Crash! On My Brand New Narrowboat

[@craigy_baby]

Hi Lorna The boat you collided with was my share boat. I had waited at the tunnel entrance for two boats to exit the tunnel. Your craft was well in to the tunnel when i entered. I was literally scraping down my side of the tunnel when we made contact. I had scraped my navigation lights on my side of the tunnel. Its easy to blame other boaters in these circumstances, but as pointed out by other comments, this is a two way tunnel. As ( very) experienced boaters, we did nothing wrong in this circumstance, and perhaps experience could be pointed to in this case. I'd seen you earlier near Foxton and recognised you from another channel. I'm sorry your new craft was damaged, but in this case , I think this was just an incident in a tunnel. I hope you enjoy your adventures. Good luck.

[@lornajaneadventures]

These things happen. No blame or hard feelings. If only they’d built these tunnels hundreds of years ago to more easily accommodate that shape of more modern craft 😂 hopefully not too much damage to your boat Also happy for people to give feedback or opinions what happened, but any swearing or name calling against the other boater will be deleted

[@pepperpot542]

She can't steer 😅

[@lornajaneadventures]

I’ve said it in the description, but I’ll say it here too: This is my journey, from my perspective at the time of events. I’m happy for people to give feedback or opinions what happened, I would love to learn from this so I can avoid it happening again, but any swearing or name calling against the other boater will be deleted

[@kcsteeler]

Very gracious of you for your reply and clarification for Lorna.

[@holdthelight11]

@@pepperpot542 how miserable is your own life that you feel the need to take the time to comment negatively towards someone who has been gracious about the incident and has always made it clear that is she is still learning? I hope things start looking up for you so that you don't need to put others down to feel better about your own life situation.

[@technomagical]

I always prepare my boat before going thru tunnels. You cant just wing it. Chimneys, tv ariels side fenders or anything else needs to be moved within the orginal profile of the boat. If passing in a tunnel you need to be literally scrapping the right wall with your rubbing strips below the gunnels. Been there and done it many times over many years.. im sorry for your damage, like others have said patch it up and accept that bangs and scrapes are a part of narrow boating.

[@wendybrealey8368]

Sorry this happened so early with the boat but fixable at least. I only have one comment, it seems many posters don't realise you were an experienced prior owner of a narrowboat but have been "out of the water" for a few years, mostly due to the inordinate time it took for Foxglove to be built, and now you are getting used to the vagaries of a very different little boat. Hope the negative comments don't knock your self confidence and you continue to enjoy the boating life (so we can enjoy it vicariously). Have a nice winter - I see on the news lots of snow of late 🥶 😊

[@lornajaneadventures]

I haven’t seen any snow yet. Soon, hopefully

[@MrCSutton]

Thanks for another fascinating video. We use that tunnel all the time (we've had about 8 years of going through it both ways several times a month so far) and have become rather blase about it. It's mostly about 16' wide, so can easily accommodate two boats. We've had a few minor bumps in it, nobody's fault and they always sound worse than they are as everyone is going as slowly as possible when we meet (it's normal cruising speed when it's empty of course). Heading towards Foxton, there's just the bare wall on the right, but the other way there's a line of planks all the way through, just above water level, with chains underneath them to hold onto if you fall in. They also help to protect the boat. Unfortunately, the sides of the tunnel aren't straight, so it's very easy to get your bow unexpectedly moved out and naturally, it's always at the most inopportune moment. It's just one of those things, although our boat is in primer and if we do clout the side, we just slap a bit more of it over the scratch. It's one reason we've never had a proper paint job done on it. I don't agree that boating is a "contact sport". Accidents happen of course, but we all try our best not to bump into other people's boats. Sometimes though, like here, it's simply unavoidable.

