Stroudwater1

Blimey, we were overtaken around 25 times in a fortnight last year as our engine was being temperamental. 7 in one day 🤣 It’s terribly easy, slow down ask if they would like to overtake and just go slow on a straight ish area. Aim to go very slowly towards the bank and leave plenty of space. Only once did we get stuck but a quick reverse and we were off again. Didn’t hit anyone. This was all round the four counties ring and N Oxford.

I wonder if that is part of the reason, the boat maybe going slow as they aren't overly confident may have let a boat past once or twice and been frightened off as the overtaking boat headed straight towards theirs and their boat got sucked towards the overtaking boat. They must have a suction bowthruster perhaps. The only time I really have kept very far back was a guy with visibility limited by cans of stella going so slowly I could only assume that his boat was fueled by it too. As he went past us moored up he was cussing randomly. It was rather a worry as it took a long time to get to our home mooring and the night was drawing in by the time we got there. By the sound of some on here we shouldn't have gone the 1 hour out and 3 hours back for the day to clean her up for the season.

In that situation it maybe easiest to drop crew off and hover in the bridge hole or even get off and hold with the centreline in the middle of the bridge hole. Thats provided no one is coming up. Hover by the further moored boat if there is.

This is a disaster waiting to happen I’m afraid. The romance is great but the experience is much worse. All the advise above is sound. You are probably hearing a couple of hundred years of accrued wisdom above . Go against it if you want but it’s all built from bitter experiences. Apart from that the whole issue and joy of boating in London awaits by the sounds of it..

Our trad stern boat came with three lengths of tiller arm which can be handy. The short one is ideal for three to stand at the stern well outside the arc, but is rather hefty to steer with for long. I must say I like to sit on the roof and steer when not in a mildly challenging place or worse. It gives better view of the surrounding area and of things in the canal ahead. I can jump down sharpish in unforseen danger but cant recall needing to do that.

Indeed they did, it was rather fun driving a 10 ton roller into central Birmingham, though I couldn't fit on sadly. . Pulling onto the A38 by Pebble Mill was exceedingly challenging even in the 1970s, as a Midland red bus found, all nearside sheets were ripped off, minimal damage to the Aveling. Fortunately it only occupied by the driver of the bus. That looks like one of the latest rallys, or is it just Busy Bee coming out from the museum? ? The rallys must have happened for a number of years, I have images from the late 1960s era, very well attended. Busy bee is a bit of a lightweight TBF at 5 ton. The 10 ton roller used to regularly cross the bridge on the W&B at Bittel resevoir when it was a main road.

Point of information the uncivilised savages failed to insert proper foundations so the tower fell down less than 200 years later in 1322 🤣. A tour up the Octagon tower that replaced it is highly recommended- it’s a masterpiece, and all rebuilt within 18 years.

Oh they are pitiful compared to IanMs, I can assure you. Theres some closer pictures of the steam boats I think.

I couldnt find any with a quick search, its possible that the steam boat association may have some. These were trailed there, along with quite a large number of trailboats in 2012. I cant recall off hand but seem to remember around 5 steamers, possibly more. All my pictures are still on a very old phone, which I really must get round to download.

Thanks, Im not sure it’s a first. I suspect there’s video footage from steam boat and trail boats at the 2012 and 2015 rally’s. IIR the 2015 went to the Ocean but can’t remember if 2012 did so. There were some really lovely boats there.

Hi David, as far as I am aware there are still three existing and two if not all three are used regularly. Silver Heron, Jemima and Tavy Cleave. The latter two are on the historic ship register. It’s possible that others are in sheds somewhere but I’m not optimistic. would love to be wrong on that. Theres an excellent article in Waterways journal number 19 on Holt Abbott boats (still available from Ellesmere Port mail order https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-history/the-waterways-archive/waterways-journal ) Your experience of Holt Abbott and Ashley are similar to mine, though I was very young . Here is Jemima pictured last year at the bottom of Bratch at a S&W society meet.

Some sellers are decent though, have some faith 😊 we are still in touch with the vendor of our boat.

