A clutch ? of Tin Slugs called in today..

As any fule kno

The common conception of narrow boaters is one of a boat being filled to the gunnels with Tetleys tea/beer , a years supply of packets of instant gruel the odd whippet or two and a resolute determination to spend absolutely no money at all while hogging all the best mooring spots for months on end , therebye preventing honest local boaters from frequenting the Waterside and spending thousands on lobsters and champagne each and every night of the week. :)
 
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Re: As any fule kno

A well known lockie told me a few years back that without the narrowboats they would have nothing to do in the week.

No Regrets.......good job you weren't about when The Thames was busy:)
 
Re: As any fule kno

Have mainly been boating on the Thames either at weekends,as guest of a resident boater, or during peak periods during high season on holiday.
Busy, yes, but gridlock ,not really.
It is irritating to arrive at your proposed mooring to find it completely full, but have always managed to find a perhaps less attractive/awkward mooring somewhere nearbye.
Narrowboats are not the only offenders in the poor mooring stakes and the just out of the marina for the day/morning/afternoon gang can be the worse offenders.
Well remember at Windsor somebody "warning" me about his noisy baby when I popped a 33ft boat into a 34ft gap twixt two boats on the island, fine I said no problem.
Basically being told to B. off.
On the odd occasion when invited up out of season or in the dead of winter the river has been for want of better word.... virtually deserted.
Are,heaven forbid,the slugs actually keeping the river alive. ?
 
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Flynnbarr said:
A well known lockie told me a few years back that without the narrowboats they would have nothing to do in the week.
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Not sure about the "during the week" comment but probably some truth in it.

Fact is that narrow boats are making a considerable financial contribution by way of either visitors, annual or Gold registration - probably far more than many here would be aware of.

On the canals, they are used to being able to moor up on pretty much any stretch of the towpath whereas, as we all know, mooring space is far more restricted on the river. Many first time visitors are not aware of this problem and I have found those I have spoken with very receptive to our concerns once they understand. There are, of course, some awkward s*ds, just as there are awkward cruiser owners.

On several occasions I have rafted alongside Nbs once they have overcome their surprise at my request!

I do wonder how we managed 20 or so years ago when there were at least 50% more boats than there are now !
 
Are they one of us ?

I do wonder how we managed 20 or so years ago when there were at least 50% more boats than there are now !
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Perhaps it was down to a more considerate society in general and a sense that we were all part of the same boating community,rich or poor and could all help each other to enjoy a common hobby.
At some point we were all encouraged to become "competitive" including among ourselves...the tribal divisions due to this are now very obvious.
 
Re: As any fule kno

boatone;5737663I do wonder how we managed 20 or so years ago when there were at least 50% more boats than there are now ![/QUOTE said:
Mostly because in them days most were sub 30feet and hence could fit more boats on a mooring.
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Re: As any fule kno

apollo said:
Mostly because in them days most were sub 30feet and hence could fit more boats on a mooring.
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I think there is an element of truth in the difference in society of today. I know I'm sounding like an old grippa but I don't care what type of boat anyone else has on the river, we are all there for similar reasons. Ironically if there are any shouts about 'ripples on the water' more than 3mm it usually comes from a NB which is a shame because I have some great mates who own NB's and its yet again the minority spoiling it for the majority. On occasions I was only 'tupperware' in the group but we all drank the same beers and ate the same food at the same campfire etc etc....
No problem with 'ditch crawlers' or 'raggies' as long as they don't scratch my tupperware, especially when it comes in to contact with steel lol....

edit - sorry, this was more in response to OG comment....
 
Re: As any fule kno

Think some people are viewing the past with rose tinted glasses, it used to be much worse 20+ years ago, all the popular moorings were always full and then there used to be more space as well. Places you could moor 20 years ago are now all overgrown or too shallow so completely gone e.g Wallingford below the bridge, Cookham moor etc... but now there are less boats its not so bad even with less space. Also as for people being more considerate, its much better, the old 7knot speed limit was a nightmare, remember mooring pins being ripped out regularly and boats damaged as they bounced into each other, lots of river rage going on all the time with poorly driven hireboats etc.. Arguments in lock queues, Bray was always a 2-3 hour wait at anytime of the day :(
 
Re: As any fule kno

during the 1960s on the upper Mudway it was very common to see boats moored virtually anywhere on the river bank with a towpath over the entire length of the river between Allington and Tonbridge.
At some point the no parking signs went up usually erected by landowners or fishing clubs actively trying to discouraging mooring.
Many places my father used to moor up at are now overgrown,neglected and forbidden.Mind you the sterngear of an old ex lifeboat could take some punishment.
Unlike todays fragile little confections.
Folks now seem to consider only to moor in a marina or a proper EA prepared mooring.
Me. I am a middle of nowhere man,but mentioning no names,a few boaters simply would not entertain mooring anywhere less than 10 mins from the nearest shop/takeway and most ideally with a comforting view of the local leisure centre visable across a manicured council lawn. :)
 
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We will cruise the entire length of the Thames this summer but I wonder how many do that? How many just go out of the marina to their favourite spot and that's it?

We don't care if there is a shop within 10 minutes walk, we just need a dog friendly pub!

I think we need to live up to the image of a narrowboater a bit better, this is the normal situation:
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but we do sometimes have whippets on board:
whippets1.jpg

Only issue is that when they get running the whippets take off far faster then the greyhounds, the greyhounds go into shock especially as we hold them back a bit at the start, they are just not used to anything being faster! Mind you then they really hurtle along:
whippets2.jpg

No whippets were harmed nor was any gruel eaten. The boat does have a lean to one side due to the absence of tea bags and the vast stocks of coffee and emergency supplies of alcohol. Hmm simply not doing well enough to fit the stereotype.

PS We carry almost as many dog lifejackets as human ones eg see https://indigodream.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/dog-blog-archie-beanz-secret-dossiers/
 
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oldgit said:
Folks now seem to consider only to moor in a marina or a proper EA prepared mooring.
Me. I am a middle of nowhere man,. :)
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Me too! Nothing better! Marinas have their uses of course but its great to head out for a little solitude - thats why the boat has a level of time bound self sufficiency!
 
With apologies for the shameless plug, I am giving a talk next month about the narrowboat convoy from London to the Medway last year. (11 went, 10 came back).

Kent and East Sussex IWA
Wednesday 11th Oct 2017: 7.30 for 8.00pm:
Gravesend Sailing Club, East Promenade, Gravesend. DA12 2BS: Map of venue available here: https://www.waterways.org.uk/kent/kesimges/gravesendwithclarendon


‘Narrowboats to the Medway’: Talk by Simon Judge on last year’s visit by eleven boats from St Pancras Cruising Club.
 
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