Farndon to Lincoln Brayford Pool

[Squandered Savings]

Good Afternoon all,

We are new members to the CanalWorld Forum. 

 

We have a small cruiser (24ft) currently mooring in Farndon Marina. We have been exploring the River Trent at weekends and enjoyed a full day cruise from Farndon to Nottingham Castle Marina back in July. 

We are now looking to explore the Trent towards Lincoln. Is it possible to cruise from Farndon Marina to Lincoln Brayford Pool in one day? I realise that it becomes Tidal from Cromwell lock.

 

Many Thanks

[Naughty Cal]

Yes it is possible, but it will be a longish day and is dependent on tide times at Cromwell of course. It will be a more relaxing cruise to do it over a couple of days. Say Farndon to Cromwell Friday evening. Cromwell to Torksey and then Torksey to Lincoln.

 

If you think that Farndon to Nottingham is a long day then you need more than a day to get to Lincoln.

[Kendorr]

Welcome along.

 

Your trip would be about 37 miles. Depending on your engine, it would be around 9 hours. You'd certainly make it through Torksey lock.

Kevin

 

Pipped at the post by Naughty Cal!

Edited September 1, 2020 by Kendorr

[Squandered Savings]

Thanks for the tips, we have a Bayliner 2355 Cruiser with a 4.2L Mercruiser engine.

Our trip from Farndon to Nottingham Castle Marina took 7 hours but that included stop for lunch and almost an hour at Holme lock due to works allowing only one paddle in operation. 

 

 

[Alan de Enfield]

29 minutes ago, Squandered Savings said:

Thanks for the tips, we have a Bayliner 2355 Cruiser with a 4.2L Mercruiser engine.

Our trip from Farndon to Nottingham Castle Marina took 7 hours but that included stop for lunch and almost an hour at Holme lock due to works allowing only one paddle in operation. 

 

 

You will probably need to wait for the tide (before the lockie will open it) at Cromwell, and will certainly need to wait for the tide at Torksey (to be able to get over the Cill).

 

You'd have no problem getting from Cromwell to Torksey against the tide if you can convince the Lockie to let you out. They are used to dealing with underpowered narrowboats and their 'rules' tell them' at what stage of the tide to let them out.

You will have the power to run against the tide with no problem.

 

With the Trent Lockies being struck down by C19 the opening times / days are apparently a bit erratic.

You now need to book passage at Cromwell.

 

Do you have VHF ?

 

If Cromwell lock is not ready for you (topside) then moor against the high-wall and wait for the green lights.

 

If you plan to spend the night there, there is a nice Pontoon 200 yards further upstream (before the wall). A very well kept area with brick-built BBQ 'pits', electric hook-up, toilets, water and showers.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2020 by Alan de Enfield

[Naughty Cal]

55 minutes ago, Squandered Savings said:

Thanks for the tips, we have a Bayliner 2355 Cruiser with a 4.2L Mercruiser engine.

Our trip from Farndon to Nottingham Castle Marina took 7 hours but that included stop for lunch and almost an hour at Holme lock due to works allowing only one paddle in operation. 

 

 

The trip to Lincoln is less locks but as already said you are dictated by the tides at Cromwell and Torksey. Although if there is a bit of fresh on like there has been this week you will get a bigger window if you can convince the lockies to let you out.

 

The Torksey lockies are very good and a bit more flexible than the current chap at Cromwell. 

 

Realistically there is plenty of water for most of the tide in the upper stretch of the tidal Trent from Cromwell to Torksey for most pleasure boats. But if you are at all unsure best to wait until the tide has brought more water in for you.

 

Fuel on the Fossdyke is only available at Burton Waters.

[Alan de Enfield]

12 minutes ago, Naughty Cal said:

The Torksey lockies are very good and a bit more flexible than the current chap at Cromwell. 

The last time I went thru Torksey the 'normal' lockies were off and they had called in a guy who normally cuts the grass - he (and his mate) REFUSED to open the gates until the water level in the cut, reached a certain line that had been painted on the wall - pretty much high tide. I think if had been a neap, he'd never have opened the gates.

[Naughty Cal]

Not sure who that was then. Neil, Adj, Addie and Adrian are all boaters and take a more sensible view on locking ?

 

[Mike Todd]

1 hour ago, Alan de Enfield said:

The last time I went thru Torksey the 'normal' lockies were off and they had called in a guy who normally cuts the grass - he (and his mate) REFUSED to open the gates until the water level in the cut, reached a certain line that had been painted on the wall - pretty much high tide. I think if had been a neap, he'd never have opened the gates.

That is the very sensible action that I would have expected, given the necessity to use an inexperienced member of staff. The only sensible approach is to have a safe set of rules and to stick to them. The only alternative was probably to close the lock altogether.

