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Posts posted by Big Bob W
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On 29/03/2024 at 17:48, matty40s said:
Thanks for leading the way for us Matty!
Definitely sporting conditions!
We came back through on Saturday after mooring for the night just after Kingfisher marina. Totally different experience. I reckon the level dropped over a foot overnight and the lock landing was clear. I wonder how many times that WB moored opposite the Tove got clobbered that day!!
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We actually like a trip down/up the Northampton Arm! Admittedly the bottom bit get be a bit hard going with lack of depth in the summer, but its a challenge!
Its normally nice and quiet and the locks are generally very easy.
But at this time, I would say Stoke Bruerne would be your best bet. Through the tunnel, wind and reverse back on to a mooring before the locks. Few pints in the Boat then get an Indian takeaway! You can always detour for a short run down the top of the Northampton arm as you pass Gayton Junction and wind just before the lock. 15 minutes or so each way.
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The number of times I have had to steer through those over hanging branches! Good to see it gone (nearly).
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Almost certainly leaves on the prop.
Last autumn I was convinced I had a problem mid way through Blisworth Tunnel. Hardly any forward motion despite increasing revs. Then I noticed through the gloom, the water surface was covered in leaves. Burst of reverse and all sorted. The surface was clear entering and leaving the tunnel, but the leaves all accumulated half way through.
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18 hours ago, dmr said:
I think there were a lot less hire boats out this summer, and I noticed a significant part of some hire fleets tied up at their base, I also saw some adverts for 50% price reductions. However I think it got busier later in the year. I heard a good theory that hire boating has got just too expensive for family holidays in the summer, its cheaper to fly somewhere hot, but more people without school age children are now hiring out of season.
I think the boat hire businesses got greedy during the pandemic. They pushed up their prices to take advantage of people being unable to holiday abroad. Now things are back to "normal", they have not reduced their prices accordingly.
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13 minutes ago, john6767 said:
No. The paddles connect the locks direct to the side pound. The red paddle connects to lower lock to the side pound, the white one the upper lock to the side pound.
I need to draw myself a diagram now or I'm not going to sleep tonight!
We are up and down Watford several times a year - but in my defence, I am on the back of the boat with Sue doing all the work winding paddles. I just get a glimpse of water rushing in to the side pond when she opens the white one.
But to the OP, bottom line is Red before White!
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14 hours ago, adam1uk said:
The red paddle takes water from the side pond into the lower lock, then the white paddle takes water from the next lock up and puts it in the side pond.
Isn't it the other way round?
Red Paddle empties the upper pound directly to the lower pound.
White paddle is to the side pond.
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Just imagine the combined whining of all those bow-thrusters!
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5 of them!!!
Whats going on??!!
Notice Alert
Grand Union Canal
Location: Blisworth Tunnel - Grand Union Canal
Starts At: Blisworth Tunnel
Ends At: Blisworth TunnelWednesday 16 August 2023 07:30 until Wednesday 16 August 2023 10:30
Type: Advice
Reason: Information
Original message:
Blisworth tunnel will be closed to traffic from 07:30, possibly until 10:30 on Wednesday 16th August for the passage of 5 widebeam boats, 2 travelling south and 3 travelling north.
Boats may enter the tunnel if directed to do so by a Trust representative at the tunnel portal or after 10:30 if no representative is present.
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We came through there last week. The run from Saddington to Debdale is going to be interesting for a Fatty. I wouldn’t like to meet one coming towards me through the heavily reeded bends.
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Well thats our Leicester Ring plans down the pan then!
Notice Alert
Trent & Mersey Canal
Location: Derwent Mouth Lock - Trent & Mersey Canal
Starts At: Lock 1, Derwent Mouth Lock
Ends At: Lock 1, Derwent Mouth LockWednesday 5 July 2023 until further notice
Type: Navigation Closure
Reason: Water resources
Original message:
Due to the unexpected drop in water levels on the Trent & Mersey, we have made the decision to temporarily close Derwent Mouth Lock.
Our local team are carrying out water control and the closure of the lock will help them to manage the levels.
Boaters are kindly asked to avoid travelling along the rest of the Trent & Mersey where possible, to minimise the levels from dropping further.
