ran on LPG however initial research has come up fairly empty in this department. Can anybody recommend a good high end cooker (oven and hob either combined or separate) that will function well. Thanks Hugh

Hello All, Thank you all for your replies, very speedy too! Unfortunately I have now found that all though I thought the cooker was boat safe, unlike the hobs the burners in the ovens do not have flame failure devices so it's back to the drawing board. Any advise on a good top end LPG Boat safe cooker? I'll start a new thread! Thanks Hugh

We have been given the opportunity to get hold of a great deal on a LPG range cooker. However its total rating with everything firing comes to 15.29Kw. Does anybody know if it will be possible to generate the required pressure from two 13Kg propane bottles? Will there be any special requirements for regulators or pipe size to generate enough pressure? Also due to the awkward galley position the piping will have to run for 7 meters between the gas locker and the cooker. Thanks Hugh