[Momac]

As a general rule go through Cromwell an hour after high water Hull. You then arrive at Torksey with plenty of depth.

On the way back ....leave an hour after the flood at Torksey before setting off from Torksey to Cromwell.

Edited September 1, 2020 by MartynG

[Momac]

Tide times here

https://tides4fishing.com/uk/england/hull

 

[Momac]

3 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

You will probably need to wait for the tide (before the lockie will open it) at Cromwell, and will certainly need to wait for the tide at Torksey (to be able to get over the Cill).

 

 

 

 

No waiting is necessary if you go at the right time relative to tide.

[Alan de Enfield]

19 minutes ago, MartynG said:

No waiting is necessary if you go at the right time relative to tide.

That solely relies on leaving Cromwell at the 'right time', which cannot be guaranteed.

 

[Momac]

16 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

That solely relies on leaving Cromwell at the 'right time', which cannot be guaranteed.

 

It can with suitable planning. 

 

[Alan de Enfield]

39 minutes ago, MartynG said:

It can with suitable planning. 

 

And, a lockie turning up and letting you down.

[Momac]

35 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

And, a lockie turning up and letting you down.

I didnt book Cromwell  today but they still let me in from the tidal side. There were two lock keepers on today. Grass cutting in progress.

 

[Naughty Cal]

We didn't book Torksey the other day either. We knew they were going to be there so just turned up.

 

We will probably give them the heads up that we are coming in a few weeks though as I expect it will be a lot quieter come October. Not as many boats about.

[Momac]

Cromwell will be on winter hours from 1st October which is usually 8am to 4pm.  The non tidal locks should be manned until the end of October.

 

Quite a few boats about at present and another nice morning today.

 In October on a weekday you may have the river to yourselves. 

[David Mack]

17 hours ago, Naughty Cal said:

It will be a more relaxing cruise to do it over a couple of days.

 

Quite. If you try doing it all in one day, you might be going too fast in Brayford Pool! ?

[Alan de Enfield]

5 minutes ago, David Mack said:

 

Quite. If you try doing it all in one day, you might be going too fast in Brayford Pool! ?

Is there a speed limit there, and, what happens if you break the speed limit ?

[MrsM]

15 hours ago, Mike Todd said:

 

Won't let me reply without quoting ?. In Cromwell lock now. Just phoned ahead this morning. Lockie very helpful. CCTV isn't working at Nether Lock so had to walk round to get his attention. Had quick look but couldn't find a number for Nether. Trent very gentle and beautiful today. 

[Alan de Enfield]

1 hour ago, MrsM said:

CCTV isn't working at Nether Lock so had to walk round to get his attention. Had quick look but couldn't find a number for Nether. Trent very gentle and beautiful today. 

 

As you are going to be spending a fair amount of time on the Trent it is worth investing in a VHF (and the training).

You can call the lockie up and say "10 minutes out can we please pen up / down" and the gates will be open on your arrival - straight in and no waiting.

[Naughty Cal]

1 hour ago, MrsM said:

Won't let me reply without quoting ?. In Cromwell lock now. Just phoned ahead this morning. Lockie very helpful. CCTV isn't working at Nether Lock so had to walk round to get his attention. Had quick look but couldn't find a number for Nether. Trent very gentle and beautiful today. 

That is why VHF is handy.

3 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Is there a speed limit there, and, what happens if you break the speed limit ?

Not much 

4 hours ago, MartynG said:

Cromwell will be on winter hours from 1st October which is usually 8am to 4pm.  The non tidal locks should be manned until the end of October.

 

Quite a few boats about at present and another nice morning today.

 In October on a weekday you may have the river to yourselves. 

Not overly bothered if the non tidal locks are manned or not. They are easy enough to self operate anyway. It doesn't really make a great deal of odds if we do them or a lockie does them.

 

We are hoping that this weather lasts into early October. It has been lovely the last few days. Not bothered about it being overly warm we just need it to be dry if we are heading up onto the Soar as we need to take the hoods off and drop the arch.

[MrsM]

1 hour ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

As you are going to be spending a fair amount of time on the Trent it is worth investing in a VHF (and the training).

You can call the lockie up and say "10 minutes out can we please pen up / down" and the gates will be open on your arrival - straight in and no waiting.

Absolutely top of our list Alan, and the qualification needed to use one. X

[Momac]

3 hours ago, MrsM said:

Absolutely top of our list Alan, and the qualification needed to use one. X

I would certainly recommendation vhf qualification  not least because one person on board is legally required to hold a vhf operators certificate if a vhf radio is operated. A ships radio license must also be held and can be obtained  free of charge from Ofcom.

 

I believe it is possible to complete the course for the vhf operators certificate online.

http://www.lincsboattraining.com/

 

.