NickMc

Very nice looking boat and stretch, well done. How much was added in length and weight and do you know what it handled like afterwards compared to before, lastly what engine is in it. Many thanks

For those on the Huddersfield Narrow this is most certainly great news as when you get stuck on the sand bar just above lock 16 (I think) and where they are currently working on the towpath, you can ask if they will pull you over it with their digger.... apparently 🤫

A quick update now I am back on my home moorings... A lack of water was my main problem, unfortunately the locks on the Rochdale don't match the pounds, when the water is low it compounds the problem and ploughing a trough to get through only fouls the prop even more. I filled 2 bin bags of plastic that I took off the prop going up the Rochdale and cut off 2 carpets & 2 mattresses that I could not physically lift out, (but did report them to CRT). On the Huddersfield Broad I managed to recover a 4 man tent complete with flexible poles and perhaps the most annoying was a dangly fender on the Macclesfield canal complete with broken plastic hook and stainless steel shackle. Unfortunately my boat was never built with a weed hatch, so a sickle blade on a long pole came in handy. I am not too sure if CRT can get the supermarkets to pay for the removal of their trollies from the cut, but if they can or if they could ask them to make a donation to the various canal societies for each trolly removed, it would help. CRT North West were helpful going up the Rochdale and when I was grounded they called me back to make sure I was OK and to update me on the water situation. CRT North East were also helpful in adjusting the bookings for the Huddersfield Narrow and for deploying teams to send down water (both going up and down) as well as the Volunteers at Standedge Tunnel for bringing my booking forward at short notice. Plenty of good places to eat and drink, local shops selling fresh produce and a few big supermarkets scattered around as well. On the whole an enjoyable trip on canals I have not done on my own before, some good advice on here, met some good people on the way, had some one off experiences I hope not to repeat and learnt a little more about myself, my boat and the canals we share.

I would still give it a go, but with the knowledge it is not going to be easy and yes you are going to have problems. I left Manchester and ran out of water at the second pound, but still made it over the summit. I was also grounded for several hours in the middle and spent the time cleaning the prop and knocking up an even better breakfast/brunch... It would appear that the doom and gloom stories far out way anything positive... On a side note.... Thank you for the water and advice David and I hope your better half enjoys the honey.

Well... a quick update From the Swan at Fradley through to the bottom of Marple, no major dramas. I found the 18 locks down to Manchester on the Aston very slow and decided to have the following day in Manchester. I moored in New Islington, very good facilities, safe and near several pubs. I walked up a couple of locks to get the lay of the land and found the pounds empty, so informed CRT who informed me they would send down water and it would be sorted for the following morning.... Oh how wrong they were. My first empty pound was 80 and from there to lock 69 (On the bottom outside The Crown) I have been robbing peter to pay paul and each time it is taking more and more water. I informed CRT who sent out a very good person to let water down and to help where possible and without him I would not be this far, thats for sure. So today was 12 lock and according to my phone I have walked just over 27 Kilometres. I have been informed that the feeder to the canal further up will be opened in the morning and at the next bridge a CRT working boat is across and blocking the canal, very similar to the Evergreen on the Suez canal last year.... As everyday is a school day, my top tip of the day is not to try and leave the lock without enough water in the next pound and despite my eagerness to make progress, I did push the limits and found myself grounded on the Cill leaving the lock. Problem solved by letting more water down from the next lock, but you could have been reading about another sinking if the rear gates had been leaking badly. Not too sure where to head for tomorrow and it will depend on if any water comes down overnight or if I am having another day of robbing Peter to pay Paul. On a positive note, after the summit I will be taking water with me

Thank you very much for the info. Ian, that report needs to be starred and highlighted..... Hopefully if they are having a visitors day then they would have done a good job....

Thank you very much on the good pub/mooring guide, very much appreciated indeed... Ian, I could not find your trip report when I searched your posts most are hidden, but I did get some good info from the "Huddersfield Narrow Mooring" post that you and other contributed to. Thanks for the photos and update David, it looks like CRT have plenty of equipment there for the job, if its open for next weekend thats even better than they anticipated.

Many thanks for your advice, I will drop CRT a line to let them know when I will be heading out of Islington and will ask about a little help from the volunteer look keepers and the timings for the flight. I was going to leave calling about Lock 1E until I cleared the stoppage at Hebden Bridge and also ask about the Flood lock at the same time, as if either one is blocked, it would delay me. Is the HNC short of water at this time of year?

Hi there, a few questions and a little guidance required please. 40ft boat, single handed, don’t mind long days and would not turn down a helping hand (or two). I would like to do the South Pennine ring this month, from the Peak Forrest canal and down to Manchester with my first overnight in New Islington on the Rochdale. I am unsure where to overnight next as reading the forums it is a little hit and miss when it comes to the flight out of Manchester, but ideally, I am looking for somewhere safe with a pub close by would be a bonus. I think the choices are: The Crown, Boat & Horses, Rose, Ship and Hopwood. Looking a little further ahead on the Rochdale, is anyone close to Lock 9 and are they still planning on opening it on the afternoon of the 18th. From there on the C&H, the flood locks at Lock 13 are currently closed. Are these closely monitored with a view to opening them for navigation or is the situation reviewed every week or so. Could they be used if the water level was safe to do so or are they locked. On the Huddersfield Broad & Narrow, and any top tips on where to overnight stop (for refreshments). Lastly, with the stoppages lifting soon, is anyone else headed this way. Cheers, Nick

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Thank you very very much Barry and your explanation is greatly appreciated and I can understand why you built the boats like you did. I don't think you will be surprised by how many people on the cut recognise your boats and it always makes me smile when they do. If I can work out how to send a PM, I will. Nick

Have you checked the aerator on the tap as this can produce the symptoms you have mentioned and is often overlooked.

I would agree bridge 9 is low and I dropped my exhaust to get under it (shame I didn't do it for the pipe at bridge 117/118 on the T&M). The guide at Flint Mill is a little pessimistic, if you do get through I grounded out in the lock going into the basin and had to reverse out of it. Nice cafe and cakes at the basin. The photos are of the where I thought it was the lowest part of the tunnel compared to the gauge as you enter the tunnel Enjoy your trip

I spoke with "Nick the engineer" who provided very detailed drawings for the electrical side of it as well as good advice in general about the set up. I believe he can be found at vireengines.com

My first post.... so please be nice!! I recently fitted a dynastart to a RD1 as starting it by hand was becoming difficult in the depths of winter and I did not want to feed it cold start every day. Starting it with the dynastart is much easier, as long as it turns in the right direction (school boy error on the first attempt and yes; different dynastart turn in different directions and you cannot reverse the polarity as a quick fix). Unfortunately the RPM of the engine at normal working speeds did not provide a sufficient capability to charge the batteries through the dynastart so I piggybacked the original alternator just above it and powered it with a double pulley from dynastart. I took this photo before I had finished tightening everything up, but i am sure you get the idea. If you need any more information, let me know and I am sure I can dig something out.