[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

I'm not convinced of that - can you supply a reference document that confirms it? As far as I'm aware, GPS-based speed measuring is highly accurate above walking speed, with an adequate lock.

GPS needs to pinpoint your location (which it will do fast), but that is all that GPS can do. To determine speed, it needs to pinpoint a second location, and from these two the unit can calculate the speed traveled (distance devided by time taken to travel that distance). To get an accurate speed measurement a minimum distance needs to be traveled (the exact numbers I can't remember, I will have to loook them up). For ease of argument, take 1meter intervals for the pinpointing. when the second pimpoint is established, the unit will calculate the speed traveled, but whilst it does this, you are moving along. so when it displays the speed of the first meter, you have already traveled the next meter, and the corresponding pinpoint needs to be calculated. So the speed displayed, is by neccessity the speed that you have traveled before, not the actual speed that you are traveling at at that moment. Whilst you are traveling at a steady speed, this may not be a problem, but when you drive at a fluctuating speed (such as in traffic, on a twisty road, town, etc.. ) the speed that is displayed is not going to be accurate, because when you are speeding up, the speed displayed will be lower, and if you are braking, the speed displayed will be higher. This is considering that you have a good GPS device, and a good lock on three satelites. Any interuption of the signals will mean that no accurate speed can be calculated. The signal connection in our build up country is not reliable enough to use your GPS as a speedo. Taking all this into account, it depends on the speed and accuracy of your specific GPS device how accurate any speed indication at any given time is. But a GPS can not measure your actual speed, because it does not have a connection to any moving part of your vehicle.

I don't have a document to proof this to hand, but that is how the GPS system works. Whilst the satelites are still operating that is.

The only device that can measure the speed of your vehicle in real time is a speedometer, which is connected to either the wheel (as on bikes), or the drive shaft in the gearbox, because it measures the speed of this part, as it moves.

Radar technology is antique, and highly inaccurate at best. Not relied on much these days... The Type-24 radar in most Gatso units only gets away with Home Office approval by being backed with the photographic evidence from the 'calibration' marks on the road. That is true, my statement was to general. In a straight line, over a short distance, a radar is fast enough to be accurate, but because the beam can bounce of the object it can not be considered reliable unless it's used under strikt conditions. For road speed use, the are indeed not really reliable enough.

 

 

By a camera, possibly - and I'm not convinced of that. The camera does not make any considerations, only the person who sets the machine. And whilst they may use the [10%+2} guideline sometimes, there are cases where trucks have been done for less than that, as indicated by their Tachographs. Although I will concede that that may also involve a degree of radar inaccuracy. The large, flat rear doors of trucks don't always bounce the radar back properly.

 

I've not seen the ACPO minutes of a meeting which rescinded that [10% +2] guideline - can you supply them?

No, I can't, but the fact that this 'guideline' has not officially been rescinded does not mean that the 'guideline' is adhered to as if set in stone. It is still a guideline, the 70mph is a law, and as such will overrule the guideline. Going to court purely on the bases that 'I was doing 78mph, and that is allowed under the guidelines' is not going to get you off the hook. Like you stated, the painted lines by the GATSO are measured proof.

 

PC

[selling and other services from boat on K&A]

I think it could be a goer but you'd need to do more than just pump outs to make a living imo. I mean how many a day would you need to perform to make a living?

 

But yeah, please come and pump me out. I'm in widcome at the moment, bath narrowboats closes at 4, I finish work at 5 and my bowl overfloweth.

 

 

That's what I mean, if there are enough boats who can not/ want not use the pump out facilities, there would be a market for this. I would be pretty much available anytime, within reason. Additional income could come from selling other goods, possibly. But there may be restrictions (no, lets make that there WILL be restrictions.. ) such as efluent and foodstuffs in a confined space etc.. carrying fuel, other than coal, would also need extensive complience and specialist equipment (I imagine) .

[selling and other services from boat on K&A]

We're spoilt for choice in the long pound and east of that there are plenty of pump out stations or boatyards offering their services,

 

Andy sells coal and diesel and offers a signwriting/painting service

 

The nature of that end of the canal (quite rural in places) means that most regular visitors have a car or at least a means of transport available. A floating shop may work but I feel it will be more for 'pin' money than a business. People that seem to do well are offering a craft/skill, joiners, seamstresses, gasfitters, electricians & mechanics and when I say 'do well' I mean scrape a pittance. If a pittance is all you need to exist then you may be in luck.

 

Good luck, our paths will probably cross as that area of the canal is a regular haunt of mine.

 

Paul

 

I would have to see what relevant skills I have for this kind of departure.. I can splice ropes, but I doubt I'll make a living out of that.. I'm handy with spanners (used to maintain etc my bikes) , but have no actual hands on experience with marine diesels (yet..), other than the usual things like oil and filter changes etc.. although a manual would go a long way. I'm not a bad painter (I paint scale models and figures) but again no relevant experience painting boats.

