matty40s Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Looks like the Middlewich breach and the ongoing Macclesfield locks fiasco has cost us another canal business. After having the Dutton breach to contend with just a few years ago - where Paul went beyond what a normal business should to move boats and help boaters out, it is sad to see the boats being auctioned off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Their web site is still showing boats for hire - I hope you are wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Sad news indeed, I remember seeing their base on my first trip to the northern canals in the early 80's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted March 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 1 minute ago, Athy said: Their web site is still showing boats for hire - I hope you are wrong. Auction Now Posted Please see below for details NARROW BOATS, MAINTENANCE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT NarrowboatsGryphon – 2008 36ft Seated Day Boat constructed by Liverpool Boats, Steel Hull, Thorneycroft T95 EngineMock Turtle – 2000 36ft Day Boat constructed by Liverpool Boats, Steel Hull, Thorneycroft T95 EngineBeeston Castle – 2004 56ft, 6 Berth constructed by Liverpool Boats, Steel Hull, Beta 43 KC 175A Engine (1,914 hours), Hydraulic DriveNorton Priory – 2000 65ft, 8 Berth Constructed by Liverpool Boats, Steel Hull, Beta 43 KC 175A EngineConsall Forge – 2005 66ft 6in, 10 Berth, Steel Hull, Thorneycroft T95 Engine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 As only five (of a listed fleet of 14) are for sale, it looks as if they are just getting rid of some of their older ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 BY ORDER OF THE DIRECTOR OF CLAYMOORE NARROWBOATS LIMITED PENDING LIQUIDATION ONLINE AUCTION NARROW BOATS, MAINTENANCE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT NarrowboatsGryphon – 2008 36ft Seated Day Boat constructed by Liverpool Boats, Steel Hull, Thorneycroft T95 EngineMock Turtle – 2000 36ft Day Boat constructed by Liverpool Boats, Steel Hull, Thorneycroft T95 EngineBeeston Castle – 2004 56ft, 6 Berth constructed by Liverpool Boats, Steel Hull, Beta 43 KC 175A Engine (1,914 hours), Hydraulic DriveNorton Priory – 2000 65ft, 8 Berth Constructed by Liverpool Boats, Steel Hull, Beta 43 KC 175A EngineConsall Forge – 2005 66ft 6in, 10 Berth, Steel Hull, Thorneycroft T95 Engine Tools and Equipment Karcher HDS7/10 4M Pressure Washer Kipor KDE 6700T Diesel Generator 5kVA Dewalt DW706E Mitre Saw, 240v Metabo Elektra Bekum HC260 Planer Thicknesser Metabo Elektra Bekum TKHS 315 Table Saw Power Ring Trade Charger 55T Battery Starter Osaki 24Ltr Compressor Quantity of Tools, Parts, Spares & Accessories View Lots & Bid General Notes Conditions of Sale ••••••• AUCTION VENUE: THE WHARF, PRESTON BROOK, WARRINGTON, WA4 4BA Viewing: Tuesday 26th March 11am – 2pm (By Appointment Only)Closes: Thursday 28th March from 10amCollection: From Tuesday 2nd April 0345 257 2533 View Lots & Bid PLEASE NOTE - WE NO LONGER ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Hmmmm, "pending liquidation" doesn't sound too promising. Its possible that the other 9, possibly younger, boats, were not owned by Claymoore themselves, thus cannot be liquidated and will go back to their true owners (or another hire firm in a similar arrangement). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 How sad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Of course, they could be sponsored boats. I was looking for a chink of light at the end of Preston Brook tunnel, but it looks as if there isn't one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmr Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Very sad, we just got some old waterways world magazines from the local market and I noted that Claymore were advertising hire boats in 1979 so they are a long established company. Also the first two hire boats of the season went past us this morning so at least Shire Cruisers are up and running. ................Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plainsman Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 This is a real sod. First hire boat with spouse from here donkey's years ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 I don't know the area but I infer from earlier comments that the boats'cruising range has been shortened by repair work. The Middlewich breach was, from memory, last year so I suppose it has been repaired by now, but are Macclesfield Locks currently out of commission? It does occur to me, though, that we are at the very beginning of the hire-cruising season (not even at that stage yet around here) so I'm not sure how business has been affected by these closures so soon. If it was July I'd understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudds Lad Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Marple locks maybe? Macc was fine last month other than the dredging but that just meant slowing and waiting a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Athy said: It does occur to me, though, that we are at the very beginning of the hire-cruising season (not even at that stage yet around here) so I'm not sure how business has been affected by these closures so soon. If it was July I'd understand. I think you need to study when those closures started, and all the other restrictions in the North over recent periods. There seemed to be times when much of the Northern canals were closed as through routes. The Peak Forest closure has been extended until 24th May. We planned to go that way to get to the HNBC historic boat gathering at Hebden Bridge - now impossible, because the stoppage doesn't end until the date of the event. Quote Lock 11 Marple, Marple Flight, Peak Forest Canal. Notice Details From Date: 23rd July 2018 at 17:00 To Date: 24th May 2019 