KenK

Measure the output of the Inverter and the Generator without any load on them. If their outputs are correct around 230 V AC then something is pulling down the outputs. Switch on each AC item until you identify the cause. Ken

The tide arrives at Denver Sluice like a small Severn Bore, one minute all is calm the river level at its lowest with various sand bars showing, the next you hear the noise and then a small bore appears around the corner and within a very few minutes the river has risen a couple of feet. Yesterday Sunday 15th it arrived at about 7.40 am, at 8.00 a cruiser passed through the sluice and then our narrowboat Winter Rose. We sat on the pontoon below the sluice and had breakfast, bacon butties, Daryl our pilot's, favourite. The cruiser had disappeared at high speed aiming to get under the first low bridge before high water. We set off just after 9.00 and arrived at Downham Market bridge just before the tide turned, not quite enough room to pass underneath so we sat drifting gently until we thought we could make it, under we went the duck on the tiller pin missing being scalped by about a millimetre, the bridge is a little lower on the downstream side. We carried on down the river towards Kings Lyn, the first two cruisers coming up river at high speed slowed down well before passing so we crossed their wash easily, the second two didn’t bother pitching us about enough to bring the prop out of the water for a second, fortunately that was the last of them and the rest of the journey to Kings Lyn passed quietly. Despite the wonderful weather Kings Lyn was very quiet, nothing except one small cruiser waiting for us to pass before moving on to the visitor pontoon and a grain ship taking on a cargo. We passed through Kings Lyn and on out towards the Wash. The wind was coming very gently from the South West and the Wash was calm just a slight ripple on the water, we followed the marked channel for several miles until we reached the outer marker buoy and then turned towards the Boston shore, lining the boat up with Boston Stump just visible in the distance. We ran along that course for about an hour passing several ships waiting either for the tide or maybe a berth to become vacant, eventually we reached the channel leading towards Boston and the River Witham and turned into it. Lots of fishing boats were aground on the sandbanks awaiting the tide and a few cruisers out from Boston for the day moored up with their crews playing on the sand. We carried on needing to be certain of reaching the Grand Sluice at Boston by 7.00 pm as the lock is only 41 feet long and Winter Rose is 60 feet so we had to pass through on the level. We were passed by an immaculate Dutch Steel Cruiser only to watch him pull up and anchor a few minutes later as he reached the sand bar which blocks the entrance to the Rivers Welland and Witham at low tide. Passing just inside the channel port buoy we were just able to cross over the bar as we only draw 22 inches we carried on until we could see the entrance to the rivers but then we had to beach the boat as the River Witham was dry. We had a late lunch, early tea whilst awaiting the return of the water, the breeze picked up a little cooling us down nicely but kicking up the wave height a little and turning the boat through 180 degrees pointing us back towards the Wash but we stayed safely aground. We started off again at about 5.45 pm heading in up the River Witham as the water slowly returned to the river, we eventually reached Black Sluice where we turned into the current to await the arrival of the cruisers from Boston whom we had seen entering the River Witham behind us. We had to let them pass through the lock before us as once the level is reached the lock only can remain open for a few minutes. Twenty minutes later the first of them emerged at crawling speed around the corner, the largest boat with the deepest draught had decided to go first thus slowing down the other three smaller boats, we were now very close to our deadline, a quick word with the lock keeper and he got them moving a bit more quickly. Once they had passed we turned and followed them up to the lock. The first boat passed through and then the lock keeper decided to pass the rest of the cruisers and us through on the level as we had run out of time, the three cruisers entered the lock and we hovered just outside waiting for the upper gates to open, as soon as they did we all engaged the warp engines and shot through, on down to the visitor mooring and journeys end. Passing the large slow cruiser, the owner remarked “Oh you made it then” no thanks to you I thought but just replied yes. Moored up on the pontoon and said goodbye and thanks to Daryl our pilot for the trip. I think we must have had the easiest crossing this year, obviously the tide and weather play the largest part but by listening to the experts it is possible to plan a safe and very enjoyable crossing.The Wash is as far as we are concerned the best of the small adventures one can have in a narrow boat and one we will remember for ever. If you fancy the trip our pilot was Daryl Hill Tel. 07909 880071 Email. washguide@gmail.com Ken

Sorry no idea, not something I need, give them a call and ask. Just remembered there is also a rubbish point near the front entrance outside the museum. Ken

