adam1uk
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Posts posted by adam1uk
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20 minutes ago, Earthwatcher said:
Just like Monaco then, and why I hate it. Surely if I go up to a builder and say I'm seriously looking for a boat, they're not going to dismiss me? And if they do, I guess that works like self-selection. Anyways, supposing I could try for an appointment? Any recommendations?
The trouble is that everyone turns up and claims to be serious. That’s why the really serious people phone up the builders in advance and book in.
However, Monday can often be a bit quieter on the bookings front, so it’s still worth phoning tomorrow, especially if they have mobile numbers on their websites. Some builders also have appointments during most of the day, but ‘freeflow’ for the last couple of hours. It’s probably not particularly useful to give recommendations about who to see, without knowing what you want and what budget you’ve got.
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2 minutes ago, mda said:
Hi All,
Been dreaming for a few years now... and have been designing my perfect layout in my head all this time.
I really like Tugs - visited Crick Boat Show a few years ago and the boat that won was an awesome Tug - Emily I think. Anyway, Here's the question which might cause a disturbance and strong opinions:
Does a Tug have to have a traditional engine room and vintage (style) engine rather than a modern trad engine in the back?
I know nothing about engines and am thinking I would need the space for other things.
Thanks,
Miles
You can have whatever you want. There I’ll be a tug at Crick this year that’s a semi trad with a modern engine.
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Just now, Athy said:
People do not generally take too well to being approached by strangers who ask them for money. Much depends, I think, on whether the approacher is a volunteer, as many charity collectors are - but I have heard that some of CART's collector are paid for their services (they may even be on commission, I don't know).
So it’s ok to be rude to them?
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8 hours ago, LadyG said:
Am I the only person that thinks that we can do without some of these Directors of spin: any first year marketing student can come up wth these words in a focus session in the Uni bar. They don't need to visit a canal.
I have to confess, I switched off after the first paragraph, and I am an "interested party" So who is it writtten for: if the Chairperson and the CEO can't find any ideas themselves, thus requiring employment of persons in rubbish jobs, they should fall on their swords.
I've worked for several unsuccessful companies, CRT, exhibits all the characteristics of drowning men clutching at straws particularly in their Wellness Department.
If HM Govt want to make this country a pleasant place to live by laying down good quality towpaths while ignoring litter, graffitti, foul language, knife carrying, drugs , inner city crime, stalking, noise pollution, air pollution, countryside despoilation, THEY NEED THEIR HEADS EXAMINED.
The people CRT are really talking to with all this are the government. When CRT was established, the funding settlement was for ten years. The most important thing on CRT’s agenda, in my view, is getting that extended. Without the £50million a year grant, things will look very bleak.
If you’re trying to convince the government to continue to put £50million a year into the canals, you could make the argument that it’s needed to subsidise the 30,000 or so people who have boats. Or you could say that x million people make use of the canals, and that the ‘well-being’ that results is worth x million (or billion, even). The first argument has no chance; the second argument has some chance.
I really think that people who want the sole focus of CRT to be on boaters, and who don’t want more people using the towpaths, are being very shortsighted and are shooting themselves in the foot. Without that grant, we’ll either have to pay several times more or there will be huge cuts in maintenance.
4 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said:They always give up the instant you mention you are a boater in my experience. I think this is because if they persist, they get the "I already pay CRT £x,xxx k a year and I think that's enough, don't you?" lecture.
The one who was at Foxton this morning came over to chat — and in the course of conversation said that most boaters he encounters are just rude. He was a pleasant guy, just doing his job, who said he’d signed up 360 friends — and yet boaters are rude to him.
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8 hours ago, Lily Rose said:
Ok, it looks like I may have to do slightly longer days from tomorrow to get to Slapton with time left to do another 8 locks each way to Marsworth and back. Then I'll have to resist the temptation to do Aylesbury. Gotta draw the line somewhere, need to keep the hours down to a level where boating feels like fun rather than a chore, and also we have a date in the diary where must be back home to do a road trip down to the west country.
Anyway, I take the point - I need to extend this trip to Marsworth. Please don't start telling me why I should go further than that!
Well the Aylesbury are is lovely too ...
At Marsworth, we like the moorings just through the bridge at the top of the two locks, before the junction. There’s a shelf so you need tyres out, but they’re not on a bend like the ones at the junction itself, and they have a nice view.