[@glennjacob105]

Serves you right really . If your not confident come to a halt in the tunnel and let the more capable navigator pass 😮

[@sct58]

The thing to remember about Beetles is they have very straight sides compared to a lot of boats so they are more sticky-outy at roof level. In future I’d recommend you remove your flowers and anything else which might distract your eyeline when entering a tunnel. I also suspect that higher water levels meant you got caught on the curvature of the tunnel more easily. Stay right, drop your speed and creep past approaching boats. Inevitably boats will touch now and again (tho I don’t like the term contact sport) it’s up to every helm to minimise that risk as much as possible. You can pop your flowers back on later.

[@sct58]

Ps I always wear a life jacket when singlehanding through tunnels.

[@marvindebot3264]

Aww, what a bummer. Why the hell not just wait, silly buggers. Get some zinc primer on those bare bits before the rust starts! The stretch after the tunnel is a lovely one, loads of greenery. That lockkeeper sure gets his exercise!

[@Wes-u3g]

We went to the UK last May and we rented a narrowboat for a few days. In one of the locks we were sharing with another boat, the owner told me that narrowboating was a contact sport and not to worry about dings and scrapes

[@louiemcallister66]

So sorry to hear about the tunnel mishap, Lorna. Losing your flower pots and scraping Foxglove must have been so upsetting. You’ve put so much love into her, and it shows! Wishing you smoother travels ahead-Foxglove will be back to her beautiful self in no time. 💐🚤

[@grahamlewis6062]

Oh dear what a shame. I recall in my boating days the way the water movement within tunnels on such occasions changes and boats are actually drawn towards each other!! Still it doesn’t compensate for your losses 😕

[@noken11]

Hi Lorna. Watch “Making a narrow boat with nanny and grandad”. They just posted their trip through the Braunston Tunnel. They passed nine boats and had multiple impacts with the tunnel wall. They spent so long painting their boat and now will have to repaint the damage. 😢

[@nbflyingfox4672]

Hi Lorna. Scrapes and bumps will come to most boats that travel the cut and two way tunnels are no exception. At the end of the day its a learning curve for you and other boaters who might be a bit anxious when when meeting up in a tunnel. Admittedly the side mounted flower display did not help you in this situation. Good luck with your future jaunts out on the cut.. 😊🍻👍

[@cafdetoren]

No matter who is to blame these things just happen with traffic of all kinds . I feel your pain as we all experienced moments like that . Dont let it ruin your joy in adventuring 👍

[@human6.045]

The first bit of damage to anything new is normally the most frustrating, all in all it's nothing major, and easily repaired with some filler and a touch up of paint. Good show Lorna.

[@johnairs2735]

So sorry your boat was damaged. Hope you have it fixed soon. Don't worry we have all had similar experiences whilst boating. I love your Vlogs. Please keep them coming.

[@jamesjetty625]

Better you than me! He would have gotten a ear full in a Very NYC accent!! I wonder if some extra lighting would help you feel a bit more comfy in a tunnel. a couple of lights in the port holes and possible a few magnet mount torches for the roof?

[@Mr-x-683]

9:59 I was ready to skip the starling bank advert 😂

[@Nick-e8k]

Hi Lorna. I learnt many years ago that canals, narrowboating, wide beams, tunnels etc etc are basicly a collective of alternative names for " contact sport". It is a shock, it happens. its done. It wasn't deliberate. Imagine if it had been two cars. Both would be right offs. This was just a little kissing between two tanks...You will be fine.... Nick

[@kristiwanders-o1m]

Bummer. I certainly would have been irate had it been my new boat. I wasn't there so I can't judge. Tunnel bumpers? Much beautiful scenery as usual so thanks much for that! Onward!

[@steveriordan6348]

It happens. Someone who bumped into me shouted back to me 'They are called a "barge" for a reason.' Experience is wonderful. 😢

[@anthonypelosi3779]

I'm so sorry to hear your shiny new boat got damaged in that crash Lorna I hope you can get it fixed soon and I hope the repairs don't cost too much

[@rbagrizzly]

Do they not make different pitch props so you can gain some speed?

