The Life Cycle of Narrowboat Ballast

We have back tracked up the South Stratford canal today so no new photos as you already saw them going down.

Instead here is a short technical paper on a little known but very important aspect of narrowboating on the canals

As we all know ballast is required to weigh a boat down and make it sit in the water correctly.

The majority of ballast is steel plates under the floor installed when we built the boat and is quite frankly, boring. So we will pass over this

But an important part is the ballast required in order to trim the boat under varying loads...

This ballast takes the form of a temporary installation and is regularly renewed and moved around the boat tin what we call “ THE LIFE CYCLE OF NARROWBOAT BALLAST “

The ballast can be obtained from various retailers. Here is just one example of a load being delivered to our boat in Stratford






The ballast is available in various brands and comes in a convenient packaging. Here is one example. Note: “lite” beer is no good as it is not as heavy!!!!





The initial location is forward in the boat under the entrance steps to help keep the bow down in the water.






The next location is in the chiller section if the fridge where it gains density and prepares it for the next stage of it life cycle.










The next stage is to transfer the ballast to a moveable receptacle in order that it can be moved easily around the boat. The most preferable location is shown here.





These come in all shapes and sizes. A larger one of course holds more ballast then a slim one. Note: women can and have been known to take part in this stage of the life cycle of ballast, but usually with smaller impact on the weight distribution!!!!

After a while when the temporary receptacle becomes full some ballast has to be ejected, sometimes quite often when undertaking an intensive ballast distribution session. A quick easy method is direct into nature. Note this option is better suited to the males on board and best carried out at night or when no non boating public are around.



In the event of the above option not being available we have to undergo 2 further stages of the life cycle as we have to store the ballast in a special bulk receptacle located amidships.










Note: Stay aboard guests are encouraged to join in the program of cycling ballast (and also to bring their own ballast when visiting), and for their convenience we provide their own bulk storage receptacle in the guest cabin en suite facility.








The final stage in the life cycle of narrowboat ballast is to eject the spent ballast (along with other solids, by discharging the bulk storage receptacle in facilities provided by British Waterways at various locations throughout the canal network. This stage is known as “bucket and chuck it”

The cycle then restarts and should be repeated as regularly as possible.

Canal Tour Statistics So far

We have now reached approx half way on our summer tour.












Total Miles 264


Total Number of Locks 343


Total Hours Cruised (Approx) 152

The South Stratford Canal

Unlike the north section this part of the canal was abandoned and then restored by the National Trust under the guidance of David Hutchings. They didn’t know about canals at the time and begged borrowed and obtained equipment from wherever they could find it.

Once the canal was completed by the national Trust operated it but again they were out of their depth. Finally British waterways took over the canal but the locks and other infrastructures are a legacy of what was done by the National Trust and are a hotch potch of styles and functionality.

The original barrel roofed lock keepers cottages survive although some have been extended out of all recognition presumably in the days when you could avoid the planning departments.












Most split bridges survive but horse boats no longer make use of the tow rope split






The Fleur De Lys pub at Lowensford has still got the upmarket food that Brian refused to eat 17 years ago when we last stopped here. This we found something he could eat albeit at a high price




The canal has 3 aqueducts all made from cast iron with a tow path trough below the level of the boat.

The first and smallest is the Yaringale aqueduct over a small river below










The next is the Wootton Wawen aqueduct over a busy road (look though the window of the boat to see the road below)
















The last is the magnificent Edstone aqueduct which passes over both a railway and road below.






The weather became untypically English hot and sunny with temperatures above the South of France and comparable to those in St Kitts, so we holed up under the trees in the middle of nowhere for a few days before setting of again. Sue does not like locking in very hot sun.




The Wilmcote flight has locks that will catch out the unwary. Poor restoration by the National Trust has left dangerous projections in the locks to hang up boats





Stratford is in the distance. Nearly there











Evidence of the National Trust legacy











Just a few locks to go down







Crazy short angled lock beam due to road widening









The last lock









The final bend









The last low bridge








Et Voila, Bancroft Basin right in the heart of Stratford upon Avon










The welcoming committee helps us moor up







Unfortunately the area has building work due to the revamping of the gardens and the Shakespeare theatre.


















For soothe it is verily noble that the good ship Invicta doth reach the fine waters of Will’s home. Is it the slings and windlasses that I see before me, or the canneth of Boddingtons?

Drink, for we will be merry this eve!!!!
Brian Badminton 2008

Into Shakespeare Territory

We are now on the Birmingham canals level. You may know that there are more canals in Birmingham than in Venice but may not know that Birmingham is on a plateau. All canals leading to the city have to climb at least 20 locks to get there no matter which direction they approach from.

We motored along the 13 miles of the Worcester and Birmingham canal, through 3 tunnels, one nearly 2 miles long to the junction with the North Stratford canal at Kings Norton Junction only 5-1/2 miles from the city centre

The area is a bit run down and for the first 5 miles of the north Stratford canal you certainly don’t want to think of stopping anywhere.

We kept going until the graffiti under the bridges stopped, things floating in the cut stopped and we found a place with a shop which by the time we got there it was 18.00 and 10 miles away from the junction.

As we now had bread we lit the BBQ and enjoyed Sue’s hoe made beefburgers, sausages, chicken etc. Oh and a few beers.

The W&B cuts through tunnels

Nice new housing facing the canal

The canal passes over the top of a reservoir dam wall

Nice country side only 7 miles from the centre of Birmingham

The W & B canal company toll house at Kings Norton Junction

The unused stop lock on the North Stratford canal with unique guillotine gates still in place. Note the graffiti typical of the area






Even the tunnel portal had a plaque showing old Will Shakespeare

BW at work -“this bit fits here mate” 3 men for one bolt.

Helpingf hand with the bridge from the 4th BW man

Nice family the Drawbridges and I know their daughter Shirley well. So do most of the locals I here!!!!!

The Wharf Inn at Hockley heath, our stop for the night.

The scenery improving as you get further south away from the city

Typical Stratford canal lock bridge with horse tow rope slot in the centre to save unhitching.

Rufus makes new friends

The Lapworth lock fight. 19 locks down to the junction with the South Stratford and the Grand Union canals

Typical milepost

Bath time for Rufus

Kingswood Junction. The Grand Union canal is to the left and the south Stratford canal is straight on

First of the barrel roofed cottages typical of the South Stratford canal