KenK
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Posts posted by KenK
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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
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21 minutes ago, David Mack said:
This was spotted at Granary Wharf in Leeds last week. Its a bit more permanent than the Foxtons raft. It is unpowered. It has a registration number and the online checker confirms the boat is licenced, although no licence was on display. But it isn't listed on Canalplan.
Legit but quirky? Or the beginning of canal squatting in the north?
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
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On 16/01/2018 at 08:25, NickF said:
I had a great day at the boat show on Sunday, many more canal boats than usual and I was amused by the fake lock and lock side pub. The lock didn't actually have water in it but I was amused by the water pump producing a fake leak between the gates! A feature of every lock on the system so it obviously couldn't be missed!
Sorry there weren't any floating exhibits this year though but still a worthwhile day.
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
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Paid £720.00 inc VAT for a 60 ft in Yorkshire in November, so sounds like a good deal to me.
Ken
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5 minutes ago, pearley said:
Plenty of mooring in the basin at the very end. Ripon has plenty to see and do. You would struggle to do it justice in the 48 hours you are only supposed to stay.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Don't you get a receipt?
I suppose there may be a question about the validity of moorings if a mooring operator for example leases a section of a river which is not under CRT control but connects directly to CRT water (a feeder). Perhaps it is an industrial area not suitable for a normal marina.
Say for example there is room for 50 boats in there beside the treatment works or whatever. If CRT then find they have 80 boats claiming to be moored there it could potentially lead them to believing that there is abuse of the "home mooring" part of the licensing requirements. It is an obvious loophole and definitely opwn to abuse.
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
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You say that but it is always the owners of steel boats who are very nervous when sharing locks with plastic boats
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
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I like the red and white one (I forget it's name) window design. I think the major cost was due some fairly non standard stuff such as joystick steering. I'm surprised it came over £250,000 as that is alot more than a decent spec narrowboat and it wasn't that "different".
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
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A few boatbuilders have tried different style narrow boats, as in the examples below. But both of these failed to sell. So maybe buyers are that conservative.
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
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I don't think the welfare officer has any authority within CRT, and certainly not to over rule an EO or get involved in enforcement cases. What he does do is a mystery to me.
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
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As far as I can see 1.3 of the T&C's is not true, or worded to confuse contract terms with statutes ?
"In accordance with s.43(3) of the Transport Act 1962, boat licences are subject to the conditions which apply to the use of a boat on any Waterway which we own or manage. These are necessary to protect third parties and to help us manage the Waterways well for the benefit of all our users. Any breach of these Conditions would entitle the Trust to terminate your Licence which may result in the removal of your Boat from our Waterways.
1.3 conditions means these general terms and conditions."
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
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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
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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
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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
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To be pedantic, Pauline's a former Aire & Calder fly boat rather than a short boat.
Interesting to see a photograph of the boat as I've just finished reading Gabrielle Lorenz's book Snail's Pace all about their travels through the Netherlands, Belgium and France in the mid 90's. Well worth a read.
Ken
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Nothing. Which is the point, is it not?
You may well be correct although I suspect C&RT may have a different view. Fortunately it is not an issue for me when I leave my mooring overnight is usually long enough on a tow-path, then onward to pastures new.
Ken
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Which bit of the law says this please?
I know it's in the t&c but there is a Skool of thought says compliance is optional.
Exactly it is in the T&C's which when you fill in the licence application form you sign as agreeing to.
Legally as I believe Nigel has pointed out only boaters without a home mooring actually have the right as mentioned by the 1995 act to moor for up to 14 days, the rest of us have to rely on the T&C's.
There may be an argument for as it is not prohibited by the act then it's allowed but I suspect somewhere or other there is a bye-law otherwise what stops anyone just mooring permanently on the tow-path for free, the old ghost mooring trick.
Ken
Ellesmere Port on Easter Monday
in General Boating
Posted
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