[Skipper/tutor]

2 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

No - if you have the time, go for it.

The 1st couple or three days are dead simple "canal" work and gives you an opportunity to learn without there being any major safety risks.

Far better to learn in that environment that getting to Goole and being on a big tidal river.

I've had lots of wonderful replies on this site and am grateful to everyone for the advice.

I'll hire a skipper/tutor as I'm not even sure I can work locks and bridges due to a  condition I have,

a journey of this duration with an experienced person will help me determine if owning a narrowboat is possible, or even sensible!

The marina I'm heading to lies on the Knottingley and Goole Canal which I think leads into the Aire and Calder Navigation,

I'll stay well clear of the River Humber!

Thanks again and cheers

 

[Skipper/tutor]

9 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

The benefit of 'doing the Trent' in this direction is that it all downstream so the lock-emptying is fairly 'calm'. Going 'up' can be a bit bumpy and the Lockies normally insist that both bow and stern lines are used (not easy for a singlehander). going down will be OK with just a bow and centre line used if you stand 'amidships'

 

The Trent locks are 'huge and deep' and you actually use a 'slider' to descend (don't tie off or loop over the bollards as you probably will not have enough line)

 

Simply motor alongside the lock wall and the sliders are set-back into the wall (thick wire covered in Blue plastic pipe), loop your lines around the slider and back on board and allow it to 'slide' down the slider as you descend.

 

Explain to the Lockie you are singlehanded and they'll take it slowly for you.

 

If you have VHF the Trent lockies are all on Channel 74 so you can call them up 10 - 15 minutes before arrival and they will either tell you to slow down as they are already penning up/down. or will say come 'straight in on the green, the gates will be Open for you'

 

There is a traffic light system at each lock.

Green means OK to enter

Amber means "no lockie - self operate"

Red means lock in use, wait !!!

 

You can get about 20+ narrowboats in the lock, and when you are in alone they seem huge.

You can see the blue-sliders in the 2nd picture.

Thank you for your advice and photos, really helpful.

I've still to complete the purchase and the brokers are giving me two weeks grace on their moorings.

I'm still considering road transport as an option especially as I now realise my ignorance! Hah!

Cheers

[Skipper/tutor]

20 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

There are only eleven (I think) manually operated locks between Mercia Marina and Goole. The rest and all but a few of the smaller swing/lift bridges are electrically operated. Some of the locks are huge! If you are looking for narrowboat helming and lock use help and time for the tutor is limited, then the best time would be the first day or two from Mercia to Nottingham. That will cover the six manual locks of the Trent and Mersey, plus another three or so getting to Nottingham. You'll also experience both canals and non tidal rivers. One of the locks will also be electrically operated (Sawley). This gives you some experience with everything for the rest of the trip, except tidal rivers, which you are already familiar with. The Trent locks down from Nottingham are big and keeper operated during the day The tidal locks at Cromwell and Keadby have CaRT employed lock keepers, rather than volunteers and can advise on the best times for the tides. I usually do the tidal stretch in two short days, breaking overnight at Torksey to make as much use of the tidal flow in my favour. From Keadby to Goole, there is some manual, or semi manual operation of the locks and bridges and some automagic. From the New Junction to Goole it is all powered. I'd advise going this way for your first trip, rather than carrying down the Trent to Trent Falls and up the Ouse to Goole.

 

Jen

Wow Jen, thank you for that really detailed advice, there's a lot more to it than I initially envisaged!

I am also considering road transport and can't decide which way to go when the purchase is completed.

Fortunately the broker is giving me two weeks grace on their moorings so I have time to sort it out.

Thanks again, really appreciated.

[Skipper/tutor]

19 hours ago, ditchcrawler said:

and if there is a queue there will be plenty of people to do the swing bridge for you

 

Thank you Brian, I'm looking at utube videos to learn some of the tricks!  Haha!

[Skipper/tutor]

1 minute ago, mrsmelly said:

Worry not, we and most other long term boaters always help others out at locks/bridges etc etc, especialy if infirm or single handed. If anyone is in a hurry and getting irate take zero notice oif them and let them pass you wherever possible, they are usualy Audi or Bmw drivers, irate because they cannot afford a decent car.

Thank you, much appreciated.

[Skipper/tutor]

24 minutes ago, Richard10002 said:

Based on the above, you probably have more skills and experience than most people who skipper narrowboats. Having said that, if you haven’t done many locks, then that is something you need to learn, and I guess there will be one or two other things that are unique to narrowboating and canals.

 

Prior to buying our narrowboat in 2011, I had been sailing the high seas for over 30 years and, in a previous life, was an officer in the merchant navy for a short time.