 

Thanks for your info on Andy's business Paul.

[selling and other services from boat on K&A]

Another one which I would like some feedback on from those at the shap end...

 

According to http://www.lock13.co.uk/boats/coaldiesel.htm there is one boat selling diesel on the K&A. I read in another post that there might well be interest in a boat offering pump out facilities. Is this the case? I have obviously no intention to try and step on Andy's toes (if indeed he is trading) but if there would be a business opportunitie (making a living whilst living so to speak.. ) I would like to investigate it. Truck driving is great, but after 20+ years I have been thinking about a chance.

 

Would there be a market for say a Pump Out service on the K&A. ( I work on a tanker truck at the moment, so I'm used to working with pump gearetc, and I'm used to being surrounded by effluent, albeit from the bovine variety... ). What about casettes?

 

Short off contacting the current trader (I'm only looking at possibles at the moment) and encrouching on his business, would there be call for more/different service? The list only list that Andy sells diesel, how about coal? toilet pape? matches, you know the thing. Those little essentials that you run out off in the middel of nowhere...

 

I realise that there would be rules and regulations to be considered, but before I delve into that, I would like to know if it is feasible at all. It would also mean changing the type (and size) of boat I would need to look for. Or could such a thing be done with a butty?

 

Thanks for your responses, they are much appreciated and a great help.

[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

I drive at 79mph according to the sat nav. Quite accurate.

 

 

That is some boat you have...

 

sorry, I find open goals hard to resist...

 

Sat navs are not accurate for speed measuring, because there is a delay between the position locating, and actual calculation of speed.

it takes a certain distance traveled for the sat nav to be able to calculate your average speed over that distance. What it actually displays, is the speed you have been doing a short while ago.. accuracy and delay timing vary wildly between systems. The only accurate means of measuring your road speed is through a calibrated speedo (like the tachograph in a truck), or with a calibrated radar gun. Even the Radar gun can only be used as evidence if the speed measured was consitant over a certain distance, i.e. if you brake sharp (or even accelerate, if you feel brave enough...) the radar can not get a true reading.

And 79 'real' mph is 9mph over the limit, and you will be done for that by a camera. Actual police patrol depends on how busy they are, and the flow of the traffic.

 

And yes, if I do get on the water, I will be a very considerate boater. Being able to get away is a very large attraction of living on a boat.

[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

I'd say it's when genuine visitors on holiday, be they hire boats or owned, cannot find anywhere to tie up for the night because the moorings are always full. Read some of the user group meeting minutes and you'll see the complaints from cruising clubs etc. Bw get complaints from other boaters and have to be seen to do something about it.

 

Aside from that, there isn't any more impact on facilities etc AFAIK....

 

Edited to add: 'Full' does not mean a solid line of moored boats all the way from Bristol to where the canal meets the Thames. HTH.

 

 

I see, thanks.

Still, there are plenty of spots on the K&A to moor, perhaps not 'convinient' for those on holiday, who after all want to do the sightseeing etc, and may not be adapted to live in the sticks, but on the other hand, I would very much be mooring in the sticks. As long as I can get the bike to the road (to get to work), I don't need either people or pubs etc around me. The ability to move the boot is one of the main reasons to go and live on one..

[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

A better example would be someone driving at 79mph on the motorway as you are allowed 10%+2mph over the speed limit.

 

 

**puts on pedant hat..**

 

no, you are not. Driving at 79mph is breaking the law (speed limit). the allowance is to account for small inaccuracies in your speedo, and the speed measuring device. If you drive at 79mph acCording to your speedo, you may well be driving faster, or slower than that speed. Even the size, and wear, of your tyres will change the speedo reading.

 

**takes of pedant hat **

 

(edited some annoying spelling mishtakes..)

[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

I read them.

 

The intent seems clear.

 

You want to know what you can get away with, whilst remaining within the letter of the rules.

 

The K&A is full and seems to have a large and thriving "community" all pulling the same stunts to get around the inconvenient rules.

 

BW are doubtless going to start playing hardball soon.

 

 

If I remain within the letter of the rule, where is that considered 'getting away with it'? Am I 'getting away with it' every time I pay for my shopping? When I pay for one hour parking, and I park for 59 minutes, am I 'getting away with it'?

 

If anything, if I pay for a Leisure Mooring, by moving my boat around, I DON'T try to get away with it regards living on my mooring, something which I'm sure happens a lot in Marinas, where they may look the other way.