[@sandbridgekid4121]

Take the plants off the side of your boat, or anything that can get hung up on another boat or the tunnel walls.

[@TinaMatheny-o9m]

Sounds like it had been a frustrating morning. It will get better. Sorta like learning to drive a car. Takes time to get use to driving and learning your boat. Such a cute little thing, adorable.

[@quavernote4307]

Great for your insurance company as you can get a discount having a dash cam Lorna as can you imagine them all sitting around watching your KZbin clips while working from home!!

[@ExBellmonkey]

Argh hope you have spare paint for those scratches.. I felt for you hearing those pots break ... I put a hole in my front cover in Hatecastles low bit ...

[@billharris6886]

Hi Lorna, sorry about mishap but, glad the rest of the trip went according to plan, and was filled with refreshing views of canal life and the beautiful countryside. Just look upon your experience as a valuable lesson to benefit your future reaction to unknowns.

[@jb-zr4ez]

I suppose when the tunnels were built narrowboats were 'legged' through. Easy enough to have avoided contact back then. It's slightly different now as boats are much faster and a slight knock can cause more damage.

[@jagohazzzard]

I've had lots of scrapes in my boats and have hopefully learnt from them. I've have stopped completely before the other boat and dead slow along side wall even by hand/feet. Rookie mistake but one everyone can learn from. Best not to have anything outside the outline of the boat as IT WILL be knocked off. Even pulling up fenders in a tight squeeze.

[@intrusivenature9758]

I'm sorry to say but that was totally your fault. The plant pots either side made your boat at least a foot wider and you were too far over trying to avoid your plants pots. Next time take them off before entering any tunnel..

[@christinehammell6365]

I don't think the plant pots overlap the overall width of the boat , taking into account the width at the gunnels.

[@IN_THIS_DAY_AND_AGE]

​@@christinehammell6365 tunnels curve inwards

[@tonypetchey6024]

​@@christinehammell6365tunnels and bridges are curved making the roof nearer to the walls than the gunwals at the water level,

[@KingParamount]

​@@christinehammell6365yeah, but tunnels aren't square. They get narrower at the top.

[@christinehammell6365]

@@KingParamount fair point

[@billy4072]

yay,! good music. First one gave me "vision on " flashbacks lol. And second one, worked well.. Plant pots go and plant pots return, looks like you forgot the Long hot shower scene. steaming hot, no doubt... lol.

[@robtheplod]

Tunnels can be tricky when two way.... one time we met a boat coming the other way that was being overtaken! We'd stopped dead wondering what was approaching and got hit head on... he said he'd misplaced his glasses 😮

[@pdxyadayada]

I’m really sorry to see that…it’s not right!

[@nelderkin564]

Hi Lorna Jane. Thanks for being so honest- I'm sure you've had enough by now of people 's advice! 🤣 We always differentiate between moored and cruising, and try not to have anything vulnerable on the sides or roof (however pretty it may be)- if it's not a tunnel or a bridge, it's vegetation when you're avoiding oncoming traffic. Can't afford a Patreon commitment, unfortunately, but do you have a 'buy me a coffee' type page for a one off to support replacing the flowers?

[@lornajaneadventures]

Thank you for the offer. I don’t. It was more the shock than anything that upset me at the time, but it’s difficult to articulate that in the moment. Everything that is going to be replaced has been now

[@TheHeadHombre]

From what I understand of boating, this collision will only be the first of many!!

[@mellissadalby1402]

It's great that there was a lock operator to help you through or that series of locls would have been a real chore.

[@lornajaneadventures]

They’re always staffed. It’s an impressive watching them manage the flow of boats. It would be chaos if people tried to manage it themselves

[@jonah17100]

Sorry for your damage Lorna but I love your voice 😍

[@kenfrachiseur5004]

I’m so sorry that happened to you new boat. You really handled it quite well

[@bernadettec6386]

Well Lorna , talk about a Baptism of Fire, could anything else have been thrown at you. Well done for coping well. Lets face it , next trip can only get better. Thank you for your video.

