The Horrors of Boating in London

[Joelsanders]

Before I first came to London by boat, I heard all kinds of stories from boaters about why they would never come here. I remember one experienced boater warning me, "London is full of desperate people. Half the boaters there will cut your ropes to take your mooring."
Ridiculous! It's at least 70 percent.
What horror stories about boating in London have you heard?

Edited April 6, 2015 by Joelsanders

[matty40s]

you drama queen.

 

I have delivered several boats either to moorings there or through London in the last two years.

I have NEVER failed to find a mooring spot, even late afternoon evening.

I have never had ropes cut, stuff nicked, etc etc

I also CC-ed round London from 2009 to 2012 - never had an issue.

 

Are you short of material for your shows, if so, I can make stuff up to help.

[Joelsanders]

It's a story I was told before I first came here and the boater who shared it believed it to be true. I'm curious what other perceptions boaters who avoid London have about boating in the capital.

[Timx]

I live in Liverpool and have never had my hub caps taken..

[tree monkey]

I live in Liverpool and have never had my hub caps taken..

I had a strimmer stolen from the back of a transit whilst waiting at a set of traffic lights in Liverpool

 

?

[MtB]

You story doesn't really hold water at all. I've heard on here there IS nowhere to moor.

 

 

MtB

[cotswoldsman]

In Liverpool they don't cut your ropes the take them, only in London would they not realise the resale value of a god set of ropes

[matty40s]

In Liverpool they don't cut your ropes the take them, only in London would they not realise the resale value of a god set of ropes

god ropes are never taken, they are passed down to the needy

[mark99]

Before I first came to London by boat, I heard all kinds of stories from boaters about why they would never come here. I remember one experienced boater warning me, "London is full of desperate people. Half the boaters there will cut your ropes to take your mooring."

Ridiculous! It's at least 70 percent.

What horror stories about boating in London have you heard?

 

Why don't you change the record and look for some positive in life.

 

Moaners and angry people are two a penny.

Edited April 6, 2015 by mark99

[MtB]

Greenie!

[Peter X]

In Liverpool they don't cut your ropes the take them, only in London would they not realise the resale value of a god set of ropes

Maybe London thieves can't be bothered with ropes, because London is full of more valuable things to nick?

After all, the streets are said to be paved with gold.

[Naughty Cal]

It's full of southners.

[Phil Ambrose]

It's full of southners.

Not true, half of them come from Whilton.

Phil

[Mac of Cygnet]

First time I went through London was OK, but I had an unpleasant time on the way back - I had a tooth abscess and had to go to the dentist. Never again.

[valrene9600]

TAlking London I mean Regents canal thru north and east of the capital.

Yes in places boats are moored 3/4 abreast although 4 is not common. Stopped overnight in Kings X very busy but plenty spaces as was the case a lot of the way to Limehouse. Mooring in amongst other boats is not my idea of fun, much prefer near fields BUT if you want to visit the capital then you put up with it for your visit.

Never let all the talk put you off visiting just listen and make some what if plans. Set off early each day so you are not pressured to take a mooring your not happy with.

[Athy]

 

Why don't you change the record and look for some positive in life.

 

Moaners and angry people are two a penny.

I took Mr. Sanders' comment as a tongue-in-cheek joke rather than a negative outlook.

[Joelsanders]

Why don't you change the record and look for some positive in life.

 

Moaners and angry people are two a penny.

 

Your comment is evidence that you're right. You appear to be the only moaning angry person on here. Well done on still using "records" as reference point. Next time you download your thoughts to your keyboard though, try to keep on topic.

TAlking London I mean Regents canal thru north and east of the capital.

Yes in places boats are moored 3/4 abreast although 4 is not common. Stopped overnight in Kings X very busy but plenty spaces as was the case a lot of the way to Limehouse. Mooring in amongst other boats is not my idea of fun, much prefer near fields BUT if you want to visit the capital then you put up with it for your visit.

Never let all the talk put you off visiting just listen and make some what if plans. Set off early each day so you are not pressured to take a mooring your not happy with.

I'm double moored in West London atm. It does take some getting used but I can honestly say - having double moored in London many times - it's never been an issue ... and I'm very noise sensitive. People are very considerate here, for the most part.

[mrsmelly]

I think all other boaters need to moor in London....that way there will be even more room for me in the nice places

 

Tim

[Naughty Cal]

I don't see what people's problem is with rafting up.

 

It seems to be that narrow-boaters make more of an issue of it than any other group of boaters.

 

You don't need to share your life with the boat you are moored too.

[mrsmelly]

I don't see what people's problem is with rafting up.

 

It seems to be that narrow-boaters make more of an issue of it than any other group of boaters.

 

You don't need to share your life with the boat you are moored too.

 

Absolutely agree.

 

Tim

[Peter X]

It's full of southners.

Not really, people come and go from London all the time, so there are people there from all over the country and the world.

 

Interestingly I read somewhere that London's population has only recently passed its previous peak reached in 1939; I guess that's because (1) the Luftwaffe destroyed so much housing that it took that long to rebuild, and (2) they're counting the postal area and the real increase has been outside London in the suburbs.

 

Conversely there are ex-Londoners all over the place, but a Londoner who leaves tends to go a little way out on the same side of London because it's easier to keep in touch with friends and relatives who haven't left if there isn't a time-consuming trip across town. So usually East Enders go to Essex, anyone from a SE postcode goes to Kent and so on.

 

People bringing boats down from Whilton have probably gone there from London, having looked in an estate agent's window and then spent a few minutes lying dazed on the (gold-paved) ground after seeing the prices.

[Theo]

Why don't you change the record and look for some positive in life.

 

Moaners and angry people are two a penny.

 

Another greenie!

[Wanted]

I don't see what people's problem is with rafting up.

 

It seems to be that narrow-boaters make more of an issue of it than any other group of boaters.

 

You don't need to share your life with the boat you are moored too.

Some.. Narrow boaters, I don't give a hoot!

[alan_fincher]

Some.. Narrow boaters, I don't give a hoot!

 

I'm sure Rachel would be very happy to breast up with you Rob - I seem to recall she "enjoyed" having a young baby as a neighbour!

[Traveller]

I don't see what people's problem is with rafting up.

 

It seems to be that narrow-boaters make more of an issue of it than any other group of boaters.

 

You don't need to share your life with the boat you are moored too.

A recent(ish) thread on a Broads forum covering the same subject proves that is is not just narrow boaters who have problems with the concept :-)