I Frances

[magnetman]

 

Steering would be ok it was water level change while moored which bothers me. 

11 hours ago, Crispijn van Sas said:

Thanks for the advice @magnetman I have heard the same from many people now. Do you think a rainy season in the fall will make it easier? Alternatively I could consider to get it along the south coast but that will also include the issues with the tides. 

If you just want to get it across the UK mainland then the Kennet and Avon followed by the Thames is the way to do it. if you do full days it won't take very long. 

 

It was the idea of cruising around on the narrow canals which I think could be problematic with the keel. 

 

It would be an interesting thing to try. Take priority at bridges to avoid grounding on shallow areas. It could be quite awkward if it grounded given how tiny the engine is. 

 

A single cylinder 9hp Yanmar is a very small engine for a 50ft 10 tonne steel canalboat. More common to see these little things in lightweight sailing vessels. 

 

You are going to need a bigger engine. 

 

 

[Crispijn van Sas]

Hi there! As a starting narrowboater I just have a question concerning storing the I Frances. As I am on a budget and want to do the neccisary maintenance Im looking for a place where I can dry store the boat. Commercial places like rllboats charge 30 pounds a day wich would result in a cost of around 9000 pounds per year. Does anyone maybe know a place where dry storage is offered for a lower price? Preferably in the surroundings of Bristol where the boat is located right now.

Edited July 23, 2025 by Crispijn van Sas

[NB Saturn]

10 minutes ago, Crispijn van Sas said:

Hi there! As a starting narrowboater I just have a question concerning storing the I Frances. As I am on a budget and want to do the neccisary maintenance Im looking for a place where I can dry store the boat. Commercial places like rllboats charge 30 pounds a day wich would result in a cost of around 9000 pounds per year. Does anyone maybe know a place where dry storage is offered for a lower price? Preferably in the surroundings of Bristol where the boat is located right now.

 

By dry store do you mean in a shed, or similar, or just out of the water? If the latter then any number of marinas would do for a lot less eg Aquaduct marina charge about 1/2 what you quote (although I appreciate they’re not remotely close to Bristol 😂)

[Crispijn van Sas]

@NB Saturn Eventually the goal is to get the boat on the thames and cross the channel. So im not specifically looking for a place directly next to Bristol. I think that right now im looking for the most economical way to store the boat. may it be on the water or ashore;)

[Tony Brooks]

1 hour ago, Crispijn van Sas said:

@NB Saturn Eventually the goal is to get the boat on the thames and cross the channel. So im not specifically looking for a place directly next to Bristol. I think that right now im looking for the most economical way to store the boat. may it be on the water or ashore;)

 

Just a comment. That keel may make some yards consider it as they do V bottom narrowboats that often attract a surcharge. So make sure they know what they are quoting for. The chance are that they will need blocks and wedges to keep it more or less upright.

Edited July 23, 2025 by Tony Brooks

[magnetman]

Does it not also have bilge keels? 

 

I would expect a vessel designed to go to see to be able to take the ground safely. 

 

 

 

Maybe not. 

 

[ditchcrawler]

3 hours ago, NB Saturn said:

 

By dry store do you mean in a shed, or similar, or just out of the water? If the latter then any number of marinas would do for a lot less eg Aquaduct marina charge about 1/2 what you quote (although I appreciate they’re not remotely close to Bristol 😂)

And I think they are one of the more expensive ones

[NB Saturn]

9 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:

And I think they are one of the more expensive ones

 

Yes, I just happened to have their price list to hand. In fairness for that they include 12 days mooring and 6 slips, so if you only used the boat for a few preplanned trips each year it could make sense to keep it out of the water rather than permanently afloat with them. You could start each trip with a nice shiny coat of blacking to scrape 😂

 

As a comparison I think Stoke Boats charge about half of Aqueduct's pricing for hard standing, but with haulout/in charges not included.

[Crispijn van Sas]

The storage prices of stoke boats seem good but it is so far away from bristol. I hope to find something similar more close…

[Tony Brooks]

You do realise that you have probably chosen the most expensive area of the country for inland marine facilities. The further east you go, the more expensive it is likely to get until you go several/many tens of miles north.

[MPR]

If you fancy a trip up the Severne it might be worth giving Bullo Pill Dock a ring.

[Crispijn van Sas]

1 hour ago, MPR said:

If you fancy a trip up the Severne it might be worth giving Bullo Pill Dock a ring.

Thanks for the advice @MPR! I’m gonna give them a call tomorrow 

[Crispijn van Sas]

Just to give everyone an update on the boat, I visited I Frances last week. The boat needs maintenance but is in a fixable condition (as expected). I will bring it to the Netherlands on a truck any time soon, and spoke to two crew members among wich Bryan Crutcher and Jacob Myles. 

[ditchcrawler]

3 hours ago, Crispijn van Sas said:

Just to give everyone an update on the boat, I visited I Frances last week. The boat needs maintenance but is in a fixable condition (as expected). I will bring it to the Netherlands on a truck any time soon, and spoke to two crew members among wich Bryan Crutcher and Jacob Myles. 

Thanks for the update

[Crispijn van Sas]

[Crispijn van Sas]

After half a year I finally managed to get I Frances on a little voyage down the rivee Avon, where it eventually was put on a truck today to the Netherlands 

[Crispijn van Sas]

I Frances Atlantic voyage Log 1999.pdf

 

At the moment while the boat is in restoration, I managed to fully scan the original Log of the atlantic crossing back in 1999. A detailed day by day description of the journey. Enjoy!

[Tony Brooks]

Thanks, pity it is upside down on my computer, otherwise it would have been an interesting read. 

[alias]

1 minute ago, Tony Brooks said:

Thanks, pity it is upside down on my computer, otherwise it would have been an interesting read. 

 

How are you viewing it? If viewing the pdf within chrome, there is a button above the document image that allows it to be rotated in 90 degree increments.

[Alan de Enfield]

4 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

Thanks, pity it is upside down on my computer, otherwise it would have been an interesting read. 

 

It is a Pdf, so once open you should have a "rotate" button.

 

At least I have.

Edited July 27 by Alan de Enfield

[alias]

...or look at this version:

 

 

Rotated Frances Atlantic voyage Log 1999.pdf

[Tony Brooks]

22 minutes ago, alias said:

...or look at this version:

 

 

Rotated Frances Atlantic voyage Log 1999.pdf 1.64 MB · 1 download

 

Thanks for that.

 

28 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

It is a Pdf, so once open you should have a "rotate" button.

 

I tried it in four Linux PDF viewer/semi-edit applications and none of they seemed t have a rotate option. Perhaps the first major drawback I have found for Linux for home use.

[Sailbadthesinner]

You've only fixed the first page.

 

[alias]

6 minutes ago, Sailbadthesinner said:

You've only fixed the first page.

 

 

All pages rotated I Frances Atlantic voyage Log 1999 Copy.pdf

[Crispijn van Sas]

short update: I frances has been repainted, now installing new beams on the sides that will be finished with wood again.