"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). >Are you being sponsored by BW to keep "their" narrowboats captive over here? <puzzled> Who are the "they" referred to in your sentence above? >Crap steering?...that is relative...well certainly relative to a cumbersome >barge! That was your phrase. 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. >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. Such a situation is somewhat daunting, but safely doable, for a barge. But not, in my view, for a narrow boat. Horses for courses. Adrian Adrian Stott 07956-299966
