A Bloody Yankee on the Canals

[john6767]

My initial thoughts….

 

If you are intending to do this on your own, it will be hard to find a hire company that will hire to an inexperienced solo boater.  So finding one has to be the factor that decides where.  If you could make the timing work, you could possibly look at doing the helmsman course immediately before, that may make hire companies more amenable.

 

As to timing, You don’t  really need to leave it until mid September, the schools go back at the end of August or beginning of Sept (you should be able to find term date through Google), so the sooner the better as the weather goes down hill very quickly in Sept.

[JohnEW2912]

3 hours ago, zenataomm said:

Hi Greg!

 

Don't apologise for your origins, seems there was one at the court of King Arthur.

Just a suggestion as you are a newbie.

Fly into East Midlands Airport

Taxi to Napton (3 hire baotyards to choose from)

Why East Midlands? Birmingham airport is way nearer and would be an awful lot easier to fly into than EMA, which has precious few scheduled flights. Heathrow isn’t much further away than EMA.

[Greg K]

9 hours ago, doratheexplorer said:

Hi Greg,  Would you be looking for canals only, or a mix of canal and river?

 

Probably not a tidal river, but rivers are OK in addition to canals.

9 hours ago, Mad Harold said:

Choose a part of the country that is relatively flat.

Hills = locks,and as you have stated,you don't want your holiday to turn into a locking excercise.

 

I don't mind a few lock, but would rather avoid doing 10-12 in a day.

8 hours ago, bizzard said:

If you cook and gorge on all that stodge Greg they'll want to weigh you instead of your baggage at the airport when homeward bound. 

Alls I know is I've never had steak & kidney pie and you legendary breakfasts, well....I suppose I'll just have to work a few locks to wear off the food.

[Greg K]

5 hours ago, IanD said:

Agreed -- and they're bad enough even if there are two of you, some are well-nigh impossible for one person to move. With most of them when you open the bridge you're stuck on the offside and can't get back to the boat, *very* tricky if you're on your own... 😞

 

As a single-hander you'll find the locks on narrow canals considerably easier than broad canals, so as a first-timer I'd suggest staying narrow if possible.

 

Many of the rings that are rural have a lot of locks on (typically around 100) which you say you don't really want to do, the ones with fewer locks tend to be more industrial in places which also isn't what you're looking for. A ring also has the problem -- especially as a first-time single-hander -- that you're committed to getting round it, which can mean some very hard work and long hours if there are unexpected delays or you don't make as much progress as planned -- CanalplanAC is great for working out where you might be able to get to.

 

The Llangollen is often chosen by novices, it has spectacular aqueducts and not too many locks and out-and-back would be an easy fortnight, but it gets *very* busy (even in September) and long stretches of it are quite boring, all you can see is hedges.

 

An out-and-back trip on the Southern Oxford might suit you better -- lovely rural narrow canal, no time pressure, starting from Napton Junction and going to Oxford and back would be a very relaxed fortnight for a single-hander. Napton Narrowboats are good, I've used them several times in the past, and they have some very nice high-quality 2-berth boats.

 

But I don't know if they'll hire to novice single-handers, finding a firm that will do this (any suggestions from the forum?) could be your biggest problem... 😞

 

["you" is Greg here, not John...]

 

Yes, I'm afraid being a single handed hire won't make it.  Many rental companies specifically state won't rent to singles.  

[Greg K]

5 hours ago, The Happy Nomad said:

 

Welcome.

 

Your potential stumbling block will be single handing. One way you might get around this is booking direct with a company rather than through somebody like Hoseasons who from memory make ar least 2 on board a blanket condition of hire.

 

And of course lots of companies only go with direct bookings anyway. Best course would be to ring them and ask. ISTR people have found companies that will hire to single handers, though your lack of experience may be a further issue.

 

Good luck.

Thanks.  Others have mentioned going direct instead of though website booking agencies.  But yeah, the single handed things will be the sticky bit.

[Greg K]

5 hours ago, IanD said:

Opinions on the Llangollen differ, depending what you consider boring 😉

 

The Four Counties Ring is very pleasant (I've done it several times) and has some lovely offshoots like the Caldon, without any of these it's 94 locks and easy to do in a week if you like long days of cruising and not much stopping. How suitable this (or any ring) is for a novice single-hander like Greg is difficult to say without knowing how many locks he considers "a lot", how many hours a day he wants to travel, and how much time he wants to spend looking round places he's stopped at. These are all known by experienced forum members, but our idea of what constitutes "easy" may well be very different to his.

