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Rambler returns to the Royal.
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
09 November, 2011 17:41
| Registered: 5 years ago
Posts: 1,108 |
Hi Noel, I had a jet unit on my first boat on the Grand. Put simply, it didn't work at all with weed, it just clogged the intakes in seconds, I went to an outdrive and problem solved. Take Micks advice and if you go during weedy time bolt on an outboard. Les 41M
RE: Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
09 November, 2011 17:40
| Registered: 5 years ago
Posts: 511 |
Mollie is very broad and square at bow and stern. Would that cause issues at any tight turns or entries?
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
09 November, 2011 19:31
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 168 |
Hi Mick I think you may be right about bringing an outboard as back up. I have already experienced problems with weed in Shannon Harbour. There is a dense moss-like weed on the bottom of the canal that is sucked as a blanket up to the intake which cuts off the flow and seriously reduces performance. However if I stay at tick-over or a little more, giving 1-2 mph I dont have a problem. But this does mean that I cannot use power if I get stuck for some reason. Funny enough , I have never had a problem anywhere other than on the canal. Another nasty thought that occurs to me is leaky lock gates, with my open bow, could be tricky in a deep lock though I probably could rig up some kind of cover Hi Conor Mollie will turn on a sixpence she is very maneuverable Hi Les Tell me more . What kind of boat had the jet drive and what happened to it
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
09 November, 2011 20:13
| Registered: 5 years ago
Posts: 2,998 |
Locks wont be a problem on the Royal Noel....they're 75 feet long, plenty of room to stay away from the gates. On the Grand they're 60 odd feet and leaky gates or water over topping could be an issue all right. You would also need to watch your back deck in a dropping lock as the boat will sometimes drift back to the cill and water can then land on deck. Common enough on 31B, but I designed me back doors with this in mind. VERY IMPORTANT.....use land racks where they exist and work. With a draft of 18" you're not very likely to get stuck anywhere, and if the jet drive works at 1 to 2 mph, I'd go with that.....but still bring an outboard....just in casey. If you get stuck at those speeds, a shove of a bargepole will usually free you. Reason for probs on canal has to do with volume of water the jet drive is drawing through versus the volume available to supply the flow, AND that rubbish/weed will always be a lot closer to the intake than on the river. Same applies to props, the faster they turn, the more they draw, the greater chance of them fouling...!! M(W&W)F
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
09 November, 2011 20:33
| Registered: 5 years ago
Posts: 2,998 |
Should'nt be a problem Conor. Even if it's 13' 4" right to the very front the plastic pipe fenders (4" each side) will have a bit of give and will readily slide along anything. With a draft of only 18", it'll have far more width available than I would. M(W&W)F
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
11 November, 2011 17:25
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
Thanks to all for postings to date . The plan is Richmond / Abbeyshrule tomorrow [ saturday ] with Abbeyshrule / Coolnahay on Sunday. Any questions on this leg feel free to ask and if you want to catch us on the way call me @ 087 050 7881 . Joe.
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 07:06
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
Morning all, a rather busy week-end and a lot of ground covered on the canal itself. At the end of two days in November, Rambler covered what had taken five long days in June - that's Hollywood for you ! Dawn on Saturday and the 'Ruston' was wound up for what was to be a long day, Abbeyshrule was our goal. Paddy faithfully arrived early to lift the two bridges and it was onwards with plenty of water and nothing to hold us up. Dropping a car in Abbeyshrule on the way from Dublin, this was Rambler's progress as we got to Richmond. Approaching Lock 45. The first of the bridge lifts. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 14/11/2011 07:32 by joe treacy.
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 07:18
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
This swan family were herded along for some time. Begnagh lifting bridge and those nasty bends being negotiated. Approaching Ballydrum Bridge. A lovely crisp morning on the canal.
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 07:30
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
A big "Rambler Hug" being offered to Float 3 as we passed through Mosstown Harbour. There are some sharp bends and this one at Mullawornia got the better of the helmsman. Approaching Ballymahon there was a hint of what would happen ahead as word of the 'returning star' spread along the system. Abbeyshrule overnight and after a hearty meal the banter was good over a few pints.
