Philip

Also wondering if it is better to spend a bit more on a short version of one of these that won't come with problems, than spending say £10,000 less on a 25 year old 40-foot narrowboat that might be a total mess behind the panelling and cupboards and under the floorboards.

Thanks - great help!

That's interesting, thanks! I know they all have two layouts but can't find a plan of layout 2 for the 25ft anywhere. Can the double at the front on layout 2 convert to a dinette? The layout 1 looks like it'd be good if only they could just get rid of one of those single dinettes at the back and use the space for storage/longer galley. But might be too far out of the template.

Just to give a summary of what I'm thinking...I currently own a Norman 24 GRP and thinking about whether to go for a steel boat. Cruiser is in good condition mechanically (engine, drive, electrics, canopy), but it'd be nice to have a more comfortable toilet area and somewhere to shower, along with a full oven as currently only have two-burners and a grill. Water tank is only about 30-35 litres, so very very small capacity. Also the lack of insulation and large single-glazed windows make it rather uncomfortable to sleep on a cold night (there is heating but the Propex blown-air only runs off a 1.9kg gas cylinder, so not really big enough to leave running through the night). Advantages of the cruiser are the canopy and sociable cockpit, although the canopy needs to be up when it's raining and it's a bit of a faff putting up. I've done near enough everything with my cruiser over 8 years, and perhaps time to think of something else. So whilst a longer steel boat has more home comforts, I'm not looking to liveaboard and so can't justify/afford splashing out much more than 30k really. The Aintree 25/30 seem to tick a lot of boxes with them being a similar same size so easy to turn, haul through locks etc along with cheap running costs. The added luxuries being a full cooker, wet room with shower, no need to worry about the rear deck getting wet, diesel powered heating system and I'm assuming much better insulation? The one downside is lack of storage, more so with the 25, but if Aintree could replace one of the single dinettes with a wardrobe and cupboard in the template then it would be ok. I'm just asking anyone who owns or has owned one of these boats, would it be worth spending approx. 30k on one of these to 'upgrade' from my GRP and use for trips? Little things like whether the dinettes and double berths are comfortable, is the wet room well sealed and useable etc? I know the decision rests with me, but would appreciate any opinions please! I'll add that I do a lot of cruising miles, so something nice and robust and easy to steer and handle would be good.

Thanks

Just wondering if anyone knows the cost of a brand new 30 footer of this class? The website doesn't quote the prices. Can I ask what these snagging problems tend to be when taking on a newly built boat? Just that there is a bespoke design I have seen and chances are a used boat would be of standard layout.

Thanks Interesting! Thank you. Have until January before MSC seaworthy certificate runs out and would at least like to do Western Point to Ellesmere Port, but the Mersey crossing sounds fascinating.

So I don't have to climb up/down the lock ladders.

Would a steel boat of 35ft be reasonably easy to pull in and out of locks? I do a lot of single-handing so it's a consideration, prefer not to use lock ladders in deep locks if I can help it!

Thanks for this - I think I might just call it a day at Ellesmere Port!

Not really, cruisers such as the Norman that I have with the bow well ballasted are very good in the water, yes they are more responsive than narrowboats but with good control of the wheel they're certainly not unpredictable.

In terms of weight and being easy to pull in and out using ropes, there's no contest!

Just wondering what kind of planning is needed to cross the Mersey from the MSC into Liverpool Docks? I know all the stuff re the Ship Canal, but is an anchor mandatory for all boats crossing the Mersey? A weight is sufficient for my GRP boat using the Ship Canal. Also can you plan a date to cross the estuary or does it all depend on tide/weather conditions? Just done the MSC from Manchester to the junction with the Weaver and the full length of the Grand Union, so maybe decision time after doing the remaining bit of the MSC and the Mersey as to whether or not to stick with my GRP or look at steel/aluminium. Considering something to live part time on, but also aware that a narrowboat is harder to single-hand through locks than a cruiser is!

It's not an individual instance that raises eyebrows as such, as said above working locks is a team thing and ideally both of the crew should do a bit of both and there may be good reasons why one of the crew isn't working the lock. It's just that it seems like about 75% of the time I come across couples at a lock, what I described in the OP is how it is done.

Something I've often wondered; why does it so often seem to be the case that women tend to be working the locks and men 'putting their feet up' staying at the helm? There are exceptions obviously and if the couple are both young and/or sprightly then it isn't as much of an issue, but seems to be too often I've seen elderly women struggling doing the bulk the work on a flight of locks while her other half just stands as 'captain' and (sometimes) gives instructions. I wonder if it is 'how things were done' in the working age, but in this day and age with it still being rife from what I've seen, one or two obvious words come to mind... It isn't just this subject either when it comes to 'catching up with this day and age', a case could be made regarding turning engines off in locks when possible and not lighting the stove unless it actually is cold (ie. not just for the nice effect)...in view of the environmental issues.

Over the last couple of weeks I've travelled the whole Grand Union mainline, the short bit of the Oxford and the Shropshire Union B&LJ amongst others and noticed the different colour of the water in different canals. The Grand Union is almost a dark green in places but what I'm most intrigued by is why the Shropshire Union is like a chocolatey brown in most places (implying lots of mud being churned up through frequent use) and yet the busier stretch of canal between Blisworth, Braunston and Napton isn't like this, it is just a pale murky colour. I would've thought the busier the stretch of canal, the darker brown the water is? Is it more to do with the type of fertiliser used in the area or something?

That's the one I tried. No matter now, got the boat into the side so letting water down myself.

Just asking if anyone around this area is able to or knows anyone who can let some water down from Mile End lock to the pound below it please? I've got stuck in the pound mid channel, tried the CRT office but mo answer. Thanks if anyone can help!

Thank you!

I'm having my boat dropped into the waterways in the south east in a few days, the plan is the slipway at Stanstead Abbotts Lee Valley Marina but a bit of uncertainty about whether there will be access because of reduced opening times. I have seen Kecksy's Farm Wharf mentioned before as a slipway option - is this still the case and does anyone know if they would be ok with turning up there and then and paying the fee to use it immediately? As I say my Lee Valley Marina is still first choice. Also - any stoppages on the Rivers Lee, Stort or Grand Union Canal that I need to know about please over these next two weeks? Thanks!

I have low energy search lights on mine, they are incredibly bright but very useful in tunnels. If meeting a boat coming the other way I turn them off and use the nav lights.

Thanks. What about when the lock is empty? My boat is 24ft long so would clear the bridge length wise.

What is the headroom under the swing bridge in the CRT lock at E Port? Or what is the depth of the lock? I notice from pictures that there is a couple of feet between the bridge deck and the water line so wondering if I can fit underneath with 6'3-5 headroom? Also I notice there is a spindle - can it wound open with a windlass manually just like that?

Thanks. Who is responsible for the ship lock at Ellesmere Port? This looks the easiest way round, can't see why they won't let me use it if the 'narrow' lock is out of use because of the swing bridge.

I have a passage booked for the Manchester Ship Canal Pomona to Ellesmere Port this Friday 31st, but panicking a bit now because having just spoken to the Ellesmere Port swing bridge team, they've said it is out of commission (as in closed) currently because of some repair needed and is unlikely to be operational by Friday. I can't leave my boat in the dock below the swing bridge lock there so I'm wondering what the score is with Weston Marsh lock. Is it currently operational and do you need to pre-book - and if so are we talking days or an hour or so notice like the other Weaver locks? Edit - just learned that there is another way into the basins at Ellesmere Port, through the larger lock. Anyone know who is responsible for this lock and if they are lenient about letting narrowboats use it, if the smaller lock isn't available? Thanks in advance for any help!