Anyone know anyone that will transport a narrowboat over Xmas?

[RosieP]

Hi,

 

We are hoping to buy a lovely 65ft narrowboat and fingers crossed will complete the sale by the end of November. I then have to consider how to transport her from Stafford area down to London, taking into account winter stoppages.

It looks like hatton top lock which re-opens on the 21st of Dec and aspley lock which closes on 6th Jan might be our limiting factors. I can see that its doable to make this stretch in the time frame but I cannot be away from family over Christmas.

 

To cut to the chase, does anyone know a) a boat mover who might do this section over the hols and if I've read the stoppages correctly.

 

Thanks very much in advance!

 

Rosie

[Nightwatch]

Welcome to the forum..

 

There are at least two names that come to mind on here.

 

Mattys40 and Nigel Carton. Both seems good chaps.

 

There may be others.

 

Congrats on boat purchase ( hopefully)

 

Edit to add. We bought out present boat from Stafford Area. We didn't use the Hatton Flight as advised.

 

I think the route we used was wiggling up and down ,ish, Trent & Mersey, Coventry canal and another one I can't remember before the Oxford Canal.

 

Martyn.

Edited November 3, 2013 by Nightwatch

[Midnight Rider]

Hi Rosie & welcome.

 

Not just stoppages that could cause problems of course, the weather may play a part.

 

I haven't looked at the stoppages, but have you considered the T&M, Coventry,Oxford & the Thames as a route?.

[Leo No2]

Hi Rosie & welcome.

 

Not just stoppages that could cause problems of course, the weather may play a part.

 

I haven't looked at the stoppages, but have you considered the T&M, Coventry,Oxford & the Thames as a route?.

 

Thames is closed at Whitchurch for bridge works from tomorrow until the end of March albeit there may be opportunities to use the lock from time-to-time but there are other Thames closures as well which effectively closes it for winter navigation. See http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/135254.aspx

[Nightwatch]

Hi Rosie & welcome.

 

I haven't looked at the stoppages, but have you considered the T&M, Coventry,Oxford & the Thames as a route?.

 

Isn't that something similar to what I said?

 

Martyn.

[Midnight Rider]

Isn't that something similar to what I said?

 

Martyn.

No --- I assumed that you were using the Grand Union at Braunston.

[nigel carton]

Hi Rosie, email at

Nigel.carton(at)btinternet.comj

Forget the 'j' typo!

[RosieP]

Thanks to all those who replied. All very helpful. I will have a look at the alternative route.

[RosieP]

Upon more careful reading, the Thames isn't an option over winter (thanks Leo).

Any reason why I wouldn't the Grand Union route, going down the Hatton flight when its reopened on 22nd of Dec. How trustworthy are these dates?

Thanks all.

[capri sun]

Hi Rosiep

we brought our boat last year and finished the sale in November and like yourself had to to get the boat down from Cheshire with stoppages and the winter Ice we were keen to have the boat in our marina as soon as possible

we used Mattys40 on the forum and found him great at keeping us up to date on his progress and he also fixed a couple of items on the NB for us on his way down

I also met up with him on the last day to travel the last bit and help with the locks which was useful for me, and Matt gave me some extra tips on how to cruise through the bridges in winter etc.

Roger

[MtB]

I used Tuckeys to bring ALDEBARAN down from Nottingham to Reading on their lorry when I bought him in December (2006 iirc). No uncertainty, no delays, here in about 24 hours! Very professional service.

 

MtB

Edited November 3, 2013 by Mike the Boilerman

[PaddingtonBear]

As MtB says . Hope you have organised a mooring for when you get there another example of north south divide ?

[Arthur Brown]

The cost of the truck will not be ridiculous and you will get a move when you want it! Finding a boatyard with it's own crane is a good move otherwise the lift at each end does get pricey.

[ebenezer]

Hi Rosie.

Try Ashoredboatmovingservices

 

ask for mike

[Grace and Favour]

Hi Rosie.

Try Ashoredboatmovingservices

 

ask for mike

Ebenezer - - I believe that you are 'Mike' of the above company, and please don't post as if you are making a recommendation of another (third party) business.

Edited November 4, 2013 by Grace & Favour

[Pykebird]

We often have tuckeys delivering/collecting boats from here in Nottingham and can also highly recommend them. They are always on time( sometimes early) and very professional.

[Old Son]

I used Streethay Wharf. Blinding service for not a lot of money.

[kyber]

Hi Rosiep

we brought our boat last year and finished the sale in November and like yourself had to to get the boat down from Cheshire with stoppages and the winter Ice we were keen to have the boat in our marina as soon as possible

we used Mattys40 on the forum and found him great at keeping us up to date on his progress and he also fixed a couple of items on the NB for us on his way down

I also met up with him on the last day to travel the last bit and help with the locks which was useful for me, and Matt gave me some extra tips on how to cruise through the bridges in winter etc.

Roger

A little off topic, but I am really curious about what is different about cruising through bridges in winter etc (other than maybe the dangers of compressing ice and slicing fibreglass boats maybe).

[Midnight Rider]

I would say bugger all difference unless capri sun can help us out.

[RosieP]

Thanks very much everyone

[NickF]

A little off topic, but I am really curious about what is different about cruising through bridges in winter etc (other than maybe the dangers of compressing ice and slicing fibreglass boats maybe).

I always make sure i am wearing gloves in winter ... that's about the only difference for me!