You must have the power

That survey that CaRT hopes will help to get more boaters on to the tidal Trent misses a very salient point, that Victor did not, writes Gerry Varley.

It is the power of the boat and particularly I should imagine the size of the prop. For it is no use asking questions of what is or is not wanted or is or is not required.  There is absolutely nothing that anyone can do about a tidal river, as the tide Spring or Neap or anything in between and the surge of the sea is in charge.

Worst experience

I came out at Keadby after a long cruise on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, and it was the worst experience I have ever had, for though I was taken fast out of the lock, obviously on the tide, I had a job keeping control as I just had not the power, and then everything was okay for a while then I realised though the water was passing the boat, the bank was not 'moving', then the boat started waving about, and I managed a mooring on the river and waited.

That was a terrible time, for I did not know when to start off again, with a flat mobile phone battery, with the water really going down then coming up again, so when it was really going our way, I set off and made it to Torksey.  The lock keeper there told me it would be better getting to Cromwell and told me exactly when to start, but it was a relief to get there.

Designed for canals

The crux of it all was that I realised my boat was designed for canals and not strong rivers like the Trent, which I suggest other boaters bear in mind. So no matter that CaRT missed it out, the power of the boat is all important—and compare your prop with others.

[We would be pleased to hear from anyone who had a good experience on the tidal Trent...]