Llangollen draught

[Rustykev]

THis is the second query.

 

Ultimately, we will end up at Llangollen. Again, Nicholsons says draught limit is 21", which seems a little pesemistic. We draw 29" and have been told by one or two peeps that we will be able to get to Llangollen if we take it slowly.

 

Your views??

[john6767]

You will be able to make it, we had to wait for a Hudson coming up the narrows that was claimed to be over 30", it was slow going but he made it.

[alvicchas1]

Hi,

 

Moored on the Llangollen canal for about 5 years and then went permanent cruising for a few years. Used to return to the Llangollen canal for the winter.

The concreted stretch from Trevor to Sun Trevor is fine - after that some very shallow bits. If you keep to the middle, go slowly and think ahead to pass other boats on wider bits you should be fine.

For the last few hundred metres into Llangollen it is concreted but "Blind" with passing places. It is best to have somebody walk ahead and check for boats coming from Llangollen so that you can pull into a passing place.

 

The trip from Trevor to Llangollen is spectacular - do it slowly and enjoy.

 

Vic

[GoodGurl]

We did the Llan last year and it was fine, we draw 28", only shallow bit was the lock pounds entering the Llan where there is a narrow shelf.

[Speedwheel]

3ft can get up, but it's a challenge.

[David Mack]

Its several years since we have been up there, but on the last occasion Fulbourne at 3 ft struggled in one or two bridgeholes but otherwise no real problems. The final section from the aqueduct to Llangollen was fine. But you won't get up the feeder to Horseshoe Falls unless you draw only about 6 inches.

[Maggsy]

Did a trip Whitchurch to Llangollen and back last Oct (2012) hire boat so no real idea what draught it pulled...only parts we struggled, were from Trevor to Llan where you are on the non towpath side, apex's of the bends seemed to be the areas to avod and stick to the middle or err towards the towpath side if possible.. return journey was fine with no problems at all.

 

Having said all that, if you have never done this journey then do not hesitate if you feel you can make it. this has to be one of the most spectacular on the system ohh and that Aquaduct

[nicknorman]

We did it last year, 32 in draft stationary. Struggled in a few places but never got stuck.

[The Toad in the Hole]

Plenty of deep boats come up all the time. I've seen hotel boats stuck a couple of times, but as everyone else says, stay in the middle of the channel and don't go mad.

 

(Says the man with a boat that doesn't draw more than about 18")

 

You'll see plenty of people flailing around with the big magic stick off the roof, but it's not usually lack of water that's put them aground

[TIZWIZ]

sorry folks........draught?.....please explain

[Keeping Up]

Draught - the amount of boat below the water line (ie the depth of water you need to float in)

 

Years ago we came down from Llangollen, and met an old working boat stuck in the shallows. He was on his way from Ellesmere Port Easter gathering. We hitched bow to bow and reversed back, towing him up to Llangollen. Heading back down, we met another one so did the same thing again. And again. And again. All morning. Such fun!

[trackman]

What they said. Our boat draws about 30", may be a bit more depending on trim at the time. Never had any bother due to draught.

The tunnels are another matter though! Going up to Llangollen against the flow of the water to the reservoir at the bottom of the canal, the effect in the tunnels can be very disconcerting. Our boat tends to slew at a diagonal to the line of the tunnel. It was worse on a trip in autumn when there were loads of leaves to clog the prop. I thought we had a problem with the boat to begin with!

Don't let this put you off, but be aware it may happen. If it does don't worry, you do make progress despite this oddity. It just makes it slower and a bit more entertaining. I've heard a theory that it's because the tunnel towpaths are cantilevered over the water, so water flows past the boat under the path. This one sided flow pattern, it is said, causes the boat to try to turn.

When the leaves were a problem, the usual quick rev in astern every time it got really annoying was sufficient to clear the prop.

Enjoy the trip!

[Rustykev]

Thanks for all your responses. Well, yes, we made it with no problems. And yes, the tunnels did provide weird steering as the bows kissed the towpath and the stern ground its way on the tunnel sides. Very little we did corrected the issue!

 

And yes, it was slow. 2.5 hours to do the 4 miles from Trevor to Llangollen, mainly due to trying to get the water round the boat.

 

No need to use the magic pole also.

 

Spoke to a CART chap. He said the draught issue is a hangover from the days before it was concreted and to be honest, that last bit was far better than the stretch from Trevor to Whitchurch, which was even slower than than we found the Caldon!

 

Thanks for all your comments.

 

By the way, Harecastle was also fine re air draught and our topboxes. I did however forget to duck soon enough in the middle and my hat was whisked off smartish - fortunately not lost though.