[@ChrisJames1973]

It’s not technically a 2 way tunnel it is a 2 way tunnel. You simply were not over to the right enough.

[@TheSloopOrion]

Love the music in this one! I guess you can consider your beautiful new boat broken in now 😢

[@lornajaneadventures]

One less thing to worry about happening now 😂

[@858493]

Thanks for sharing Lorna, life's little adventures, nothing a tin of paint and a nice hot chocolate wont fix. glad you got on with it thanks again regards Doc from Down Under

[@annjarvis9300]

Awww what a morning you had hope you safe n well and iver the stress tc now the oldies 👍🤗

[@HARRYHARRINGTON-t1p]

I’m gutted for you, hope that the damage isn’t too extensive.

[@rebeccam9008]

Glad you had a good trip. I enjoyed your video.

[@endeavour2968]

I’m gutted for you, I hope this doesn’t put you off tunnels, they are quite a feat of engineering and a spectacular to see going through especially with a torch Have a word with builder and ask for a litre of touch paint, you will get more knocks as you cruise but it’s important to get paint on damage before rust sets in. If I have leave a boat unattended, I’d pay for a 5 day mooring in one of the many little marinas etc… Although moored near Foxton, there is so much tourism activity, I feel it would be quite safe with all the eyes and camera etc…

[@charlesfulcrum3170]

I’m not a canal boater, just a viewer and do feel for you and your new boat. Having read some of the comments, clearly these things do happen. A bit of TLC and all will be fine. Just another of life’s lessons.

[@maryjnorwood3962]

So glad the rest of your trip was uneventful. That was way too much drama! (Is a repair video forth coming? 😎) 🤗🥰❤️

[@trevorsbarkingmadchannel4501]

At least the new boats been christened. These things happen. Best wishes.

[@layalabi1667]

Sorry to see the damage, but it can be fixed. My little car has been bashed several times!!

[@peterbettell1361]

You collided with the other boat the tunnel is wide enough for two boats so it was not the fault of the other boater you should have been further to the right side

[@melhorler45]

Am watching another u tube boater it happened to them he slow right down other boat just kept going (hoilday boat )

[@fraserm803]

Sorry but you were not far enough to the right wall.

[@TheDonnyOne]

Exactly. More arsed about some potted plants!

[@Mr-x-683]

1:23 I’ve seen boaters blow the horn a few times before going in 😅

[@ArtfulDrifter...and_away]

Hey Lorna. One Stop do tester pots for all the BS colours, they’re £7 each, or bigger pots. Might be worth grabbing some for touching up the bumps & scrapes. No doubt more will happen, inevitable isn’t it! Take care. Claire x

[@lornajaneadventures]

Mine is a custom colour. But I have a pot spare

[@ArtfulDrifter...and_away]

@ excellent 👌🏼

[@LostNative]

Maybe the plants on the edge made you wider. I thought you could only put plants on the top not side. Hope the tunnels go better

[@for.tax.reasons]

I'm so sorry this happened, it must have been very stressful :(

[@hamshackleton]

Ah - poor Foxglove. I hope you can replace those plants easily, and get some primer on that bare metal before the damp gets to it.

[@Sim0nTrains]

It's a shame that it happened, I would use censored swearing but out of respect I won't but I think the other boat should had waited from my perspective from watching the video. Apart from the crash it was a great video and lucky there was no more trees in the canal

[@ATHENAAUTUMNLIGHT]

Ive blissworth ahead and no lights..fun times

[@markhampson3166]

A collection of "touch-up" paints and brushes should be provided will all new boats

[@lornajaneadventures]

They gave me plenty of paint

[@theflossingfisherman7925]

I did not hear the other person comment, did he say sorry or comment at all.