 

Personally I like doing rings, and when there are four or more of us (which there usually are) we *love* doing locks -- our most enjoyable holiday was probably the Rochdale/HNC ring which was well over 200 locks in 10 days. But no way would I suggest this to a newbie... 😉

 

Whenever I'm asked to recommend a route for people who've never been on the English canals before, I *always* suggest an out-and-back trip for all these reasons -- there's then no target to be forced into hitting, they can spend anywhere from a couple of hours to ten hours a day cruising depending on what they find they like.

 

Greg's biggest problem will be finding a boatyard that will hire to him, and the location of this will probably determine where he can go since the vast majority won't 😞

 

So probably some suggestions for boatyards that will do this would be the most useful thing, then we might be able to suggest where he can go from them. It's no good us telling him what a brilliant route would be if nobody on it will hire him a boat...

 

 

If they'll hire to a single-hander (need to ring them?), Hector from Armada (could go down the Oxford Canal from here) would be a lovely little boat for one...

 

https://armadaboathire.co.uk/boat-hector.html

The plan is for relaxing fortnight on the canals, some days steady traveling others more relaxed depending on what's available nearby.  From what I understand, 10-12 locks in a day is about all once person can reasonable handle, and that's a full eight hours on the water.

 

So a fortnight of moderate activity, some days more than others.

[Greg K]

5 hours ago, IanD said:

Opinions on the Llangollen differ, depending what you consider boring 😉

 

The Four Counties Ring is very pleasant (I've done it several times) and has some lovely offshoots like the Caldon, without any of these it's 94 locks and easy to do in a week if you like long days of cruising and not much stopping. How suitable this (or any ring) is for a novice single-hander like Greg is difficult to say without knowing how many locks he considers "a lot", how many hours a day he wants to travel, and how much time he wants to spend looking round places he's stopped at. These are all known by experienced forum members, but our idea of what constitutes "easy" may well be very different to his.

 

Personally I like doing rings, and when there are four or more of us (which there usually are) we *love* doing locks -- our most enjoyable holiday was probably the Rochdale/HNC ring which was well over 200 locks in 10 days. But no way would I suggest this to a newbie... 😉

 

Whenever I'm asked to recommend a route for people who've never been on the English canals before, I *always* suggest an out-and-back trip for all these reasons -- there's then no target to be forced into hitting, they can spend anywhere from a couple of hours to ten hours a day cruising depending on what they find they like.

 

Greg's biggest problem will be finding a boatyard that will hire to him, and the location of this will probably determine where he can go since the vast majority won't 😞

 

So probably some suggestions for boatyards that will do this would be the most useful thing, then we might be able to suggest where he can go from them. It's no good us telling him what a brilliant route would be if nobody on it will hire him a boat...

 

 

If they'll hire to a single-hander (need to ring them?), Hector from Armada (could go down the Oxford Canal from here) would be a lovely little boat for one...

 

https://armadaboathire.co.uk/boat-hector.html

That Hector on the Leicester Ring is what I'm after.  151 miles, 100 locks (!), 5 hours cruising per day.  That may be a bit to much of a P.O.R. Rally (push on regardless) and while I'm looking for a definitely active working holiday, I would like to have some time to stop spend a day if a town catches my fancy.  But that's all academic if I can't hire the boat ! ! 

 

I've got a message in to Armada Boat hire about the single handed thing.  Even offered to arrive a day early to some helmsman training and orientation at my own expense (fuel, hourly boat charge, etc..)  Reviewed their terms of hire thoroughly.  Nothing about prohibiting single hires.  Fingers crossed.....

[David Mack]

16 minutes ago, Greg K said:

From what I understand, 10-12 locks in a day is about all once person can reasonable handle, and that's a full eight hours on the water.

Obviously it depends on your familiarity with locks, strength, stamina and attitude etc. But I have single handed through far more than 10-12 locks in a day. Once you have worked out what to do it is perfectly possible for a single hander to pass through a narrow lock in 10 minutes or less. 

