Donal,You will have Carrick,Coothall and Knocvicar bridges to deal with. I wouldn't say they are any higher than Carnadoe Br. You might be okay if it's a dry Summer next year. Anyhow you'd need to check them out.

Lough Key used to be nice. Speaking personally I hate what has happened to the place. The new jetties will give much needed moorings . I'll wait and see what they look like.

I've just checked an old guide. It says all fixed bridges have 12 ft headroom at normal levels. It doesn't say over what width. You should be ok.

PJ

p



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 14/12/2011 12:34 by pj norris.

Thanks for the data lads
As Ronnie said when I was 10 feet from Carnadoe bridge and wondering if I should I stop
"AH Donal there is an IF in it"

Donal

Hi Donal
I have had Mollie through Carnadoe bridge and up to Lough Key several times, and while I did not take measurements, I crawled through Carnadoe, which I think is the lowest. I motored through the bridges from Carrick to Lough Key at normal speed. Mollie is 8ft6ins across 11ft8ins

Hi Donal, just like Noel, I crawled through Carnadoe, but the bridges into Lough Key seem to have loads of room, never evn considered height to be a problem. Can't see you having any difficulty at all.

Les 41m

Yeahooooooo

For me the Jury is out until we eyeball it next season. It's been nearly 6 years since we were last in wonderful Lough Key. I suspect we will be more pleased than not.

OceanFroggie

Obviously some very mixed feelings about the new developments. Being based in Lough Key, I have witnessed all the recent developments with mixed emotions myself;

I do miss having unrestricted access to the whole of the park, including the tunnels (which my kids used to love running up and down, especially at night, and scaring the bejasus out of eachother. On the other hand, I can appreciate that historical structures need to be protected if they are not going to fall into disrepair. The Moylurg tower, whilst an architectural monstrosity (I think we can all agree on that) does provide wonderful views out over the lake and, with its new elevator, allows those with mobility difficulties to appreciate the view too. The new visitor centre, with its cafe, playground and indoor activity centre (Boda Borg) certainly attracts visitors (which I guess is the purpose of any public amenity). The new Zipit high wire course is a brilliant adventure for all the family (although the red level is not for the faint-hearted!).

Yes, I used to enjoy the peace and solitude of Lough Key (which is still available by mooring at Drummans Island or anchoring around the back of Trinity Island) but it is also nice to see families out enjoying themselves together. (and, let's face it, today's visitors are more demanding than in the past - looking for places that provide toilet facilities and the opportunity to have a latte or a spot of lunch)

The new moorings, whilst rather larger than I was expecting, will, for me, help to extend the boating season by providing power to run a few heaters. The new shower facilities will also help to improve life on board a bit :-)

All in all, I think the developments are probably a positive and progressive thing and I look forward to keeping an eye on their progress every time I make the trip down this winter to check on CB.. I still consider Lough Key a bit like my back garden and it remains one of my favourite spots (and I have cruised the entire length of the Erne & Shannon waterways). It is a beautiful place, with each season bringing its own delights, and provides endless opportunities for exploration and new discoveries - use your dinghy to check out some of the islands which dot it.

For anyone planning on making the trip in 2012, you will be more than welcome and are guaranteed a wonderful time (no guarantees on the weather however!). There will be space for all comers now! Come and say hello.


Rich
COOL BLUE

Donal, if you can get under Caranadoe bridge, you'll have no problem getting to lough key, unless there's a flood.
There are two arches officially navigable (actually three are) in Carrick. The one in the middle of the river has the best headroom, but also the strongest flow. In a flood, this can cause unexpected things to happen as you go through the arch.
My advice, having had direct experience, would be don't attempt it downstream, unless you can fit under the lower arches in comfort! Most of the time there's no problem, though!
Further up there's Cootehall, which I've never perceived to be a challenge, though probably better not to moor too close to the bridge, on the stone wall. Occasionally, boats that create a large wash come through at the wrong speed and the resulting bounce is much more severe close to the bridge, where the boats are funnelled close to the bank.
Further up again, you come to Knockvicar bridge. No problems here, as far as I know.
Soon after the bridge you come to the lock.
Beware the outflow from the weir, which can sometimes drive you closer to the waiting jetty than you'd like, especially if there are other boats moored there.
I'd be astonished if any of this posed a problem for you.
For many years, we hired from ESL in Carrick and our first night was ALWAYS Rockingham, weather permitting, or Dromaan's Island if it was blowy!
Unfortunately, most of what drew us up there has been removed, or altered beyond recognition, or is now being charged for, while having less charm about it!
However, for someone who hasn't been before and therefore hasn't experienced it as it was, the new arrangements won't disappoint!
Do let me know when you're coming, won't you?
I'll hold a rope, or help fend, or whatever helps! I was going to say "push a gate", but the hydraulics do that nowadays...

