Max length

[Jacq]

Please can any one confirm, is 57 feet the max size narrowboat that can cruise the whole system ? Thanks.

[Ray]

That's my understanding, although I've heard it said that anything up to about 60ft can also make it, if you position you boat diagonally in the shorter locks.

 

Mine is 57ft 3ins, according to my surveyor, so I'm hope that I'm alright as I plan to head for the northern canals next Spring and they're the ones with the short locks.

 

Ray

[bottle]

Hi Jacq

 

As Ray said a 57' will go any where on the main BW system but allegedly a 60' will go through the shorter double locks on the northern canals at a diagonal.

 

Some times you have to go through a lock in reverse.

 

Here is a link to craft dimensions, a strange title as it give lock dimensions on BW canals, it is a PDF document of 22 pages (not small)

[Maffi]

My boat is sixty foot with fenders and can fit in all locks I have encountered including a couple on the Caulder Hebble at a diagonal.

[rallyfan]

Mine is 60ft and we too have done the C & H, Rochdale, Huddersfield etc. It just requires a little extra care on a few locks.

[Gary Peacock]

I used to preach the 57' rule but I think we can fairly safely say that 58' is probably proven to be fine now with care.

 

I wonder how much more you can charge for a foot of boat?

[GRPCruiserman]

There is only the Calder and Hebble that restricts to 57 straight, but this stops you getting to The Rochdale and Huddersfield narrow from the Eastern end if you can't get through.

 

I think living up here, if I wanted a livaboard or long term cruising boat I'd go for 60 for the extra room, as The Leeds Liverpool is largely 60 foot, and the 57 foot restriction wouldn't bother me too much, but I wouldn't go over 60 foot as to miss out on the Leeds Liverpool (and access to The Lancaster via The Rufford Arm of The Leeds Liverpool) would be pretty catastrophic. The Lancaster is a 70 foot canal, but unless you fancy a sea passage you cn't get to it in more than 60 foot.