A cruise form York to Liverpool??

[jaysparticus]

Hi Guys,

Hope you are all well.

just a quick question really. Will my cruiser be accepted on the canal networks from York to Liverpool?
My wife an i a planning a trip for the first time in our seamaster 23 from our berth on the Ouse in York to wherever we can get too!
we would like to get onto the Leeds/liverpool canal hopefully.

our Boat is 9 ft 6 wide.... will this struggle to pass other boats and get through the locks?

will we look out of place and get abuse from the narrow boaters? ( for the record - i have never had abuse from narrow boaters and i am sure they are lovely people but i have never had my boat on a canal!!)

any advice would be great!

regards

Jay

 

[Alpha22]

http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/mwp.php?wpage=Inland-Waterways-of-England.htm

This map says it is all over 7 foot wide.... it does not give indications of head room, York to Leeds is all big stuff. You certain ally won't be out of place there... most commercial stuff will be WAY bigger than you. Beyond Leads... it says....

Lock Sizes and maximum craft dimensions of Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Leeds to Wigan: Length 62 foot, beam 14 foot. Wigan to Liverpool: Length 72 foot, beam 14 foot.

CX54WEK.... user of this forum will probably be along shortly to give chapter and verse.....

 

[jaysparticus]

Hey thanks for the quick reply!

hopefully we should be ok then! my worry is that with us been 9 ft 6", will we be able to pass other boats ? whats the etiquette! lol

 

[Alpha22]

Just found this....
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/1059.pdf

Defines limiting dimensions....

Pass port side to port side..... other then that, keep out of the way of anything that is bigger/harder/longer than you!!! The narrow bits are the locks and sometimes bridges, the rest will be much wider.....

You will need a CART licence too I imagine, If you haven't already got one that covers canals.

 

[CX54WEK]

It is a widebeam canal all the way across so passing other boats won't be a problem but you will need to check you air draft and your draft carefully.

It is shallow and there are some low bridges to contend with. It will also be a long and slow trip, how long are you planning to spend away?

 

[Momac]

abuse from the narrow boaters? ( for the record - i have never had abuse from narrow boaters and i am sure they are lovely people but i have never had my boat on a canal!!)

I have received very abusive comments from narrowboaters (and also been completely blanked/ignored as if invisible). I don't know why as I have never started any such behaviour and have nothing against narrowboats (but I don't dream of owning one).


I have even received insulting comments from a narrowboater who was on my local cruising ground - the tidal river Trent. Narrowboats are not at all well suited to the tidal Trent but unfortunately use it as transit between their more sedate canals.
I must say I have also met some perfectly nice and respectable people with narrowboats - I think the abusive and ignorant lot are in the minority.

On the canals - Be sure not to make the slightest ripple as you pass moored boats .

.

 

[Trundlebug]

On the canals - Be sure not to make the slightest ripple as you pass moored boats .

.

+1
i.e. if you're moving at all - you will be considered to be going too fast, with fists waved and general abuse the result.
You might just get away with a scowl, and constant disapproving looks between boat and wake, boat and wake.
Most narrowboaters seem to think they're for mooring only.

 

[CX54WEK]

You lot are a bit harsh!!