Dartagnan
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Posts posted by Dartagnan
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49 minutes ago, Goliath said:
They're all pretty good to decent. None exceptional.
The Two Gates is a very busy pub, with a good turn over of beer. Half dozen choices, all good, perhaps best kept out of all ? And under £3 a pint. The back bar is friendly and not so foody. And you can't moor closer to a pub than this one.
Maybe the Barlow too
Thank you very much for those pubs on the Coventry. As a newbie I have watched loads of YouTube videos and the Coventry sounds very appealing. Win win.
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Thank you all very much for taking the time to reply offering your suggestions and advice, I am very great full. I would have replied individually but currently I have a broken wrist so find typing awkward at the minute. Plenty of advice to mull over.
Mac of Cygnet, thank you for providing links to your previous threads. I have previously read some of them whilst I wasn’t drinking and they left me longing for a pint and a bag of crisps! The time is now right for me to get in the act lol
Halsey I would love to divulge details of the boat but I have had awfully bad luck this year so I don’t wish to jinx the purchase lol. I am due to complete in a couple of weeks. It is, with my limited knowledge, superb.
As I await our goose lunch I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone on this forum a very happy Xmas and a healthy, prosperous New Year. Over the past few years I have gleefully hoovered up lots of advice and information from this forum which hopefully will stand us in good stead for when we venture onto the canals.
Kind regards - Martin
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I have just placed a deposit on our first ever NB. It’s not what I set out to purchase but to me it’s truly class. By the time the weather turns for the better I should be fit enough health wise to go cruising.
having been practically teetotal for the 4 years since my stroke and subsequent cancer issues this year I have decided to get off the wagon and try some real ale in the canal side pubs. I have even purchased the 2018 camra good beer guide!
The boat is currently moored in the south but we intend to do some extended cruising and I am seeking info from those in the know as to which canals have the best drinking pubs?
The boat won’t fit the L&L canal and I don’t fancy doing the Rochdale at this time. Hopefully we will wonder far and wide but was hoping for some heads up so I can prioritise the most fruitful canals.
many thanks - Martin
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50 minutes ago, Ray T said:
Some slight mis information about Ventnor on this thread.
Ventnor Farm Marina was first opened by the owner of Ventnor Farm next door. He was very particular about who he allowed in and what happened in the marina grounds.
The marina has been taken over by the Castle Marina's group and is now called Ventnor Marina. http://www.castlemarinas.co.uk/marinas/ventnor There are no liveaboards as planning permissions preclude this apart from two harbour masters in each of the two phases. These gents walk the pontoons every day and carry out a visible check on all the boats. I have used power tools at the weekends in the past and have never been reprimanded for so doing. I am sensible about the length of time I do this and also check with other moorers, if any aboard near by. What they will not allow is the stripping and repainting type jobs in the marina to which I agree with.
There are leisure / live aboard berths at the sister marina at Wigram's Turn.
46 minutes ago, Boatingbiker said:Just to clarify the comments made above regarding Ventnor Marina.
Both Ventnor and Wigrams Marinas which are located on/near the Napton Junction are both owned by Castle Marina.
Ventnor marina is not open to residential moorers , however their staff do live on board within the Marina and are always seen around the Marina when ever we are there (on all days of the week) Wigram is open for residential moorers.
AFAIC, the limitation of noisy work on boats at the weekends is a condition of a local neighbour who I believe use to own the Marina and imposed the condition upon selling the Marina to Castle, and not to disturb other boaters as stated previously. That does not prevent anybody moving their boat out onto the Grand Union to carry out any works within the normal CRaT regs and which could be nearer to the local neighbour than any boat moored within the marina. Of course consideration for others (boaters and non-boaters) should be observed at all times.
Hope this clarifies earlier misleading comments. And I am not employed by Castle Marina , but have moored at Ventnor for a couple of years.
Sorry Ray T we were typing similar replies at the same time, both with the same message
Thanks gents that’s very helpful.
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59 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:
Its no secret why would it be? The vast majority of marinas value residential moorers it doesn't mean they have residential moorings the two things are different. I am at present in Barton turns marina. Not being a marina type I thought get in one with everything for the winter and its all here. Pub, restaurants, cinema lots of shops etc etc just right till I de whimp in march.
Many thanks for the update. Sounds very good.
just to clarify I am not looking for residential moorings as I will be spending time in NI and Kingston upon Thames when we are not out cruising
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43 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:
I remember Ventnor opening, its not been around very long and their blurb announced strictly no liveaboards. It has always amused me why any marina wouldn't want a free security team on site and it put me off that marina from day one. I am at present in a much nicer marina with way more facilities and they gave me their mooring rates information when I came in it has two types of mooring fees written in bold at the top one heading says Fees Non Residential. There is on the same page Fees Residential. Its less than £2.50 per week extra to liveaboard obviously residential are limited but the marina has the sense to value people who keep an eye on their property for them and who spend lots of Wonga in the marina facilities.
