johnnie1uk

We came up from the Thames 8 days ago, and it would be possible to get into and along the Thames going out of lockkeeper hours, without a licence, saying that the EA enforcement boat was very active round the Oxford area.

Also there has been time to alter or remove the panelling on the stern!

I had a look yesterday, couldn't see anything like.

So am I right in thinking that the boat was taken 15 days before it was reported?

I think its all down to planning, whether its a hirer or private boat if they plan a cruise which is unfeasible for the time they have, they end up having to speed to get back to base or marina for when their holiday ends.

Why not just throw the plates in the canal, they wanted them to be found to mislead that the boat was there and in that direction, the plates are a "red herring"

I'm sure this has been thought about but we are always seeing boats on the "rough side of the canal" heavily covered in tarpaulins, its well worth remembering this in the search. I still think the boat will be static and well camouflaged until things quieten down.

We came North from Oxford to Fenny from 21st to 26th and cannot recall her passing us.

Ive got a hunch the boat will not be that far from where it was taken, in a semi/isolated place under camouflage.

a tip- do everything slowly,it's much easier and less stressful.enjoy

Great, I practised the "ferry glide" on the Severn, thanks.

Thanks Mike

Hi all We are fairly new to rivers, have done a short trip down the Severn and must have been doing 6-7 knots on tickover on a low amber board, whats the current like on the Thames, in the near future we are going up to Oxford., I know a lot depends on the weather so do river conditions change quickly?

i'll put an offer in, anyone want to rent the other mooring?

Not if you want us to wake you up at 05:30. lol

We always make sure we know exactly where we are moored, in case we need to use the mobile phone for assistance, and make sure we have a mobile signal and the phone is has enough charge. We moor where we are overlooked by residential property, near other boats or in the wilds. And we have never had any trouble. Joshua Slocum on the "Spray" used to sprinkle carpet tacks on the deck and then sweep them up each morning.

You will need a fixed address, also for your bank. perhaps with a friend or relative.

Regarding layout, if you are going to liveaboard, continuous cruising, while you are on the move have you considered how inconvenient it will be to have to walk through the bedroom every time you want a pee or a cup of tea, especially with lock soiled and/or wet clothes.

Sorry i've been offline a couple of days.The boat was built 1976 (debatable) by Liverpool boats and has been refitted so the ballast has probably been moved/changed, the bricks are stacked in the bow compartment to the shape of the bow, and in the stern, some in the bilge, some on the opposite side to the batteries on top of the Uxter plate.( the flat shelf each side of the engine), when I rock the boat to rinse after a pumpout, she stableises very quickly so I think the ballast is in the right place. We are CCer's not on the K&A yet. Wiltshire is my P.O.address, .I think I will leave well alone as recently we came up the Stratford and there wasn't a lot of top clearance under those little wrought iron bridges.

I worked as a lockie for 3 years all along the Caley, I have fond memories of fitting 15 caley cruisers in the Fort Augustus locks at the same time. Give them my regards.

Thanks for your feedback so far.

Hi Guys We have had our NB for around 8 months now and have gradually been putting more and more on her, there is brick ballast in the bows and also in the stern engine compartment, when she is full of fuel and water the boat seems quite low in the water, I am wondering should I remove some of the ballast, this would make the bow and stern compartments a bit less cramped.

The idea of restricted mooring is that because the stretch of mooring is popular, for example a pub, shopping, congenial surroundings, that the mooring is shared around on a fair basis. just because the mooring is not taken in six hours it doesn't mean someone might not turn up on the 7th hour!

Just to update, we went down today, it went like a dream, We even did a U turn to have a go at going upstream and for some experience of turning across the current before we had to turn upstream to turn into Diglis. Really enjoyed the expanse of water as well. thanks again everyone for your advice.

Thankyou everyone for all your tips and advice, have taken them all onboard, and am looking forward to the experience.