Forth and Clyde canal for Westerly Pageant

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Geo1000

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Hello all. I'm looking to buy my first biggish boat and am looking at a Westerly Pageant moored on the Forth.
Ideally, I would like to move her to the Clyde, and I assume I can take the Pageant through the Forth and Clyde canal as the draft is 0.9 metres, although correct me if I'm wrong!!
Has anyone taken a bilge keeler through the F&C, and if so, how long does it take?
Having read other threads, it seems as if taking the mast down on the Pageant isn't too big a job.

Any tips and knowledge much appreciated etc.....
 
Taking the mast down should not be a problem . What do you know about the engine history? The biggest problem in the Forth and Clyde will be weed in the sea inlet strainer. You will be fine if the boat has one of those large transparent strainers fitted above the waterline as they are easy to clear.
 
Geo1000 said:
Having read other threads, it seems as if taking the mast down on the Pageant isn't too big a job.
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I had a Jouster which although 2' shorter has more-or-less the same rig as the Pageant. I regularly used to lower and raise the mast by myself, including afloat. Easier with two, though. Basically, you replace tie a rope to th ebottom of the forestay and lead it through a block on the stemhead fitting. Pay that out slowly and the mast comes down; just as it gets too far from the vertical it's also low enough to be caught by someone standing in the companionway and lowered the final 30 degrees or so. Tie the shroud rigging screws to the guardwires with something stretchy or you WILL bend them on the way up again. BTDTGTTS.
 
Not being funny, but haven't there been reports of, er, 'issues' with some folks not of the yottie fraternity, at various points near to 'housing estates' along the way?
I'm thinking towards the Western end.
 
jamie N said:
Not being funny, but haven't there been reports of, er, 'issues' with some folks not of the yottie fraternity, at various points near to 'housing estates' along the way?
I'm thinking towards the Western end.
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I'm told Maryhill isn't a good place to stop - and that isn't new; someone quoted a guide from about 1909 that said the same!
 
Took my Longbow through west to east in April'15 , last one before they opened the Kelpies link thing, Stopped at Kelpies end before the 2nd lock (first freshwater one) then outside The Stables pub on the top stretch then straight through to Bowling where we stayed one night due tides and putting the mast back up. No trouble anywhere, a crew assisting through every bridge and lock, and a very reasonable rate too IIRC. Highly recommended. I'm looking now at the article my crew wrote for Yachting Monthly April '16 edition
 
jamie N said:
Not being funny, but haven't there been reports of, er, 'issues' with some folks not of the yottie fraternity, at various points near to 'housing estates' along the way?
I'm thinking towards the Western end.
Click to expand...
We took a hired narrowboat through the F&C. We had a brick through a window on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Separate incident on same trip on the Union canal. A bunch of lads were stood on a bridge we were approaching throwing rocks into the canal. It was a bikers outing, so the two largest, meanest blokes got off and went ahead and one stood each side of the lads on the bridge. They didn't throw any rocks, then they scarpered.

It's all in the guide books. some parts you don't want to moor and are best to pass through in the morning before the scroats get out of bed.
 
Took my twin keel Sadler 25 through East to West in June 2012. It took 2 days. The biggest issue was getting up the River Carron, mast down, then under the motorway and into canal. The canal has since been extended downstream of the obstructions so you just go in via the sealock then mast down.
Transit took two days. Stopped overnight at "The Stables" between Kirkie and Bishopbriggs then left as soon as I could to arrive at Maryhill Locks before 9am. They say the housing estates before Maryhill can be troublesome, but I encountered no bandits - the inmates weren't up yet! Going through Falkirk in the morning might also be wise. A propulsion failure might be problematic... Only issue was a keel struck something a glancing blow somewhere near Twechar - staff thought it was maybe an abandoned car!
In 2012 we had a mobile squad of lock-keepers who did "everything". You and your crew (essential) won't need to step ashore if they still do this. If they don't you might not feel as safe as I did.

Edit: They have a crane for mast down/up at each end of the canal. Have a chat with a lock-keeper at one of the sealocks - I did beforehand and it was very encouraging.
 
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Yes on this canal the BW staff operate all the locks and bridges. so everything has to be booked by phone. In the case of a series of locks or bridges the same crew drive along in a van and get the locks ready for you.

This seemed to break down when we stopped at a water point between two locks to fill up the water tanks. By the time we had finished that and got to the next lock, our escort party had given up and cleared off, requiring another phone call to get them back.

I have to say I much prefer a canal with self operate locks.
 
Stables stop over is nice, I live not far and walk the dogs in the fields along the canal , let me know and I can arrange some youths to throw stones and buckie bottles, all part of the experience
But they have cleaned up the canal
 
I have been through a couple of times in a Westerly 25. Two days each time with overnight at Kirkintilloch. Try and get a ride on the Falkirk wheel an experience in your boat like no other. If the sail through chippy in Clydebank is still open use that for the same reason. When you get to the road underpass near the end turn your engine off as it takes ages. Get plenty of fenders or use old tyres if necessary. Enjoy!
 
Halo said:
I have been through a couple of times in a Westerly 25. Two days each time with overnight at Kirkintilloch. Try and get a ride on the Falkirk wheel an experience in your boat like no other. If the sail through chippy in Clydebank is still open use that for the same reason. When you get to the road underpass near the end turn your engine off as it takes ages. Get plenty of fenders or use old tyres if necessary. Enjoy!
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Forgot about the chippie, think it is the only sail through chippie in Britain, if not the world!
 
FlyingGoose said:
Stables stop over is nice, I live not far and walk the dogs in the fields along the canal , let me know and I can arrange some youths to throw stones and buckie bottles, all part of the experience
But they have cleaned up the canal
Click to expand...

We could team up and give a guard of honour as I’m only a couple of miles from the Stables and cycle the canal to work... or I did before I started working from home.

The F&C is a lovely trip and as long as you don’t travel at school out time, when wee s Croats come out, it’s fine. One thing to watch for as noted above is weed as the lack of traffic reduces the churning up. And give a wave when you pass through Kirkie.
 
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