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 11:30
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
I notice poetry being written on another thread on whether [ or not !] to travel the Royal but the raw facts will be told here. We left Abbeyshrule with the lean and mean delivery crew at 8.30am and tied up in Coolnahay at 2.30pm. That was about twelve miles but there was the matter of thirteen climbing locks which had to be emptied as we travelled. The feeling was the combination of two on the boat and one driving the bank was the most efficient. It was a bit brighter than this at 8.30! That stunning aquaduct over the Inny and the pumps were not running as water was good. Coming under Ledwith's Bridge where 4E started a re-birth in 1980. Note the " dog watch " on the bow. Approaching Lock 35 through the lovely harbour at Ballynacargy.
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 11:39
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
A sign of the "cut backs" ! Steering sorted and no need for a crew-member on the tiller. This was a sample of the amount of water we enjoyed on this trip. Coming around one of those bends through the lovely countryside. Lining her up for Lock 34.
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 11:47
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
At a couple of points the view ahead resembles a flight of locks on an English canal. A little 'fender fishing' as a diversion. A prime example of the majestic Royal lock houses. No time wasting here - onwards to Coolnahay !
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 12:01
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
Our 'plan B' if the target was not met is this lovely spot at Walsh's Bridge where Donna and Mario Luigi would have taken good care of Rambler for the coming week. Mario felt that this boating business was beneath her station and stayed curled up in bed . Donna and nephews were aboard for a stretch to beef-up the crew numbers. The crowds were out to witness the return of Rambler and budding boaters helped her along. The final stretch as Dolan Bridge and Lock 26 are approached.
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 12:10
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
Great welcome from Claire as we enter the lock. Safely on the Summit level at Coolnahay . The delivery team after a very successful trip.
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 17:19
| Registered: 5 years ago
Posts: 2,998 |
Excellent journey Joe. How long did the run from Richmond to Abbeyshrule take...? I did the run from Coolnahay to Richmomd over 3 days, but had stopped quite a few times....!! M(W&W)F PS...Did Cormac have any bother with his own airdraft under the bridges...??
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 22:02
| Registered: 5 years ago
Posts: 1,040 |
Excellent,Joe, thanks for posting. It's wonderful to see boats on the stretches of canal I know so well and used to walk along fantasising about. I seem to have missed Rambler again, unless fortune smiles on me and I get to divert over that way some time this week. A bit unlikely, given my schedule. Still, no doubt she'll do it again... Duncan Duncan
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 22:54
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
Mick, Richmond to Abbeyshrule was about eleven hours on Saturday, Abbeyshrule to Coolnahay was an amazing six hours on Sunday. Cormac did his steering from the second or third step down the staircase! Duncan, the boat is certainly generating a lot of interest in it's return trip with plenty of photos being taken . If you don't catch her this trip, she will be back down in Spring, rumour has it she has a date in a midland town in June. These couple are locals in Coolnahay ! Claire has a new addition to her flock - a bird with attitude!
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 23:04
| Registered: 5 years ago
Posts: 2,998 |
Good stuff Joe. Any idea as to the split time to Ballybrannigan from Richmond...?? Just a bit of forward planning for next August's dash from Jamestown to the Tall Ships...!! M(W&W)F
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
14 November, 2011 23:11
| Registered: 4 years ago
Posts: 520 |
Mick, think it was about nine hours to Brannigan [ John kept a log ] but skinny boats like 31B and Rambler will have no problems dashing along the Royal ! Joe.
Re: Rambler returns to the Royal.
15 November, 2011 00:05
| Registered: 2 years ago
Posts: 113 |
What a great trip. I must admit that I never really saw or understood the appeal of canals or so called "ditches" but this weekends trip has given me a great appreciation of both the beauty and community sprit on the Royal. I do feel honoured to have done the trip on Rambler this was added to by such a knoladagable crew who knew every inch of the route and every person /house we passed, made the weekend unforgettable. Joe worked tirelessly to insure we covered ground quickly and each lock was prepared and returned to the correct setting while Rambler kept moving, by the last lock on Sunday we had the through time average below five mins per lock and he has captured in on camera for this thread. One word covers its for me FANTASTIC , Looking forward to more ditch crawling if that's what that was , I liked it Cormac MV Coreibh P.S. my head room was fine but the air draft wasn't great after the pints and greasy fry ...  Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 15/11/2011 00:13 by Coreibh.
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