Adrian Stott wrote: > "Neil Arlidge" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > <snip about alterations fo Neil's boat> > >>> I hope that any readers who are (still) thinking of taking a narrow >>> boat to mainland Europe will take note of the above. A vessel which >>> is just fine on the Staff & Worcs will probably be seriously out of >>> its depth (ha ha) on the Canal du Nord. >> >> What ever leads you to say that? > > Experience. Such as yours, which led you to implement the alterations > you described. Unfortunately, many people seem to think that an > unmodified narrow boat is suitable on the mainland waterways. It > really isn't, although it is possible to use one (in the same way that > it is *possible* to sail a bath tub across the Channel).
Alterations costig a few quid...hardly a big deal. Having done simliar waterways in the Netherlands to the "dreaded" Canal du Nord, in a barge, then I would have been just as happy to be in Earnest. From the (OK so limited) experience I have had of barges, I have found that Earnest steered better out of gear, turned under power better than all of them. Maybe it is all a question of experience with boats. What experience have you had of a modern narrowboat in the situations you describe? Adrian, you really should not be so blinkered, it does seem that your recent exploits are only in one type of craft. As you know, you are welcome to come to Ireland (where I am sure you could jump ship a few time to try out the local barges!) to be enlightened! Alternatively, I have a lot of time on my hands for you to convice me otherwise! :-) > >> Are you being sponsored by BW to keep "their" narrowboats captive >> over here? > > <puzzled> Who are the "they" referred to in your sentence above? Sorry, I was being obtuse, refering to BW's "captive" market. I just want to enlighten a few other narrowboat owners that they are not stuck in rip-off Britain. > >> Crap steering?...that is relative...well certainly relative to a >> cumbersome barge! > > That was your phrase. This was relative, especially concerning Earnest's style of stern which was not the norm. > > Incidentally, my barge (and many others that I know) steer remarkably > well (notably in comparison to a narrow boat), including when the > engine is not running (very handy when it has to be bowhauled) and at > sea. Most have rudders that are very large compared to those of > narrow boats. As have said, I have only had experience of a few barges and have found the reverse compared with Earnest. Perhaps with both of us it is all a question of getting experience mostly in one type of craft? > >> The Canal du Nord is hardly like the inland seas of Ireland, or the >> Thames Estuary. > > No. It has much more commercial traffic, consisting of barges > carrying over 1000 T. They don't slow down for pleasure craft (moored > or under way). The locks are designed for them, with equipment in the > wrong place for narrow boats, and the expectation is that you will > work the ropes from on board so they have deck space that provides for > this. They run their engines in gear in locks, creating a *lot* of > turbulence. They travel at speeds most narrow boats can't match. etc. > etc. We quite happily work the ropes from on board Earnest and do all the barge tricks of running in gear in locks, such as in Eastham, full of ships and tugs in gear. There are plenty of waterways in Europe where narrowboats would be welcomed and at home for people inexperienced with large commercial waterways, such as: The Netherlands, especially Friesland. Somme. Midi Nivernais Bougogne >From the narrowboaters that I know that have been through the main commercial waterways of Europe (especially the Canal du Nord), then they have experienced little difficulty ONCE they got experienced...and few of these were solo. These people probably would of had more trouble if they had been barge newbies. As I have said before, is is enlightening to boat in a country where a barge is, well a barge. There is no diferentiation between them in fact most Irish call narrowboats English Barges. > > Such a situation is somewhat daunting, but safely doable, for a barge. > But not, in my view, for a narrow boat. > > Horses for courses. Indeed, which is why I have said if you want to "do" all of Mainland Europe, in an *ideal* craft, you get a 10-13M steel cruiser...the whole pleasure boat industry is set up for this. The majority of inland pleasure boaters in Europe are the Germans and Dutch in such craft. Inceasingly many Port du Plaisance only welcome craft of this type/size. These thoughts were echoed by Jim Mc Donald, who has got a rather lot of experience of all kinds of craft, here and in Mainland Europe. Neil Arlidge - NB Earnest - Shannon Reg 7410 Read about the TNC Irish travels at: http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/Tour_07/index.html
