Definitive Speed Limit on the Aire and Calder Navigation

[tinkicker0]

Had a pleasant 20 mile cruise up the Aire and Calder yesterday, from Goole Boathouse to Pollington Lock - about 9 and a bit miles each way. Very pleasant broad canal and we only saw 2 other boats the whole time, both narrowboats puttering on which required overtaking.

According to GPS we were doing about 5.5 mph @1400 rpm, but I was more involved in judging the correct speed by the fact that my wash was not breaking as it left the boat and the ducks were somewhat disappointed by the mild bobbing around after dashing out to ride the wake.

Waterscape says that narrow canals are limited to 4mph whilst broad canal limits are usually signposted. Not one sign. I have seen commercial traffic appearing to do far in excess of any 5.5mph and the Battlestone and Rix Eagle tramp on a fair bit leaving a very considerable wake.

So since the banks are reinforced steel pilings, the canal about 10ft deep in most places according to my sounder; and wash not really a consideration, and no posted speed limit; is the speed limit at the discretion of the user provided he does not take the mick?

I must admit on one long reach where I could see the canal was clear for well over a couple of miles, the urge to open her up, get on plane and scour the plugs clean was a mighty big temptation. I did once scour the plugs by hitting the dizzy heights of 2000 rpm, 7mph and a lot of water being shifted behind as the she stood on her tail. Probable a gallon of fuel a mile in that configuration, so not one keep up for more than a minute or so.

At 175ft and 300 tonnes she shifts a lot more water than my little soapdish could. In the pic she is a little sedate, usually a much larger bone in her teeth. Be nice to have the definitive answer as to the speed limit, not posted anywhere on Google that I could see at time of writing and can't recall any definitive answers to the same question awhile back. Asking the question on the marina pontoons results in much sucking of teeth and a muttered "as fast as you want to go if want to take the chance". Someone once opined that 10knots was the limit, same as on the other side of the ocean lock, but have not been able to verify this.

10 knots as a limit would be useless to me anyway as she won't be on plane and burn fuel like it had shares in a fracking company.

 

[moonraker 36]

the limit i would imagine would be 4mph as it's a canal.
but if you dont take the pxss and cruise by judging the amount of wash your making then you will do just fine,cruised around that area for the last 20yrs and never had a speeding ticket yet!
just slow down for moored boats and fishermen.
should'nt say this really but the stretch your taking about i once went down in mi 16ft fletcher with a 235hp o/b on the back @ w.o.t i was just alittle over the speed limit!

 

[tinkicker0]

Thanks. It is odd that no one seems to know, you'd think it would be signposted. Perhaps if they posted it they would have to enforce it and the big commercial boys would not like it.

I think the section you mean was the one with the pipe bridge over it at the upper end? Whatever the limit, the scenery is stunning and the canal people far more welcoming than most at other marinas I have moored at.

When I was on the upper Yorks Ouse, it has to be said that on a quiet evening after everyone had returned to dock, a certain reach involving the bridge carrying the A64 across the river used to be the place where after a furtive look around the taps were opened fully. Miss that "engine maintenance session".

As an aside, shame that Rawcliffe moorings is all but abandoned now. When I first got into boating, we considered there, the place was packed and a nice pub next door. Some peeps told me that security was a problem so I passed on that one and went to York.

Surely all Rawcliffe needed was a security fence round it? What a shame.

 

[moonraker 36]

the trouble with rawcliffe i believe are the croda chemical works..
the black horse pub used to be a place to stop over, but not now.

 

[Momac]

I have travelled on the Aire and Calder a few times.
I agree with the observation that the commercial barges seem to go as fast as they like - time is money. They do the same on the Rivers Ouse and the Trent but with even greater speed and wash.
One evening we moored at Heck and one of the barges came along the canal from the far side of the bridge. The skipper had not slowed as he could not possibly have seen we were moored a the side of the canal. With hindsight we had not chosen the best place to moor - but it was handy for the village pub. We were bounced around furiously and we feared our little boat might be bounced onto the sheet piles. The wake continued to bounce of the sheet piled canal sides long after the barge had disappeared from view.

I don't suppose 5 or 6 knots in a leisure craft is going to do any harm to this robustly engineered and relatively modern canal. But bear in mind the narrow boats skippers and anglers are not at all tolerant of anyone having fun in a boat.

There was , not too many years ago, a very good Indian restaurant in Pollington - has it been converted back to a pub?

 

[tinkicker0]

Was the indian in Pollington where the George and Dragon is now?

Only indian I know is the Shapla in East Cowick that used to be a pub. Heck boating club seems a nice place and is only a 10 minute cycle ride from my village, but has long waiting lists.
Agree about the fishermen, had a few on the bank giving us the evil eye as they pulled in their poles, although why they feel the need to find a narrow stretch under a bridge and fish over by the opposite bank I have no idea when the canal is so wide everywhere else.

However no problem, I was once advised to maintain course and speed when encountering such antics, those poles cost a fortune, so they will have them well out before a line goes around the prop.

I really must say that after the ouse, I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the canal and unlike a river stuck well beneath the bank, you can see for miles in all directions and moor up pretty much anywhere. Just need a couple of spacehoppers to keep us off the pilings as we have small fenders.

With mooring and other fees half the price of York, I am glad we made the move.

 

[moonraker 36]

used to be george & dragon.... now indian
if they ever get stainlands re opened the yacht club on their is a good friendly place...its also my local.
new inn @ stainforth beside the canal used to do good food(hav'nt been in for sometime now).

 

[Trundlebug]

Heck boating club seems a nice place and is only a 10 minute cycle ride from my village, but has long waiting lists.

We called in to Great Heck marina at Easter, at the invitation of some members we knew there.
As you say a fantastic little marina with excellent facilities and great friendly atmosphere.

At the time they seemed to be trying to encourage new members - the long waiting list seems to have gone and I understand there are now vacancies.

Worth considering for you if you're only 10 mins away.
We were so taken with it we were strongly tempted and we're an hour and a half's drive away!

£900 joining fee and circa £500pa mooring fees IIRC. Very tempting and great location - easy inland boating for weekends and only a couple of hours from Goole for a more intrepid adventure. What's not to like?

Ref your speed limit question in the OP. For some reason I have it in my head the limit is either about 8kn or no breaking wash.
Don't know why I think that and can't find any reference but it works for me (if not the anglers!)