March of the Widebeams

[dixi188]

Met them at Braunston top lock on Monday about 3.30pm. Lady worked the lock for me as I was on my own. Pleasant crew, many thanks.

[IanD]

"I name this ship … Human Lasagne?!"

 

(or maybe it's a scale model, that would explain the 4 USB ports...)

 

Edited November 9, 2022 by IanD

[ditchcrawler]

Some weeks ago there was discussion if a fat boat could get through Norton Junction up the Leicester arm, well there is a fat boat in the marina at Welton the one nearest Watford Locks

[matty40s]

4 hours ago, ditchcrawler said:

Some weeks ago there was discussion if a fat boat could get through Norton Junction up the Leicester arm, well there is a fat boat in the marina at Welton the one nearest Watford Locks

That's been there a few years now, I think there are 2 in there now, you can get a 12 foot wide up to the locks and wind it in the hole, not easy, but just about do-able.

[Sea Dog]

8 hours ago, matty40s said:

...not easy, but just about do-able.

Sounds like the absolute epitome of boating pleasure!  

[matty40s]

It is reported that CRT are currently dealing with an unbooked widebeam owner who forced a hire boat to reverse out of Blisworth tunnel a couple of weeks ago.

[GUMPY]

50 minutes ago, matty40s said:

It is reported that CRT are currently dealing with an unbooked widebeam owner who forced a hire boat to reverse out of Blisworth tunnel a couple of weeks ago.

Jenlyn?

[MtB]

2 hours ago, matty40s said:

It is reported that CRT are currently dealing with an unbooked widebeam owner who forced a hire boat to reverse out of Blisworth tunnel a couple of weeks ago.

 

What are they planning to do about it, I wonder...

 

Write them a stiffly worded letter?

 

 

[ditchcrawler]

2 hours ago, MtB said:

Write them a stiffly worded letter?

 

 

Any worse and it will be in the national press for harassment and discrimination 

[David Mack]

23 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:

Any worse and it will be in the national press for harassment and discrimination 

Fatshaming?

[MtB]

I am imagining the scene...

 

Middle of the tunnel, hire narrowboat minding their own business passing through the tunnel perfectly legitimately. Meets fat bustard that shouldn't be there, head on. Bow to bow discussion ensues:

 

You reverse out, you're not supposed to be in the tunnel.

 

No YOU reverse out, we are more important than you because our boat is considerably bigger than yours and you are JUST a hire boat.

 

Oh, ok then....

[ditchcrawler]

16 minutes ago, MtB said:

I am imagining the scene...

 

Middle of the tunnel, hire narrowboat minding their own business passing through the tunnel perfectly legitimately. Meets fat bustard that shouldn't be there, head on. Bow to bow discussion ensues:

 

You reverse out, you're not supposed to be in the tunnel.

 

No YOU reverse out, we are more important than you because our boat is considerably bigger than yours and you are JUST a hire boat.

 

Oh, ok then....

I would suggest the level of aggression of the skippers and crews could be the deciding factor 

[MtB]

Just now, ditchcrawler said:

I would suggest the level of aggression of the skippers and crews could be the deciding factor 

 

 

Also, the length of the queue backed up behind each of the protagonists! 

 

 

[roland elsdon]

Drag  fatso out of the tunnel apply gas axe and leave remains as a warning.

Bit like the French have done with crashed cars.

[zenataomm]

I expect someone in "Admin" will post a copy of the preferred process to the fat boat's owner.  They in turn will light their fire with it.

[David Mack]

4 hours ago, MtB said:

I am imagining the scene...

 

Middle of the tunnel, hire narrowboat minding their own business passing through the tunnel perfectly legitimately. Meets fat bustard that shouldn't be there, head on. Bow to bow discussion ensues:

 

You reverse out, you're not supposed to be in the tunnel.

 

No YOU reverse out, we are more important than you because our boat is considerably bigger than yours and you are JUST a hire boat.

 

Oh, ok then....

Or two stubborn boaters, neither prepared to give way, both revving their engines to try and push the other back until all involved are asphyxiated by the diesel fumes...

[ditchcrawler]

3 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Or two stubborn boaters, neither prepared to give way, both revving their engines to try and push the other back  

Think Barnton Tunnel 

 

[Lady M]

Perhaps CRT are investigating the most appropriate wording for some new big BLUE signs by the tunnels.

[matty40s]

They are travelling in wodges(packs) now, 2 x 12' and a big red 14' at the back, been together all winter.

Edited February 18, 2023 by matty40s

[Up-Side-Down]

2 minutes ago, matty40s said:

They are travelling in wodges(packs) now, 2 x 12' and a big red 14' at the back, been together all winter.

Out of interest, how many dry docks of these dimensions are there around for blacking etc?

[peterboat]

5 minutes ago, matty40s said:

They are travelling in wodges(packs) now, 2 x 12' and a big red 14' at the back, been together all winter.

Front one looks nice

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, peterboat said:

Front one looks nice

 

It does, but it would look nicer on our old mooring at Pollington. It would be barely noticeable there.

 

I like the colour too. 

[Hudds Lad]

We passed a fatty on our way to The Folly moored between Braunston and Napton Junction, named “Going Nowhere”  

[matty40s]

48 minutes ago, Up-Side-Down said:

Out of interest, how many dry docks of these dimensions are there around for blacking etc?

Baxter's near Yardley Gobbion round here,  charges double fee as they usually black 2 normal boats at the same time. Whilton can lift out, however eye watering price for normal boat so...

[Graham and Jo]

1 hour ago, Hudds Lad said:

We passed a fatty on our way to The Folly moored between Braunston and Napton Junction, named “Going Nowhere”  

We saw it going through Calcutt top lock on Thursday.

 

Cheers Graham