[@johnkey1682]

Takes me back to my youth/ old stomping grounds

[@EHKodiak]

Wouldn't worry, there will be MANY more scrapes and bashes along the way. Glad you didn't get stuck with a second tree too

[@lornajaneadventures]

The first one is always the worst. Hopefully

[@marthaanderson2656]

the bugs (moths?) flying in the tunnel are a bit disconcerting. I am not bug averse, but looming in when you are already a bit on edge. I hope the divots can be filled and painted over.

[@GoldwingNorway]

2:50 You didn't go far enough to your side so you should learn from this for next time. The rule is that you should not go faster than the boat can handle bumping into something, such as when navigating in difficult places, docking, etc. If you are unsure or otherwise, you must slow down or, if necessary, stop.

[@christinehammell6365]

You would lose steerage if you slow down too much and you can't really stop The wash from the other boat as he passed would have drawn her towards them .

[@GoldwingNorway]

@@christinehammell6365 Not entirely correct, these have so little displacement in water that that effect is largely absent. Steering speed is achieved because they have good and large rudders

[@christinehammell6365]

@@GoldwingNorway I disagree with you .

[@GoldwingNorway]

@@christinehammell6365 You are allowed to, I write from experience and not from things I have seen on youtube. The displacement is small, the speed is low so the effect you refer to is minimal if not absent.

[@christinehammell6365]

@@GoldwingNorway I also write from experience

[@dblyth5098]

Have you ever come across a Book called Lock Keepers Daughter by Pat Warner? Her childhood was spent living in a Cottage, half way up (or down) the Tardebigge Lock Flight. Worth a look out for it.

[@christinehammell6365]

I've read it too . Love anything canal related .

[@SuperRobertwillis]

Very eventful trip Lorna Jane 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂❤❤

[@davidmooney539]

I'm afraid he would have got some choice words for not waiting

[@eddiesmith-dd7wm]

You weren't over to the right enough, and he doesn't have to wait for you to come out of tunnel plenty of room for two 😮

[@lesliepropheter5040]

The first scratch should be self inflicted, got it over with!!

[@Ra-zor]

Other boat would have been a bit stuffed if yours was a wide beam, pushed them back out the tunnel lol.

[@KingParamount]

It certainly would have been surprising on this narrow-beam-only canal!

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

great see you got vlog on channel keep up the vlogs

[@rm55555]

It would have been considerate for the other boater to wait, though the tunnel is wide enough for two narrowboats to pass if both boats stay close to the wall. Unfortunately, Lorna kept her boat too far toward the centre until the last moment. The water displacement combined with the boat’s momentum caused it to collide with the wall. Although she eased off the throttle, it was too late to significantly reduce her speed in the time required. The takeaway here is to slow down early and keep far to the right when passing in tight spaces like tunnels.

[@fat_tommo_goes_boating]

I know it's upsetting damaging your baby but unfortunately it happens. Just try to learn from it if you can. The music near the end is the same as Alex goes, sailing uses on his intro 😊

[@lvi3818]

Two observations. The other boat was as far over as possible but you were not and bashed into them. Second, any bashing can be significantly reduced if you slow down and literally walk them past each other. It didn't sound like you reduced the rpm very much

[@MrSheckstr]

Thank you for taking the high canal (road) and not using your celebrity status to swamp one us little people

[@lornajaneadventures]

These things happen. No one goes out with the intention of getting into an accident

[@terenceseymour-tf8rptassie725]

Is Lorna a celebrity?

[@maxcaravan7584]

Oh goodness - so many you "shoulda". I guess we should all not go out then there would be nothing happening.

[@SHalto142]

😢

[@beckiweaver8383]

Poor Foxglove. Even made me cringe.😢 I did want to ask if the floral pots were artificial flowers or real. So very sorry

[@lornajaneadventures]

All plastic

[@mellissadalby1402]

All of the heavy rain may have made the water level a bit higher in the tunnel, which could have made it a bit tighter squeeze. but I agree that they should have waited. Did you sound your horn as soon as you saw their light? I would have yelled at them when the damage occurred and I hope they would at least apologize.

