Would you?

Narrow boats have regularly made the passage down Down the Severn Estury from Sharpness Ship Canal to the mouth of the Bristol Avon and then Up to London via the Kennet and Avon.

All windows shut, Bow well and front hatch sealed and covered.

And all this with the most tidal waters in Europe plus whirlpools. A pilot is advised.

One boat come unstuck waiting for the tide at Portishead pool and dried out with the stern some 15 foot below the bows and it flooded on the rising tide so was sunk/scrapped
I've crewed on one going the other way, we were lucky and picked a lovely calm day and thoroughly enjoyable but I wouldn't want to try it with any lumpiness about.
 
I've crewed on one going the other way, we were lucky and picked a lovely calm day and thoroughly enjoyable but I wouldn't want to try it with any lumpiness about.
I met someone who had wrecked a towed boat by trying to take it from Bristol to Sharpness Canal yard and missed the canal entrance so hit the sands. It was salvaged but I doubt owners were pleased or insurers.

I have also sailed on the river all the way to gloucester (taking masts down under the power lines). Following a spring tide up over horseshoe bend bouncing on 1 metre waves as the Bore bore us forward. Frightening and never again!. And then you pass over the weir at gloucester which you cant see so must just pray there is depth - though that weir may not have been there in the old days. Came back via Sharpness Canal much chastened
 
Top