Paid boat crew?

[Allthatjaz]

We are in a bit of a quandary. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, we are moving from Suffolk to York. Before lockdown, we drove over to have a look at the surrounding options (I'm originally from Harrogate so know the area but not the canals) and we really liked Boroughbridge, especially because its so close to my parents. Anyway, our boats too big for that final lock, so that's out... unless we sell this boat and get something shorter... 58ft. 

So we came home and put our boat on the market but having done this before, we appreciate that it may take some time to sell. 

My husband has been offered work and its a big deal which would be perfect if only we had somewhere to live whilst this boat sold. 

 

I'm now at a stage of thinking we need to just lorry our boat over to Hull and motor it up to York marina, who have said they can accommodate us. The only thing that worries me is the river Ouse. Last time I saw it, it was flooded and a real fast torrent with trees and stuff in it. Whilst I'm used to sailing on fairly high seas, I'm also used to having safe open water, a keel and not a flat bottomed boat. The only experience we have with locks is our huge shipping lock where we presently are. I know I'm nervous because our boat is our home and I appreciate that a canal boat needs a whole new skill set, which we have yet to learn. 

 

In the yachting world its not unusual to get a crew to charter your boat from one place to another (a kind of hired boat delivery). Is there such a thing in the canal world?

My husbands not worried about motoring it along the Ouse but I'm scared witless! I just want a paid crew who know the locks on route and can get this boat safely to York. 

 

Sorry that's all a bit rambled! 

 

[mrsmelly]

If u r going to stick it on a lorry why not straight into York marina? Anyway the ouse is no problem and yes you can pay for someone to move it if u wish. 

[ditchcrawler]

5 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

If u r going to stick it on a lorry why not straight into York marina? Anyway the ouse is no problem and yes you can pay for someone to move it if u wish. 

Thats what I was thinking, dump it in where you want it

[Jen-in-Wellies]

If you do decide to travel from Hull to York Marina, the only lock is at Naburn, which is manned by CaRT staff. This is assuming your boat can do the trip in one go, without needing to perhaps come off the river at Goole say, overnight. You will have to give them notice.

Quote

NaburnLock- Lock keeper shift times / tide times & booking information: Booking details (1Nov 20 until further notice): Naburn Lock Operating Times: Operating before HW: 3hrs Operating after HW: 4.5hrs Booking: 24 hr advanced booking required in winter period. Advisory 24 hr booking in summer. Please contact lock keeper on 01904728500. Summer operating times: 06:00 to 22:00- Last week in Feb to Mid Oct Winter operating times: 06:00 to 22:00 (1st day light tide only)- Mid Oct to last week in Feb Comments:End of tidal section of River Ouse Details of Lock Keeper shift times for Naburn lock are now available to view on the Canal&River Trust website. You can view the shift times here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/yorkshire-and-north-east/lock-keeper-shift-tide-times All lockd are mechanically operated and manned during the operating times detailed above. All lock operations are managed by Canal&River Trust lockkeepers, self-penning is not possible at the above lock.

 

[Mad Harold]

Yes,take it by road all the way.

Much less trouble.

 

[Allthatjaz]

50 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

If u r going to stick it on a lorry why not straight into York marina? Anyway the ouse is no problem and yes you can pay for someone to move it if u wish. 

Thanks for the reply mrsmelly.

They don't have a hoist big enough to lift our boat at York and they don't have a place where we can get a private crane in. Its all very manicured... a bit posh!

Good to know we can get someone to move it. It would certainly make me feel a lot happier. 

36 minutes ago, Mad Harold said:

Yes,take it by road all the way.

Much less trouble.

We would love to do that Harold but alas its not possible.

 

36 minutes ago, Mad Harold said:

 

 

38 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

If you do decide to travel from Hull to York Marina, the only lock is at Naburn, which is manned by CaRT staff. This is assuming your boat can do the trip in one go, without needing to perhaps come off the river at Goole say, overnight. You will have to give them notice.

 

I wonder if we could get it lifted in at Goole. I'll check that one out. Thanks for the advice 

[mrsmelly]

Ahh thought maybe it wouldn't accommodate cranage. It's not far from Naburn lock and a nice area isn't it. When do you need to move the boat? Is it imminent? 

[ditchcrawler]

I would talk to Tucky, they may have somewhere nearby where they can crane in.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

1 hour ago, Allthatjaz said:

I wonder if we could get it lifted in at Goole. I'll check that one out. Thanks for the advice 

Viking Marine at Goole can lift 16 tons.

[Alan de Enfield]

1 hour ago, Allthatjaz said:

They don't have a hoist big enough to lift our boat at York

 

What length, beam and weight are you ?

[David Mack]

2 hours ago, Allthatjaz said:

I just want a paid crew who know the locks on route and can get this boat safely to York. 

 

Paging @matty40s!

[blackrose]

There are probably plenty of people on this forum who might help you move it for free if you ask in the "Crew wanted" section. Just ask for someone who knows the area.

