wobbly ollie Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 Weve just purchased our 1st boat ...a 50 foot narrowboat which we'll moor in Newbury. What we lack in experience we'll make up for in an enthusiasm to learn and i am sure this forum will be a great source of information. Can anyone recommend which publications and maps we should purchase as a basic starter pack? Eg A detailed waterways map of the UK, I have geard Nicholsons guides mentioned often. Is there such a book as a beginers guide to narrowboating? Anything that covers the mechanical or technical aspect of narrowboat ownership would also be useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 Welcome, and congratulations. Opinions on guide books vary: in this writer's opinion, the Pearson Canal Companions are the best. Ample information, lively writing style. I'm not qualified to offer technical advice, but many on this forum are, and I'm sure that one or two of them will be along shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_P Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 Pearson's v Nicholsons is almost as good as pump-out v cassette. If you prefer to use proper maps then Nicholson's wins. If you want more detailed text, then Pearson's wins. Personally I can't be doing with a map which doesn't respect where north is, so it's Nicholson's all the way for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 (edited) Pearson's v Nicholsons is almost as good as pump-out v cassette. If you prefer to use proper maps then Nicholson's wins. If you want more detailed text, then Pearson's wins. Personally I can't be doing with a map which doesn't respect where north is, so it's Nicholson's all the way for me. Personally I prefer a map which shows the canal going across the page, always in the same direction. So it's Pearson's all the way for me. (Continued P.94) ...in other words, Ollie, wobble along to your nearest chandlery or decent bookshop, have a look at both ranges (each comes in several separate volumes, arranged by area) and choose whichever suits you better. Edited November 4, 2016 by Athy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo_ Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 Or get them both ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysander Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 Weve just purchased our 1st boat ...a 50 foot narrowboat which we'll moor in Newbury. What we lack in experience we'll make up for in an enthusiasm to learn and i am sure this forum will be a great source of information. Can anyone recommend which publications and maps we should purchase as a basic starter pack? Eg A detailed waterways map of the UK, I have geard Nicholsons guides mentioned often. Is there such a book as a beginers guide to narrowboating? Anything that covers the mechanical or technical aspect of narrowboat ownership would also be useful. You might find this useful if you haven't got it already. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/141.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howardang Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 You might find this useful if you haven't got it already. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/141.pdf Both Nicholson's and Pearson's have their fans. I prefer Pearson's but it I think both have their merits. I fully agree with Lysander - the Boaters handbook will be a useful asset to have and may help to give you a basic understanding of the waterways. Another very useful publication is the RYA Inland Waterways Handbook which is also the course book for the Inland Waterways helmsman's certificate. Enjoy your new boat. Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 Is there such a book as a beginers guide to narrowboating? Anything that covers the mechanical or technical aspect of narrowboat ownership would also be useful. There's any number of blog sites out there where boaters, newbie and experienced, relate their boating experiences, pitfalls and advice. And most of the mechanical and technical stuff gets covered on here, so have a look through the forum, or use the forum search (or google) for specific things of concern. If you can't find what you want ask away, although you may well get a wearisome response that XXX has been discussed here so many times before, as well as some helpful info. And before you ask, you aren't charging your batteries enough, and they are probably now knackered*. [*technical term] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulG Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 (edited) Weve just purchased our 1st boat ...a 50 foot narrowboat which we'll moor in Newbury. What we lack in experience we'll make up for in an enthusiasm to learn and i am sure this forum will be a great source of information. Can anyone recommend which publications and maps we should purchase as a basic starter pack? Eg A detailed waterways map of the UK, I have geard Nicholsons guides mentioned often. Is there such a book as a beginers guide to narrowboating? Anything that covers the mechanical or technical aspect of narrowboat ownership would also be useful. This book was very useful to me when I first bought my boat. (Other books / vendors available!) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NARROW-BOATS-CARE-AND-MAINTENANCE-Nick-Billingham-HARDBACK-/351855529609?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368 Edited November 4, 2016 by PaulG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily Rose Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 Or get them both ...... ... Which is what I did for the area I frequent the most. In my opinion the Pearson was the better read of the two (and is cheaper if you are buying new at full price - which I didn't) but my preference is Nicholson for the following main reasons: 1. Uses proper maps based on Ordnance Survey. 2. North is always top of the page which makes it easier for me to follow. 