Anyway, before that you have lots of nice bits to go through. We prefer the Long Pound at Stoke Bruerne for mooring, as it’s more open that the ones in the village. Another favourite is Stoke Hammond (although until they sort the leaking lock out — have you seen the stoppage for that?) the level drops overnight; and we like the piling just through Bridge 109. You can’t really get away from the trains along most of the route, but you just get used to them after a while.
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5 minutes ago, Tuscan said:
Went past Crick yesterday , stopped for lunch as there was plenty of mooring. Watched some WB’s being craned in for the show. Overnighted not far past Yelvertoft and today to the bottom of the Foxton flight passed 3 moving boats. Volunteers said they had 8 boats all day.
We came past Crick earlier in the week and came down Foxton yesterday. I hope it’s as quiet tomorrow — as we need to go back up to get to the Crick show.
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2 hours ago, dor said:But "wellbeing" doesn't necessarily generate income. What the landlubbers at CRT don't seem to understand is that it is the boats that make the canals such a pleasant environment. They even have their own term - gongoozelers! Without boats, and the management they require, how long would it be before the canals became rubbish-filled stinking ditches.
But this is the whole point. CRT’s aim in all this is to get the government to continue the £50 million a year grant, by making the case that the money produces ‘wellbeing’ worth a lot more. It’s not about getting individual walkers or runners to pay anything.
It is possible to do two different things at the same time — focus on wellbeing for the general population, and do all the boaty things as well. I haven’t seen any suggestion that spending on things like winter works or dredging will be reduced.
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1 hour ago, Tumshie said:
I was intrigued by that Telegraph story
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/05/22/canals-prescribed-gps-combat-depression/
It would seen there are quite a few news stories out there at the moment with CRT as the main 'source'.
Just one story — different treatments of it. Here’s the press release;
OPPORTUNITY FOR MILLIONS TO GAIN HAPPINESS RIGHT ON THEIR DOORSTEP
The charity that cares for the nation’s 2,000 miles of canals and rivers is today setting out how former industrial waterways can improve the wellbeing of millions of people. The Trust’s waterways run through some of the most heavily populated communities in England and Wales providing accessible green and blue space on their doorstep.
With ever increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and other debilitating conditions – and rising levels of stress, anxiety and other mental health conditions in the UK, the Canal & River Trust believes waterways are uniquely placed to make a significant contribution to improving the wellbeing of the nation, with millions of people living within easy reach of one of the free-to-use towpaths running alongside its canals and rivers. New independent research published today shows that simply spending time by the waterways can make you happier and improve your life satisfaction, with an equivalent estimated social wellbeing value of £3.8bn per year (1/2).
Many of the waterways cared for by the charity run through some of our country’s most deprived and multi-cultural urban communities, where their potential impact is greatest, with people living in the least prosperous areas twice as likely to be physically inactive than those living in more prosperous areas (3).
A report commissioned by the charity –Assessing the wellbeing impacts of waterways usage in England and Wales– written by social impact consultancy group Simetrica, reveals:
- The associated benefits of visiting a canal or river increase with the length of visit, with research showing higher levels of happiness and lower levels of anxiety for longer trips
- Any visit to a waterway is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction and visiting regularly is associated with even higher levels of life satisfaction.
The Trust’s research also reveals that three quarters of towpath users say they visit to ‘get away from it all and clear my head’, and because they are ‘great places to relax and de-stress’ (4). However, of the eight million people living within a kilometre of a waterway, currently just three in ten ever visit (5/6); with vast potential to make a meaningful impact on millions of lives.
The charity is today (Wednesday, May 23rd) setting out this enhanced new role for the waterways, to improve the health, happiness and wellbeing for those living in waterside communities. It describes the impact that England & Wales’ 200-year-old waterways can have on a society that’s ranked just 19thin the World Happiness Report and is home to 20 million people who are physically inactive, with some of the worst rates of mental health in the world (7).
Richard Parry, chief executive of the Canal & River Trust, comments: “Our waterways are an amazing historic legacy for us all, and it is exhilarating to find that they can play such an important new role in our lives. This research presents clear evidence for what we might all experience – that we can make life better by water. And for the millions of people living alongside them, especially in our towns and cities where green space is at a premium, canals and rivers can provide a boost to health, happiness and wellbeing. They are free to use and on people’s doorstep.