 

In 2006, I did an RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course over 2 days, and got a flavour of what I needed to know for canals. The 4 things that stood out were:

 

1) Locks

2) reversing

3) Boatmans hitch

4) if you fall in, you can probably walk ashore, or back to the boat.

 

Some of the members of our club on The Bridgewater, (no locks), think that the canal is rough if the waves reach more than a few inches.

 

Nothing wrong with hiring someone to accompany you in unfamiliar territory. If you have time, I’d definitely recommend the RYA course.

Thank you for your kind and humorous reply.

Although I've had boats in Spain, Ireland, and on the tidal River Medway I only ever locked twice both times manned and electrically operated.

My narrowboat is 57ft long and beside being solo I now suffer with Multiple Sclerosis so confidence is not very high.

I did consider taking the RYA course but thought if I could find a hire skipper/ boat buddie the tuition would be better.

I'm not even sure if I will be able to lock through on my own efficiently and swing bridges scare the hell out of me,

time will tell......there could be some irate queues!

Thanks again and good luck.

[Skipper/tutor]

30 minutes ago, fergyguy said:

Give Tony a call 07903 063179 tell him Martin recommend you call him

Thanks for the contact, much appreciated : )

[Skipper/tutor]

11 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Is this the boat that needs dry-docking, work doing and the engine taken out, or is it another one ?

 

It would not be 'ideal' to be on a tidal river unless you were very confident in the boats reliability & capabilities.

This might be the same boat?  If it is.... she has been dry docked for the surveyor and surveyed in good condition.

The engine only requires lifting out to facilitate a thorough bilge painting.

The main work required is superficial paint work and window seals.

Thanks for your concern, although I've not skippered a narrowboat I have experience of sea and river vessels, my last boat was a 42'  Valkkruiser on the Shannon.

I hold a 'RYA Day Skipper' and ICC qualification, have two 20kg Danforth anchors, four automatic life jackets, an inflatable dinghy.

I'm hoping all should be well but even the best maintained boat can suffer an unexpected breakdown or accident.

Thanks again for your response

20 minutes ago, Nut said:

good luck with the new boat

Thank you : )

2 hours ago, bigray said:

Try calling Pete/Chris on 07985 125347 they are really helpful and experienced,

Thank you for your help, much appreciated : )

[Skipper/tutor]

I'm in the process of buying a narrowboat lying in Mercia Marina, Willington, Derbyshire,

when the purchase is complete I would like to take the boat by canal up to Viking Marina, Goole, East Yorkshire.

Can anyone advise me on hiring someone to skipper the boat there whilst giving me tuition, and what would it cost?

As I've never narrow boated before any advice would be welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[DIY yard/marina?]

19 hours ago, reg said:

The advantage of debdale is that they have their own crane and are pretty flexible on lift in dates and times so you can work on your boat for as long as it takes and arrange a lift in date when you are near completion. 

Better than having a fixed period of time and either trying to rush your jobs or the opposite finishing the work but waiting until your lift in day arrives. 

 

Thank you for the advice, it sounds a good situation to have the flexibility.

I'm sure to find more jobs need attention when I start work on the boat!

 

[DIY yard/marina?]

1 hour ago, stagedamager said:

Hi!

Congratulations on you imminent purchase. Langley Mill Boatyard at the top of the Erewash may be able to help, we have a drydock and whilst we don't have hard standing we sometimes have moorings available for maintenance works. We also allow DIY work on drydock.

Drop us an email at enquiries(at)Langley mill boatyard.co.uk and we'll can see what we can do!

 

Kind regards

 

 

Dan

Hi Dan, thank you for your response.

I plan doing quite a bit of work on the boat and would like to take my time so dry docking wouldn't be financially viable.

Thanks again and kind regards.

1 hour ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

Debdale, to the south of Leicester might be worth calling. Not used them myself, but they have hardstanding and a big covered shed for DIY work.

 

Jen

Hi Jen, thank you for your response.

Debdale might be of interest and looking at their website not overly expensive : )

Thanks again and kind regards.

[DIY yard/marina?]

Hi , I'm new to narrow boating and to this site so welcome comments and advice from anyone.

I am in the process of buying a narrow boat presently lying in Mercia Marina, Derbyshire.

The boat requires some work, including blacking and engine removal for bilge painting, much of the work I wish to undertake myself.

Unfortunately Mercia Marina is not the kind of marina for DIY work so may I ask all you knowledgeable and experienced narrow boaters,

can anyone recommend a canal marina or yard which has DIY facilities with hardstanding and electric supply?

I'll be grateful for any advice and/or information  : )