303. A surprisingly tranquil cruise on the Regent’s Canal in London

[@CruisingTheCut]

#AD Join Readly! Two months' free trial, cancel anytime! www.readly.com/cruising-july The Regent's Canal runs through much of the middle of London and is a surprisingly peaceful oasis of calm amongst the hustle and bustle of the city. And yes, there is a shark! I joined the St Pancras Cruising Club who'd arrange for a huge convoy of boats to travel along the canal, assembling at Limehouse Basin by the end of the day. Start point: goo.gl/maps/44dD47P4aK1Wok9p7 End point: goo.gl/maps/Pt2LSBkc5u8n3tKf6 Cambridge Backs Video 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2PMdnR-atZ9ibM Cambridge Backs Video 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5bcfmxqgZanmJo Prior London boating video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDThHlmnrqeiJY Lorna's Museum video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aabIoXWAZZ2NqtU About the Regent's Canal: www.canalmuseum.org.uk/history/regents.htm

[@ttaibe]

Pin this post? BTW tyvm for spoiling us with so many canalboatings vids lately.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Hey there (again) Genuine question - I heard somewhere, that there are more boats on the canals/rivers today than there were during the canals working days. I’ve been trying to find a good statistical source for this, but the numbers are all over the place. Your observations re that second lock, now being used as a spillway/overflow etcetera reminded me. I’m not referring to, or questioning anything that you said, but rather I’m wondering* if you might have any tips for where I could search to find out this information, these statistics regarding boat numbers “then vs now”? I’m finding lots of different statistics, but not many, if any sources for where that particular information came from. Thanks 🙂🐿🌈❤️

[@theresevh]

hmm, readly is only coming up as one month free for me here in Canada. How odd!

[@paulmcdonald4508]

@@theresevh hello the same in nz only 1 month

[@FUNKYBOUFFE]

Some days I wonder what's missing in my life, then a notification pops up that David has posted another video. Balance restored and all is well in the world.

[@DonP_is_lostagain]

Those big "sticky-outy things" on the side of that barge are called "leeboards". They are a form of pivoting keel used by a flat bottomed boat to prevent it from drifting leeward in the wind. They're also used on sailboats in lieu of a fixed keel, but perform the same function.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ahhh yes that's the word! Thank you 😊

[@chrislaarman7532]

I may add: leeboards are something like a "must" with many Dutch sailboats that were built for other uses than leisure. ("Many": to exclude ocean-going ones but include those sailing the Wadden Sea.) Leeboards definitely add complexity to manoeuvring a sailboat!

[@MrArjanbolding]

That's a tjalk and here it's called a zwaard translated that would be sword

[@stanleyromanowski9816]

Also known as "ketch boards".

[@niek1954]

Many of our (Dutch) classical barges are either round-bottomed or flat-bottomed, like narrowboats. And for the same reason: opening up shallow waters. So no keels or dagger boards. To limit drift when sailing perpendicular to the wind, these swords are used. On the tjalk you saw, they're broad and not very long, for inland waterways. For ships on bigger waters, even at sea, the swords are much narrower and longer: seaswords.

[@TonyRich-m7j]

As one of "the crew" can I say well done for a great video David. As others have said, looking forward to the sequel!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you, crew person!! 🤣

[@gordonchapman222]

I loved the Terry Pratchett reference. Another great video, informative but most of all entertaining. I will be visiting the Canal Museum next time I am in London, thanks for the tip.

[@dorsk84]

Good I'm not the only dork here that got the reference.

[@planespeaking]

CGP Grey also did a fantastic video on this and is worth a watch.

[@carlthor91]

David, lee boards are lowered on the lee side, when sailing, to prevent sideways slip, or 'lee way'.

[@paulhaynes8045]

Sort of temporary keel, really.

[@ramseybarber8312]

Hi carlthor91 and when sailing in shallow waters when the Lee boards touched bottom they would kick up and the skipper would veer of , and that is where the saying TOUCH AND GO comes from

[@N3oFlame]

My brother is one of the instructors who was on the kayaks with the kids! Laburnam Boat Club is such a great place for kids in Hackney. Spent many many summers there

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Oh wow 🙂how cool is that. 🙂🐿🌈❤️

[@JCF072344]

I'm so happy you continue to film canal activities. Always a treat to see your productions.

[@frankwerner6355]

I loved the Diskworld reference!

[@jamesboyleii6332]

A Terry Pratchett reference! Very cool!

[@IstasPumaNevada]

I definitely recommend CGP Grey's video about that shark in the video (titled The Battle of SHARKS!), it's very good and goes into a bit of that art-vs-bureaucracy dispute.