Duncan

Duncan, I hope you have plenty of hands, there are likely to be quite a few heritage vessels heading that way at the same time, could easily swamp the new facilities, but nothing definite yet. Can't wait, I love it up there (last 4 years have made it each year).

Les 41M

Duncan, I hope you have plenty of hands, there are likely to be quite a few heritage vessels heading that way at the same time, could easily swamp the new facilities, but nothing definite yet. Can't wait, I love it up there (last 4 years have made it each year).

Les 41M

Somewhere in my memory I've heard of more than one wheelhouse being permanently altered at one or both of those bridges ,Knocvicar and Carnadoe. Anybody willing to put their hands up??

PJ



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 14/12/2011 23:14 by pj norris.

Actually PJ, I think it was both of your purchases at one time or another, the 61 and the 40, but the memory is getting bad, so could be miles off.

Les 41M

Some of the older guys might know.[are there any left?]
There were a few whse. alterations on the Grand,but our lips are sealed. Too soon to mention, but like government records, may be released in fifty years.

pJ

Hi Duncan

I will contact you, you are welcome to do the trip onboard

Donal

Spare a thought....... those with airdraught issues !

I passed this yoke an hour or so ago, just squeezed under the Yangtze bridge.

CC


www.anglingcharts.com

Mucking about in boats.

Fab shot Trevor. There must be some ballast on her to maintain stability. Do loads like that with a long angle of moment dampen roll?

OceanFroggie

Les wrote.....

Actually PJ, I think it was both of your purchases at one time or another, the 61 and the 40, but the memory is getting bad, so could be miles off.

Colin>>>>The late Jack Roberts (former owner of 40M) always used to say that you weren't a real bargeman until you had demolished at least one wheel-house. He related a story of coming downstream in a flood at I think Knockvicar and being concerned about the flow and hitting the bridge got himself an old engine block tied to a long length of rope with the other end attached to the boat. As he approached the bridge he heaved the block over the side in the hope that it would act as a drag and slow him down. It didn't. The rope broke and he hit the bridge demolishing the wheel-house.

Colin
GMY Chang Sha

Would imagine they exaggerate any roll. Unlike a keel they are moving
through the air so no damping would be obtained as there would be in water.
Might be like an iceberg with a huge keel loaded with ballast or else they
could use a paravane type construction with large flat plates.

Paul Mc Cann


On 15 December 2011 09:47, IWAI forum colin_becker1 wrote:

> Posted at: [www.iwai.ie]
> colin_becker1 wrote:
>
> Les wrote.....
>
> Actually PJ, I think it was both of your purchases at one time or another,
> the 61 and the 40, but the memory is getting bad, so could be miles off.
>
> Colin>>>>The late Jack Roberts (former owner of 40M) always used to say
> that you weren't a real bargeman until you had demolished at least one
> wheel-house. He related a story of coming downstream in a flood at I think
> Knockvicar and being concerned about the flow and hitting the bridge got
> himself an old engine block tied to a long length of rope with the other
> end attached to the boat. As he approached the bridge he heaved the block
> over the side in the hope that it would act as a drag and slow him down.
> It didn't. The rope broke and he hit the bridge demolishing the
> wheel-house.
>
> Colin
> GMY Chang Sha
>
>

Reply Quote

This thread is well adrift but wgas.


Sorry meant to add this link re paravane

[www.tc.gc.ca]

Paul Mc Cann



On 15 December 2011 11:13, Paul Mc Cann wrote:

> Would imagine they exaggerate any roll. Unlike a keel they are moving
> through the air so no damping would be obtained as there would be in water.
> Might be like an iceberg with a huge keel loaded with ballast or else they
> could use a paravane type construction with large flat plates.
>
> Paul Mc Cann
>
>
>
> On 15 December 2011 09:47, IWAI forum colin_becker1 wrote:
>
>> Posted at: [www.iwai.ie]
>> colin_becker1<[www.iwai.ie]>wrote:
>>
>> Les wrote.....
>>
>> Actually PJ, I think it was both of your purchases at one time or
>> another, the 61 and the 40, but the memory is getting bad, so could be
>> miles off.
>>
>> Colin>>>>The late Jack Roberts (former owner of 40M) always used to say
>> that you weren't a real bargeman until you had demolished at least one
>> wheel-house. He related a story of coming downstream in a flood at I think
>> Knockvicar and being concerned about the flow and hitting the bridge got
>> himself an old engine block tied to a long length of rope with the other
>> end attached to the boat. As he approached the bridge he heaved the block
>> over the side in the hope that it would act as a drag and slow him down.
>> It didn't. The rope broke and he hit the bridge demolishing the
>> wheel-house.
>>
>> Colin
>> GMY Chang Sha
>>
>

Reply Quote