Ribble link at 62ft?

[homer2911]

Apologies if this has been covered before - I've been as far as Wigan with our 62 ft narrowboat, but can we expect any problems travelling west from there and on up the Ribble link/Lancaster Canal?

[Major42]

Apologies if this has been covered before - I've been as far as Wigan with our 62 ft narrowboat, but can we expect any problems travelling west from there and on up the Ribble link/Lancaster Canal?

 

According to the Ribble Link Trust Website the maximum length through the locks is 72' though there is some manoeuvring required on entry/exit. The problem seems to be that the Rufford Branch locks are specified as 62'. Major

[steelaway]

Apologies if this has been covered before - I've been as far as Wigan with our 62 ft narrowboat, but can we expect any problems travelling west from there and on up the Ribble link/Lancaster Canal?

 

 

 

 

Hi

You need to contact the Wigan office about the restrictions on the Link. They was a restriction on depth late last year.

Be aware with a 62 ft boat you will have reverse maneuvers into the staircase locks.

 

Alex

[The Bagdad Boatman (waits)]

Easy 62 from Burscough to Tarleton been down several times with a 62.8 full width boat. there are some problem with wide boats on the entry to the Lancaster canal.

[magpie patrick]

I took Ripple though in 2008, she was a generous 62 foot length, probably nearer 63 feet, the only problem I had was try as I might I went aground both ways on one particularly tight bend.

[pearley]

Latest info re depth is here:

 

http://www.waterways.org.uk/branches_regions/north_west/Manchester/ribble_link_draft

 

Biggest problem on link itself will be the couple of sharp bends above the 2nd or 3rd lock and going under the bridge just before the staircase. As you turn into the basin before the staircase your stern may brush the invert.

 

Regards

Pete

[jam pudd]

Apologies if this has been covered before - I've been as far as Wigan with our 62 ft narrowboat, but can we expect any problems travelling west from there and on up the Ribble link/Lancaster Canal?

We went this August/September in our 60 footer but didn't suspect any problems if we were 62 ft. Advise would be to avoid going with a draft greater than 30" on the skeg. BW advise 24" but nobody checks. The real draft/length issue is when on Savick Brook. A few bends are very sharp and if the water is low then grounding would cause problems - not just for you but for followers. We had good depth in S Brook cos of heavy rainfall but it would be very difficult during prolonged dry spell. Reserving a slot is essential (suggest now to get ideal 2012 dates.) The Douglas/Ribble crossing is something special.We had a pilot, Jim Wilkinson 01772 691082 and were thankful for this cos it was a murky day and there's little room for error on the fast tidal rivers. He showed us some photos of "unfortunate" boats which made mistakes....no joke. £50 well spent for 3 hours of help (and humour). He was involved in the Link project so has lots of tales to tell on route. Great experience and while you're up that way do go to Liverpool Albert Docks.

[Major42]

I emailed BW earlier this month and Ruth Moran confirmed that the maximum draft on the Ribble Link for 2012 would be 2'9".

 

[Quote)

Re: Water Draught, Maximum Depth for the Ribble Link

 

British Waterways has been in the process of undertaking depth surveys on the Ribble Link in order to ascertain a definitive water draught. Using a combination of technical information resulting from the recent surveys and anecdotal evidence from the past ten years of operating boat passages on the Ribble Link, we can now confirm the official maximum draught to be accepted for Ribble Link passages is 2’9” or 825cms.

 

Please be advised that on the grounds of safety, any craft exceeding the maximum dimensions will not be permitted passage.

(End Quote)

 

We will be going up early May so I've been interested reading this post. Major