Edited December 5, 2020 by blackrose

[Alan de Enfield]

If you need it moving in the next few months it may be that you will struggle to find anyone willing to share such a confined space with you even for a day.

There are professional 'boat movers' who will do it for you (and normally would allow you to 'help) but are more than happy to do it themseves.

[pete.i]

We got ours moved from Boroughbridge to Selby a couple of years ago We don't have a big boat but, and I don't really care what others say, I wouldn't take a narrow boat on the River Ouse or any other river for that matter. I don't know whether the people that moved our boat were "professionals" or not but we paid them. All we did was ask at Boroughbridge marina and they organised it all for us.

[frahkn]

2 hours ago, pete.i said:

We got ours moved from Boroughbridge to Selby a couple of years ago We don't have a big boat but, and I don't really care what others say, I wouldn't take a narrow boat on the River Ouse or any other river for that matter. I don't know whether the people that moved our boat were "professionals" or not but we paid them. All we did was ask at Boroughbridge marina and they organised it all for us.

That is just silly.

 

I've taken narrowboats on the Severn, the Avon, the Thames, the Trent, the Weaver etc and all of them were enjoyable experiences.

[mrsmelly]

5 minutes ago, frahkn said:

That is just silly.

 

I've taken narrowboats on the Severn, the Avon, the Thames, the Trent, the Weaver etc and all of them were enjoyable experiences.

I agree to a point. Thing is whilst I have done them all several times in differing craft including narrowboats and relish the challenge on occasion including daily driving of 100 ton larger craft on the Trent in flood conditions with nearly 200 people onboard I can see why some people who just pootle about in the ditch system are more wary. Better to be safe than sorry,  but the ouse is a lovely easy journey PROVIDED its done on a sensible tide with sensible precautions and a well maintained boat.

[Alan de Enfield]

13 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

I agree to a point. Thing is whilst I have done them all several times in differing craft including narrowboats and relish the challenge on occasion including daily driving of 100 ton larger craft on the Trent in flood conditions with nearly 200 people onboard I can see why some people who just pootle about in the ditch system are more wary. Better to be safe than sorry,  but the ouse is a lovely easy journey PROVIDED its done on a sensible tide with sensible precautions and a well maintained boat.

Does the Ouse come under the ABP responsibility and bye-laws ?

 

(eg No single handing, VHF compulsory etc)

 

 

Their VHF channels would suggest that at least part of the Ouse comes under their control.

 

 

 

Edited December 5, 2020 by Alan de Enfield

[mrsmelly]

3 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Does the Ouse come under the ABP responsibility and bye-laws ?

 

(eg No single handing, VHF compulsory etc)

 

 

Their VHF channels would suggest that at least part of the Ouse comes under their control.

 

 

 

Dunno without checking presently. The thing is I wouldnt go round Trent end or indeed on and river such as trent, Ouse or even A and C without vhf radio, its a no brainer. A mobile fone is as much use as a chocolate fireguard if you break down and some coaster is bearing down on you unless you happen to have the steerers fone number on speed dial lol. I was once approaching skew bridge in Knottla and all I heard was Skipper of I cant recal which one but a 5/6 hundred ton barge stating skew bridge outbound no more no less. Seconds later after I had slowed it appeared or its bow wave did then the boat, had I not have had vhf i would have needed clean undies at best. being hit by one of those in a poxy little narrowboat would be like you or I stamping on a coke can. Just one ditty about some narrowboaters who are used to ditches, I was on approach to Holme lock one of many times with a boat full of passengers bright sunny afternoon and locky had swung the gates for me to enter topside when  narrowboat with a stupid poxy pram hood up pulled off smartly in front of me from moorings to my right hand side, I had been carefuly watching and luckily managed to pull up and avoid the dick whilst blasting the horn with five short blasts then realising he wouldnt have a clue what five short blasts meant I gave him a hell of a long one as I crept past him. He followed me in the lock a short time after and apologised profusely for NOT SEEING ME!!   100 ton,  painted white 86 feet long over 20 feet beam and over 16 feet air draught. Poxy greenhouse on the back of his boat must have obscured his  glance round  Had this eejut been listening in on VHF he would have known the gates were being opened for me as did other waiting boaters who remained alongside.

[Alan de Enfield]

8 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

The thing is I wouldnt go round Trent end or indeed on and river such as trent, Ouse or even A and C without vhf radio, its a no brainer. A mobile fone is as much use as a chocolate fireguard if you break down and some coaster is bearing down on you unless you happen to have the steerers fone number on speed dial lol.

Repeated for added emphasis for those that think a VHF is not necessary.

[Allthatjaz]

17 hours ago, ditchcrawler said:

I would talk to Tucky, they may have somewhere nearby where they can crane in.

Is Tucky on here?

