Across The Wash?

[brian1042]

Is it feasible to take a 60' x 11' canal boat across The Wash from the River Nene to Boston and the River Witham? Does anyone have experience of this that they would share please? Many thanks.

[Guest]

Welcome -

 

Some previous threads which may help.

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=35842&st=0&p=641479&hl=wash&fromsearch=1entry641479

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=24028&st=0&p=396905&hl=wash&fromsearch=1entry396905

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=19582&st=0&p=321615&hl=wash&fromsearch=1entry321615

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=6085&st=0&p=83873&hl=wash&fromsearch=1entry83873

Edited November 13, 2012 by The Dog House

[David Schweizer]

Is it feasible to take a 60' x 11' canal boat across The Wash from the River Nene to Boston and the River Witham? Does anyone have experience of this that they would share please? Many thanks.

I remember Dennis Jewiss taking Beachamp Lodge's (former Ovaltine) boat William across the Wash back in the 1960's, but she blew a big end battling against the tide, so it might be a challenge.

[dor]

A group of narrowboats went across last year. It was written up in either Waterways' World or Canal Boat.

[Biggles]

Contented Soles did it this year its on their blog and also probably on Yarwood as well as they did it together.

[nigel carton]

Something I'd love to do, I wanted to do the trip last year but couldn't make it.

Safety gear needed , life jacket, VHF radio, ladder and a BBQ !

Next time maybe

[matty40s]

Something I'd love to do, I wanted to do the trip last year but couldn't make it.

Safety gear needed , life jacket, VHF radio, ladder and a BBQ !

Next time maybe

nigel, if you get a move this way, I wouldlove to join you.

[jenlyn]

Is it feasible to take a 60' x 11' canal boat across The Wash from the River Nene to Boston and the River Witham? Does anyone have experience of this that they would share please? Many thanks.

That wouldn't be "jenique" by any chance?

[matty40s]

dunno about jenique,.

but the method I have seen seems to be take BBQ stuff and stop half way on a sand bank for a while, have a bbq, and then when the tide comes back, carry on.

[Kiwidad]

dunno about jenique,.

but the method I have seen seems to be take BBQ stuff and stop half way on a sand bank for a while, have a bbq, and then when the tide comes back, carry on.

I volunteer to cook!

[matty40s]

I volunteer to cook!

I've seen your cooking, have you plumbed your microwave in yet.....

[Keeping Up]

I'd love to do the trip - but I'm still trying to work out how to get 2 dogs up and down the ladder when we're beached at low tide.

[oarfish]

My boat has apparently done it, but not me. BBQ on a sand bank and back in on the tide in a convoy.

[Kiwidad]

I've seen your cooking, have you plumbed your microwave in yet.....

At least my engine fires on all cylinders

[enigma]

Daryl Hill works as a pilot on the Wash.

His email: ongarhillbillies@hotmail.com is here.

He will tell you all you want to know.

My best day of inland waterways boating.

[matty40s]

At least my engine fires on all cylinders

does it stop me, ....no

[roggie]

Granny Buttons did it IIRC

[brian1042]

Thanks for the replies. Am I correct in thinking that The Wash is the only realistic possible water route to take a widebeam from south to north?

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies. Am I correct in thinking that The Wash is the only realistic possible water route to take a widebeam from south to north?

 

Unless there is another way that I am not aware of you will still need to be lifted past the narrow Northampton arm.

 

http://www.foxysislandwalks.co.uk/Northampton-Canal.html

Edited November 14, 2012 by The Dog House

[GUMPY]

Thanks for the replies. Am I correct in thinking that The Wash is the only realistic possible water route to take a widebeam from south to north?

It will get you from the north to the angilan waterways but until Foxton is restored and Watford is bypassed there is no way from south to north.

Even if the MK Bedford link is built there will still be no way north if you are over 10ft6 beam.

[bargemast]

The well known John Liley My link did this trip many years ago on the Leeds & Liverpool Shortboat Arthur.

 

If you have the possibility to read one of his books, "France the Quiet Way" you can read about his crossing of the Wash.

 

Peter.

[Timleech]

The well known John Liley My link did this trip many years ago on the Leeds & Liverpool Shortboat Arthur.

 

If you have the possibility to read one of his books, "France the Quiet Way" you can read about his crossing of the Wash.

 

Peter.

 

It's many, many years since I read that book so can't remember, but I imagine he did as we did with the Beecliffe and 'left' the wash to go around the coast?

 

I do remember that when we did that, I remarked that I had seen rougher conditions on the Grand Union Canal than on the Wash. We did get a little bit of 'weather' later in the trip, but nothing too serious.

 

Tim

[Proper Job]

My folks did the wash transit when they had a NB.

 

It was the year of the full eclipse. Remembered well, because they spent the time of the eclipse sat on a sandbank waiting for the tide to come in.

 

They did the trip with a local pilot.

[bargemast]

It's many, many years since I read that book so can't remember, but I imagine he did as we did with the Beecliffe and 'left' the wash to go around the coast?

 

I do remember that when we did that, I remarked that I had seen rougher conditions on the Grand Union Canal than on the Wash. We did get a little bit of 'weather' later in the trip, but nothing too serious.

 

Tim

 

 

Yes, as you say Tim, they did like you did with Beecliffe and went around the coast, open water after Boston Grand Sluice, and tidal until Brentford lock, where they arrived in the sheltered waters of the Grand Union Canal.

 

On their way the stopped for a while waiting for fair weather at Wells, where they could check everything while drying out regulary, and do some shopping too.

 

Peter.

[ditchcrawler]

I had a friend do it a few years back, it was in the waterways mags. She said it was far more relaxed than doing the tidal stretch from the G&S to K&A. No rushing and plenty of time to enjoy the trip.