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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 14:46:20 GMT
We have four weeks left before we have to ditch the boat, and go home to work for three months.
Thinking about it this morning was a bit of a bummer, but it was pouring with rain at the time.
Now that the sun has come out, the thought crossed my mind, that on new years eve we'll be back on board and cruising again, and whilst it will be winter, there are many glorious frosty but sunny days, and the canals will revert back to the quiet rarely used state we love. Winter boating is magical.
We enjoy the sun but of course you have to accept how busy it is too.
We meet many live aboard cruisers in the winter months, when they're the only people around.
It just made me wonder, how many of you regular boaters that don't live aboard manage to get out on the boat before April each year?
Rog
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Post by Telemachus on Aug 30, 2017 14:52:10 GMT
We do. Last year we went out late November on a BCN trip. Got iced in at Longwood boat club for 2 days, but still enjoyed it. Out on the boat over Christmas. Then a weekend in January (but didn't go out) the a long weekend in February and 10 days in March. Yes we enjoy winter cruising but the risk of getting iced in is a bit of a stressor when you have flights booked to get home.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 15:05:54 GMT
Never for one moment imagined there would come a time when I would look forward to winter boating. I do now though. This year has seen the worst season I've experienced. Rude, speeding arrogant twats seemed to be abundant (even though dogshit sold his boat). Thank fuck all the arrogant old tossers will be back in their armchairs in the next few weeks. (Not referring to roger of course).
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 15:30:36 GMT
It is so much quieter in winter, but can be harsh.
The longest we were frozen in was 10 days at Long Itchington. We could have moved, but would have been ice breaking, so elected to sit it out. Coal and gas was available at Warwickshire fly boats, as was waste disposal.
The Coop and Two Boats pub were very useful too.
We are fortunate that once back on board we have no time constraints. I can see the problem for Telemachus with deadlines to keep.
Rog
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Post by peterboat on Aug 30, 2017 17:01:25 GMT
We normally go out after Christmas and come back in the New year, last year and the year before we got stuck out for an extra couple of weeks. As I have retired it doesnt matter and Jayne just gets the train back and forth until I can move the boat again.
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Post by naughtyfox on Aug 30, 2017 17:03:52 GMT
Telemachus can always dump his boat anywhere and ask a nice TBer to move it onwards for him. Britain has a railway system, buses, and taxis.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 17:21:08 GMT
Never for one moment imagined there would come a time when I would look forward to winter boating. I do now though. This year has seen the worst season I've experienced. Rude, speeding arrogant twats seemed to be abundant (even though dogshit sold his boat). Thank fuck all the arrogant old tossers will be back in their armchairs in the next few weeks. (Not referring to roger of course). We sold our boat two not one seasons ago Steve, you must be thinking of someone else. As to the original post yes although we didn't live aboard we were regular winter boaters, and even before we bought we hired in winter too. Great time for boating.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 17:22:59 GMT
It is so much quieter in winter, but can be harsh. The longest we were frozen in was 10 days at Long Itchington. We could have moved, but would have been ice breaking, so elected to sit it out. Coal and gas was available at Warwickshire fly boats, as was waste disposal. The Coop and Two Boats pub were very useful too. We are fortunate that once back on board we have no time constraints. I can see the problem for Telemachus with deadlines to keep. Rog Ice breaking is best done in a hire boat.
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Post by Trina on Aug 30, 2017 18:11:04 GMT
We usually go out for Xmas,got iced in once but as we'd got to Brum( not far from home)-Paul stayed on the boat while I went back to schoolπ .Now we're both retired,we can be daring ...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 19:10:23 GMT
Our biggest hindrance to winter boating is winterisation.
I have altered the domestic water system so it's much easier to drain down, no disconnecting of the pipework needed now π
The toilet is set up to pump bio friendly antifreeze through it so it doesn't need pulling to bits to protect from frost.
The last job I have is to add a tee, a valve and a standpipe to the raw water intake so I can flush that with bio friendly antifreeze - again, removing the need to strip and drain the system to protect it from frost.
We did way more winter boating on a unheated, uncomplicated outboard powered 16' Mayland than we have with the comfy well appointed Elysian!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 19:54:38 GMT
The good thing about going home and working upto christmas, is that the nights are rapidly drawing in and days shorten ridiculously.
At least once we're back on board the days are starting to lengthen again and very quickly the signs of spring become noticeable.
Rog
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Post by Jim on Aug 30, 2017 20:04:29 GMT
We go out in winter, whatever the weather. Warm and toasty with the fire blazing. I had my first go at icebreaking last winter, our previous boats were plastic, a no no, so it just had to be done and bugger the blacking! It was due to be drydocked and blacked in May anyway. It's a wonderful noise.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 20:07:20 GMT
It's even more wonderful on a hire boat as doghouse said.
Rog
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Post by Delta9 on Aug 30, 2017 22:41:33 GMT
The good thing about going home and working upto christmas, is that the nights are rapidly drawing in and days shorten ridiculously. At least once we're back on board the days are starting to lengthen again and very quickly the signs of spring become noticeable. Rog How does one find a job that only requires you to work 3 months of the year?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2017 22:48:34 GMT
The good thing about going home and working upto christmas, is that the nights are rapidly drawing in and days shorten ridiculously. At least once we're back on board the days are starting to lengthen again and very quickly the signs of spring become noticeable. Rog How does one find a job that only requires you to work 3 months of the year? Dark evening's, married man's nights π
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