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Bristol end of K&A to see boats and get a feel for the canals


Trollspindle

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We are going to make a quick impromptu trip up to the Kennet and Avon from north Cornwall on Saturday to get a taste of boats and canals maybe look at a few for sale and get a idea of some layouts, we will probably be near the Bristol end, but if anyone has any ideas for places to visit and look at boats please speak up. :)

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Bristol to bath is a canalised river and flows fairly fast. So you have Bristol Harbour and a few marinas. Then Bath to Devizes is a proper canal with lots of boats moored and a few boatyards and marinas.

 

Thanks Bagdad, we have a friend in Devizes who is due a visit, so Bath to Devizes sounds good. Can anyone recommend a marina that we could visit to look at boats for sale in the area? It is only a reconnaissance trip, we just want to see a few boats and soak up some atmosphere.

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Most K&A marinas do not really sell boats, they are just full of private boats though one or two might be for sale. If you are not a boat owner then the marina might even be not happy about you just walking around. Devizes marina usually does have a few boats for sale though they might not all be in the marina, you can check what is available on their website.

A walk from Bradford on Avon to Avoncliff, and also Bath to Bathampton will give you a good insight into life on the Western end of the K&A.

You probably need to go to the midlands if you want to look inside a lot of boats for sale.

 

..............Dave

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Try ABC at Hilperton Trowbridge, Caen Hill Marina (bottom of the flight), Devizes Marina ( on the way out of Devizes towards Swindon) also possibly Sally Boats at Bradford on Avon. Check the web sites or ring them for details.

Depends what you want as often there are boats for sale on the towpath between Bath and Devizes, some good others in need of a lot of TLC ! Look on Ebay as sometimes they appear on there.

On the river there is a marina at Saltford and one at Bath.

In Bristol floating harbour and Bristol marina you may also find boats for sale.

If you are buying for use on the K&A unless you intend to move the boat every 14 days you will need a mooring.

Marina moorings are in the region of £40.00 per foot per year in this area and are in short supply, I think.

On my last trip to Bristol 2 months ago it looked like all river moorings are full, with a lot of CM'rs occupying the few visitor spots left.

The river is not a good place as it is prone to high levels in the winter months and can flood very quickly.

It seems that a lot of boats have left the K & A Bath to Devizes section since CART have started to enforce the mooring rules, although a lot of towpath areas also now seem to have become residential moorings.

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Bite the bullet and drive for another 1-1/2 hours and you'll have a much, much larger choice with lots of marinas and boats for sale.

Completely agree, start with Whilton, then Rugby Boatsales, Braunston Marina, ABNB at Crick and GHBS at Wigrams Turn are all within a few minutes drive of each other.

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Completely agree, start with Whilton, then Rugby Boatsales, Braunston Marina, ABNB at Crick and GHBS at Wigrams Turn are all within a few minutes drive of each other.

 

Bite the bullet and drive for another 1-1/2 hours and you'll have a much, much larger choice with lots of marinas and boats for sale.

 

That will be the next trip I think, but juggling work, dog and cat and Uni, makes anything but a long days drive much more complicated to achieve. We are going to have to take the hound with us next time :)

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