Watford Locks

[paulmeds]

Looks like my trip south on my new boat Tara scheduled for 2 July will have to wait. Locks are closed on that day for emergency repair.

[larkshall]

go early, lol

[paulmeds]

Will leave on Monday 6th July......please stay clear of all routes South ....novice at the helm

[Tuscan]

Lots of boats yesterday so holed up at Norton Junction came up to Watford flight at 7.40am empty so started up the flight , lockkie came on duty and helped work us up the flight , first boat up lovely.

[Suzie_q]

Will leave on Monday 6th July......please stay clear of all routes South ....novice at the helm

Should be going down the flight that day. Will give you a wave if we see you rather than a wide berth.

[Jess--]

Will leave on Monday 6th July......please stay clear of all routes South ....novice at the helm

once you reach the bottom of watford locks you wont feel like a novice any more.

 

you will have...

got your boat out of ABNB's wharf (it's tight, we had about 2 inches in a 43 footer)

probably been in and out of crick marina to get some fuel (including winding within the marina)

passed through crick tunnel (not too long and no nasty surprises but a fun first tunnel)

passed through your first narrow locks & staircase locks

[junior]

Will leave on Monday 6th July......please stay clear of all routes South ....novice at the helm

Just keep an eye out for any widebeams, they are very difficult to pass in the small pounds between locks. Other than that, take your time and they'll be a piece of cake.

[Bettie Boo]

Just keep an eye out for any widebeams, they are very difficult to pass in the small pounds between locks. Other than that, take your time and they'll be a piece of cake.

 

I thought the Watford locks were on the Leicester arm, heading up to Northampton? Isn't that all narrow locks, how do widebeams get up there?

[Jess--]

 

I thought the Watford locks were on the Leicester arm, heading up to Northampton? Isn't that all narrow locks, how do widebeams get up there?

watford locks are between crick tunnel and norton junction (close to watford gap services on the M1) and they are narrow (no chance of meeting a widebeam there), I think Junior meant watch out for widebeams in pounds in general.

[junior]

;-)

[matty40s]

I thought the Watford locks were on the Leicester arm, heading up to Northampton? Isn't that all narrow locks, how do widebeams get up there?

Wide beans use the side ponds to go up the Watford flight.

[bizzard]

Broad beans and Runner beans too.

[paulmeds]

Thank you all for the advise, getting out of ABNB sales moorings is a no no for me but I will have Barry Watson with me who is going to give me instructions for the first day, we will see how far we can get in a day and then I'm on my own. I have been looking for a marina in the south that will allow me to stay on board for at least three nights a week, Thames and Kennet no problem, the cost however might be, however, I rather like the look of Caen Hill Marina so I'll be giving them a call. Suzie Q, the boats called Tara, give us a wave

Paul

[patty-ann]

Good luck. Ask loads questions then take your time.

[Bettie Boo]

Thank you all for the advise, getting out of ABNB sales moorings is a no no for me but I will have Barry Watson with me who is going to give me instructions for the first day, we will see how far we can get in a day and then I'm on my own. I have been looking for a marina in the south that will allow me to stay on board for at least three nights a week, Thames and Kennet no problem, the cost however might be, however, I rather like the look of Caen Hill Marina so I'll be giving them a call. Suzie Q, the boats called Tara, give us a wave

Paul

 

I don't remember if it's the marina at the top of the flight or the one at the bottom; but we've got a friend who moors there and their phone / wifi signal is pretty much non existent. Best check that out when you go to have a look before parting with any hard earned dosh

[paulmeds]

Thanks for that people, phone and wifi is important to me so that will be the first thing I'll check out