 

As for the assumption that the K&A is full, what are the criteria for 'full'? I have not walked the length of the path, but I do cross a few of the bridges every day, and even around the bridges there seems to be plenty of space. I had a look on Google Earth, and there are only a few areas where there are a lot of boats together, but the empty space by far outweighs the populated. If it is putting an undue strain on the resources, that may be the case, but that is not the fault of the boaters. Yoiu pay licence fee (or tax.. sorry carl ) to BW, who are therefor e obliged to provided certain services. Their inability to do so is not the fault of somebody who wants top live on the canal.

 

On that note, I understand that there is one trader who trades on the K&A (from his boat), so perhaps there would be a possibility for a business here (without stepping on someones toes obviously..) ? I understand that a boat offering a PO facility might be popular? I may consider a change of career... no, really.

[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

Thanks for those who answered my questions whilst I was called away. It is getting a lot clearer.

 

I have not been on the K&A but I have heard enough to stay away. If you go ahead you give me another reason not to visit.

 

Nou nou, I do intent to buy a boat WITH a shower, so no need for that....

[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

He does have a point though. You are asking us how to cheat the system on a busy part of the system. A mooring should be the first thing on your list, before putting the house for sale or searching for a boat. Moorings are becoming scarce in most areas.

 

If the wording of my post gives the indication that I'm looking to 'cheat' the system, then that is my mistake, as I do not wish to do so. I am trying to establish how the rules work, and what is possible, within those rules. If abaiding by the rules, even at the edge of them, is considered cheating, then what chance for those wishing to enter into this life?

 

to clarify, yes, if I can get a Resi Morring, I will pay the market rate. Rates within the area that I look at are affordable, and comparable with any reasonable dwelling on land. I would also appreciate the added bonus of having a convinient location to use as my address, to get my post, and maybe even hook up to the mains (perish the thought.. ).

 

Falling that, and considering that I plan to cruise the K&A from roughly the Hungerford area to Bradford on Avon anyway, if it is within the rules, I would read the rules that having a Leisure Mooring means that you can't live at the mooring, but that it would not prohibit cruising the canal in a smaller area. Again, I would obviously abide by local restrictions (14 days, 48 hours etc..),

 

I DON,T want to cheat the system by claiming a (cheap) CC permit, and then bridge hopping in the Pewsey Vale... believe me, trying to stay legal whilst driving a truck is enough of a battle for me.

[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

So what you really want to know is how to cheat the system, and live aboard without either paying the going rate for a residential mooring, or adhering to the CC rules.

 

Accept that it isn't going to work.

 

 

I have been reading a lot of this forum recently, and somehow, I'm not surprised by your answer... or the typically condesending tone of it. If you would read my questions...

[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

You will be lucky to find a residential mooring on the K & A - and if you did would you be prepared to pay the market rate?

 

I realise that, the marinas where I enquired have long waiting lists. I'm not neccessarily looking for a Residential Mooring, a Leisure one will be O.K., as long as that means that I can stay in the area, without falling foul of the regs..

[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

I'm currently looking into the options for living on a boat (house is on the market, and the 'D' word has been muttered by swmbo on a few heated occassions... ), and so far one thing is clear, a Residential Mooring is not going to happen, and a Leisure Mooring may not be available either. I will need to be on the K&A (East of Caen Hill... ) because of my job. Travel from the boat won't be a problem, I plan on using a (small) motorbike/ moped that can be carried in the cratch. I am going to find out if their are any farmers with land along the canal whom I could moor with , and to that extent I have a few questions:

 

1 If you moor on a Leisure Mooring, I understand that you can not live on that mooring, but are you allowed to live on the boat, away from the mooring? As I understand the rules, the restricting goes purely on the mooring, not the actual boat.

 

2. following on that, if you move away from the mooring, are you then required to move a substantial distance between moorings (as per the CC licence), or can you remain in the same area, so long as you comply with the local mooring time restrictions?

 

3. This one is a bit of a curve ball perhaps, but if I'm moored on private land, on the other side of the canal, how do the powers that be check on me/the boat/licences. Considering that when I'm there, it will be during the day (I work nights), how would the powers that be determine if I 'live on the mooring', rather than visiting my boat. Same would go to some extend in a Marina I suppose, although there are more people around, some of whom are likely to be 'twitchers'. Not that I'm looking for loopholes to cheat the system (there's to much of that in my profession already, and to be fair, the cost of a licence and/or mooring is not that prohibitive), just curious.

 

4. Can a farmer simply rent out a mooring on his land, or does he need planning permission for this? I presume that for Resitential Mooring he needs to jump through hoops aplenty, but what about Leisure Moorings?

 

To clarify, I intend to move the boat often at any rate (even if I would be lucky and secure a Resi spot) , as that is what it is all about in the end.. otherwise you might as well by a canal side property...

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Moorings on Private (farm) land, K&A]

oopps, sorry, double post. Mods please remove this one...