17 hours ago, mrsmelly said:

Ahh thought maybe it wouldn't accommodate cranage. It's not far from Naburn lock and a nice area isn't it. When do you need to move the boat? Is it imminent? 

We've already moved our workshop up there. We have decided we will stay here till the NY but then we need to get going.

 

16 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

What length, beam and weight are you ?

60x12 and 25 tons. By the way, we aren't keeping this wide beam which has been ideal for round here. We are selling it and getting a narrowboat. 

5 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

If you need it moving in the next few months it may be that you will struggle to find anyone willing to share such a confined space with you even for a day.

There are professional 'boat movers' who will do it for you (and normally would allow you to 'help) but are more than happy to do it themseves.

I'd want it to be professional boat movers. Funnily enough that's what my husband did for years but that was delivering yachts to far away lands.

[Alan de Enfield]

17 minutes ago, Allthatjaz said:

Is Tucky on here?

 

Tuckeys.com | MJT Cranes

 

I used

 

Boat haulage UK, France, Spain, Europe Boathaulage

[Allthatjaz]

1 hour ago, mrsmelly said:

Dunno without checking presently. The thing is I wouldnt go round Trent end or indeed on and river such as trent, Ouse or even A and C without vhf radio, its a no brainer. A mobile fone is as much use as a chocolate fireguard if you break down and some coaster is bearing down on you unless you happen to have the steerers fone number on speed dial lol. I was once approaching skew bridge in Knottla and all I heard was Skipper of I cant recal which one but a 5/6 hundred ton barge stating skew bridge outbound no more no less. Seconds later after I had slowed it appeared or its bow wave did then the boat, had I not have had vhf i would have needed clean undies at best. being hit by one of those in a poxy little narrowboat would be like you or I stamping on a coke can. Just one ditty about some narrowboaters who are used to ditches, I was on approach to Holme lock one of many times with a boat full of passengers bright sunny afternoon and locky had swung the gates for me to enter topside when  narrowboat with a stupid poxy pram hood up pulled off smartly in front of me from moorings to my right hand side, I had been carefuly watching and luckily managed to pull up and avoid the dick whilst blasting the horn with five short blasts then realising he wouldnt have a clue what five short blasts meant I gave him a hell of a long one as I crept past him. He followed me in the lock a short time after and apologised profusely for NOT SEEING ME!!   100 ton,  painted white 86 feet long over 20 feet beam and over 16 feet air draught. Poxy greenhouse on the back of his boat must have obscured his  glance round  Had this eejut been listening in on VHF he would have known the gates were being opened for me as did other waiting boaters who remained alongside.

We have VHF and Steve has his yacht master (not sure if that's the same thing) He is registered to motor up the Thames. We obviously have life jackets. On the Orwell we have massive ships who are continuously giving five blasts of the horn due to people not understanding the rules of the waterways (small vessels sticking to the deep channel and thinking they have right of way over 100,000 tons of metal.

Reading your experiences made me laugh. We once got stuck out in a force 9 for two days. We were close to the Thames estuary and getting nowhere and because of the size of our boat, in the shipping lane. Steve and me decided to get an hours kip whilst our supposedly competent crew member took to the helm. Steve woke up realising something wasn't right and realised a supertanker was passing us so closely in the other direction that he could of painted a stripe down its side! The guy at the helm just said, "its cool man, I saw it". 

5 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Tuckeys.com | MJT Cranes

 

I used

 

Boat haulage UK, France, Spain, Europe Boathaulage

Fantastic... thanks Alan

[Alan de Enfield]

25 minutes ago, Allthatjaz said:

I'd want it to be professional boat movers. Funnily enough that's what my husband did for years but that was delivering yachts to far away lands.

Much more fun - we have a Blue-Water catamaran which we brought back from Croatia to Hull, 3050 miles in 28 days.

 

 

 

 

25 minutes ago, Allthatjaz said:

60x12 and 25 tons. By the way, we aren't keeping this wide beam which has been ideal for round here. We are selling it and getting a narrowboat. 

Shouldn't be a problem - My Cruiser is 14 foot beam with 15 foot airdraft (with everythong folded) we needed Police approval for an agreed route, limited driving hours (no morning or evening movement) and an escort vehicle. Needed a special truck with 4" ground clearance.

 

 

 

Edited December 5, 2020 by Alan de Enfield

[Allthatjaz]

1 minute ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Much more fun - we have a Blue-Water catamaran which we brought back from Croatia to Hull, 3050 miles in 28 days.

 

 

 

 

Ahouldn't be a problem - My Cruiser is 14 foot beam with 15 foot airdraft (with everythong folded) we needed Police approval for an agreed route, limited driving hours (no morning or evening movement) and an escort vehicle. Needed a special truck with 4" ground clearance.

 

 

 

Very nice. I love cats even though they terrify me! 

[Alan de Enfield]

Just now, Allthatjaz said:

Very nice. I love cats even though they terrify me! 

If you don't have two-hulls you only have half-a-boat !!!!