Speed checks at on the Montgomery Canal

Sunday, 04 April 2010 19:37

You think I am joking!

Most of the canal system has a speed limit of 4 MPH. Many narrowboaters find that this speed is not often achievable. It all depends on the depth, width and state of the canal and the draft and swim of the narrowboat.

The Montgomery Canal is different; the maximum speed allowed is 3MPH. Not a problem for us, as this is probably around our cruising speed, apart from past moored boats of course!

How does a narrowboat helmsman know what speed the boat is doing? The Rev Counter (nothing to do with vicars!) can be a help, if you understand the relation between speed, water movement and revs. So is a computer system like Water Explorer's Navvygator, which is how we monitor our speed.

But ....

the Montgomery has speed checks

The idea is that it will take 10 seconds to pass the posts at 3MPH and 15 seconds at 2MPH (the speed limit from Aston Locks). Taking note of the rev speed will help to maintain the correct speed, approximately. Our tickover is about 10 revs (x100) rpm (edited to please the technically-minded pedants!) and we cruise at around 1.8 MPH at tickover, so it is fairly easy to cruise at 2 MPH!

The depth of water and boat will make a difference to speed, despite what the rev counter reads. This is elementary physics, I am assured - something to do with water displacement! (I failed physics 'O' Level, but I can still use my eyes to prove the theory!).

The posts above are after Corbett's Bridge (75), a farm bridge at the end of Rednal Straight. Rednal Straight is where the road follows the Monty past Rednal Moss. In this very straight bit of canal a couple of "in-line nature reserves" have been created on the off-side. They help the water quality and protect wildlife.

Rednal Straight and road

Narrowboats must give way as the sections are single width. We were let through by a boat as we approached Corbett's Bridge (75) and looking back, the reserve is on the left.

In-line nature reserve

Before the area known as Queen's Head is a winding hole

Ahead was the remains of an old wharf with a warehouse used for corn until the 1940s. Passing the old corn warehouse we approached Queen's Head Bridge (76). The Queen's Head pub is on the right by the bridge. There are moorings before and after the tunnel-like bridge.

Corn warehouse and moorings

Looking back at Queen's Bridge

Immediately after is the busy A5 Bridge and beyond are more moorings. We stopped here for a night, but the road is noisy and we would not recommend it if you are a light sleeper!

There are fields on the off-side though!

Montgomery Canal, Heath House Bridge to Queens Head, A5 bridge

56 minutes, 0.96 miles, 0 locks