[@marklandgraf7667]

The fish on a bicycle made me spit out my tea!

[@kingjackupeace5844]

I'm late commenting...my name is Jeff and I'm a veteran and now dairy farmer from Pennsylvania. I was first introduced to you through a video with Nick Burnham and I have been following you ever since. I could watch your videos all day long...the history, the wildlife, the scenery and the list goes on...thank you so much for your wonderful videos and please keep sharing with people like me. Thank you.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you, welcome along

[@JNMorgen11]

I'd be careful around Canary Wharf. Last I heard, the Daleks were having a bit of a row with the Cybermen there.

[@Lego6980]

Classic cruising video. Just the ticket. Thanks so much King David!

[@theaudioforge356]

17:53 That structure is an old gas storage. Which are gigantic cylinders who actually move upwards when filled and go down during the night (When the kettle is on) . This way of storing keeps constant pressure on the gas system for a steady flow. Beautifull old method.

[@mare2971]

We have an old Gasometer in my neighbourhood. A little bit different construction because it's a closed tin can. 117 Meter in hight, 67 m Diameter. Gasometer Oberhausen, Germany.

[@roseyinthegarden6671]

Lovely to see the “not so little boat” in Lime House Basin, the long retired, previously XSV Loyal Chancellor (pennant number A1770), a fleet tender that served as a training ship for the volunteers of the RNXS (Royal Naval Auxiliary Service). Some of the remaining Loyal Class ships have been repurposed as commercial diving support vessels.

[@artd.1498]

Enjoyable as always. Thank you, sir. Describing your surroundings adds much to the pleasure of your work. Anyone can just film moving down the canal, but it is nice to know what we are seeing. For example, adding that little touch about contrasting those older buildings with the new ones. 👍

[@philroberts7238]

I agree with you about the usefulness of the descriptions. It seems I'll be somewhat in the minority though when I say that I enjoy the sometimes stark contrast between the old and the new - not to mention the even older and the even newer. That's just London for you and it has been thus for two thousand years, and will be, let's hope, for another millennium or two.

[@century2298]

Thank you for bringing us along. Surprisingly quiet along the canal in such a large city, and the wildlife making their homes around the parks.

[@tombowers3681]

wonderful video David, I"ve seen many videos of Regent's canal to LImehouse but somehow they always skip over this part of the canal. As an American who lives in a fairly rural place, I"m fascinated by canals, trails, and rivers that go through major cities like this and the environment around them. Truly looking at London from the back garden. Can't wait for your Thames video next thanks again

[@robbmnr8221]

I’ve watched your channel forever and these three videos are some of the best, really fab.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Very much appreciated, thanks

[@tedmiles2110]

David, The lee boards on those Dutch boats are used to give lateral resistance and stability, like a centerboard on English watercraft. TM maritime historian retired

[@tmack1]

Lee board yes, as this one appears to be on the port side. But on older sailing vessels, they were Star-boards on the starboard side of the boat (hence the name of that side) because the Port side is the side that was towards the dock to unload cargo, and if the board was on the port side as this barge has, it would get damaged banging against the dock.

[@IIVQ]

No, they are on both sides of the ship, only the one on the downwind side is dropped. They sometimes have a slight wing profile (on the inside) to help generate "lift" so the boat recieves an upward push, making them more efficient then flat daggerboard.

[@freddypflugbeil6]

Good time watching Cruising the cut. Thanks for the show From New York

[@zedramer]

Haha I've come full circle on youtube. I found this channel through Hello Internet, a podcast with CGP Grey and Brady Haran. Brady talked about how laid back the canal cruising life really is, and now you've come across "Sharks!" one of CGP Grey's best videos. Life is so strange lol

[@AnonyMous-pi9zm]

They talked about canal boats on HI? Which episode was that! I'm not recalling it.

[@murraywagnon1841]

Thank you! I do enjoy your narration. Your use of the English language is Craftsmanship at its finest.

[@MCP53]

They're called 'lee-boards' and replace a deeper keel found on more traditional sailing craft. They allow for sailing in much shallower water.

[@mikem201]

What a treat seeing a new Cruising the Cut on my subscriptions. London canals are a whole different world in the middle of the big city. Good stuff!

[@nothereorthereoranywhere]

Great trip! Thank you for taking us along. When I was in London in early April, my wife and friends did the Tourist cruise from Little Venice to Camden through the London Zoo and Regents Park. Pretty fun for the first time. We did not get to the Narrowboat Museum, unfortunately. All said, interesting to see where the Lime Club is on the Thames River. Our friends live in the Shad Thames area.

[@theveryfirst]

"Uglified". A marvellous word i must use sometime! Love it!

