Navigating the tidal Trent

I will soon (probably) be buying a boat on the Aire and Calder and need to
get it down south. One option is along the tidal trent.
Does anyone have experience with this river and can offer information and
advice? I've beed told it can be dangerous....

The other option is through the Huddersfield canal. I've been told this way
is safe but ugly.

Since this is a new boat (to me), I'm leaning towards the safe option. Any
thoughts?

Thanks

Stuart

"Stuart" <jhghjghj@wadd.dwad> wrote in message
news:J40bk.180470$Ek2.161328@newsfe17.ams2...
>I will soon (probably) be buying a boat on the Aire and Calder and need to
>get it down south. One option is along the tidal trent.
> Does anyone have experience with this river and can offer information and
> advice? I've beed told it can be dangerous....
>
> The other option is through the Huddersfield canal. I've been told this
> way is safe but ugly.
>
> Since this is a new boat (to me), I'm leaning towards the safe option. Any
> thoughts?

Whoever told you that the Huddersfield is "ugly" doesn't know what they are
talking about!

It may well be bleak, imposing moorland, rather than roling pastures, but it
is certainly not ugly.

"Stuart" <jhghjghj@wadd.dwad> wrote in message
news:ilmbk.240205$1B6.189356@newsfe21.ams2...
> Thank you all for the advice.
>
> To be fair, the guy told me it's ugly "<<<<< that way ". Since we were on
> the Aire and Calder, he could have meant it was ugly for a stretch on
> this canal. I said the Huddersfield as it illustrated the direction
> better.
>
> The boat is a 30ft wooden narrowbeam cruiser with a 1.8l diesel inboard.
> Unfortunately I will be cruising alone so huge amounts of locks isn't that
> appealing to me, though there is no rush to be anywhere really. I do like
> the idea of going west first then south. Are there huge amounts of locks
> on the Rochdale?

Yes!

Any east-west trip will involve a fair few locks :-)

In terms of which is easier, the Rochdale is broad, so you will have more
chance of sharing locks.

If considering the HNC, ring BW first, to check that you will be OK to go
through Standedge Tunnel (I know that they did at one point have a ban on
wooden boats, after they caught one on a projecting bolt and sank it)

All in all, if there is no rush to be anywhere, go over the tops, and take
in the potteries on your way south (at some point, you may even decide to
stay up north!)

>Snip


> Any east-west trip will involve a fair few locks :-)
>
> In terms of which is easier, the Rochdale is broad, so you will have more
> chance of sharing locks.
>
> If considering the HNC, ring BW first, to check that you will be OK to go
> through Standedge Tunnel (I know that they did at one point have a ban on
> wooden boats, after they caught one on a projecting bolt and sank it)
>
> All in all, if there is no rush to be anywhere, go over the tops, and take
> in the potteries on your way south (at some point, you may even decide to
> stay up north!)
>
>

Went over the Rochdale last year on holiday - wonderful canal, lots of
locks to keep the younger ones busy.

You need to book the summit lock a day or so before, water should be ok
as its fairly wet at the moment.

Coming down from the summit the locks were very low, had to get BW out
to bring some water down (top lock is padlocked by BW) they arrived very
quickly, great guys.

Locks leak a fair bit, but so what.

I love that canal.......

On 3 Jul, 09:28, "Stuart" <jhghj...@wadd.dwad> wrote:
> I will soon (probably) be buying a boat on the Aire and Calder and need to
> get it down south. One option is along the tidal trent.
> Does anyone have experience with this river and can offer information and
> advice? I've beed told it can be dangerous....
>
> The other option is through the Huddersfield canal. I've been told this way
> is safe but ugly.
>
> Since this is a new boat (to me), I'm leaning towards the safe option. Any
> thoughts?
>
> Thanks
>
> Stuart

Having just returened from a three week trip down the Trent & Mersey
from Great Heywood, continuing down the Trent as far as the Foss
Navigation (with a quick visit to Lincoln), I can thoroughly reccomend
it.

Far more boat friendly than the Severn, with more visible scenery
(banks are lower) and far more places to moor. Excellent lock-keepers
who are very willing to chat and to provide all the help you need. Be
aware though that at certain times, some of the locks are self-
operated, making it tricky, though not impossible for a single-hander.

Also be aware that even someone with 16 years experience of boating is
capable of taking a hairpin bend too tight and running aground. (Bit
ignominious, sitting three hours in a listing boat waiting for the
tide to come up).

"ken" <granddad@luxmi.com> wrote in message
news:6b29edbf-e642-4dd1-b08a-fb73d93b8c1e@f36g2000hsa.************.com...


>best of luck stuart email me if you want a companion down the
>rochdale.

Thanks Ken, but unfortunately the boat purchase has gone wrong so I won't
now be using this route (unless I find another up there).

I may well cruise up there one day anyway as it sounds like a nice area.

Regards

Stuart