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We are looking at the Leicester ring in a couple of weeks
CRT have an ongoing advisory regarding water levels on the Trent and Mersey - Derwent Mouth Lock to Burton stretch.
Can anyone advise what the levels are actually like right now on that section?
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We've always got on ok with Leon.
So long as you can put up with his terrible jokes and occasional naturist tendencies!
I got the impression when we last saw him in September, he was going to be leaving the area and we've not seen him around.
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On 15/06/2023 at 11:11, enigmatic said:
the Northampton Flight of the GU has a very unofficial volunteer lockie in the form of a homeless chap called Leon.
Has anyone seen him recently?
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16 minutes ago, matty40s said:
We came up Stoke Bruerne on the last bank holiday monday fairly early(to catch the boats coming down). We arrived at lock 18 (3 locks up, having watered and dropped rubbish. A pair of volockies were in charge as one of the lower paddles has been broken for 12 months. Kathy went up and the joke (sorry, bloke) said we would have to wait until another boat arrived to save water. There were 2 boats in the lock above coming down, so Kathy said, no, we will swap with those two. The bloke said no need to shout, and Kathy said, I'm not shouting, I'm half deaf, and we are continuing.....bloke goes red and walks away.
I did ask the other volocky if the paddle on the top lock bottom gate that had fallen out on the Saturday as we arrived had been repaired, "No, theres nobody fixing things until Tuesday because of Crick Show".
The paddle was still U/S when we came up there this week.
Won't be long before there's a stoppage there when the other one gets busted.
Also the Vlockies on duty there Tuesday managed to flood the towpath below the A508 bridge. No idea what they were doing.
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We recently had ours lifted out at Debdale then DIY blacking
Lifted out first thing Friday and pressure washed. Then first coat on.
Another coat on Saturday and Sunday before lifted back in on Monday.
Great service and lovely people.
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8 hours ago, matty40s said:
I also came across this 14' monster at the weekend, which has been on this 13 mile pound for about 4 years now.
He always moors leaving as little walking distance to his car as possible.
There were quite a few narrowboats before this so we were on tickover, strong winds on Sunday andthe offside is shallow and there was a fallen tree to the left. The front end brushed his, he was straight out shouting that "you dont know how to steer, there is at least a 100 foot to the bridge and your an f'in tosser"
I just pointed out the fact that he was IN the navigation channel again, and should moor more considerately. More abuse I couldnt hear as concentrating on getting through bridge hole, but I did wiggle my arse at him which made Kath giggle a bit.
That's the guy that moors with the ratchet-straps isn't it?
I expect (hope) he gets a hammering every weekend from the Gayton hire fleet!
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Epifanes Multiforte is what was suggested to me.
https://www.epifanes.uk/product-page/epifanes-multiforte
But I think I'm going to be blacking up to the gunwales.
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18 minutes ago, matty40s said:
Epifanes black is being used more often than gloss black now, being semi matt in finish and easy to touch up.
Epifanes was what I was considering. But as far as I can see, 4 litres is the smallest container you can buy. Well over the top for the amount I need. That’s what got me thinking about blacking up to the gunwales.
The top (walking bit) is still fine, so just the sides. -
I am blacking the boat in a few weeks with Intertuf 16.
Last time we blacked up to the rubbing strake. Above that to the gunwales was left with its original matt black which is now looking a bit tatty.
Looking around, I reckon something like half the boats seem to be blacked up to the gunwales.
Is there a problem doing this?
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Unbelievable!
This character is getting more aggressive/abusive by the minute.
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2 hours ago, IanD said:
Why on a bend, especially a boat that size? Why, oh why?
I understand there’s a Widebeam Owners Manual. It clearly states you must moor your boat immediately adjacent to a bridge hole. If no bridges are nearby, then on a bend is an excellent 2nd choice.
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Thanks all.
It’s ran another 5 hours or so and still no further rise in oil level. Very strange.
I don’t think it was the angle the boat was lying. The change of level seemed too much for that. I’ll keep a close eye on it, with fingers crossed!
Between Stoke Bruerne Lock 20 and Cosgrove Lock 21 - Grand Union Canal
in General Boating
Posted
Saw us
Enjoyed that. Definitely a character building experience!