[@johnmcsweeney9398]

Fantastic video, greetings from Cairns Australia, just loving your videos , your presentation style is just “ simply the best” humorous, informative, slightly quirky 😅😅can’t wait for the next video, thank you 😊

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you like them!

[@dansmith-kd8wz]

David .. you are a very talented photographer and narrator, I love your work and wish I could travel with you. I’m in the US, Oklahoma. Safe travels Sir.

[@petehalford5425]

Fab as always David. Keep 'em coming

[@JeghedderThomas]

That is utterly cozy. Summer, birds aplenty, cheese sandwich, tea and the sound of trickling water - things that lower the bloodpressure and gives you hope in life. Also nice to see, just because you're landlocked, you're not actually landlocked. Cheerio!

[@sandywar]

From Australia. I so enjoy your commentary and filming. Very relaxing and always interesting to see different parts of the U.K. with all it's wonderful history.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you very much!

[@cachecow]

Thanks you so much! I've walked the Regent from Kensal Green to the Thames. I spent so much time walking the canal (no narrowboat) when I was staying in Greenwich, well it was sort of what I did. One thing that surprised me was how many of these condos had private docks but no boats, seemed like they were just taking space that could have been used by actual boaters

[@hilaryjudge7505]

Lovely video - captures the day very well! Hilary

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ah thank you 😊

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

Pure, unadulterated enjoyment. Thank you David 👏👏👍😀

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😊

[@sianwarwick633]

Absolutely stellar presentation. What a beautiful club. What I mean is, it's relatively free of hoards of people, canal mayhem etc

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you kindly!

[@sianwarwick633]

Looking forward to part 2

[@benhancock1408]

Over here, across the pond, those flap things on the side of boats are called 'dagger-boards'. They are mainly (but seldom seen these days) on smaller sailing vessels. They serve the same purpose as a keel, to keep the wind from pushing the boat sideways. I built a sailing rig for a canoe, way back in high school, and boards such as these were a part of that rig.

[@DrivermanO]

The Regents Canal has some very interesting features along it, which are worth noting! Macclesfield bridge, just before you reached Regents Park, has the nickname Blow-up Bridge, as it was destroyed in an explosion of gunpowder on a barge underneath in 1874 (and rebuilt, obviously!). Then you reach London Zoo, through which the canal passes. And then the Canal Museum in the Battlebridge basin, just after Kings Cross St Pancras railway bridges. All these before Sturt's lock (according to Google!)! I appreciate you are limited on time in your videos, but I thought these were worth mentioning. I have watched all your videos for about 2 years, and they are thoroughly enjoyable.

[@julieanneroberts4752]

Nice to see a Welsh named boat in London ‘Calan Mai’ 14.09…translated means May Day, the celebration of Summer 🛶

[@George_Macaulay]

Quite the trip down memory lane this video was for me! You went past my old flat, the uni I just finished my PhD at, my old local park and indeed several of my first moorings! It's been 3 months since I was last in East London and it was nice to see the canals again. Knew most the boats!

[@x--.]

Ohmygaw... that dog remark dropped by jaw a bit. Subtle and yet not letting it slide. Your tone was perfect & it was a well-placed remark demonstrating profound restraint.

[@frankquevedo6001]

You know why I enjoy watching your videos? It’s how you use the camera. No deck obstruction, no wasted scenes. And all in focus. After looking at your meal. I wonder if you ever enjoyed the ham & cheese sandwich🧐

[@AT-ld7kg]

Excuse me, but I noticed that many boats seem to have been stationary in the same place for a long time and I was wondering if there isn't an obligation to move every 14 days? Congratulations for the narration during the trip you managed to entertain me even though I am a layman of these things, I think I will go and watch many of your videos, thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, there is a 14-day limit unless otherwise marked and over winter some spots can be reserved as 4-month winter moorings.

[@markattardo]

The big flat sticky out things on the sides of boats are called leeboards..from wikipedia: "A leeboard is a form of pivoting keel used by a sailboat largely and very often in lieu of a fixed keel. Typically mounted in pairs on each side of a hull, leeboards function much like a centreboard, allowing shallow-draft craft to ply waters fixed keel boats cannot. Only the leeward side leeboard is used at any time, as it submerges when the boat heels under the force of the wind." Enjoyed part 1👍👍

[@barbarawhittall2311]

Enjoyed your adventure through London's canal ways and laughed along with your bartering !!

