OldGoat Posted October 15, 2017 Report Share Posted October 15, 2017 Quote How's about getting a couple of yacht sized fenders (6-8" diameter) and deploying them for and aft on the side away from the near wall. On both sides might cause problems for oncoming boats. Pipe fenders might be to narrow to avoid scraping the cabin top. IMO the natural thing is to go too fast in a tunnel. The invert tends to be cleaner that the canal proper - so he boat tends to go faster if you don't throttle down. OR deprived of normal sensor indicators, you think you're going too slowly and speed up. The difference between a comfortable speed where the boat naturally keeps a central station and bouncing off the walls is very fine indeed - that's where a good tunnel light plus all cabin lights on helps. (I use two tunnel lights, one lighting the roof and the other in the 'normal' position, but it's frowned upon by the purists... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted October 15, 2017 Report Share Posted October 15, 2017 2 hours ago, bizzard said: I'd go for much larger diameter wheels like motorbike wheels,far less likely to snag on things, plus you could just set the throttle, go below for a snooze while the boat rumbles through on its own. Like the old tunnel tugs? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted October 15, 2017 Report Share Posted October 15, 2017 56 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said: Like the old tunnel tugs? Precisely - like post no 22 in fact! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted October 15, 2017 Report Share Posted October 15, 2017 1 minute ago, alan_fincher said: Precisely - like post no 22 in fact! Yes, but I have a very bad habit of replying to posts as I read them and not reading all the thread before replying,If I do I forget what I was going to reply to. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X Alan W Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 The possible problem that the tunnel tugs didn't have, the Op I presume wants to cruise a good amount of the system the tunnel tugs didn't go any distance from either end of the tunnel I would guess trying to pass through a "wide" lock with a std narrow boat & a boat with a similar set up to the tunnel tugs would be interesting 1 making the detachable & strong enough would be a "hassle" to have to assemble/remove just to pass though a tunnel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 It is not at all uncommon to see boats with a couple of full sized push bikes on the roof of a narrow boat. Simply move one to each side, with the wheels projecting beyond the gunwale line, then secure frames/handlebars to the handrails with rope or ratchet straps. Bingo, and provided you don't rush things the bikes should still be usable as you come out the other end. The technique should not be used in Gosty HIll, or Froghall tunnels though, for obvious reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeble Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 Never mind the roof corners, parts of the Stratford canal were so shallow last month that I threatened to fit wheels to the bottom of the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 9 minutes ago, weeble said: Never mind the roof corners, parts of the Stratford canal were so shallow last month that I threatened to fit wheels to the bottom of the boat. I found the same. The only way I could get through six or seven bridge holes was to take a run at them then shut the throttle just as I ground to a halt, and let my stern wave catch up and lift me through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roland elsdon Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 There's a bridge just before Wooton that going south we just stop wait and have a cup of tea. When the flush from the lock above comes through we inch forward. 90 mins last year to throughGoing north we go hard push the water through the bridge and then ride the wave. Blind going south so can't do that. been pulled through it before as well. if you run a pair wheels down someone's cabin in a tunnel as you pass After grinding them on the side you will have more to fix than your paint, if the boats too high ballast it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bebb Posted October 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 On 10/15/2017 at 16:35, Mac of Cygnet said: The OP's boat must have a very square profile, i.e. not much 'tumblehome' (is that right?) if the corners of the roof contact the tunnel before the gunwale does, in most tunnels at least. Even in Standedge, where I routinely protect my leading top corners, it's always lower down (and usually the back deck rails) which get scratched. yes that what a thought the cabin is more up right .thats Liverpool boats for you ,would have been better if the cabin walls were not so square they do come in but not enough thats why the corners touch the tunnel walls where the tunnel curves over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 I am sorry but if you think those wheels will take the impact or 16 tons and survive I think you will be poorly surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 There are hundreds of Liverpool boats on the cut that don't seem to have the problem you are trying to solve Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