3. The ring binding makes it easier to use on the move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 ... Which is what I did for the area I frequent the most. In my opinion the Pearson was the better read of the two (and is cheaper if you are buying new at full price - which I didn't) but my preference is Nicholson for the following main reasons: 1. Uses proper maps based on Ordnance Survey. 2. North is always top of the page which makes it easier for me to follow. 3. The ring binding makes it easier to use on the move. This, I think, is the one area in which Nicholson's has the advantage over Pearson's. Michael, if you read this, please consider ring-binding your guides from now on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Smith Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 Has anyone used the phone app yet as supplied by rcr. neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 The IWA and Geo Projects do maps of the network showing rough times between points which is handy for quick ballpark figure planning. Canal Planner on the Web is a great resource for a more detailed view of potential routes. On the move, I prefer Nicholsons for the mapping, but text in all of the guides is usually amended in the latest issue just in time to be out of date. As long as you allow for the post office to be a hairdresser, the greengrocers to be a hairdresser and the 'useful baker's shop' to be an estate agent and the 'interesting hardware store' to be a charity shop, you'll be ok. Oh, and the 'friendly pub with an open fire a short walk from Bridge 62' is 2 miles across a muddy field and it closed 2 years ago. Bummer; sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbainbridge Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 Has anyone used the phone app yet as supplied by rcr. neil I believe they are the old e-canalmapp, very good but with the following reservations Not updated regularly You can't see your tablet or mobile screen in bright sunlight whilst your underway Unless your mobile/tablet is on charge you will soon drain their internal batteries A bit of a faff scrolling, panning and zooming to identify local points of interest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMax Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 I like the Pearson's because i can see it (Nicholson's was written by atoms) and it's more of a comfortable and informative read without being to grown up. Plus it shows the windy holes (not horseshoes) that Nicholson misses out and shows more detail. I have both bought in advance and i cling to the Pearsons while the Nicholson keeps my book shelf company Pearsons so pretty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 It even pinpoints the location of McDonald's, to make it easier to avoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 I believe they are the old e-canalmapp, very good but with the following reservations Not updated regularly You can't see your tablet or mobile screen in bright sunlight whilst your underway Unless your mobile/tablet is on charge you will soon drain their internal batteries A bit of a faff scrolling, panning and zooming to identify local points of interest This was the MK1 cornfake box sun shield housing for my Ipad, this has now been replaced by a wooden, waterproof one so it keeps both sun and rain off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Payne Posted November 4, 2016 Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 It even pinpoints the location of McDonald's, to make it easier to avoid. Unless it pre 11am, then its all good with a double sausage and egg Mc muffin to keep you going till lunch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wobbly ollie Posted November 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2016 Thanks folks . Really useful and helpful. What a great site!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junior Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Nicholsons guides all the way for me, but then I've been taught how to read a map so the others drive me mad as they are not to scale and don't show north. I've tried looking at other canal guides and just can't get my head round them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwatch Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Nicholsons guides all the way for me, but then I've been taught how to read a map so the others drive me mad as they are not to scale and don't show north. I've tried looking at other canal guides and just can't get my head round them. I agree Martin. Nicholson for me too. If I want a laugh or a chuckle I read a Pearsons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 I agree Martin. Nicholson for me too. If I want a laugh or a chuckle I read a Pearsons. Boating and laughing need not be mutually exclusive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stilllearning Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Nicholsons guides all the way for me, but then I've been taught how to read a map so the others drive me mad as they are not to scale and don't show north. I've tried looking at other canal guides and just can't get my head round them. The same for me, I was taught to read maps, and a cousin of mine co-wrote the original Nicholsons so I have to like them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 I am surprised to read an implication that Pearson's maps are not to scale. As all mine are on the boat and I'm not, I can't prove it, but I have always had the impression that they adhere to a scale (from memory, two inches to a mile). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junior Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 The same for me, I was taught to read maps, and a cousin of mine co-wrote the original Nicholsons so I have to like them. I have to admit that I've never really read much of the written information in them. My draw to the Nicholsons is that it uses Ordnance Survey mapping and with a quick glance i can instantly see what is what,in which direction and how far away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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