Hiring a boat captain?

[Gerkin6000]

Hi again!

So.. we're about to buy a barge, 70'x10'and need to get it from Worcester to London. As inexperienced boaters without loads of time we are looking into hiring someone to bring it half the way back for us, bypassing the tricky bits then we will take over perhaps around the Reading area. Does anyone have any pointers/know anyone who does this kind of thing?

Thanks!

[RLWP]

Worcester to London?

 

Are you planning to go down the Severn, Gloucester and Sharpness, Bristol Channel, Kennet and Avon then down the Thames?

 

Richard

[magpie patrick]

Hi again!

So.. we're about to buy a barge, 70'x10'and need to get it from Worcester to London. As inexperienced boaters without loads of time we are looking into hiring someone to bring it half the way back for us, bypassing the tricky bits then we will take over perhaps around the Reading area. Does anyone have any pointers/know anyone who does this kind of thing?

Thanks!

 

To be honest, at that size, you are going to struggle. If the barge is 6 inches longer than you think it is, somewhere it may well not get through a lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal (The Avon and the Kennet Rivers should be fine)

 

I took a friend's notional 70 foot narrow boat from Devizes to Bradford and at one point in Devizes we had to skew the boat to open one bottom gate. It was a modern build, not a GUCCC town class or anything know to be in excess of the 70 foot length.

 

And at that size, it's draught is likely to be excessive as well

 

Could it go round the south coast?

[cotswoldsman]

think this captain is looking for a job

 

[Gerkin6000]

Worcester to London?

 

Are you planning to go down the Severn, Gloucester and Sharpness, Bristol Channel, Kennet and Avon then down the Thames?

 

Richard

 

Yes, that was the plan...

[Grace and Favour]

think this captain is looking for a job

 

 

I thought he was only piloting lifeboats these days?

[mrsmelly]

think this captain is looking for a job

 

[Grace and Favour]

Hi again!

So.. we're about to buy a barge, 70'x10'and need to get it from Worcester to London. As inexperienced boaters without loads of time we are looking into hiring someone to bring it half the way back for us, bypassing the tricky bits then we will take over perhaps around the Reading area. Does anyone have any pointers/know anyone who does this kind of thing?

Thanks!

 

I have no recommendations - but just googled these

CanalJunction

Boatmovers

[carlt]

I know of a captain in Leeds who will do the job cheap, for cash.

[alan_fincher]

I know of a captain in Leeds who will do the job cheap, for cash.

Would it all be above water above board ?

[RLWP]

Yes, that was the plan...

 

I think you may struggle

 

Have you considered putting it on a lorry?

 

Richard

[carlt]

Would it all be above water above board ?

Ask no questions, get no abuse.

[Gerkin6000]

I have no recommendations - but just googled these

CanalJunction

Boatmovers

 

Ah thanks, very helpful

 

I think you may struggle

 

Have you considered putting it on a lorry?

 

Richard

 

Yes we're looking into this as well, might need to combine the 2 but would prefer to do it all on the water..

[dor]

If there is a significant tight spot on the K&A for a 70ft widebeam, you might be as well to look at the road option from the start. Especially as doing just a part of it by road will probably cost nearly as much as doing the whole thing.

 

The sort of thing to check before buying the boat!

[Chris Pink]

To be honest, at that size, you are going to struggle. If the barge is 6 inches longer than you think it is, somewhere it may well not get through a lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal (The Avon and the Kennet Rivers should be fine)

 

I took a friend's notional 70 foot narrow boat from Devizes to Bradford and at one point in Devizes we had to skew the boat to open one bottom gate. It was a modern build, not a GUCCC town class or anything know to be in excess of the 70 foot length.

 

And at that size, it's draught is likely to be excessive as well

 

Could it go round the south coast?

 

Hmm, I've never had to do this with 71'6". I'm not convinced a boat goes in better skewed when the width is taken into account. .

 

I understand 70 x 10 will do the Kennet and Avon. Although I don't know from personal experience.

I think max is 70 x 13'2" but even at 10', I agree, it will be hard work.

 

There's some big buggers go through time to time coast hopping.

 

I know someone who will know. I shall email.

Edited May 8, 2012 by Chris Pink

[tony collins]

Have you tried Nigel Carton? He is a member on here.

[PeterScott]

Tried Tuckeys?

 

"Association of Chief Police Officers (A.C.P.O.) Guidelines: On motorways loads up to 4.6m wide, 130 tonnes or 30.5m in length, will normally be allowed to move without an escort. On other roads it is up to 4.1m wide, 100 tonnes or 30.5m in length." So 70' x 10' should just about be OK with an appropriate truck: lot more fuss and expense if escort were required.

 

Interested to know if it can be done for £2k ??