at 16:00 inclusive Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Structure failure Notice updates: 06/02/2019 @ 17:24 Unfortunately, whilst the works at Marple Lock 11 have been progressing steadily throughout the winter so far, they are a few weeks behind our original intended schedule. It is now planned to re-open the canal to boats by close of play on Friday 24th May 2019. Delays have been encountered in the piling phase of the works, with the augering of the ground and reinforced concrete pile installation behind the existing lock walls proving slower than expected, as well as having to address some design changes due to site constraints. However, the piling is now complete, ensuring the ground is stable so that the failed lock walls can be carefully dismantled. Given the progression of the works to date, at this stage we now have more certainty regarding the expected duration of the next phase; take-down of both lock walls, followed by their re-building back to the correct alignment. This is complex and time consuming, as the walls are being re-constructed like-for-like, in order to comply with heritage requirements. Lock 11 is a Grade II Listed structure. We apologise for this ongoing closure, and are pushing forward to complete the re-construction of the lock as soon as possible. 22/08/2018 @ 13:52 Due to further movement of the chamber wall at Marple Lock 11, the lock is now too narrow for boats to fit through safely. As such, the Marple Lock Flight is unfortunately closed to navigation. We have considered repeating the jacking operation to the lock walls to try and get a couple of additional weeks of navigation. However, we have dismissed this option as this would likely take around 2 weeks to complete and would coincide with the date the Marple and Bosley flights are closed to preserve water on the Upper Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canal sections. We appreciate this is very frustrating for our customers and we are sorry for the inconvenience this causes. Our teams are busy planning the re-building of the lock walls and the flight will remain closed until this is complete. The works to re-build the lock are currently anticipated to take place from November 2018 to March 2019. Given its depth and location, this is an extremely complex operation. Concrete retaining structures will be installed first on either side of the chamber, and the walls will then be carefully taken down to base level. They will then be re-built to the original alignment to reinstate suitable width to the lock, with the retaining structures behind providing the necessary ground support to prevent future movement of the reconstructed walls. Thorough site investigation works have now been completed, including boreholes to confirm the ground conditions, trial pits to establish the location of the wall buttresses and coring of the lock walls themselves to identify their exact depth. All of this was necessary to be able to confirm a detailed design for the repair solution, the works for which are ongoing. Following this, the proposed repairs will have to go through a consent process with the lock being a Grade II listed structure and valued heritage asset, before the works on site will be able to commence. We will provide more details in due course. Description: Due to further movement of the chamber wall at Marple Lock 11, the lock is now too narrow for boats to fit through safely. As such, the Marple Lock Flight is closed to navigation. We have considered repeating the jacking operation to the lock walls to try and get a couple of additional weeks of navigation. However we have dismissed this option as this would likely take around 2 weeks to complete and would coincide with the date we have decided to close the Marple and Bosley Flights to preserve water on the Upper Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canal sections. We appreciate this is very frustrating for our customers and we are sorry for the inconvenience this causes. Our teams are busy planning to complete the re-building of the lock walls and the Flight will remain closed until this is complete. We will be able to provide an update on the proposed timescales as soon as they are available. Location: Peak Forest Canal Starts At: Lock 1 Ends At: Lock 16 Edited March 19, 2019 by alan_fincher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 6 minutes ago, alan_fincher said: I think you need to study when those closures started, and all the other restrictions in the North over recent periods. I think you're probably right - but as we never seem to go that far North on the boat, I tend not to follow them closely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgreg Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Sad news indeed. We hired from Claymoore a couple of times many years ago. A very friendly company: even let us have the boat the night before the hire was booked (free of charge) as it was available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-M Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 A great shame, I introduced Mrs-M to canals with a hire boat from Claymore. We hired for a week and then asked if we could extend to 10 days and did Llangollen and back. They were always very welcoming and we hired from them a few times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick D Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 What a shame. The fist time we introduced our children to boating was on a boat hired from Claymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire cat Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Claymore boats could often be seen travelling the Cheshire Ring. Day One Preston Brook to Manchester etc. Day two or three was the Marple flight and it has been out of action for a long time. I think the last time I went to Preston Brook Midland