The Nauticus Canal Cruiser

Hi fellow Nauticus owners,
I've owned my Nauticus 27 about 20 months, and in that time i've done more work to it than i care to admit to. It's mored on the severn at south worcester. We've cruised the Severn and the Avon, but as yet have not ventured on to the canals. I'm planning to this year, but have 2 concerns. I've asked around as to what fenders i can use going through the canal locks, and have had varied responce from no fenders to rope fenders and 2 inch slim anchor fenders . The other thing is my screen as yet does not fold down ! so in the event of a LOW bridge i would have to unbolt it temporarily. I'm fine with that but i wondered if anybody has information on bridge heights known low bridge locations etc Cheers Keith

A number of Narrowboaters only use fenders for mooring, some locks are very narrow so if you have fenders, I personally use them, then it might be best to have cruising "Pipe Fenders", and only take them up if it is a Narrow Lock.
If you have the transom corner fenders they may ned to be removed.

Take it easy and work the paddles slowly

Regarding fenders and locks..after many years on the canal system with my naucusii (is that REALLY the plural.? ) I found it better NOT to leave the fenders down when using locks..2 reasons..one..some locks are really narrow and disformed due to years of subsidence and even with a 27 footer in a maybe 72 ft lock, its possible to get "jammed" secondly..the fendersd tend to rub off the gundge from the lock walls and leave it along the hull. This tends to stain the hull really badly and can cause permanant staining to the fibreglass. Just make sure your rubbing strakes have a metal strip along them and you'l be fine. One word of warning..Narrowboats (floating skips) just kidding. . have a tendency of leaving bitumen wherever they moor..especially on the approach to locks, and along the metal work associated with the lock gates..BEWARE !!! if you come into contact with it..its like anti vandal paint.. a real bugger to get off. :-[..
Happy cruising....