How early can I start cruising tomorrow?

[Doodlebug]

It's a question I've always wondered and never thought to ask. Obviously you can't run engines for charging batteries until 8am but when is it ok to start cruising. Or does it not really matter? I've seen boats travel all sorts of times?

[Rob-M]

Start whenever you fancy, boating at first light is the best time. Just be considerate to those you pass.

[Doodlebug]

Cool. Good to know!

[___]

It's a question I've always wondered and never thought to ask. Obviously you can't run engines for charging batteries until 8am but when is it ok to start cruising. Or does it not really matter? I've seen boats travel all sorts of times?

Simple. If you don't stop you can't break the rule. ?

 

Actually there is no rule; nothing to stop you cruising at any time (insurance permitting).

 

 

JP

 

ETA - that was ruined by beaten to it by Rob!

Edited July 18, 2016 by Captain Pegg

[Paul C]

Having worked on a dairy farm, I'd not recommend any earlier than about 5am, you'll feel like death warmed up. At this time of year, around 5:30am is a good time to be up and about.

[Doodlebug]

5! I could never get up at 5! I feel like death warmed up until 6.30 which is as early as I would ever leave.

 

I'd be surprised if no one had a go at me for starting before 7. But good to know I can get going earlier. Whether I actually will tomorrow I don't know.

 

It's a tough call. One lock or a 20 minute lay in!

[Scholar Gypsy]

Start whenever you fancy, boating at first light is the best time. Just be considerate to those you pass.

 

Here we are on the go at 0500 this weekend.

 

[MtB]

It's a question I've always wondered and never thought to ask. Obviously you can't run engines for charging batteries until 8am but when is it ok to start cruising. Or does it not really matter? I've seen boats travel all sorts of times?

 

 

What makes you think there are limits on when you may cruise?

 

There are none. Set off whenever you like. 1.00am is a nice time to cruise in my experience if there is a full moon.

[Horace42]

Prepare everything first. Start the engine just as you cast off - any time.

[MtB]

Prepare everything first. Start the engine just as you cast off - any time.

 

 

^^^This^^^

 

Good advice.

 

Don't be a nuisance cruising at night. Keep moving on and pass moored boats even slower than you would in daylight to avoid disturbing them.

[zenataomm]

When I lived in London we used to do Midnight Cruises up The Regents and bang on the back window of The Chinese Takeway whose front door was on Harrow Road.

They'd pass you order sideways through the iron bars.

[MtB]

The hardest bit is mooring up again in the pitch dark. Or just cruise on until dawn.

[colmac]

I worked shifts including nights and bridge watch keeping at sea for 42 years and, now retired, I am of the opinion that bed is the place to be when it,s the wee small hours and dark o'clock outdoors. However I was up at 5 this morning allowing the dog to attend to her toilet and I have to say it was rather nice. Midway between Braunston and Wigrams Turn out in the Boonies.

[magpie patrick]

On my recent trip I started up both Atherstone and Napton lock Flights at 6am, and thus cleared them before anyone else really got going.

 

The only reason it wasn't earlier is I can't function until after the second cup of coffee...

[MissMax]

 

Here we are on the go at 0500 this weekend.

 

 

 

This is what i should be doing right now, each and every day. I'd have my silk scarf gently blowing in the early morning breeze and a flask of coffee (with a hint of water) by my side.

 

Stop living my dreams

[system 4-50]

You can start as soon as you have sufficient clothes on.

[Jerra]

As the question is how early can I start cruising I doubt you could manage much earlier than 00:00:01 am!

[Mrs Tawny Owl]

We start about 4am when doing the BCN Challenge. Exact time depends on when we stop, but it's exactly 6 hours after that.

 

I too was thinking 00:01 as before that is late not early.

 

Sue

[FadeToScarlet]

I'm normally aiming to be on the boat, sitting in the middle of the Jesus Lock basin here in Cambridge having steered the boat there, to watch the fireworks at 00:00 on 1St January every year.

 

Can't get much earlier than that!

[mross]

I would not mind being woken early by another boater so long as they did not rev their engine excessively. I can start my trad and snick it straight into 'ahead' and pootle off with little smoke, noise or wash. It really is fun to be out at first light and plough through the morning mist. You can see deer and other wildlife that are normally too shy.

[ditchcrawler]

I worked shifts including nights and bridge watch keeping at sea for 42 years and, now retired, I am of the opinion that bed is the place to be when it,s the wee small hours and dark o'clock outdoors. However I was up at 5 this morning allowing the dog to attend to her toilet and I have to say it was rather nice. Midway between Braunston and Wigrams Turn out in the Boonies.

The view from my bedroom at 5-30 this morning.

[IanM]

7:50am last November, was even nicer before that

 

2015-11-01 07.50.58 by Ian, on Flickr

[MissMax]

You lot are just being cruel now

 

(looks at window and crys)

[Scholar Gypsy]

You lot are just being cruel now

 

(looks at window and crys)

 

It can be quite nice just before it gets dark as well.

 

[Lysander]

Napton Locks at 5.30am back in May.