Chandlers was January and I did notice the boatyard was looking unusually tidy. I hope it's not terminal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGoat Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 I've / we've been boating on the canals since 1975 (cheesh) and have seen the gradual decline of small hire boat companies. Started with Planet Craft or was it - fleet, almost under the M5 in 1975 when there was no water. Since ten we've seen the smaller operators - who invariably gave great service and whose boats were different (i.e. not bulk purchased), so each was different. As folks demand "services" and increasingly have little knowledge of simple mechanics - and care less than the boat, it has become increasingly obvious that the only way to survive is to have a large fleet with enough staff to service the customers 'needs'. As CMers increasingly congest any free moorable mooring spaces, I can see first timers not returning and the whole industry declining except for a very few honeypot locations. CaRT's apparent incompetence will only hasten the demise. We used to love an occasional trip down to London - but no more and even the Thames is becoming less fun as the CMers make even above Oxford less pleasant. Bums - anyone want to buy a 60 footer with a big engine.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonka Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 51 minutes ago, OldGoat said: I've / we've been boating on the canals since 1975 (cheesh) and have seen the gradual decline of small hire boat companies. Started with Planet Craft or was it - fleet, almost under the M5 in 1975 when there was no water. Since ten we've seen the smaller operators - who invariably gave great service and whose boats were different (i.e. not bulk purchased), so each was different. As folks demand "services" and increasingly have little knowledge of simple mechanics - and care less than the boat, it has become increasingly obvious that the only way to survive is to have a large fleet with enough staff to service the customers 'needs'. As CMers increasingly congest any free moorable mooring spaces, I can see first timers not returning and the whole industry declining except for a very few honeypot locations. CaRT's apparent incompetence will only hasten the demise. We used to love an occasional trip down to London - but no more and even the Thames is becoming less fun as the CMers make even above Oxford less pleasant. Bums - anyone want to buy a 60 footer with a big engine.... Only 1975, newbie put the tea on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewIC Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 The Cheshire Cat, which was the first boat we ever hired, went to Thorn Marine last year. Claymoore were also operating Dutton Dry Dock but I gather that has also ceased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haggis Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 1 hour ago, AndrewIC said: The Cheshire Cat, which was the first boat we ever hired, went to Thorn Marine last year. Claymoore were also operating Dutton Dry Dock but I gather that has also ceased. Cheshire Cat is owned by Connie. a Dutch lady. Her and her husband, Cor (who sadly died a few years ago) had an "arrangement" with Claymore which I think was along the lines of them maintaining the boat and hiring it out when Cor and Connie didn't want to use it and they got some of the hire fees. When we were on the Bridgewater last autumn we saw Cheshire Cat at Thorn and as someone was working on it, we asked if it was still owned by Connie (we had sort of lost touch with one another) and he said that yes it was and they were now looking after it for her. After Cor died, Connie carried on boating on her own. They were members of many canal societies and when they joined they usually took out a life membership to save the problem of paying an annual sub when they lived in Holland. A lovely couple who we first met when we cruised the Manchester Ship Canal on Copperkins. haggis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Posted March 20, 2019 Report Share Posted March 20, 2019 (edited) 19 hours ago, Athy said: I don't know the area but I infer from earlier comments that the boats'cruising range has been shortened by repair work. The Middlewich breach was, from memory, last year so I suppose it has been repaired by now, but are Macclesfield Locks currently out of commission? It does occur to me, though, that we are at the very beginning of the hire-cruising season (not even at that stage yet around here) so I'm not sure how business has been affected by these closures so soon. If it was July I'd understand. Hired from Claymore (just north of Preston Brook tunnel) several times before getting a boat. The two most popular routes from there where Llangollen and the Cheshire ring. No wonder the poor souls are struggling. CRT should be ashamed over their failures at Marple and Middlewich. Edited March 20, 2019 by Midnight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boater Sam Posted March 20, 2019 Report Share Posted March 20, 2019 23 minutes ago, Midnight said: Hired from Claymore (just north of Preston Brook tunnel) several times before getting a boat. The two most popular routes from there where Llangollen and the Cheshire ring. No wonder the poor souls are struggling. CRT should be ashamed over their failures at Marple and Middlewich. CRT should be ashamed over their failures at Marple and Middlewich. I've tried to shame them but of course they are good at ignoring criticism, And don't think that the Middlewich debacle is over, there is still a waterfall onto the main road under the aqueduct. Reporting it to CRT is a waste of time. They have been "monitoring" it since 21st December 2018. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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