You have to purchase a visitor ticket (s) for the museum and the first night stay in the lower basin is free, after that it is £4.00 per night (2017). The museum does have a tap but it is above the locks into the basin so fill up before you lock down. There is also an elsan point tucked away in the far corner. We stayed last year waiting for a weather window for our Mersey crossing and the CRT staff were really helpful assisting with the paperwork required by Peel Ports, scanning the forms and e mailing them to me. The basin is very quiet overnight and you can log on to the Holiday Inn internet which didn't have a password. The mooring outside the gates is 24 hours and there is not much of it, it is also not secure and there were quite a few teenagers hanging around, no problems that I was aware of but it only takes one idiot. Ken

Another option is Aston Marina at Stone. It has been a while since we moored there but they used to pull boats out and put them on a hardstanding and allow DIY and live on whilst working on the boat. Ken

It was moored at Saltair in September, so the owner has managed to get it moved and turned around again as it is heading back towards Liverpool. I rather like it especially the bath tub which he uses as a dingy, you can just see it in the top photograph. I do wonder what the guests in the posh hotel, alongside which he is moored, make of it. We'll be heading that way in another few weeks, be interesting to see where he is then. Ken

Nick, Did you go to the same show I went to? I counted a couple of hire boats, a broads cruiser, a small narrowboat and the IWA stand tucked away next to the pub in one corner. The rest, as usual, either very expensive power boats or smaller rib, fishing or yachts. I enjoyed the show, as an RYA member it was free but an Inland Waterways show it isn't and I'd agree with Naughty Cal, Southampton is much better. Ken

Paid £720.00 inc VAT for a 60 ft in Yorkshire in November, so sounds like a good deal to me. Ken

Just had another look on Google maps, the basin looks so much better in the photo on streetview taken on a sunny day in Spring. It is difficult to be inspired when its throwing it down and freezing to boot. Yorkshire has not been kind to us so far, we spent September and early October there and it rained every day at some point, OK sometimes when we were in bed. Next years aim is to cover all the rivers and canals on the eastern side of the country starting in the North and heading slowly south so as it seems we can do it we will and hopefully we'll echo your view of Ripon, sunshine would be a bonus. Ken

Ignoring the argument regarding the correct method of expressing energy usage. Some real world information. This year we changed the way we use our boat, for twelve years it has been used for holidays and weekends, for that purpose six 110 Amp Hr Numax leisure batteries have been satisfactory, the first set lasting nearly eight years, we replaced them with the same type. This year we used the boat as liveaboards cruising from Newbury to Leeds covering all the waterways we could on the way. It became very obvious early on in the journey that the now four year old batteries were not performing as we needed. We have a Smartgauge and a Smartbank fitted, so we know we were charging correctly but we were dropping to around 60% after a nights use. We have all LED lights but the fridge and TV both run from a PSW inverter. The fridge was the problem even though it was new A+ unit it could easily cause the inverter to trip not long after we had moored up because the compressor starting current was greater than the batteries could supply to the inverter. I replaced the six Numax batteries with five 170 Amp Hr traction batteries, these are flooded tubular plate beasts, they weigh twice as much as the Numax at 40 kilos each. The difference is amazing a nights use sees a drop of less than 5 % on the Smartgauge and the fridge has been tamed. We have had this discussion many times but so called leisure batteries are for the most part simply larger starter batteries and therefore not ideal as domestic batteries, easy to tell, if there is a CCA figure quoted in the description it is a starter battery. Traction batteries are more expensive but they work and provided they are looked after will last longer. I have no idea how the OP uses his boat but my experience suggests that for liveaboard use a simple starter battery will have a short life as they are simply not designed to be used as domestic batteries. Ken

Thanks for the replies, we drove over to Ripon yesterday before heading home for Christmas. Looked at the last lock and at the end of the canal, lock looks doable but the end of the canal is not exactly inspiring, especially in the cold and rain. I couldn't see anywhere to moor or any reason to although the church is very impressive. Probably turn into another Lancaster canal moment, reached the end just to at we had. Ken

Yes definitely 60 ft we had fun on the Bingley 5 trying to open the gates. Thanks for the info I'll see if we can aquire a copy of Imrays book, be a shame to come all this way and not complete the eastern side. Great so far I love retirement. Ken

When we start cruising again in March we will start from Skipton and head to York. The boat is 60 feet long and according to Nicholson's the locks from York to Ripon are 57 feet but they are broad locks. Does anyone know (not guess) if you can get a 60 foot boat up to Ripon? Thanks in advance Ken

