philhynes

Love to fly a Grumman if I ever found one. Do they even still exist? The bike is a 1996 Ducati Monster 750, but modified to look like a cafe racer. Might be forced to sell her once I get a boat, but be sad to see her go.

Hi Dharl, You are right about the Exeter Ship Canal. I have done some preliminary research but I will be doing a lot more. So far I have established that they have limited moorings at either the Double Locks pub or the Turf Locks pub. Hi Neil, I've always had a dream about boating down the K&A. Some of my favourite places along there. My original plan was to finish up at or around Bristol so a canal boat would have been suitable. Circumstances have changed though so I'm now going to be based in Exeter, but still have the dream of travelling the K&A hence the choice of route. Perhaps it will be possible, perhaps not, but knowing me I am a glass-full kinda guy so I'm sure I'll find a way

Thanks for all the comments guys. Long way off getting a boat, let alone deciding on a route so just throwing a few ideas in the air at the mo. With regards to the Exeter problem, I've got family nearby up near Cullompton so I have the option to stay there which solves the "permanent livaboard" issue. Would be nice to spend most time on the boat but I'll stick to the rules on that one. Thinking of advertising for people to stay on the boat with me for short spells also. Anyone got any experience of this, good or bad?

Hi all,I'm new to this forum, and new to boating as well. I have a question that your wisdom and experience may be able to help me with.I'm planning on moving from Essex to Exeter around springtime next year to finish off my commercial pilot training. What I'd love to do is buy a liveaboard boat and sail it from the River Lea via the Regents Canal, Thames, Kennet & Avon, Bristol Channel and around Lands End into the Exeter Ship Canal. Obviously, this puts a LOT of limitations on what type of vessel I could use, especially being on a bit of a budget. I have done some fairly extensive research into this so far and found that size-wise one of the best boats would be a Birchwood 33 GT (The one with the folding windscreens for extra bridge clearance)My question is, how accurate would you say the waterways dimensions are? According to the inland waterways association the Birchwood would "just about" fit all the way. The tightest dimensions being water draft and air draft (headroom) on the K&A. The reason I ask is that if people have thrown shopping trolleys into the water etc. it might make things difficult. Also, would any of you recommend any other boats for the job? If I could dismantle the wheel house on a standard 33 that could also be an option. Anyone got any experience/thoughts about that?Cheers, Phil.