SYBoater

Very jealous lovely boat and lovely mooring spot!

It was a genuine question and I didn't realise it would cause so much annoyance... we're new to boating having only hired boats for holidays previously and wouldn't want to upset anyone. Thanks to everyone for the comments, although some, I believe, could've been put a little more delicately. Looks like we'll have to wait a while until we can afford a mooring before being able to enjoy the canal system.

It isn't "a means of beating the system" merely a means of getting on the system...

The posts I have read that have started off with a genuine question then the replies have escalated into a battle of will and intelligence is ridiculous... That's what I meant by that comment Bullfrog... just to clear up any confusion

Oh go back to polishing your brass mushroom...

Thank you Cotswoldsman, it is by no means a permanent solution, just something to get us on the water as, you'll no doubt be aware, the initial cost outlay is quite tremendous. I don't see why constant cruisers should get a slating, it is just pathetic why someone shouldn't be able to enjoy the canal system because they can't afford a mooring at the start, I'm still going to be paying license fees etc.... it seems to me there's quite a lot of snobbery amongst some boat owners. The canal system needs all the support it can get in the present climate. Anyway, this thread could quite easily turn into a 'heated debate' so i'll end my piece there.

I wondered how long it'd be before someone couldn't resist putting a snotty comment on... It may have been done to death in your eyes but it was a genuine question and, as someone who doesn't sit on here all day, every day monitoring every post, and no recent post to do with this subject being on the first couple of pages I thought I'd ask the question. I thought the whole point of this forum was to be able to ask questions freely and get constructive advice from it's members.... clearly not in your case.

Of course, I never thought of that.... thank you!

It might sound like a completely stupid question, but, due to the lack of residential moorings available and the need to wait for someone to die before you get in the top 5 on the waiting lists, would it be feasible to liveaboard and moor in one place for the maximum time allowed then go for a weekend cruise and come back and moor a bit further down or on a different section? I know this is far from ideal but we want to get on the water as soon as possible and can't wait years for residential moorings to become available or afford the marina rental costs. I just wondered if this was a loophole to be explored and, if any BW Patrols came patrolling, whether they could enforce anything as we weren't overstaying the mooring limits. Also, what is 'bridge hopping'?? Thanks for your constructive comments

As the price of crude oil is coming down and reached it's lowest price in months yesterday, and we can see the price at the forecourt pumps coming down (some 7p in the last week), does this mean the price of red diesel will be coming down too? Also, on a side, can anyone clarify whether the derogation of red diesel will affect the whole boat or will we still be allowed to heat the boat on red diesel and have to pay standard rate on the 'cruising diesel'? This will inevitably lead to having two tanks will it not? Rob It's 123.9 now at some pumps (Tesco & Jet) in South Yorkshire... coming down slowly but surely! Surely red diesel will come down again too?! Went for a walk around Skipton at the weekend and the price of red diesel there at Pennine Cruisers is 80p p/l!!

Preferably nice surroundings and safe.... Can you suggest a few of the moorings you refer to please? Thanks.

Anyone know of any safe mooring spots in Manchester City Centre or within close proximity for residential boaters?? Thanks...

Hello, I work for Northern Rail and the train services from Shireoaks are reliable and frequent into Sheffield, plus if you get a weekly/monthly pass it is even cheaper and most of the staff are friendly ;o) ... Shireoaks looks like a nice place, although I've only seen it from marina pictures and from stopping at the station en route to Lincoln. You could even cycle to the station and lock your bike up if you wished or take it on the train (as long as there are no more than two bikes on the train is the official wording). http://www.waterscape.com/services-directo...ina-residential The basin at Sheffield is convenient, if a little bleak but has a long waiting list, or so BW said when I spoke to them. I wouldn't moor up near Tinsley, it is a quiet enough area to moor but perhaps a little too quiet and, as a previous poster says, the road noise from the motorway may be a little irritating. I really do think, however, that the S&SY Navigation is really pretty after Swinton over to the river Trent and Stainforth & Keadby Canal the only thing letting it down is the lack of services and lack of usage from narrowboaters. Hope this helps! Rob Shireoaks is 30 mins from Sheffield by train and the services are frequent (hourly) and reliable, plus you have Lincoln, which is a nice city, on the same line and Sheffield at the other end. A weekly pass would cost £19.00 from Shireoaks to Sheffield and a monthly would cost £73.00, saving you time and money compared to buying a Standard Day Return each day on the train.

