I'm currently in the process of buying a narrowboat which I'm intending to keep at Bill Fen Marina at Ramsey on the Middle Levels. I want to cruise the Great Ouse system as well as the canals and the Fenland waterways.
The narrowboat in question has a rather deep draught - about 2'10", the significance of which has rather escaped me 'till now. I know about Stanground Lock: I talked to the lock-keeper and it will be possible to lock down by turning above the lock, entering the lock backwards and then turning again below the lock. What I'm not sure about is any other shallow bits. Is this boat going to be a complete liability in the Fens, or is it OK once through Stanground? I'm hoping that members of the list have brought deep boats through (maybe for the IWA national?) and can either reassure me or warn me off in the next couple of days before the sale completes. So. what's it like in the fens with a low bottom? Thanks, Simon.
