Lodge Oyster Catcher on test

 

Something a bit different for the Canal Boat boat test this month, a houseboat on the Chichester Canal — Oyster Catcher by Premier Marinas.  A locked-down boats for locked-down times.

Honeysuckle on test — and sponsored hire boats

The March issue of Canal Boat is out and includes my boat test on a sponsored hire boat called Honeysuckle, by Brayzel Boats.

There is also a companion piece on what a sponsored hire boat is and how it works.  Thanks to Irene and Ian from Free Spirit who were among those who helped with this piece.

Oakums on test

 

The February edition of Canal Boat is out, and includes my boat test on Oakums, but Oakums boat builders.

Hunky Dory on test

The January edition of Canal Boat is out, and includes my boat test on Hunky Dory by Ortomarine.

Tenbee on test, plus Baleine’s stretch

 

The December Canal Boat is out, and includes my boat test on Tenbee by Shone Boat Co.  There’s also a piece I wrote about Baleine’s stretch.

Stowe Hill Wharf

A quick dash today to Rugby Boats at Stowe Hill Wharf for a pre-lockdown boat test.  It was a blustery day, but sunny on and off, and when we got back a rainbow appeared.  This boat test will help get us through the winter.

Cushions

I came up to the boat this morning after a very early but short shift at work.  I’d brought with me a surprisingly large cargo of new foam cushions for the dinette.

The old cushions were probably original to the boat, so were a bit flat to say the least.  Getting them out of the covers was easy, but I was a bit worried the new ones might be a bit more tricky to get back in, given that they were so much thicker.  Fortunately it was pretty easy — and it turned out my measurements were correct.  Sitting at the dinette now feels like a completely different experience!  Not only can you not feel the wooden slats, but the view looks different just for being a few inches higher, and air seems thinner!

To get rid of the old foam, I researched nearby tips, and found that the one at Northampton was about the only one that was both open today and didn’t need a booking.  Possibly thanks to it being a very rainy day, there were very few people there.  Tomorrow morning we have a boat test set up, and the weather is meant to be a lot better.