This one looks really promising actually, it has all the necessary items in situe and looks in good condition! Could be made lovely inside... Thanks!

Thanks for that, I totally forgot about ebay!!! Thanks to everyone who has replied, I think we'll have to remain in bricks and mortar until we've saved up enough to get a decent boat as I don't want to get a boat which will constantly need money spending on it's engine/hull etc... We'll keep looking though... One more question if anyone can offer advice, is a cruiser an alternative?? I have never actually been on a cruiser but they are a lot cheaper than narrowboats. What are the major drawbacks to them? Thanks again.

£10,000 - £15,000 max. I know it's not a lot but it's all we can afford... Even if the boat looks a bit of a wreck as long as it floats and the engine is sound with the plumbing/gas/electrics ok then I can rip the interior out and fit it out again and give it a repaint. Thanks.

Thanks Gary...

Hello All, I have been taking narrowboat holidays for quite some time and me and my partner are thinking about buying a narrowboat to liveaboard in the North West/Yorkshire region and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on the best places to keep an eye on to buy our first boat. I have been looking on some marina websites and sites such as apolloduck.com but they are all quite expensive. We don't mind a project boat to 'do up' as long as the electrics and plumbing are completed (I'm not comfortable messing with plumbing/gas/electrics). If any of you have any advice or know where there is a sound boat going, even BW seized boats that they're auctioning, if anyone knows who to contact/websites. Any advice greatly appreciated. Many thanks. Rob.

Any idea where BW auction these seized boats & are they on BW's website? Cheers, Rob

Any idea where the stone is going and if there any more plans for freight usage on the Sheffield & SY. Rather it be used for freight than nothing at all!

I work on the railway as a Conductor and we have a similar system in our Company. If we see anything or encounter any problems then we have to fill in a Traffic Incident Report Form for anything from Fare Evasion to Assault. This enables the Company to see where the problems are most likely to occur, see any emerging patterns and get enough evidence to present to Local Authorities or the Police to prove that there is a problem developing and act upon it. If no one reports anything then they can't build up 'a case' when they know there is a problem because, as we all know, to get anyone prosecuted or getting Local Authorities' assistance needs evidence that they can't ignore and then they simply have to act on it. I think it is a good idea.

In my opinion Ange, it is a toss-up between a Cruiser stern or Semi-Trad stern... I don't like the 'loneliness' of a Trad stern and the fact there isn't enough room really for two or more of you whereas with a Cruiser stern or Semi-Trad you can be more sociable and, if there are two or more of you, then you can sit together on the back more comfortably. I can't decide whether to get a Cruiser stern or Semi-Trad... Semi-Trads seem to give more privacy, security and shelter from the wind and is almost like an extra room outside whereas Cruiser sterns are much better for getting on/off of the boat and for getting the sun tan in summer!!! For me it would have to be Semi-Trad I reckon, although it seems there are fewer boats with these types of stern for sale than Cruiser sterns... Hope I haven't babbled on too much Rob

Is it me or does the Sheffield & SY Navigation seem to just exist; there doesn't ever seem to be much activity on it apart from the odd freighter and canal boat rally from Strawberry Island Boat Club. In my opinion, this section of waterway is beautiful (apart from the bit going through Rotherham) from Victoria Quays in Sheffield back along through a more industrial part until you get to Swinton and Waddington's Boat Yard then the canal gets really quite picturesque at the bottom half of Mexborough and Sprotbrough where there are good quality moorings and a nice pub (although the food is just 'pub chain' food quality the surroundings and drinks on offer are excellent) then on to Doncaster and eventually meeting up with the Stainforth & Keadby Canal. I think this section of canal is overlooked somewhat and quite a hidden gem that should be explored more often. Is it just me that shares this opinion? Rob