Give us a clue, where is this particular marina or is it a secret?
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2 hours ago, Big Bob W said:
Have a look at Heyford Fields Marina in Northamptonshire.
Midway on the 14 mile pound between Buckby Locks and Stoke Bruerne.
Less than 10 min by car from Junc 16 of the M1, but lovely rural location and excellent facilities.
Bob thank you for the suggestion, will definitely have a look
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Brilliant reply’s, thank you very much.
I am so so pleased that I registered with this forum a few years ago. Fantastic source of opinions from experienced boaters sometimes with differing views but all food for genuine thought.
Must say I like the idea of reciprocal mooring at different marinas. Sounds just what I want but th local facilities at Newark are also a huge draw.
decisions decisions
Many thanks - Martin
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Thank you all for taking the time to respond. The replies are exactly what I was looking for.
Newark sounds very good and we actually visited Newark a few years ago as I have relatives who live near Grantham. We liked Newark as it appeared to have a lovely town centre and market. I also like the thought of much cheaper moorings lol
The suggestions re Wigrams turn are also very helpful as to access a few cruising routes which I am very interested in together with the good management. I can now have a look at the area and marinas via on line.
one of the reasons for looking at marinas with secure car parking is that whilst off on our jollies I would need somewhere to leave the car though with all the connections Newark has perhaps I don’t need to have the car there.
The comment regarding easy access mooring berths particularly for a newbie with a 70ft boat is particularly helpful to me lol
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As I have previously mentioned I currently have some cognitive issues which includes difficulty making decisions as I often make them whilst forgetting pertinent facts therefore I am looking for a bit of assistance regarding marina moorings.
I am hoping to purchase a NB in the very near future it is probably going to be a 70ft trad. Therefore I am considering which marina to choose if indeed we need one. We are hoping to do some extended cruising but I will need to return to NI for oncology reviews every four months so will need somewhere to leave the boat for a few days.In addition we would like to visit our daughter in Kingston upon Thames and for her to come and visit us whilst in the marina. I don’t want to moor in London as I presume the cost would be horrendous. I’m looking for a suitable marina which has good access to numerous canal routes with facilities ie showers and secure parking. I have absolutely no idea where would be good without being too expensive but someone mentioned Calcutt marina?We will not be liveaboard as we will spend some time at our daughters as well as at home in NI. Hence we wouldn’t wish to be moored at some place which is a million miles from London? I was hoping that those boaters with marina moorings experience might throw in some names for me to consider enabling me to research whilst taking notes so I don’t forget the pertinent facts lolTIAMartin -
I enjoyed that. Off to find your you tube channel
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14 minutes ago, cuthound said:
I found that with virtually every broker, when I was looking nearly 4 years ago.
The solution is to phone or visit each broker with a list of your requirements. They will then contact you with details of suitable boats they have in stock and advise you of any coming Inn, even before they are advertised.
This will give you a significant advantage over those who only look at adverts on the internet, many of which are sold within a day or two of coming into the brokers stock.
Yes that’s what they suggested but I thought it was a sales come on. Having read your reply I will do a you suggest
Many thanks
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Many thanks for all your replies. I did do a compression response but it appears to have disappeared into the ether.
sadly the boat fitted out by Anthony M is now sold. That’s happened with a few boats at Great Haywood. They tell me the duck is slow to update and I should use their website but that’s the same! Boats advertised for sale but when you enquire they are sold.
i still like Alston though."
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I am currently looking to purchase a NB (despite recent price hikes). I have certain requirements including a boatmans cabin and a boat that is suitable for long term cruising and is well fitted out. I think this realistically indicates I need a 62’ to 70’. I am aware of the limits re access to certain locations with a 70’ boat but I am content that I can live with that.
i have seen two 70’ boats on the Great Heywoods website that I like the look of. Unfortunately I live in NI and the cost of ferry Travel is extortionate so I am doing as much research as possible to weed out ones are unsuitable before I travel to those with potential for purchase.
i would be very grateful if those experienced boaters on the forum could review the adds and give me their comments. I am interested in any drawbacks of the said boats and what additions I would probably need to add for long term cruising.
i am aware that the ‘Woolwich’ has probably head height constraints which until I see it I am not sure of to what extent.
the other is fitted out by Anthony M. Despite my cognitive issues I do remember posts about him but on this occasion the boat is completed though I do recall Matty40s mentioning that he had examined one of his boats that was actually finished and he was not impressed apart from the joinery.
The two boats for sale are:
Having typed all othe above I appear to have problems adding links from the Great Haywood Boats website. The two boats I am enquiring about are Astron and Sheila Ann Mosby and displayed on the brokers website.
Thank you- Martin
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I was here previously researching for the purpose of purchasing a Narrowboat. Then In July 2013 I suffered a major stroke (haemorrhage). I’m not complaining because I have had what the medical peeps refer to as a remarkable recovery and I realise there are many people who are not so fortunate. I now have some cognitive issues around memory and what I call logical processing. It makes research difficult as I quickly forget what I have just read and I often make decisions without remembering all the facts which I later remember!