system 4-50 Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 I assume that Innisfree's picture of a cratch wheel is no longer accessible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 (edited) 46 minutes ago, RLWP said: There are hundreds of Liverpool boats on the cut that don't seem to have the problem you are trying to solve Richard And if the OP's Liverpool Boats boat is the one in his avatar, there is nowt unusual about its cabin shape, so (provided that prmh hood is down!), should pass most "normal tunnels" without danger to upper cabin sides. As has been said there are a number of "unusual" tunnels where even a slightly "boxier" cabin could be at risk. I would certainly include Ashtead and even Curdworth where our "Evans & Son" boat could lose paint from handrails, (and obviously Froghall, and possibly Gosty Hill), but such tunnels are rare for most boats. I realise, starting late to the thread, I have not picked up on which tunnels OP has had problems in - I'll now go and skim through to see if that is stated! EDIT No, I can't seethe question answered, though I can see it asked! Dave Bebb, Could you please tell us which tunnels you have so far had problems in - thanks. Edited October 16, 2017 by alan_fincher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 7 minutes ago, alan_fincher said: And if the OP's Liverpool Boats boat is the one in his avatar, there is nowt unusual about its cabin shape, so (provided that prmh hood is down!), should pass most "normal tunnels" without danger to upper cabin sides. As has been said there are a number of "unusual" tunnels where even a slightly "boxier" cabin could be at risk. I would certainly include Ashtead and even Curdworth where our "Evans & Son" boat could lose paint from handrails, (and obviously Froghall, and possibly Gosty Hill), but such tunnels are rare for most boats. I realise, starting late to the thread, I have not picked up on which tunnels OP has had problems in - I'll now go and skim through to see if that is stated! EDIT No, I can't seethe question answered, though I can see it asked! Dave Bebb, Could you please tell us which tunnels you have so far had problems in - thanks. Curdworth is evil, that bump is just waiting to get you and what would the chances of a wheel being in the right place to save you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Pegg Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 Absolutely do not fit those wheels Dave. Terrible idea. Personally I love tunnels. Just calculated I have transited over 50 miles and spent over 16 hours in tunnels in the past two years. Not a scratch on the handrails. Judging by the quality of that photo in the first post what the OP actually needs is something to steady his hand on the tiller. 14 pints of lager is a medically proven remedy. JP 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 4 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said: Absolutely do not fit those wheels Dave. Terrible idea. Personally I love tunnels. Just calculated I have transited over 50 miles and spent over 16 hours in tunnels in the past two years. Not a scratch on the handrails. Judging by the quality of that photo in the first post what the OP actually needs is something to steady his hand on the tiller. 14 pints of lager is a medically proven remedy. JP Well, yes - but Vulpes roof is only three foot wide Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizzard Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 Liverpool boats have a it of a habit of developing a lot of slop-play in the tiller, if the pinch and through bolts that locate the rudder stock in the rudder tube come loose. Might be the trouble, erratic steering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Pegg Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 9 minutes ago, RLWP said: Well, yes - but Vulpes roof is only three foot wide Richard It takes its inspiration from the Japanese Toblerone train. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timx Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 I had trouble adjusting to tunnels, but as has been said, tilt your light up, then keep the spot in the middle like a video game, Not as much concentration needed, but does become boring in longer tunnels, but makes the job easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 The low part of Gosty Hill. I would not fancy it with wheels on the cabin. It's bad enough with the possibility of getting stuck with a piece of wood down the side without adding to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boat&Bikes Posted October 16, 2017 Report Share Posted October 16, 2017 I suspect th OP problem isn't the boats profile but the overhanging folded down pramhood. They do tend to stick out a little. Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
system 4-50 Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 10 hours ago, system 4-50 said: I assume that Innisfree's picture of a cratch wheel is no longer accessible? Is this it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pig Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 I had the same trouble as the OP, with a new expensive cratch cover. The old cover did tend to catch on tunnel walls, so I made some protection with two fenders and a bit of rope going round the front, holding the fenders in position at the vulnerable corners. The only photo I have of it just about shows the setup. I have to agree with others about the LED tunnel lights, the problem has gone away when you can see what you're doing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nb Innisfree Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 1 hour ago, system 4-50 said: Is this it? Yes that's it, well done. Taken a few years ago now, I tried them out on Innisfree's last long cruise before being sold, worked very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Featured Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now