Bronco99

Yes I know, I said at least the chart refers to the superstructure DIMENSIONS as well as the air draught. Meaning it gives an idea of how wide as well as high the superstructure of a vessel is, thus giving a useful reference for safely passing underneath the structure, especially arched bridges. Just been looking at Kate Boats. I'll enquire but I find private hire and even marinas are very arsey about passing trade. No idea why.

Yeah. At least this table does refer to the max superstructure dimensions as well as air draught. If CRT did that nowadays you'd have a much better idea if you had clearance rather than just max height at highest point in relation to beam. But the pub looks handy. and there's a couple of marinas close by. Anyone know of a slipway in those parts?

Don't think I'd get under that in my boat ?

This is all good stuff. I'd hate to have to follow my head instead of my heart but it does seem from the information I'm getting that I might struggle on the GU. I'm aware that these wide beam cruisers are designed for river/coastal work but I know the K&A can accommodate, despite the low bridge at Newbury. Perhaps I'll save up for some foldable screens, or just go as far as possible without taking any silly risks. Funny how there are lots of maps available for wide beam waterways, of which GU is one, but they never factor in beam/headroom together. Something that, with all these arched bridges and increasing widebeam cruisers looking to explore those waterways, I'd have thought might be starting to be compiled. Anyone else with any practical experience of this please shout out.....

That is a good example, Alan, and I've seen it on this forum before. Trouble is this infernal boat of mine, at 9ft comes somewhere between wide and narrow, so makes it difficult to judge or follow guidelines whether it would get through some of these bridges, whereas it would be an easy decision on a full widebeam of say 12-13ft. Bearing in mind the minimum CRT "conservative" headroom is 7'4 and I'm 7'.

Ah, I see you refer to my inaccurate and slightly dyslexic unit of length symbolism, dear fellow! I must admit you had me wondering which marine asylum you'd escaped from with your prose regarding cannibals, machetes and wastelands ? Perhaps a Dayskipper refresher course is in order for me, hey...

Thats interesting. My understanding was always that not only were the official specs conservative, but that they were set out with most types of vessel in mind, including wide beams (which mine is only partial) and various cockpit types. I can only try!! I have a small cruiser at Rickmansworth atm heading to Ashwood Marina so just scouting the lay out but just bought this bigger boat too so I'm going to make a cruising ground of Evesham (where she is and I'm from) down the Severn Estuary into Bristol to Bath (where I live), up the K & A which I've done a few times into London and up the GU and then (hopefully) a short tow down the A46 from Warwick back on the Avon at Stratford. But you're right, the towing distance itself doesn't make a huge difference to the trailer cost. I don't know where a decent slipway is yet!!

Thanks for the link Matty. I'm still hoping professional services won't be necessary to get me where I'd like to go. Free advice is always welcome of course, hence my post ? Having said that, I'll want a trailer tow from Warwick to the Stratford Avon.

Can I ask why you say Stockton? Is it from experience? the CRT specs you show are dubious to say the least, they equate 2.34m to 3ft 4!at one point! You can look in more detail at the official guidelines (see below) but it's more folks who've gone up with a 7" air draught I'd like to know about.

Please, please help if you have direct experience with this rather than, like me, loads of reading up, official and unofficial specs and guidelines and tips on revving with bins full of water! I want to get up the Grand Union main line from Bulls Bridge as close to the Warwick Cape locks as possible. I know what the CRT specs say and I know how they differ to other publications and chatter in pubs etc. I have a height of 7" (wheelhouse off, square cockpit screens). Lets assume a chart datum water level and take into account my 9" beam for the arched bridges. Does anyone have any actual experience of attempting this passage with a similar air draught. If it really isn't possible then how far north IS it possible to get? Really appreciate some first hand knowledge of this, recent if possible but all welcome. Cheers all.

I agreed terms under which I could afford steak. Those terms were not kept by the restaurant. Perhaps I should wash the dishes as a gesture of good faith ?

I don't. Only for the acknowledged error on their part which has played havoc with the agreement which we made between us.

CRT has contacted me to inform me that an error means that they 'forgot' to take out my direct debit for my license, leaving me with a build up of 300 pounds which they say they will either debit my account, or split over the months remaining on my license depending which I prefer. TBH I didn't notice, or maybe didn't want to notice that the debits had stopped coming out and I carried on as normal. My last work was at Cheltenham Gold Cup for an agency so I didn't get furlough. They have now wiped my account from the CRT website without telling me. Until I pay it back I suppose. My question is, Having had an agreement in place with CRT for a license and they then messed it up, then who is liable for those missed payments. I made an agreement to pay an affordable monthly debit for my license and because their system went down and I didn't have the organisational skills to see what was going on, I'm being told I have to find money from somewhere to cover their error. I realise it's my license fee, but it's their system fault that this has happened and left me in this position. Sorry for the dreary, depressing post but any advice? Should I just suck it up?

What he said!!