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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Mar 2014 : 18:11:44
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Hi all
I'm always one for a challenge, and love travel of all kinds.
I have a Norman 23, currently on the Broads.
I fancy trying the canals for a season, but don't want to be limited to a single short trip and want to take our own boat.
Is it possible to trailer my boat to the Ouse or the Wissey and then travel via the canal system in a big circuit as a beginner?
I'm thinking up the east side, across to the north west, back down the west side, across to the Thames and end up in Essex to be trailered back to Norfolk.
I thought it might take a year, taking it on in short trips, maybe three or four days at a time, and maybe a couple of two or three week linger trips, leaving the boat moored for three or four weeks at a time, between sections.
It's just an idea, but sounds like a great one!
Anyone done this? Best routes? possible in an N23? Would we learn enough in the early days to tackle the harder sections?
...or am I just an idiot for even thinking this might be a great break from the Broads for a season?
Any advice most welcome.
Cheers
Steve
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merlin
United Kingdom
400 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2014 : 20:42:01
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sounds good mind you a lot running back and forth
think you might have to check your canal licence
see if your allowed on various sections of the system
also you may only be allowed 14 days mooring at your stops
then of course security when you leave it
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 26 Mar 2014 : 21:59:25
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My issues would be where would you moor. How would you get from there back to where you started.
What you propose would need at least 2 if not 3 different river/canal licences.
If you are talking Bedford, York, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wales, Thames... that would take you months, even cruising full time. (Adi will be along soon to tell you that it can all be done in a lunchtime!!)
I'm not saying don't do it, but perhaps pick a smaller chunk... perhaps drop her in on the Thames, come up the canals to Northampton, along the Nene, across the middle levels and onto the Gt Ouse, down to Bedford, back to Ely, out and home. If you get to St Neots, I'll personally sort you a secure marina mooring for a week. So cheap it is almost free.
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 27 Mar 2014 : 06:56:24
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Nothing wrong in principle but you are describing a "multi-year" plan, Some folk spend a lifetime of weekends and holidays and still don't see it all.
So choose a good bit, sort out a licence, trailer to there and explore for that year. You'll need to do quite a bit of planning for parking, mooring and security, both for the boat and for your car. Don't forget to allow for all those things that may prevent you reaching your destination on time: breakdowns, river conditions, emergency lock works, drunkenness.
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 28 Mar 2014 : 09:48:49
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So, totally crazy idea then?
Anyone done anything similar, even over a few years?
I realised there would be issues with getting back to the car from the end point for each section, but with a bit of planning, this should be a "Planes, Trains and taxis" easy solution.
Security for the moored boat is an issue. Are short term marina berths generally available, for say two or three weeks?
Any one know if their local boatyard would accept a shot term berth?
Does anyone know how many running miles this trip would be? I'm guessing several hundred, so upwards of 300 hours cruising?
I don't always want to do six or seven hours a day, but happy to every now and again.
I am thinking 10 hours clocked off over a long weekend, and 20 hours in a full week.
I can see that this probably adds up to maybe 90+ days afloat, but I reckon this might be do-able over a couple of summers and a light work-load!
I still think it's a great idea - but I am pretty impulsive, and naturally over-confident.
Just trying to add a coat of reality to the idea! |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 28 Mar 2014 : 17:53:31
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You should definitely do it in some way, just don't plan on seeing everything in one year.
Spend a bit of time on this route planning site to get an idea of what you can sensibly achieve:
http://canalplan.eu/cgi-bin/canal.cgi
Small boat clubs will often offer short-term moorings but expect to pay for them. |
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2014 : 20:55:08
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I make it about 900 miles. So, let's say 300 hours cruising and a further 150 hours of sitting contemplating my naval, broken down, or perhaps otherwise debilitated by a nice pub.
I can see that 450 hours at about 20+ hours a week is a 5 month trip.
So, over two summers and a winter in between?
If I start at Sutton Bridge and head to Northampton on the Nene, that's a decent start.
Grand Union and Trent to the Humber is another nice run.
From there to Skipton? via the Aire and Calder and the Leeds and Liverpool seems a good section too.
Bridgewater/Manchester/Shropshire/Staffs and Worcester will start us down the West side.
Down to the Severn and then the Gloucester to the Thames.
Finally Thames through to London, up the River Lee and River Stort, ending in Bishops Stortford.
I can't be the only person who has fancied this? Anyone done this kind of trip? Anyone done a large section of extended cruising?
I have never been on a canal before - should I hire a small boat for a few days and try the locks and a shortish trip first? Or do you think by the time I've done the first hundred miles or so I will know what I'm doing enough to be confident of the trickier sections?
And, here's the big question...
Is an N23 a sensible choice of craft for this trip?
