Gone with the Wynnsvideo

THE ULTIMATE CANAL ADVENTURE BEGINS (full tour)

May 21, 2023 · 20 min · 505K views · Blackwater Meadow Marina

What this video covers

A pair of sailors begins a 10-day canal boat hire in Ellesmere, England, transitioning from ocean-going sailing to navigating a 20-ton narrowboat on the British canal network.2:02 The crew receives orientation and handling training from ABC Boat Hire at Blackwater Marina, focusing on tiller control, lock navigation, and bridge passage.3:39 Expert guidance from a long-term liveaboard emphasizes that narrowboating is not a contact sport; operators must prioritize slow speeds to avoid damaging other vessels and spilling tea.11:41 Proper etiquette includes avoiding mooring at water points or lock landings and maintaining a respectful distance from other boats.10:01 The rental vessel, the Alpine Swift, features a 2,000-watt inverter, diesel-fired radiant heating, a four-burner stove, and a double-filtered water system.16:36 The crew notes that while the boat is a "long version of an RV," the primary challenge involves managing the narrow, winding channels and wind-induced drift at speeds of three to four miles per hour.2:58

Watch on YouTube

More from Gone with the Wynns

This Cost a Fortune... We Removed It AnywayJun 2026We Thought We'd Never See These AgainMay 2026600 Miles Across the Most Feared Ocean on EarthMay 2026Ice Camping Overnight on AntarcticaMay 2026

From Gone with the Wynns — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.

Report an issue