[Greg K]

6 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Obviously it depends on your familiarity with locks, strength, stamina and attitude etc. But I have single handed through far more than 10-12 locks in a day. Once you have worked out what to do it is perfectly possible for a single hander to pass through a narrow lock in 10 minutes or less. 

Only know a few things about locks from watching all the documentaries:  narrow is better than wide, mind the sill, open the sluice gradually when filling when your boat in inside the lock lest you become a U-Boat commander, and  that locks as a fun way to get a little exercise.  I don't think I'd ever tire of locks, it's so fascinating.

Edited July 27, 2021 by Greg K
edit

[David Mack]

4 minutes ago, Greg K said:

That Hector on the Leicester Ring is what I'm after.  151 miles, 100 locks (!), 5 hours cruising per day.  That may be a bit to much of a P.O.R. Rally (push on regardless) and while I'm looking for a definitely active working holiday, I would like to have some time to stop spend a day if a town catches my fancy.  But that's all academic if I can't hire the boat ! ! 

The Leicester ring would take an average crew around 80 hours, so more than 5 hours cruising per day if you have a fortnight (which is only 13 and a bit days actually on the move).

As you are a newbie, and single handed I would agree with others that you would be better doing an out-and-back trip, and just turn round wherever you get to, half way through your time. Or choose a shorter ring with possible side excursions off towards the end of the trip which you can do if there is time.

[Greg K]

Just now, David Mack said:

The Leicester ring would take an average crew around 80 hours, so more than 5 hours cruising per day if you have a fortnight (which is only 13 and a bit days actually on the move).

As you are a newbie, and single handed I would agree with others that you would be better doing an out-and-back trip, and just turn round wherever you get to, half way through your time. Or choose a shorter ring with possible side excursions off towards the end of the trip which you can do if there is time.

You're right; as a newbie I would do best w/ an out 'n back trip.  Have nightmares about being out too long and having to press on from dawn to dusk to make it back to the boatyard.  And someone who commented is right; it looks entirely differently when you're coming than when you were going, and this way I can pick up town or two that I might miss on the upbound week.

 

I mean, I wold just ADORE tying up for a night at a quaint town that caught my fancy so yes....out and back trip.

 

And here's what the sporting fellows have to say at Armada Boat Hires about the handover:  from the contract.

 

Handover

 

After a briefing and a show through the boat to explain where everything is and how it works, and if necessary tuition which entails an accompanied short run so the Hirer can familiarise themselves with the controls of the boat and how it handles.  Once the Company is satisfied of the Hirers competence and Hirer feels confident, the boat will be handed over to the Hirer, therefore the Hirer becomes responsible for the safe operation of the boat and the security of its equipment.

 

If I could cast off and depart, navigate a few turns, do a lock or two, reverse direction, and tie up at a canal side berth successfully, I'd call that proficient enough for a leisurely fortnight on the canals.  Sound about right?  At least those are the basic skills required from my observations.

[Greg K]

5 hours ago, IanD said:

 

 

If they'll hire to a single-hander (need to ring them?), Hector from Armada (could go down the Oxford Canal from here) would be a lovely little boat for one...

 

https://armadaboathire.co.uk/boat-hector.html

From Armada hire contract.  Nothing in it about prohibiting single hires.  Someone mentioned training; looks like Armada will offer and will happily pay for such.

 

Handover

 

After a briefing and a show through the boat to explain where everything is and how it works, and if necessary tuition which entails an accompanied short run so the Hirer can familiarise themselves with the controls of the boat and how it handles.  Once the Company is satisfied of the Hirers competence and Hirer feels confident, the boat will be handed over to the Hirer, therefore the Hirer becomes responsible for the safe operation of the boat and the security of its equipment.

 

[tree monkey]

15 hours ago, Greg K said:

steak & kidney pie, toads in the hole w/ gravy, Yorkshire pudding, and of course that classic big English breakfast.

 

 

Welcome and whatever you choose I wish you all the best in your holiday. 

 

I have to point out, and this is important, it is toad in the hole, anymore is considered greedy and frankly not cricket and is still  a capital crime in the UK with a dedicated cell in the tower

[Greg K]

2 minutes ago, tree monkey said:

Welcome and whatever you choose I wish you all the best in your holiday. 