“Working with partners and local communities, we believe that waterways have the power to make a real difference to people’s lives, and we’re on a mission to make the most of the benefits they can provide.”
Daniel Fujiwara, founding director at Simetrica which offers social impact analysis and policy evaluation of the highest scientific rigour to governments, international organisations, and the private and not-for-profit sectors, comments: “Evidence shows that spending time by water is associated with higher levels of happiness and there are a number of studies underway by the Trust to precisely measure and demonstrate the value of these waterways – in improving people’s wellbeing and the significant benefits this could offer to the NHS and the nation at large.”
In the last year the charity has needed to spend more than £100 million on maintaining and caring for the waterways, making them available for people to escape to, for exercise, or simply to spend time away from the daily routine, with nearly 400 million visits each year (8).
‘Water’ ambition:
- We want over 7 million people (90%) who live close to the waterway to appreciate the benefits they can provide
- Waterways can be the catalyst for more cohesive communities. We want one million volunteering hours every year, and for a quarter of the network – 500 miles - to be adopted and cared for by local communities
- We want one million children and young people to be engaged in our waterways and actively benefit from them
- We want the wellbeing benefits of our beautiful waterside spaces to be celebrated with a quarter of the network awarded a prestigious Green Flag award.
The charity is calling on communities to provide their time as volunteers or to make a regular donation, so the waterways can continue to be cared and enjoyed by everyone. To find out how to feel better by water and to get involved visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
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30 minutes ago, Lily Rose said:
Thanks.
I was planning to turn at Slapton but perhaps I'll go on a bit further depending on when we get to that point. I like short days, especially on the way back so we can spend more time at places we liked the look of.
You need to go beyond Slapton — the next section, between there and Marsworth is one of my favourites. Fantastic views of the Chilterns and the chalk lion.
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47 minutes ago, Jennifer McM said:
I wonder how much the report cost CRT?
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/happiness-available-on-your-doorstep
It got them coverage every 20 minutes on BBC Breakfast tv this morning -- every time Carol did the weather. How much do you think that was worth?
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8 minutes ago, MJG said:
That's not really the point though is it?
The point is the new direction the Trust is taking seems to completely ignore the direct financial contribution that boaters make. I can enjoy the waterways for zilch.
If all you boaters gave up on your boats tomorrow and stopped using the waterways what exactly would CRT have for other users to enjoy. OK the fisherpersons may be happy with that but do people visit waterways to stare at a wet muddy ditch? Of course they don't it's boats that people go to see.
You can hardly argue that boaters are being ignored, when the expenditure on things that are needed for boating far exceeds the amount directly paid by boaters.
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11 minutes ago, Midnight said:
"This is why today we are launching our new brand so we can help millions of people live happier and healthier lives"
Interesting that 90% of their customers don't have boats yet pay nothing. 10% have boats but pay handsomely.
The government pays £50 million a year on behalf of the other 90 per cent — and if we want the government to keep doing that, CRT has to show that they’re getting something for the cash. Otherwise the government is likely to say that the privileged few who can afford a boat should foot the whole bill, and we’ll all end up paying two or three times as much.
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We crossed with a boat comming down Stoke Bruerne Locks a couple of years ago, after it had been picked up that morning from Whilton. The guy was struggling with his first locks, not least because he didn’t know how to keep the boat into the side while waiting for the lock. I suggested he fish his stern rope out of the water before it got round his prop, and asked him if he had a centre line. Not only did he not have a centre line, there wasn’t one of the bow either. I asked him how he was going to moor up with only one rope, and the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind. I also wondered how the boat had been moored up at Whilton.
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Sue’s blog has a list of recycling centres within a short distance of the canal, and the ones that take oil are marked.
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37 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:
Yep spot on. We have carbine hooks attached to the fender rope. Our shell has eyes welded at three points either side on the roof with stainless steel shackles on. Whichever side we moor simply snap the hook to the shackle. Quick and easy and NEVER attached when on the move.
Exactly — and no more effort (minor, wasted, or otherwise) than lifting them.
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1 hour ago, Athy said:
To me, fenders plonked on the gunwales look more shabby. They also mean that walking along the side deck may not be safe.
