Laurence, I am a self confessed "shiny boater". However, I have a love of the history of our canals. Any book, recording, video of the past I avidly devour, I am fascinated by the restored working boats of the past and the life led on them.
However, Nick is right in his thinking the canals are as they are now, there cannot be a return to the past. Without the hire boats, in my view the successor of the working boat as they are earning money, which is the sole reason of the existence of the working boat of the past, the shiny boats etc.. the canals as we know them would not exist.
I do try to operate my shiny boat within the accepted practices of the past, and yes I do understand the history.
You are fortunate to have the use of work horses from the past, not all of us are able or want a ex working boat, but that is where they are from - the past, their role can never be fully recreated, a glimpse yes, but that is all.
Please have a wider vision, you have a wealth of knowledge but at times you come across as somewhat pompous, IMHO of course.
There is room for us all.