 

I have to point out, and this is important, it is toad in the hole, anymore is considered greedy and frankly not cricket and is still  a capital crime in the UK with a dedicated cell in the tower

Thanks for straightening me out mate.

[Greg K]

12 minutes ago, tree monkey said:

Welcome and whatever you choose I wish you all the best in your holiday. 

 

I have to point out, and this is important, it is toad in the hole, anymore is considered greedy and frankly not cricket and is still  a capital crime in the UK with a dedicated cell in the tower

Toad in the Hole.

 

Alls I know is that involves nice fat sausages, beef drippings, and a suet pastry.  As an American, I have a slight love of fat and drippings and the like.  And sausages.

 

"Mmmmm...sausages."

-Homer Simpson

[nicknorman]

Bearing in mind the single handing thing, have you considered an alternative such as this:

 

https://www.narrowboatellis.com

 

 

[Greg K]

7 minutes ago, nicknorman said:

Bearing in mind the single handing thing, have you considered an alternative such as this:

 

https://www.narrowboatellis.com

 

 

Sure, that's an option I've definitely considered, however I like the idea of being on my own, on the canals, exploring as I like.  

[nicknorman]

13 minutes ago, Greg K said:

Sure, that's an option I've definitely considered, however I like the idea of being on my own, on the canals, exploring as I like.  

Yes - but only if it’s achievable!

[Greg K]

Just now, nicknorman said:

Yes - but only if it’s achievable!

How about the spring and autumn solid fuel run the Narrowboat Trust operates?  I've been invited on that by a very generous fellow.  Great way to learn narrowboats and help a good cause at the same time.  And what way to learn!  On working boats.  Start w/ that and maybe a single hire from the right boatyard might be possible one day.

[nicknorman]

9 minutes ago, Greg K said:

How about the spring and autumn solid fuel run the Narrowboat Trust operates?  I've been invited on that by a very generous fellow.  Great way to learn narrowboats and help a good cause at the same time.  And what way to learn!  On working boats.  Start w/ that and maybe a single hire from the right boatyard might be possible one day.

That could be fun! The only thing I’d say is that operating a historic pair doesn’t bear that much relationship to operating a narrowboat. And depending on who you go with you might or might not pick up good practices. But with those caveats, why not!

[Greg K]

4 minutes ago, nicknorman said:

That could be fun! The only thing I’d say is that operating a historic pair doesn’t bear that much relationship to operating a narrowboat. And depending on who you go with you might or might not pick up good practices. But with those caveats, why not!

Dunno.  They seem like a skilled lot to my novice eyes.......I'd wager one could learn a thing or two from them.

 

 

[Greg K]

It's barely been 24 hours since I joined and made my first post.  Just overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of positive encouragement from this community.  Thank you.  With that one brief post I've gained a wealth of knowledge and ideas from those that know canal boating the best.  Looking forward to learning a lot more from this amiable community in the future.

 

Thank you again.

 

Greg

 

P.S.  Best feature on Hector?  The solid fuel stove.  Very few hire boats have them.  Can see me self now, berthed outside some small town, sun going down, steak and kidney pie roasting in the boatman stove's oven made from stuff I bought fresh in town that very afternoon.  Bucket-list stuff.

 

 

Edited July 27, 2021 by Greg K
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[nicknorman]

Long lining isn’t the sort of skill you would need to hire a narrowboat. But as I said, it could be fun in its own right.

[Greg K]

3 minutes ago, nicknorman said:

Long lining isn’t the sort of skill you would need to hire a narrowboat. But as I said, it could be fun in its own right.

Perhaps; but I'll learn the basics, which is what's required in my mind:  Locking, mooring, unmooring, basic handling & helmsmanship skills, just BEING on the boat and observing will be educational.  And fun. 

 

And I probably don't want to venture out on any sort of canal trip solo for the first time. So after a trip w/ the Trust I might convince some sporting fellows to hire me my own solo narrowboat.  Or not.  Either way, I'll have fun w/ a group of like minded folks and it's always more enjoyable to share good times w/ someone besides yourself. 

[noddyboater]

Mmmm..  Greg K.

Somehow the name rings a bell, I'm sure we've met before.  Maybe it was over a plate of tripe n mash somewhere quaint.