Chribley

The 'buyer' indeed proved elusive and messed me around for months, so now on recommendation from Gordon (CV Marine) have taken her to Nationwide Narrowboat Sales in Thorne, her home waters. As you say the broader, deeper canals are very much to Lukas's taste so hope she will sell soon.

Thanks for your appreciation of my boat! Also for the offer to help. At the moment, oddly, the Calder & Hebble is green on the CRT warnings page; Surely that can't be right? Anyway I won't be moving the boat until the forecast is better. I'll get in touch when it seems possible to continue the trip.

I bought this boat, Lukas, in late 2020. She was then moored at Long Sandall lock on the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation. She was very solidly built with 150% over-thickness plating by Peter Nicholls at Braunston in 1984, described as a Thames Stemhead Barge replica. Yes, I know she doesn't look like a Thames barge but apparently she originally was a sailing barge with a mast and leeboards, traces of which remain. She was on the Thames for many years until the previous owners rescued her from 'life as a party boat' and had her trucked up to Hull I think in around 2010. She was then completely refitted to a very high standard with new electrics, engine and a complete very solid new interior. Successive surveys (which I have) showed her to have no significant hull erosion despite her age. After I bought her I took her to Hull marina where I lived aboard for a year, bringing her back into good condition and updating her with replacement batteries, complete exterior repaint, installation of diesel central heating, a new cockpit canopy etc. After renewing the blacking and fitting new anodes I took her to Sowerby Bridge on a temporary winter mooring. She is rather heavy on the steering it's true, with an oversized rudder, presumably for her sailing days. She has hydraulic steering too, but because of its lack of feel the previous owners (and now I) prefer to use the tiller. I am taking her to Savile Town Wharf to put her on the market as I no longer intend to live aboard (I have recently bought a house in Rastrick). Once she is sold I want to buy a narrowboat of about the same length.

Update to my post. Another boater who replied to my request, plus my brother, came along as crew. The trip ended prematurely at Brighouse because (1) the flood lock was closed and (2) the engine lost cooling water and got a rope wound round its propeller. We stripped the raw water inlet and found it completely blocked with leaves bound together with mud. However, even after clearing it there was still no water coming through. As to the rope, the prop still turns but presumably inefficiently. So we left the boat moored behind Sainsbury's and all went home. Two days later I returned and confirmed what I suspected, the raw water pump impeller was wrecked! I've got a new one and the pic shows the difference. Unfortunately, with the two storms and ongoing unsettled weather it won't be possible to go on until the river drops. And thanks to ChinnC100 for the offer of help. In fact I intend to put the boat on the market when I get to Dewsbury but will be buying another, much smaller and a proper narrowboat once it is sold. I'll contact you later if I may once I have the new boat. Cheers all.

Thanks to all who replied. I have the crew needed and hope to do the trip 5th and 6th April.

Thanks, have sent PM. Thanks for this.

I'm moving my wide beam boat from Sowerby Bridge to Dewsbury (Savile Town Marina) soon and could do with some help - probably a two day trip. Also need help on regular basis.

Though some of the CRT moorings also look quite good. I'll do a bit more research before deciding. Thanks again, all.

Actually their site says 50% surcharge. They write 'We have three different berths types available; Basic Berths (Shepley Bridge Marina only) from £320 per quarter (depending on length), Standard Berths from £336.80 per quarter (depending on length) and Premier Berths £780 per quarter.' So looking at their price list, for my 50' boat a standard berth would be £449.05 per quarter + 50% = £673.375 = £224.53 per month and £2694.30 per annum. That's with shore power and marina facilities, which I reckon is not too bad.

Thanks for this suggestion. I contacted CV Marine yesterday and got a positive reply so I think I will be going there. Thanks to all for the suggestions. The CRT moorings are all really pricey but I think I have found a reasonably priced marina mooring at one of CV Marine's marinas.

I have a 50' X 11' barge and need a mooring in the West Yorkshire area. Other locations might be possible. Shore power desirable but not essential. Any suggestions please?

Connections again. My last boat, Karm Dwy (a Pentland ketch) was registered in Caernarfon.

As an east coast sailor, sounds like my kind of place?

Further update: the stove is working fine now, too hot in fact. I think I was just being too mean with the fuel!

Where are you now? I will definitely visit Wells-next-the-Sea when I go down the east coast, it's been on my wish list for years.