Bringing boat from Northamptonshire to London

[peterpan1]

hi there,

I'm looking into bringing a narrow boat from Northamptonshire to London. Unfortunately it seems I will be single handed. Is it doable? Will 3 days be enough?
Not sure where to post it but I tried CWDF but I only received abuse.

thank you

 

[ghostlymoron]

Certainly nothing scary about single handing on a canal. If you need to make tea, you can pull in to the bank. The main problem would be dealing with locks. I would try and get someone to come along for the ride if I were you.

 

[Bru]

No, three days won't be enough! That'd be hard going for an experienced crew, single handed and lacking experience (if you need to ask the question that seems a reasonable assumption!) no way

Single handing the wide Grand Union locks is inevitably slow going unless you can hook up with another boat

If you're fit and happy to put in long days, and you have a clear run at it, four days maybe. Realistically I'd allow five

(I have done Stoke Bruerne to Brentford in three days with a loaded pair but that was with very experienced crew and my brother cycled most of the way wheeling the locks)

 

[Jean]

Depends too on where starting and where to. http://canalplan.org.uk gives, for example, 7 reasonable days from Northampton (lock 1 where canal joins river Nene) to Camden. 91 miles and 97 locks, plus of course the 3056 yard Blisworth tunnel, for which you'll need tunnel light and ideally, suitable navigation lights too. Lots of traffic this time of year and hence lock delays too, so 7 days at near 8 hours a day probably about right. Need to consider too how reliable engine is, and may also consider joining breakdown service (RCR are very good). My daughter travels alone on the canals most of the time, and manages very well, but it can help if you get someone to help you if time is an issue. Where are you moving from and to, and on what size boat (presume a standard width narrow boat.).

 

[ProDave]

No 1 tip for single handing a narrowboat, is a long mid ships line, long enough to reach the stern. Makes stepping off and mooring up easy.

Google "single handed narrow boating" for lots of advice.

One of the biggest challenges can be lift bridges, not sure if there are any on your route, but some require you to put a crew member ashore to lift the bridge, and when lifted you can't get back to the boat.

 

[Gumpy]

hi there,

I'm looking into bringing a narrow boat from Northamptonshire to London. Unfortunately it seems I will be single handed. Is it doable? Will 3 days be enough?
Not sure where to post it but I tried CWDF but I only received abuse.

thank you

You didn't get abuse it was meerly pointed out to you that living on a boat in London without a mooring is very hard.
That is not something you wanted to hear as it shatters your dream.
Personally I think that anyone even contemplating doing it needs their head examining.

J

 

[Jean]

Ah, see what you mean about CWDF just started to read the posts and gave up after first few pages! So, it's sounds like Whilton marina, and Canal Plan indicates around 6 days to say, Bulls Bridge (Northolt area), but plenty of areas before it that you could park up (and hence cut down the time and move on later). Ignore all the **** on there too about London being overcrowded etc, they must have too much time on their hands and just want to wind you up!
Daughter spent last winter in London, and had a great time, mostly moving between the river Lee (East London area) and Denham (and contrary to a post on DWPF, even Denham deep lock is fine on your own, particularly after all the practice on route before it!). Have a great time, and enjoy the passage. If I can help with any more advice, feel free to message me.

 

[peterpan1]

Thanks for your help everybody. I'm looking now into spreading it over couple (or more) weekends. I might also get some help. Dont want to leave for too late as the days are getting short.

 

[Bru]

Don't take the warnings about enforcement action lightly. CART are aggressively pursuing unlicensed boats and residential abusers of the continuous cruising licence

If you don't keep within the rules, you'll be back here and elsewhere in a year or two complaining that CART have seized your home etc etc

The reason for the cynical responses on the CWDF forum is that the boaters who've been around a long time have seen and heard it all before, over and over again

Good luck with it anyway!

(I've no axe to grind cos I'm not on the cut anymore)

 

[jerrytug]

hi there,

I'm looking into bringing a narrow boat from Northamptonshire to London. Unfortunately it seems I will be single handed. Is it doable? Will 3 days be enough?
Not sure where to post it but I tried CWDF but I only received abuse.

thank you

London is full of canal boats, 95% of them ruffty-tuffty transgressors by force of circumstances if not by inclination. If you have enjoyed living on travellers' sites, or you are an experienced squatter, you will get on fine and have a party.
Not for the faint-hearted, and by the way there is no factual information on the web about what it's really like right now.
It's quite lawless on the cut at the moment.