Getting back into boating!

[Cruiser Malc]

Hi Guys
I'm looking to get back into boating after a few years break. I intend to mainly cruise inland (having previously cruised the Thames and Great Ouse), and am considering either the Trent or Yorkshire Ouse. I'll probably be getting an old cruiser, bit like myself, maybe a Freeman 30, Princess 32 or similar.

What are your thoughts on the 2 cruising areas?

Thanks in advance.
Malc

 

[ianc1200]

A good idea of those cruising areas could be gained by looking at CX54WEK's excellent posts reports of trips with many photo's. Having been on the Thames for many years, but boated in those areas on my friend's narrowboat, some of it can seem quite drab compared to the Thames (but with some delightful areas) but it's the amount of cruising ground you can get to, particularly if you're OK with the tidal bits and going around Trent Falls, which makes it so good.

 

[CX54WEK]

We have cruised the area for the last six years and love it. We have yet to even scratch the surface of the cruising grounds to hand despite cruising extensively. Its a great area to keep a boat.

 

[Cruiser Malc]

Thanks for the replies. We want to find a recommended marina somewhere central to the area, that can provide a varied cruising experience. Mostly we would be cruising inland, except when transferring to different rivers.

Are there any height restrictions as the boats that I'm considering have fixed hardtops (air draft around 7ft)?

 

[CX54WEK]

With an air draft of around 7ft you will be fine for all of the bridges in the area. There is nothing lower than that.

We moor at Burton Waters on the Fossdyke near Lincoln which is fairly central to the area with access to the sea being a days cruise in either direction either along the Witham and through Boston or down the Trent and Humber.

The marinas at Goole are always popular as are Newark Marina, Kings Marina, Farndon and Naburn.

What are you looking for in a marina as there are some smaller marinas that offer more basic facilities at a cheaper rate?

 

[Cruiser Malc]

Thanks again for your reply.

As we live in North Wales, we don't want to be traveling too far east to get to our moorings. Probably 3 hours tops (don't know how long it would take to get to Lincoln).

As far as what we would be looking for in a marina... good facilities, including fuel, pump-out, chandlery, etc., plus a clubhouse with reasonable food and beer. Obviously, security is paramount, not only for the boat, but also when leaving the car for long periods.

 

[CX54WEK]

Is there not somewhere closer to home to keep a boat?

 

[Cruiser Malc]

Not short of cruising areas, but only narrow boats (and I'm not a fan of standing in the rain to drive) or coastal. My real pleasure comes from cruising the rivers and having a wider beam boat.

 

[ianc1200]

Re bridge heights etc, a bit obscure I know, but there was a low bridge above Spalding on the non tidal Welland I would swear was much lower, nearer 6' than 7'.

 

[Cruiser Malc]

Much appreciate all your input. I'm getting a better picture now about the area, especially since reading CX54WEK's posts. There appears to be plenty of variety and plenty of filling stations, aka pubs ;-)

 

[oldgit]

Welcome to forum. Do keep us updated on your progress. It is always of interesting to follow folks progress in the boat purchase world. Often wonder if the boat that people think they want turns out to be what they actually buy.
Have long suspected that the buyers of boats divide into three groups.



The Planners. (Spread Sheet Itemisers)
Spend ages going through every last detail of their war plan. The finance, the location , exactly how many weekends will be allocated to the boat and very probably last but not least on the list,the "EXACT" type of boat required to justify the diversion of all this cash,taking into account the lost of interest on the bank account etc etc etc..... Yawn

The Impulse Buyer.
Toot Toot. Under the bridge and out into the river and up to that titchy lock just round the corner and back again. Its the only sunny day this year and you've been invited out on your mates new boat.Blimey look at some of those houses.
Your mate has been waffling on about "No Red Boards", whatever that means and looks cool in his Breton hat and all that Musto.
The drive into the marina, has got you interested. All those BMWs and Audis with a light sprinkling Astons and Bentleys.
Three bottles of Pino later and you are walking back past the brokers office.
She is wondering if The House of Frazer does cushions with anchors,he is convinced that a Rolex is vital for navigating the Thames as everybody seems to need one.

The Budget Boater.
You are skint and your Timex really needs a new battery.
You have finally sold that ridiculous (used once ) hot tub on ebay,you know the pass codes to the bank account granny set up for the kids and the holiday jar has not been raided(to your knowledge recently).
If you close one eye and squint the total amount of money might buy something that floats.
So its on to Boats and Outboards and weekends driving round back lanes looking for a yard that does NOT have the word "MARINA" anywhere on the sign over the entrance.
The kids shoes can wait.

So forumites which one are you ?.

 

[alanch]

I cannot quite see myself fitting any of those exactly. But after several re reads I suppose the planner comes somewhere near, but not on that scale - rather sad really!

 

[boatone]

I refuse to be categorised - probably a bit of all 3 !

 

[Cruiser Malc]

Probably closest to The Planner, though having an earlier boating life I don't think I'm quite that anally attentive

Having owned 3 previous boats and crewed on many others, my Brother currently has a 54ft Fleur de Lys, I'm aware of many of the pitfalls. Though I'm sure there will be many more that will arise as soon as I get back on the water!

I'm very much looking forward to the pace of life being slowed down by river life and meeting new friends. It is a great pleasure to read through the many interesting, informative and light hearted posts on this forum.

I'll keep you up to speed with the process and I look forward to meeting up with other like minded navigators.

Do you think that the sun is past the yardarm yet?

 

[rosssavage]

Somewhere in the empire it is!!

 

[oldgit]

Am def. a BB, but not the bit about the hot tub. As for the kids inheritance. Ha Ha..........

 

[Flynnbarr]

Am def. a BB, but not the bit about the hot tub. As for the kids inheritance. Ha Ha..........

And there was I thinking you were rich n' hoity toity......

 

[Cruiser Malc]

Picked up a copy of Waterways World Annual 2014 yesterday. It came with a flip chart sized map of UK waterways. Very well compiled and easy to understand. Can now see where I can and can't take a wide beam boat and where the tidal sections are

 

[R1chB1ch]

I am category 4...
That is, had a modest family cruiser and a large detatched house.
And I spent every spare moment aboard cruising until one day I had an epithany, why bother going home.
So the modest cruiser and large house went....and was replaced with a larger boat and a modest house...and I've not been back since!

 

[ProDave]

Picked up a copy of Waterways World Annual 2014 yesterday. It came with a flip chart sized map of UK waterways. Very well compiled and easy to understand. Can now see where I can and can't take a wide beam boat and where the tidal sections are

Go on, buy a narrowboat, no more than 50ft long. then you can go anywhere. you know that's what you really want.

It's certainly what I want when I retire.