Inland boating - questions.

[slawosz]

Hi,
I normally spend holidays (camping) in France or so. But not this year. We were discussing buying caravan with my wife, but apparently there is lot of nice motor boats that need TLC. I could get one instead, do simple makeover and hit inland waters. Now, before I will get too excited, could some good soul answer basic question: can I get from London to Norwich via rivers/channels? Is there some nice planner I can use online?

 

[Outinthedinghy]

CanalplanAC is quite a good free to use inland waterways route planner.
CanalplanAC - Canal Route Planner

Described as a canal route planner however it does include all the navigable rivers as well.

 

[TrueBlue]

I think not...
The nearest via canals is Peterborough and probably only on a narrow beam craft

 

[Old Crusty]

The short answer is downstream on the Thames, out into the North Sea, head north to Gt Yarmouth then through the Broads to Norwich.

But don't attempt to even think it without proper navigation and boat handling training or you'll likely not survive.

Inland, there is a wet route but not navigable all the way. As the man said, if it flies or floats, you're better off renting it. Until you know what you're doing, at least.

 

[Momac]

can I get from London to Norwich via rivers/channels

No

But you can go from London to lots of other places in a Narrowboat.

However it sound like you are thinking of a cruiser rather than a narrowboat ?

 

[slawosz]

I found the project cruiser on ebay, and wondering if it would make sense. Comparing to my yacht renovation, square interior and not worrying about potential consequences of inadequate materials used for repairs (to some extend) makes me consider buying it. I would never go for motorboat (I have small yacht already), but this year's holidays are tricky, so its something I am considering. Motor boat would be inland only, making it seaworthy would cost small fortune.

 

[prof pat pending]

What size boat are you considering?

I used to get my old boat (23’) taken to the Broads once a year for a holiday on a different waterway.
The rest of the year was spent on the Thames. The return trip was quite reasonable.

 

[SimonA]

Anything up to 27ft can be moved by road at a reasonable cost. I've moved my 27ft boat a couple of times that way.

 

[prof pat pending]

It’s more about weight than length, the guy I use can do 30’ on his trailer, but the boat and trailer have to come in at less than 3500 Kg

 

[ryanroberts]

The Wash is doable in a narrowboat, but that's as close are you are going to get without a lorry or a deathwish

 

[oldgit]

http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_19/Tideway/Tideway.html