Hi Fred, We didn't use a pilot between Bristol and Portishead. The Avon from Bristol to Avonmouth is a fairly easy river to navigate given sensible weather conditions and other than the small maintenance vessel (actually looked like the Queen Mary compared to us) which Bristol VTS warned us about we didn't see another boat moving. Once you reach the mouth of the river keeping going until you clear the long quay to your left, then turn left or to port as you are now on lumpy water, follow the shoreline for about 20 minutes and you'll see Portishead quay, turn in and phone the marina. We checked with our insurance company and they didn't require a pilot from Bristol just from Portishead to Sharpness. The journey from Portishead is a different matter you see this sheet of water and think OK straight down the middle, once you do it you'll see why you need a pilot, a straightforward course it isn't but it is an experience not to be missed. Ken

This year was the first of full retirement so ideal to boat to places that we had long wished to see but work never allowed enough time to visit. Our intention was to travel from Newbury up the western side of the country and travel as far north as possible. In addition we wished to tackle the Severn Estuary, the River Mersey and the Ribble Link, all of which we were able to do. I'm aware that these have been covered in the past but the following is a list of contact details and tips for anyone planning to do one or all of the crossings next year. Severn Estuary Gloucester Pilots 07774 226143 sharpnesspilots@gmail.com Gloucester Harbour 01453 811913 www.gloucesterharbourtrustees.org.uk Sharpness Lock 01453 511968 Swansea Coastguard 01792 366534 Bristol VTS 01179 802638 Portishead Marina 01275 841941 keithberry@quaysmarinas.com Bristol to Portishead You will need to have your fuel tank cleaned and the fuel polished before the trip, used to be advisory but now it is compulsory. Chief pilot had three narrowboats break down in one week all with fuel issues and they will ask to see a dated invoice. You need two tides so at least one night in Bristol and one in Portishead Marina. The Harbourmaster’s office in Bristol will supply a tide table and arrange the operation of the lock to let you out onto the Avon. If it is a high tide they will need to operate the Stop Gates so you will be given a latest time to enter the lock. It took us around three hours to travel from Bristol lock to Portishead marina. Inform Swansea coastguard before you set off and let them know you have arrived safely in Portishead. Call Bristol VTS before you exit the Avon onto the Severn Estuary, they will inform you of any boat movement from and to Avonmouth docks. Call Portishead marina once you can see the entrance, there is nowhere to moor on the outside of the lock so you need the gates open. There are pontoons inside the lock. Portishead to Sharpness The pilot will have kept in touch with you by phone and text since your passage request and he will meet you in the lock. Obviously you need lifejackets but check they are in date. Get your anchor ready for use. Remove as much as possible from the roof and secure everything which cannot be removed. If you do not have a cratch cover tape up the lower half of your front doors. Pilots like Tea, Coffee and biscuits, enjoy the trip. Costs Fuel tank cleaning £110.00 Pilot £200.00 (2017) On the day either cash or cheque Bristol £46.00 (one day) Portishead £54.00 (one day) River Mersey Mersey Pilot Stuart Wood 07770 664951 chestermarineuk@gmail.com Peel Ports Paul Kirby 0151 9496764 paul.kirby@peelports.com Ellesmere Port Lock Swing Bridge gwyn.wright@questservices.co.uk Brunswick Lock 01517076777 mail@liverpoolmarina.com Stephanie Lyons CRT Wigan Office 01942 405761 Crossing the Mersey is the easy bit but to get to the Mersey at Eastham Lock you need to transit the Manchester Ship Canal and that is where the fun starts. Go to www.peelports.com/ports/manchester-ship-canal, scroll down to Publications and Forms and download “Leisure Craft Induction Pack”. In there you will find an Application form and a Seaworthiness Certificate both of which must be completed and sent to Peel Ports, they will accept an e mail. In the Induction pack you will find a list of approved surveyors, the survey is just a basic check of safety equipment and to make sure the boat is in reasonable condition, a visual check. Print out the Seaworthiness certificate the surveyor will not have one. The certificate is valid for a year. Peel Ports contact is Paul Kirby, he is the person you send the forms, insurance certificate and payment to. Once you have sorted out the ship canal Stuart will give you a crossing time and a meeting place. You can access the ship canal either at Ellesmere Port or at the River Weaver. We used the entrance from the museum which requires the local council to operate a swing bridge which is across the exit lock, e mail Gwyn Wright the day before you need it open with a time. Contact Liverpool marina they need a copy of your insurance and a payment in advance to operate Brunswick Lock. You can’t book a mooring in Salthouse Dock via the normal CRT Liverpool Link website however once you know when you are going to cross contact Stephanie in the CRT Wigan office and she will sort out a mooring and an exit time from Liverpool via the link. Eastham Lock needs a very long 60’ rope. Cost In total around £300 (2017) Pilot, Survey, Ship Canal transit, Brunswick Lock. Ribble Link (Lancaster Canal) The link can be booked online but the website does not handle changes well so just because it shows no availability that is not always the case. Stephanie in the Wigan Office is the best person to contact. Tarleton Lock 01772 816592 Harry or 07885 762347 Roger Sea Gate (Savick Brook) 07778 153305 Tarleton Lock is operated by the local boatyard not CRT, they will contact you normally the afternoon / evening before your passage to give you the lock operating times. In the event of bad weather you will be notified if the passage is cancelled. We had to wait until the next day so instead of 6 boats we had 11 for the crossing. Moor on the visitor mooring just after the swing bridge at Tarleton, there is no mooring at the lock not even a lock landing. Tarleton is a very nice village with a good range of shops well worth a visit. Red diesel is in short supply on the Lancaster and it is expensive so fill up at one of the two marinas opposite each other below Rufford Lock on the Rufford Branch of the Leeds Liverpool. The Rivers Douglas and Ribble are straightforward enough but the Savick Brook is very narrow, shallow and the vegetation is very overgrown. If that isn’t enough there are lumps of metal sticking out on various bends, presumably there were originally lengths of wood attached but these are long gone. Lancaster canal is well worth the effort, if you choose to go down the Glasson branch I can recommend the restaurant next to Lock 6. Enjoy the trips they are all well worth doing. Our pilots Tim and Brendan on the Severn, Brendan was training, and Stuart were mines of information about the waterways and the visible objects on shore. Next year we start from Skipton on the Leeds Liverpool and intend to travel up to York and then down the east side of the country. Ken

