Sharpness to Bristol??

[Wag-on-Water]

Hello to all boaters This is my first post on my brand new computer I hope someone can help me. I want to travel Sharpness to Bristol Has anyone done this trip can anyone offer any advice.Thank you.

 

Wag-on-Water

[Stroudwater Boy]

Depends on your boat and to some degree your experience. Lets assume a narrowboat.

 

1/. Don't do it.

 

2/. If you feel you must do it a pilot is a must, he will check your boat is capable and if happy accompany you.

 

3/. The weather and tides must be right, be prepared for a long wait.

 

4/. Empty your fuel rank and clean it out, change your fuel filters and make sure that you refill with clean fuel.

 

5/. Do a full engine service.

 

6/. Make sure that you have a full set of spares for any eventuality.

 

7/. Talk to the Sharpness lock keeper.

 

8/. Don't do it.

[Wag-on-Water]

Thank You for the information. It does indeed sound a little dodgy I'm very glad I asked the question now.

 

It is indeed a narrowboat so I will think long and hard before making any desicions.

 

Thanks again.

 

Wag-on-Water

[Stroudwater Boy]

You may have guessed that it is not something to be undertaken lightly.

 

A few years back a man did decide that he would ignore all the advice and do it on his own.

 

He was found sometime later when a search was launch when he did not turn up at Avonmouth, sitting on one of the channel buoys as his boat had rolled over when he touched a sandbank. His "navigation" kit had consisted of an AA roadmap, no radio nothing. Very lucky just to lose his boat and not his life.

[Lady Muck]

Check your insurance. Most inland waterways insurance won't cover you for a trip like this. It might be difficult to find smoeone to cover you.

[mikes]

Keeping up did this a while back. See his post here

 

Mike

 

(Always worth a search before you ask )

[Derri]

We're doing this very soon, but not in a narrowboat and with a pilot. I'm currently stocking up on life jackets, life buoys, floating line, very long mooring ropes etc, etc

 

When are you planning on going? - might see you there!

[Hypnorm]

This is something we would like to do in our boat, but we wont be doing it untill we are entirely happy with the boat, engines and have all the saftey gear and knowledge.

That Stretch of the Severn is very dangerous with very fast tides.

I have been up there on the Waverley paddle steamer and it was very nice but that was a huge boat!!

[magpie patrick]

On Insurance, check: mine covers me so long as (1) I pay an extra premium for each trip and (2) I take a pilot. I presume the logic of the pilot is that the insurance company have some trust in his judgement regarding whether it is safe to make the trip.

 

My insurance includes interconnecting tidal waters without any conditions but then specifically adds the above for this and the Thames Estuary and (I think) the Humber.

[DHutch]

Emilyanne has done the trip. Although before my time.

- Its certainly possable, but as said, not i would say for the faint hearted or without suitable planning and work.

 

 

Daniel