Is it possible to talk with the previous owners of the boat to find out what use they made of the boat? That may help. Given that you seem to be specific in your needs perhaps the boat seller would allow a slightly longer test drive. Draft I believe is a factor too, if it’s a deep boat more water has to pass it when traveling. This is more relevant in a shallow canal. I see a few people especially on hire boats wearing captains hats thrash the boat which isn’t going much faster then a boat with half the power bring used.

This ^^ - many boaters will have jump leads and are often more than happy to help out in the sort of situation you were in. do get some decent ones and you never know you could help the next boater in trouble. Is your boat brand new or just new to you? I would try being firm but polite and maybe chat with the RCR and see if they can contact the boat maker with their findings. It does sound odd to have an alternator pack in so rapidly?

Today, Busy Spring Canal festival at Stonehouse, Stroudwater navigation The new railway bridge, Ocean Jubilee Bridge

There are very often volunteers there and the gates may well be open for you as you head downstream towards the lock. If not opened but people are around by the bottom gates there could be boats on their way down so you can hover and wait.

The one at Tesco Stalybridge does need a coin but it still doesn’t stop an significant supply being immersed. The path actually slopes strategically towards the canal 😟

Possibly, most folk seem to go down the S Stratford though I believe to get to the GU? As we know It’s all open bar the bit from Aston junction to Camp Hill which isn’t a popular run I had thought? Some use Garrison/Ashted as an alternative to Aston so that’s out for now. It seems to be towpath works so perhaps work can be suspended for the BCN challenge I wonder?

Yes its for the Ashsted Locks/ Digbeth branch , which wont affect this journey and will make Garrison locks even quieter.

Neat but does the locker catch come as an optional extra? I agree re Bromptons, uncomfortable expensive trendy things, a larger tyre diameter is better, these do come with fold up canvas bags fairly often so worthwhile asking the hire company, and definitely sell on afterwards if you can. TBH I wouldnt bother having one on a short hire but a long one they may come in useful.

We moored at the North end of the 1970sish Trentham estate shielded by hedging on a long straight last year having gone through the main part of Stoke heading South. It was very quiet, we didn’t see anyone. I think that is where Ditchcrawler has moored? Nothing appealed before that really, it was either rammed looking a bit dodgy and /or goose filled. Mind it was 7pm. we walked round the estate too and saw no one either, perhaps they were all watching TV or in bed? It’s a bit of a walk but Trentham Gardens is worth a visit from round there.

Canal Cruising of Stone I believe do long hires too. It would make an excellent long ring all the way along the T&Mersey canal. https://www.canalcruising.co.uk/. It’s one or two train changes from Manchester airport by rail which could be a bonus. I’m not sure about reverse layouts though, that seems less common for hire boats I believe Rose definitely do long hires, there’s a thread somewhere here from a couple that had a long hire last year though IIRC it was out of season. They aren’t too far from a rail station either. Union canal carriers from Braunston could well do this too, though a bit further South perhaps for you? https://unioncanalcarriers.co.uk/

Agree Star City is a bit soulless but it’s a decent place to moor, and Curdwoth to Catherine de Barnes may not fit in with the times you arrive at Curdworth. There is plenty of fast food outlets there plus cinema etc. it’s like many out of town parks but without the shops. There is a Costco though nearby too 🤣. There’s probably Curry etc take aways or deliveroo stuff not far away either We didn’t need the weedhatch all the way round, big prop perhaps helps. Garrison and Camp Hill are very quiet, typical urban locks though pretty easy. A fisherman complained how busy it was to us in early September - he agreed we were the third boat through Camp Hill at 5.30 PM 🤣

The queues for the Middlewich locks can be pretty bad. Aim for an early start or late traverse that day and you may avoid them. Unless you spend every day in a pub a detour to Anderton and the boat lift could be worthwhile if there’s time.

That’s right, built by Crestelle/ Tony Francis, not in quite his usual style though. https://newandusedboat.co.uk/used-boats-for -sale/1200