I gather that you're joking about the weeds - though there's at least one impressive stern-button garden on the Cropredy moorings.
We have carbine hooks on ours, so they get clipped onto the fender eyes in the gunwales when we moor up, and get taken off again before we set off.
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10 minutes ago, Nightwatch said:
No worries Brian. Hope you get well soon. There are posted signs on the thread that refer to long term moorings. It is/can be confusing.
The CRT ones are on long term moorings, the ones on the Thames are on moorings owned by bodies such as Reading Borough Council. They are two different situations.
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What normally happens is that you hang around at the end waiting for a whole procession of boats to come over, then just before it’s free for you to go, another boat will start across from the other end and you’ll have to wait a few minutes more. This could happen a few times. Then as soon as there’s a gap, you head over.
Or you go early in the morning, before everyone else is up.
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10 minutes ago, nipper said:
I saw that sign yesterday. I found it a strange place to put that sort of sign on the perminant moorings side of the canal and not on the visitors side before the water point!
Nipper
That’s the whole point of the CRT version of this, isn’t it? They’re all on permanent mooring sites, presumably to stop people mooring there who haven’t paid.
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1 hour ago, Nightwatch said:
I've tried to call the enforcement agency three times. A choice of six numbers to press to get redirected. I tried three different ones, but got cut off twice after being asked to hold, and the third time I have left a message on someone's mobile.
i also phoned Tesco. Spoke to a pleasant lady who put me on hold. Came back to me with advice to call Reading Council in the morning. I asked her to bring the issue to the notice of senior management as this will stop many customers from visiting the store. I said I'm not prepared to pay £100 to shop in Tescos.
I suspect it’s a waste of time calling the EA. Moorings are owned by the landowner, which in this case appears to be Reading Council. That’s what the sign says.
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We saw this boat in September, as it was being craned out of the water at Rugby Boats at Stowe Hill, after the taking on water incident. It's certainly a very cute little boat. I have an idea the work might have been done at the Blisworth Tunnel boat yard; if I've got that right, it might be that Michael Clarke, the surveyor, saw some of the work going on, and might be willing to have a look for you. His details are here: http://www.northernstarmarine.co.uk/
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9 hours ago, WotEver said:
That’s the boat linked to in post #4 in this thread. The Mike Christian one with the white hull and blue ‘rivets’.
The one in this thread is this one at VC Marine: http://narrowboats.apolloduck.com/boat.phtml?id=562953
the one Matt&Jo are buying is this one, from Great Haywood Boat Sales: https://www.greathaywoodboatsales.co.uk/shop/rosaline/
they are both Mike Christian, and both have colour contrast rivets, but they are not the same boat.
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14 hours ago, WotEver said:
It’s sold now anyway, another couple on this forum have bought it (and will be blacking the, er, rivets).
Deposit paid, awaiting survey.
If you’re talking about Matt&Jo, they’re not buying this one —they managed to find another boat with colour-contrast fake rivets, and they’re buying that one.
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42 minutes ago, 70liveaboard said:
Not a bad looking boat for the price I'd say. Does the shell builder originate from the Mike Heywood stable of builders ? (many years ago).
The dummy rivets does it no favours, there again, they never have done modern boats any favours, even if built to a 'traditional' design. But they could be removed, provided they're not genuine, which I doubt.
Nice little boat.
Mike Christian is a Tyler Wilson name. It’s what they call their more budget shells —although there’s really not much difference. One fewer rubbing strake, I believe, but you still get the nice long swims.
Crick Boat Show
in General Boating
Posted
Jim Birch (who was Oakcraft) builds under his own name now, and will be at Crick this year. You won’t need to book with him, just turn up.
If you want a properly bespoke boat you’re probably going to be looking at £120,000 plus. Some builders might be able to do it for less, such as Aintree who build their own shells, and JD Narrowboats. MGM are usually good value, not sure if they’re there this year. The big names that you’ll probably need to book for include Finesse, Braidbar, Bourne, Aqua Narrowboats. Boating Leisure Services will have a nice 60ft that’s for sale; Stem to Stern are due to have a spec boat there that will probably also be for sale. Stoke Boats are usually worth a look. New and Used May have an off the shelf Aqualine or similar, among their many wide beams.