I love my boat, and am really happy helming her, HWMBO also loves her too - this trip is a financial no-go if we had to hire.
I'm thinking there is a big advantage in being able to cruise in relative comfort if (when) the weather turns a bit moist.
Advice? |
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2014 : 22:11:12
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I'd be concerned about Trent and Humber in a small boat. Both are massive tidal rivers, very few mooring points and no bolt holes if it goes wrong. If your engine stops, you end up in Holland or Germany.
Severn to Thames similar...... you would need a pilot, but would struggle to get one to go with you.
You are effectively at sea for both of those..... Would you attempt Gt Yarmouth to Lowestoft in your boat?
Trent - Humber can be avoided, via Selby canal though.
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2014 : 11:09:18
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I saw some tiny boats doing the trent falls route when we did it, it's just about timing it right and being prepared to wait at trent falls for the next flood, and up to date charts are vital.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2014 : 07:43:12
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You'll struggle to average 3 mph on the canal sections. We work in "lock-miles" which assumes that a lock takes about the same time as cruising a mile and we work on 3 lock-miles per hour, maybe a bit lower for the really busy bits at peak season. There will be some long lines of moored boats to pass which means slow going and if you try to make up the time on the empty sections you'll probably just catch up a slower boat who will be equally slow to let you pass, especially if you are in "one of those plastic boats". And if you are on a popular section on a sunny Summer day you can expect to wait quite a while at some locks. Better speed on rivers but there can still be delays at locks at peak times.
The N23 is up to the job as long as your engine and confidence are, and as long as you are comfortable with the lack of space! It's healthy to be a bit scared of tidal river sections. I've seen a rescue boat in action on the tidal Severn. Florescent orange rib, twin outboards, enough horsepower to power a rally car and still only just making headway against the tide. As for crossing estuaries... I just wouldn't! |
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2014 : 18:17:26
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Thanks for the replies.
I guess missing the Severn means an Oxford route?
And the Thames, how tricky is the Teddington to the River Lee section, or is cutting back up the Grand Union a better idea?
I'm not worried by a section that requires a careful bit of tide timing - but what sort of current would we encounter on the Trent either side of slack? and for how long?
None of the replies so far are putting me off the trip, just need to trim a bit here and there to make it sensibly safe and do-able.
Please keep the advice coming - all much appreciated.
Cheers
Steve |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2014 : 07:10:38
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| The South Oxford Canal is one of our favourites. Definitely go that way. |
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Dwall
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2014 : 08:13:27
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Just go for it if you get on to the river Nene you will pass my boat Stonechat at Willy Watt marina pop in for a coffee or beer or 2
Good luck |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2014 : 22:49:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Deano
If you are talking Bedford, York, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wales, Thames... that would take you months, even cruising full time. (Adi will be along soon to tell you that it can all be done in a lunchtime!!)
Dean
Ho Ho !
Maybe doable by tea time as long as you dont stop for lunch !!
Seriously tho - we have done some manic cruises in our 22 & also Dads Sewer tube & most find our timings pretty impossible !
Not made it to the Ouse yet & found that a hard one to do from Leics & back in a fortnight so maybe we will try next!
But other timings we have done -
Oxford down the thames into Brentford & London, back down the Tidal & into the GU at Brentford , back down the GU , oxford , cov, T&M , trent & soar - 16 days
Llangollen from leics , via T&M staffs, shroppie , llangollen , T&M home 2 weeks
Over the pennines - Soar , Trent , Tidal Trent , Stainforth & Keadby , Aire n Calder , Calder n Hebble , Rochdale , Ashton , Peak Forest , Macc, T&M , trent ,home - 16 days (This nearly killed us !)
All of our trips (Some not listed!) have been mad - they dont allow any stoppages or days out as we dont leave the boat anywhere - to do what you are planning will mean leaving the boat in a safe place - I would not leave any cruiser 'on line' only in a mooring that was monitored (ie a marina)
do take into mind that we cruise further than most during a day !
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2014 : 23:14:13
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quote:
Originally posted by adi-n-chez
do take into mind that we cruise further than most during a day !
do take into mind that we cruise further in a day than most do during a week!
Is probably closer to reality.
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2014 : 21:27:44
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Hi Adi
Thanks for that - sound about as crazy as us!
Have you written any detailed logs of the trips? Anything I can read that might give me a clue how hard HWMBO will have to work, while I shelter in the cockpit with a glass of summat?
Are any of those 2 to 3 week trips a real physical ordeal? I kinda thought of drifting along, nice n relaxed, between pubs for a couple of weeks at a time.
We don't mind work - you can't do locks without a bit of sweat I guess, but it's not supposed to be like waterboarding!
What's a "normal" day like for you on these trips?
Cheers
Steve |
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Topic |
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Is this canal trip even possible?
