Billw

Many hire boaters do have far more cruising experience over many more years than a lot of the “experts” on this site.

Some good news there, but peanuts in comparison to the cost of hot air production in Scotland with zero benefit. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/scottish-daily-mail/20180130/282054802467926

I agree. It's a tragic waste of all the effort and money that went into reopening the canals that they are now being allowed to fall back towards dereliction. Canals need boats using them to survive as canals, they are not just opportunities for cheap housing or nature reserves. Amazing what a short time the regenerated Scottish canals survived as canals.

I'm not sure but I think that the movements of the wheel are to fit in with the trip boat needs. When the trip boat goes up a narrowbeam can go with it and two narrowbeams or a widebeam can come down. If one caisson is used for other than boats the capacity is therefore reduced by a significant amount, especially for wide beam boats. The policy of pre booking lock and bridge operation has already meant little movement on these canals, this will probably turn them into linear parks with some housing.

One of the local boat operators is actually quitting due to high charges. Falkirk Herald

Don't know if theres any truth in this. Shame if there is. Falkirk wheel closing to boats

It does greatly depend on the members of a group, and a good group can be spoiled by one "rotten apple". I found that having a share generally worked, but when it came to selling there was much unpleasantness and discord. Beware of becoming "trapped" with ongoing costs continuing when you would like to be out.

There used to be a monthly competition on here, with the winner being on the home page for the following month. I won one of the last of these and the site opened with my picture for a couple of years afterwards. Must be my best claim to fame! http://www.canalworld.net/forums/uploads/gallery/pre2013/gallery_2434_33_51002.jpg

I don't think so, as there are others in boat use ( the Ashby perhaps). However, it makes it less likely that boats will reappear I think.

There is an (electric) trip boat from Cromford, very pleasant too. The canal is now a SSSI so unlikely that other boats will ever traverse it again.

I had the Welsh Rarebit in the cafe there a couple of years ago. If it's still on the menu it is simply outstanding.

Still got one share left here http://www.boatshare.co.uk/schipperke/index2.htm I think it's a bit of a bargain as with £2000 per share in the kitty you get a sixth of the boat for less than £1000, giving 5 weeks a year plus for less than the cost of hiring for a week.

With any luck sold up and away from boats.

Well I am not far short of giving my shares away, taking funds in hand into account. I've put it on Boatshare now as that seems to be the best place to sell shares. Just have to wait and see!

I'm virtually giving away my shares in a nice nb on Apollo Duck http://www.apolloduck.com/feature.phtml?id=396550 With very little interest. Can't understand why people don't seem interested in boat sharing at the moment.