Philip

I need to take a narrowboat that I have just bought from Pyrford Marina to Shepperton Marina on the Thames, next week ideally. This is so that it can be craned onto a low loader there to be transported to where I'd like to moor it. I can speak to the marina regarding use of the crane, but what would I need to do about licensing, as I don't believe CRT cover any of this stretch? Looking at the map, it looks like a case of leaving the Wey, a mile if that on the Thames and into the marina - would this require a Thames license? Also would I have to go through Shepperton lock on the Thames on this route? Finally any navigational advice about the Wey locks? Thanks

I've watched a couple of the original Video Active canal videos within the last few weeks. Just wondering if anyone has watched them and how do they find them? They were made in the 1990s and seem quite informative generally. Does anyone even remember being caught on the camera as they sailed past and seeing themselves on the resulting video?

Interesting, how about the 25ft Aintree Beetle? Thanks

Thanks. Paying to leave in marinas for a short time sounds and easier and cheaper option!

Thanks. Any idea about the cost please, as they don't say on the website? It's just a general query at this stage.

First off how much would a boat between 25-30ft in length with a 20hp engine and a PRM 150 gearbox typically weigh? Secondly please, what would be a rough figure for the cost of transporting a narrowboat of this length and weight by a low loader for 150-200 miles? Take it trailer isn't an option even for a 25ft boat? Would a crane be required or would a winch do to get it onto the loader?

There is certainly an element of snobbery and one-upmanship and has been for ages, albeit in the minority. Been on hire boats and had passing private boaters turn their noses up or make comments implying we didn't know what we were doing etc. The very occasional boater pulling their nose up at my cruiser or sneering reference to "my plastic boat". I've no doubt a similar thing went on with Springers when there were more of them around. I don't understand why things like Cruisers, Sea Otters, Aintree Beetles and Springers etc get labelled by some as 'a starter boat'...what makes them 'a starter boat'? Why should the ultimate destination be something big?

There is a steel gate at Quoisley lock on the Llangollen dating from 1963. Wooden gates fitted prior to the 1960s often lasted 40-50 years, why only 25 years now?

Thanks. I'm weighing up the options but tempted to go with the 30ft boat rather than the 25ft as I was thinking initially. If it is a wet locker, are these important to have or would a normal wardrobe suffice for hanging damp clothes? I agree, it seems odd to only have the WL on one of them. Also odd that only one has an electrics cupboard.

Looking at a plan of an Aintree Beetle, it has what looks like a wardrobe at the back with the abbreviation 'WL' on it. What does this stand for please?

The pressure of water would just tear through the canvas!

Why have many been retained then, for example on Shropshire Union, Staffs and Worcs, Grand Union and L&L?

And the middle paddle.

This is a more recent view, courtesy of Roger Kidd on geograph. And a picture of the same lock in the 60s, looking the other way:

Nope, but close! Lock keeper's cottage.

Very close! Nope, it's further in the distance and only indirectly related to the canal. Clue - many were demolished a few years after this photo was taken (1958).

A lot closer!

No, further north.

No, quite a fair way out.

It isn't the Trent and Mersey or the Oxford Canals. I'm 99% sure I know the lock btw, thought I'd post it as a challenge as there are some interesting differences between then and now (if you know where to look). Clicking on the picture gives a huge clue, if you want one!! There is at least one notable feature in the photo which is (thankfully) still there now, albeit surrounded by trees from the same view point.

Can anyone identify this lock please?

If guessing I would say 1978 as most of the locks still had the old ground paddle gear and think it was around this time the modern stuff was fitted en masse. The book 'Three girls on a boat' is a good read and gives a great description of what the Llangollen was like in 1963. Lift bridges are mentioned...Wrenbury main lift bridge had a winch and chain to lift the bridge, one (New Mills?) is mentioned as having no chain and the need to improvise and the others had the dangling chain to jump onto.

I think the year is wrong, the footage shows the Willeymoor lock cottage as a pub (before it was extended) and they started up in 1978.

Thanks!

Can I ask how the double at the front is made up on layout 1 of the 25ft please? I've been looking at pictures but can't find where the 'bridge' comes from to make it into a double bed.