The Bruce Trust has four wide-beam boats operating on the K&A based at Great Bedwyn. The boats are fully equipped for use by disabled people including those in wheelchairs. Website here http://www.brucetrust.org.uk/ Ken

My boat is currently in exactly the scenario above although it is a normal marina and is currently unlicensed, although C&RT are aware and are in agreement that it is lawful. Marina holds about forty boats depending on length. Ken

Really, we were bumped in a Thames lock by a fairly large cruiser, the lady on the front waiting to put a line on the bollard looked at our boat and said sorry but I don't think there is any damage. She should have been standing where I was, no damage to ours but a big lump out of the gel coat on theirs. I'd say the nerves are the other way around but on the Thames the lockies seems to put the steel ones in first probably for very good reasons. Ken

It is called Whitefield. It is extremely well specified, the interior is to die for if you like ultra modern and every gadget you could ever want. Ken

The red and white one was built to order, reputed to have cost over £250,000, the very rich original owner found the canals not to his taste. It did sell on but for a considerable loss last seen at Aston marina near Stone. It is a little quirky always thought it would look better on the Thames. Ken

Last year at Newbury on the K&A the male half of a live-aboard couple died and his wife is partly sighted. C&RT were informed, the welfare officer visited and arranged a mooring on the visitor mooring above the town lock. The mooring had signs put up giving the boat name and that it was for the exclusive use of that boat. The Boaters Christian fellowship were also contacted and they provided assistance, taking the boat for water, pumpout etc. The boat was there for some time and the lady was able to deal with her problems without worrying about the boat or indeed finding somewhere to live. The Welfare officer can offer assistance and clearly C&RT do listen. Ken

What is of more importance is that C&RT are not using the 1995 BW Act to reference their T&C's against but the much more dubious S43 (3) of the 1962 Transport Act. It is that which they claim gives them the right to do pretty much what they like. Ken

Also why 240V LED's, 12 v versions don't need the more complex electronics of the 240 V versions. Your going from 12V DC to 240V AC and then converting inside the LED bulb back to 12 V DC to run the LED. Ken

As someone else said, you are paying London prices. There are a couple of others on the duck similar age and similar money also based in London. Springers are not bad boats but there are far better, don't waste your money. Also do not trust any survey you didn't pay for and take those with a pinch of salt. Ken

I was looking at doing this for my boat a while ago as the original colour has faded, just polished them in the end. When looking one useful tip I was given, if they have round corners check the radius before you buy new ones they are apparently not all the same, depends on the equipment used to make them. Ken