tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6109154901195693291.post5515339887027994038..comments2023-02-18T01:14:34.396+00:00Comments on Narrow Boats SICKLE and FLAMINGO: Fridge problems, but a better day after that.Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6109154901195693291.post-35219852268322557252014-07-23T20:15:37.362+01:002014-07-23T20:15:37.362+01:00Hi AlanI'm really enjoying these latest posts ...Hi Alan<br><br>I'm really enjoying these latest posts (in a 'they're interesting/informative sense, not a 'laughing at your expense' one!) as having recently switched from a shallow drafted boat to quite a hefty bugger I don't feel quite so alone now in all my bumpings and groundings! The first few outings in earnest have been quite a shock as our old boat rarely picked up a bag let alone touched bottom and now we seem to scrape over stuff and get stuck with gay abandon! It's teaching us new skills of course...luring strong young men to pull/push/shove is quite a favourite and lock flushing when you're jammed directly outside the bottom gates is a bit of a thrill. So thanks for making me feel better - and I'll be following your voyaging closely and hoping to pick up a few tips for future reference. Thankfully, our next cruising is on the Severn and G&S!<br><br>All the best<br><br>SarahDogsontour by Greygalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02105435771539976876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6109154901195693291.post-61724033779276580632014-07-22T23:41:35.235+01:002014-07-22T23:41:35.235+01:00I should perhaps add, as it is not clear, that the...I should perhaps add, as it is not clear, that the "worst ever grounding" near Brewood didn't occur as part of normal navigation, but instead resulted from an ill-advised attempt to moor up on a stretch where someone else had managed it, so we stupidly thought it might be worth a go.<br><br>It was coming close to the bank, (albeit very slowly) that was my fatal mistake, and I ended up with the "whatever you do the boat seems to be pivoting on a different bit" syndrome. (Big time - I really feared the borrowed long shaft was going to break).Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6109154901195693291.post-65292187707366001602014-07-22T23:19:38.922+01:002014-07-22T23:19:38.922+01:00Sickle has had a certain amount more ballast added...Sickle has had a certain amount more ballast added since we last did any of these canals in earnest. It works well on our local canals, but I'm not sure it is proving so great here.<br><br>If Chertsey's back end is anywhere near as high out the water as when I had a go, then it is possible you are not pulling down anything like as far as we do.<br><br>I have noticed that the bottom-most of the three bands on "Sickle's" counter is regularly completely covered as her back end digs in.<br><br>I think the back end of a shortened boat may well dig in deeper, but I don't have sufficient experience of a full length one to say that with total confidence.Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6109154901195693291.post-72924358752671449512014-07-22T21:08:17.247+01:002014-07-22T21:08:17.247+01:00I'm quite surprised to hear that to be honest....I'm quite surprised to hear that to be honest. We've never had depth problems on that stretch (except on our actual mooring!) which we do of necessity traverse more frequently than any other. Nothing like as bad as parts of the Staffie.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01759448161130667128noreply@blogger.com