Does anyone live alongside the canal?

wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
Do any forumites themselves (or possibly anyone that you personally know) have direct access to the canal from their own garden in Stafford? Or even their own private mooring at the bottom of the garden?

I have recently received the gift of a very small 2 person plastic boat, literally just the size of a typical dinghy. It has an electric motor which attaches and is powered by a leisure battery (similar to a car battery). Although it's a long shot, I am looking for somebody with the above canal access locally that might consider me storing the boat in their garden and allowing me to access it on occasion in order to eliminate the need of frequently transporting it on a small trailer etc.

In return, I would be prepared to discuss the reward for such use - suggestions including (but not limited to) the offer of payment, free computer repairs or even their own free use of my boat.

If you or anybody you know thinks they might possibly be able to accomodate this suggestion, please do give me a shout. I realise how unlikely this is, but then again stranger things have happened with forum user support in the past. If you don't ask.....

Thanks muchly
Wayne
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Or around Fairway - into the river and a portage over to the canal at the back of Jewson's?

You can meet jobsworths who may point out the potential licensing issues - https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/licensing-your-boat/licensing-faqs

It looks like five hundred quid for a year with a powered vessel under 5.5m - https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/refresh/media/thumbnail/31391-long-term-licence-fees-2018-2019.pdf

There is a Short Term licence system, up to an annual one with 30 days use - individual days, not necessarily consecutive - https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/1197.pdf
 

Noah

Well-Known Forumite
£53.71 (£48.34 prompt payment) per year for portable unpowered boats. Hide the engine and get the oars out?
 
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Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Speak to someone still left in Switchgear, get some SF6 and forget about the water.




If you do the funny 'deep voice' thing with it, do be aware of the potential for drowning.
 

wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
£53.71 (£48.34 prompt payment) per year for portable unpowered boats. Hide the engine and get the oars out?
As long as it can be powered by oars and also lifted from the water by it's crew alone (which it can), then I'm told that this is the correct licence anyway.

Based on my internet stalking just now, it looks as though it would be OK on a pair of roof bars...
Believe it or not, I've just discovered that I can squeeze it inside the car with back seats folded down. Tomorrow is the test run :)

She has been named "Hoof Hearted" which was my personal favourite when searching the web. Hoping it will generate a few smirks along the way. :D
 

wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
Realised that electric trolling motors are really only suited to very short trips as you need a 100Ah battery just to get 1 hour of use. Therefore I've hit the credit card for a little 1.2hp outboard engine.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Auxiliary sails?

sailing-caribbean-cropped1.jpg


You could rig up a dropping keel in that central box...
 

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
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Ruddy hooligan.

On the Broads the river police pull boats up for speeding and can prosecute if they catch you again.

There was one local chap at Brundall who used to video any speeding boats and report them. He wasn't too happy when we accidently ran into his boat at Reedham swingbridge after a few beers, an inexperienced helmsman and the rush to get to the pub there, well that was our excuse anyway :)
 
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