Planning a Route
A Narrowboat holiday is to be enjoyed. It is
not a race or an endurance course.
Plan sensibly and leave time on your hands to simply enjoy the waterways
Starting Point
If you have particular areas you want to explore or visit make sure they are in easy range of the starting point. Allow about 15 miles travel a day to get there and allow time for the return journey and time spent ashore.
Range
How far you can travel depends on your cruising speed, the number of hours you are prepared to travel for and the number of obstacles such as locks etc you might encounter. The potential for queuing at potential bottle necks suck as the locks at the Foxton Inclined Plane, of one way tunnels should also be taken into account especially at peak holiday times.
Generally the maximum cruising speed is 4mph, though there are few places other than the larger canals where the depth and width of the canal will allow this, with out causing excessive amounts of wake. Slowing down to pass moored craft and delays for locks must also be taken into account. 2mph is probably a fair estimate as a daily average, though this can vary a lot depending on route taken.
The travelling hours can be restricted by daylight as much as anything, with night activities being restricted for most hired craft, but not Narrowboats with proper navigation lights. Mid summer you may have up to 16 working hours reduced to as little as 8 in mid winter. Further restrictions will be imposed by the inclinations of the crew ( mutiny is not pretty ) and time spent ashore shopping or site-seeing.Guides and Maps
There are a range of published guides and maps available. The two most popular being the "Nicholson Guides" and The "Pearson's Canal Companions". These provide a lot of information on the routes: Travelling times, local facilities, shops, pubs etc... and are worth the expenditure Traditional maps are also available. Most boats would provide something free of charge for the hirer's use, though the guides and maps can be bought online at various canal sites and book stores. Virtually every inland marina will also stock a range as well
Computer Software
A number of route planning programs are available for computers if you want to take your laptop, some even including a satellite navigation facility.
Canal Planner software for you laptop or PC
Canalplan AC an online facility
Waterway Explorer - online facility
Local Information
Information obtained from the marina, local pubs or from fellow boaters met at locks ( the last often being the most valuable) is invaluable as it of up to date and first hand experience of local events. Website forums such as www.canalworld.net can also be a source of such information and provide the opportunity to converse with people actually living on the water. Also take advantage of facilities such as the British Waterways Website
Review Progress
Ultimately your progress will depend on your own unique circumstances: Enthusiasm and efficiency of crew, amount of time spent ashore, conscience with regard to other canal users...
Review your progress at the end of each day and see if it is going to plan and adjust your schedule accorddingly.
Previous year's experiences can also help hear.
