Albion

Just one practical thought that might influence your direction on this issue. You have to remember that the canals are not in such a good state as they were in the real carrying days so the thoughts of a 55 ton laden narrow boat making it round a lot of the system is possibly a bit optimistic. I haven't boated on the UK canals for many years now but, from what I read on here, the system is slowly deteriorating on the dredging front and not getting better. Roger Edited to add: Tony beat me to it ?

While I have no direct experience of Belgian waters, from my experience of French canals it is much easier to have a boat where you can wander up and down the side decks to be able to get ropes onto lock-side bollards that can be spaced inconveniently above you. Yes, it can be done by narrowboat but it is easier if you have walkable side decks rather than the gunnels of a nb. Roger

Yes, that is Mike Clarke's nb and it is still there. He lives near Brussels and generally boats on group outings with his boat club. A friend and Facebook contact of mine. The boat attracts a lot of attention on the Belgian waterways because it is so unusual for those waters. Roger