[@lornajaneadventures]

I think by the time we saw each other, he’d committed to his manoeuvre, so he had to keep going

[@markvoshell7451]

Patience is lacking these days. Sorry

[@marktaylor1804]

It looked to me as though he had stopped, tight against his side of the tunnel. The collision wasn't his fault if that was the case (but for the fact that tunnel light was blinding. Too big. too bright and badly directed. )I will also say this... If You can't see what's coming you can't always judge how far away the oncoming boat is ...100 yards? 200yards?PS If you face your tunnel light up it gives a greater appreciation of your position in relation to the centre and it encourages slower passage. You'll find these things happen. If you do a lot of cruising stuff on the roof will get knocked about.... Usually by inadequately managed overhanging trees.

[@craigy_baby]

Thanks for your constructive comment. Funnily enough, a brighter light has now been fitted to this boat ( whiston) as all users felt that it was not bright enough !

[@fraserm803]

He doesn't have to wait btw.Its a two lane tunnel. It's the equivalent of a road in the UK,unfortunately for you, you were on his side of the road.

[@lornajaneadventures]

I never said he had to, just that I would have

[@holdthelight11]

what do you mean by she was "on his side of the road"? boating does not follow the UK road rules. in boating, you always pass on the RIGHT-HAND side. she was not "on his side of the road." regardless, it was just a small incident and neither of them were in the wrong, which she clearly states, many times.

[@terenceseymour-tf8rptassie725]

​Do boaters exchange names and insurance details after an incident like motorists do?

[@MrCSutton]

​@@terenceseymour-tf8rptassie725 I can assure you that's the last thing you're thinking about in the middle of a tunnel.

[@sidneybowerman558]

As an after thought Lorna, let David see the damage to your narrow boat. He is currently delving into the world of fibreglass and fillers. I'm sure he'd have that damage sorted in no time, ready for a coat of matching aerosol paint.

[@ericrabinowitz2920]

Do you think the high water level in the canal put you in the curvature of the tunnel roof and narrowed the canal? Maybe the CRT could place a caution at the tunnel entrances about 2-way travel during high water events. Love your beautiful boat!

[@lornajaneadventures]

I think it’s more difficult to perceive distance in a tunnel without the usual visual cues

[@123gazs]

is the Tunnel not a two boat tunnel oh , wee touch up paint should do the job. how much does 9 miles in fuel costs you. ?

[@lornajaneadventures]

No idea. A full tank was just under £100 and it’s still got a lot in 4 months later

[@glyndalf]

This is a 2 way tunnel. You were too near the centre. Yiu needd to shift to the right. Your own fault.

[@thefloatingapothecaryroman16]

As you were so close to the end, I would have waited, rather than risk. The comments you received are horrific and undeserved. Sounds like a place i will avoid. Dont lose heart though.

[@lornajaneadventures]

I don’t think either side deserves nasty comments. It’s just a thing that happened. The main thing is no one was hurt

[@thefloatingapothecaryroman16]

@lornajaneadventures I can understand why the boat earlier on in your video had tyre fenders front, back and sides.

[@MrCSutton]

No need to avoid it. We've lost count of how many times we've been through that tunnel (it's going to be well over 100) and mostly it's fine. The only bad ones have been when it's full of someone else's fumes (engine or woodburner) and you can't see anything, let alone the other end. Of course then it's taken absolutely at tickover rather than our normal cruising speed. As we're so used to the tunnel, although we're not the most experienced boaters on longer trips yet, we often find those who are very experienced still haven't done many tunnels. In August we went through Braunston in 20 minutes with no one in front or coming the other way. On the way back, we followed the boat we'd just shared the locks with and although they'd been out cruising since April, it took half an hour. I kept having to knock the boat out of gear because they were so slow.

[@airfoxtrot2006]

Thats a scary tunnel, there should be a person at each end making sure the tunnel is clear.