My rehabilitation probably took 2 years when at which stage I felt I was back in the land of the living. Then late 2016 It was suspected I had rectal cancer. After numerous tests and scans I underwent surgery in April to remove the tumour and I am now in my final stage of chemotherapy treatment.
So I am ready to finish what I started and purchase a boat. The problem is I have forgotten a lot of my previous research and I am having difficulty researching the subject in detail which I had done previously. I have come to the conclusion that I want/need a 62’ trad stern with a boatmans cabin. Unfortunately there are not many of those available. I missed out on Carpe Diem, a Hudson which suited my needs perfectly.
So I am now considering 70’ trad stern boats which also have a boatmans cabin. The reason for the boatmans cabin is that my daughter now lives in Kingston upon Thames so it would give her and her partner to visit and stay with us whenever she wanted.
i am aware of some of the issues with such a large boat ie extra costs re mooring and blacking etc but I would be grateful for people’s opinions and advice regarding 70’ boats.
Apologies for the initial rambling but I wanted to explain why I will be asking some more questions in the near future.
Kind regards - Martin
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I am unable to assist with regard to sat nav for the canals as I have absolutely no idea about that.
Having had Garmin and Tom Tom (still have a Tom Tom) my preference is Tom Tom but that is personal choice and being honest there isn't really a lot of difference between the two systems.
Whilst I now have an inbuilt sat nav I keep the Tom Tom for use in the USA. We are off to Florida shortly and I purchased a map for there some time ago. Tom Tom often have deals on the additional maps.
We also use Google maps on the mobile phone for both here in the UK and the USA and I find it to be very good indeed. Of course you need to have a good data plan on your mobile and in addition as you say it does consume quite a bit of power so you need a cable and cradle.
I recently made a journey from Cairnryan on the west coast of Scotland to North London and returned using Google Maps. It did not put a foot wrong and I was very impressed.
A few days prior to returning I kept putting the route into Google and depending on the time of day it kept giving different routes clearly dependent on the traffic conditions which I expected. There are only about four good routes for the journey but using Google I was able to choose the most appropriate one for the time of day I was departing.
There are also free downloadable apps for sat nav like Co Pilot etc which do not use any data though I personally have not used them but you often read good reports about them
Both Garmin and Tom Tom can be purchased at what I consider to be very good prices these days as they are often on offer so if you don't wish to use data on the phone I would plump for the stand alone. Further more you get a decent sized screen and you normally get a free year of traffic updates.
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Just as an aside, have you researched the locations where you might want to moor it?
Some locations such as the South Coast make the costs of mooring on the canals look like chicken feed.
If it is bilge keeled, drying or half tide moorings are generally very reasonable.
Just something to consider as well as the condition of the yacht.
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You need to read Nick's continual pillory of boats hogging moorings in those parts before making a credible comment.
(Now breathe Smelly. 1.2.3 and relaaaaaax)
As and when I need to know about the benefits system I will seek you out for your advice.
When it comes to subtlety I think I will look elsewhere.
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Greenie added. Although Hudsons didn't do it for us when we were looking. I've always found the canals a pretty classless environment and in my experience most people help each other , long may this continue
Thank you.
About 25 years ago I learnt to sail. Initially I had been concerned as it always appeared that sailing was a class thing. In addition my choice of location to learn was The Solent where there was obviously a significant amount of serious money.
Despite the odd toxxer I have to say that most people didn't care what you were worth or how big your boat was and everyone got on as you shared a common passion.
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What a dreadfull but highly illuminating thread.
Nicknorman 1 - Green Eyed Monsters 0
I tend to agree with Jenlyn. A boater is a boater regardless of your perceived class, wealth or background.
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Clearly some one has purchased it with the intention of restoring/refurbishing then has realised the enormity of the task!
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Thank you. A name to be aware of should I decide to go down the new build route.
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I have used collect plus, the parcel was delivered to a local shop which saved me by not having to pay for delivery.
Once the package was delivered to the shop I received an email (or text if u prefer) that contained a reference number.
Turned up at shop and presented my ref number and received the package.
As Guy Martin would say "jobs a good un"
As an aside I had to return the package as the goods were damaged.
No probs - just took it back to the shop and they sent it off and the process was repeated.
Would most definitely use it again.
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I was asking a serious question!
We certainly won't be giving up our sealine for a narrowboat. Would rather give up boating!
Well the real answer is that my wife has finally decided that the sea is a no no for her.
So I thought I would spend some time cruising the canals and then if funds permit - a Dutch Barge for the rivers and potentially Europe. I just want to spend some time cruising.
London Livaboard Life in the Morning Star
in New to Boating?
Posted
He was possibly not wearing his black beret with a red star or indeed the che Guevara t shirt given the publication lol