[@MrCSutton]

I assure you that it isn't scary once you become used to it. You can see all the way through it from both ends before you've entered it. Not from the towpath though, so a person wouldn't be any use. After a while, you even get to know where the worst dribbles are (usually at 465m from the Husbands Bosworth end). On our first few times through it, we used to text a family member to say we were going in and had made it safely out. Nowadays, if it's empty, I'm usually daydreaming all the way through. Only when we're herding the occasional bats does my wife bother to disappear inside!

[@pilpelet100]

So sorry you had to go through that crash. Why couldn't they just have waited a few more minutes?! I hope you can get the damage repaired quickly without too much trouble and money.

[@lornajaneadventures]

We all make errors of judgement or make decisions that end up with a bad outcome. These things happen. Just very frustrating when you’re on the receiving end of it

[@Boating_David]

I'd rather have a battered boat thats been out of a marina lots than a pristine marina queen ! Plants off for the next tunnel though 👍

[@KingParamount]

To all the people who are saying "it was this person's fault" and "it was that person's fault". None of you understand the spirit of boating *at all*.

[@vickijohnson4668]

There are rules to follow on the canals. Lorna was in the wrong and should pay for any damage to the other boat.She is bloody lucky they are not sueing her.

[@KingParamount]

@vickijohnson4668 yes, as I said. Failure to understand the spirit of boating *at all*.

[@TregMediaHD]

@3:21....( . Darling , im so pissed for you

[@mellissadalby1402]

Do you have any side fenders? MAybe next time befroe entering that tunnel, put down your side fenders and take in your plants so they don't get scraped off and the fenders "should" keep you from banging the walls with the hull of your boat?

[@lornajaneadventures]

My fenders were down

[@sct58]

You should never cruise with fenders down.

[@annh.8290]

Oh no, poor Foxglove! I hope there wasn't too much damage and you can find new flower pots.

[@judithmatthews8460]

Oh dear. You were nearly out. But as he said he’d waited for 2 other boats and I’m guessing he got a bit impatient! Doesn’t matter whose fault it was, your lovely boat 😭. Everyone has an opinion that’s life. I have not the slightest experience of boating so will remain silent as I genuinely don’t know. You seemed far enough over. But if he’d waited it couldn’t have been anyone’s fault and all those “experts” would be as silent as me!!! Is that female logic?

[@DougMacGregor-d4e]

He should have waited. You have to live and learn with your new boat to get to know your needed space, and tunnels will teach you that quicker than anywhere else. Good thing your boat is strong as steel. You'll be ok the next time I'm sure.

[@nigelgregory7308]

Learn to drive I'd say, stop hanging crap on the side of your boat, as you said it's two way, keep to your own side.

[@raymaulder7383]

Oh, heaps of mansplaining in the comments, sad.

[@jamesfrommanitoba.1992]

I’m sorry about your damage to your boat but my questions for you are why wouldn’t you put out some boat fenders along your boat before entering the tunnel knowing that it’s a two way traffic tunnel I’d always want to be on the side of caution ? I’m sorry I’m being hard on you but I really feel that you could have been more prepared for it. I only have a 22ft speed cruiser on a lake and never on the narrow boat waterways.

[@lornajaneadventures]

My fenders were down. They wouldn’t make a difference

[@sct58]

But they could get caught. Lift ‘em.

[@JT-xh4zm]

I am so sorry that happened. DO they ever use bumpers on the boats? Maybe some kind of rubber stripping. As much as I love the flower pots, maybe they would be safer on top on the boat instead of along side...or of they are removable they could be moved before any tunnels. Such a nice boat, I hope the scrape can be repaired. It was nice of the other boat to contact you...but, seeing that, in his words, you were well into the tunnel. waiting might have been a more considerate option. Neither boats would have been damaged. But that is just my opinion...you both are WAY more experienced at canal courtesy than I will ever be. Happy that you made it home safe and sound. You are doing great and I am certainly enjoying your adventures.