[@chox2001]

It’s amazing how steel by the ton and chequer plate can pass so close and so quietly. A thouroughly enjoyable cruise, thank you

[@marciemann6810]

Looking over the edge of Discworld, indeed. 🙂

[@punkypink83]

ohh i saw the shark and i immediately knew that was the sharks beside laburnum boat club! i think i even know the names of the instructors on that kid's paddlesport session you passed by. also watching you guys go by boats and locations im familar with is so trippy, such as the canal museum's boat and islington boat club. also one of those barges at Sturt's lock, Rosie, used to be the clubhouse for my club, until a castle was built for us as our clubhouse. Those familiar with the regents might guess what my club is!

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

I think you are a pirate...

[@jackdarren9210]

Greetings from Alabama USA. I really dig your videos. 🤟

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you! 😀

[@followtheboat]

Ah, London. My old stomping ground and my wife's birthplace. I lived near Limehouse and have cycled many tow-paths but it's a real treat seeing it all from the narrowboat's perspective.

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A very enjoyable cruise through London. Looking forward to the next instalment.

[@shanehumberstone5262]

This was one of those videos that if it were up to me it wouldn’t ever end,blissful to watch

[@tubularap]

12:04 - "Those big flat sticky-out things on the side of boats" are called "zwaarden" in Dutch [meaning "swords"]. They are used on flat-bottom boats to function as keels, and could be lowered as the wind picked up on lakes, and lifted when the water-depth required.

[@nickevans1698]

A “Lee Board” is the word your looking for David. Sailing Dutch barge moveable Keel.

[@edsageseamaster3440]

They are stabilisers I believe. I love your voice overs. Especially the part about the Crow!!! Another fantastic video. I certainly look forward to the next instalment. Thanks David.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you so much!

[@jaquigreenlees]

Since the boards in question were on a sailboat they weren't stabilizers, sailboats don't need them. The heeling over from the sails actually stops the rolling motion on sailboats, it is only powerboats that get stabilizers added. The lee boards/dagger boards* which are found on keel-less sailboats are movable boards that act as a keel to slow the side scudding from the wind. *dagger boards are most commonly found on catamarans rather than mono hull sailboats.

[@newenglandergray3002]

David -- those "things" are leeboards. They are typically found on Thames sailing barges and all manner of traditional Dutch yachts and working craft. They permit a very shallow-draft, flat-bottom boat to sail to windward and reduce leeway off the wind. They also make it possible, when raised, for a boat to rest on the bottom as the tide goes out.

[@RobMartin1ds]

I love walking and riding along those canals. Where I am sitting you would have to pass by me on your way down to the barriers. I’ll look for my place, ha ha. Another pleasant trip, thank you sir..

[@caz-nbgalatea1528]

Great vlog. Good to see you hook up with Scholargypsy again👍

[@martinridgway7455]

December 2022: the Canal Museum did some trips through the Islington Tunnel, just under an hour there and back and recommended. At 22:50 : that chimney by the canal is all that's left of a pumping house that moved the water back around the lock to keep the water levels topped up.

[@TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat]

I'll watch other people's videos on boating through London, it saves me having to do it. Great video as always David, thank you.

[@koos48]

@12:10 leeboards. Mostly found on Dutch sailing barges. The Dutch term is 'zwaarden' (swords).

[@frankwerner6355]

Thats right. Called Schwerter (swords) in German.

[@id513128]

I've learn about Shark! shenanigans from CGP Grey and I'm really glad to see them still "alive" and well "in" the canal. Really great video as always. Cheerio!

[@annenewton5403]

Thank you for taking us through London . My birth place.

[@brianjrichman]

Me too. Living in Texas now...

[@pfalzgraf7527]

Nice to have you back to cruising videos! And the event character doesn't hurt.

[@layalabi1667]

Thank you! Looking forward to part 2!!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Coming soon!

[@evelynsutton4411]

Gosh, we do learn a lot from your vids, David!

[@bjarniagustjonsson3352]

Hello ! And thanks for nice adventures 👍

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you too

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Brilliant fun. I’m looking forward to the next instalment. P.s I loved the coots.

[@mikkoistanbul1322]

On the tidal Thames the leeboards were lowered on the outboard side to keep a boat level as the tide dropped away from the sloping foreshore. The degree to which the board was lowered depended on the steepness of the angle of the shore.

[@Debba521]

Oh, and the shark was hilarious! Hope it's allowed to stick around. Reminds me of old Bruce from Jaws 😆!

[@kateflies3930]

Islington Tunnel .. 878 meters long, built in 1818... constantly amazed by ingenuity and back breaking work of early 19th and 18th Century engineers and... navvies(?) ... not to mention aesthetics

[@philroberts7238]

Yes, navvies - just as you said.

[@aray777]

Hello from Florida. I've really enjoyed your videos for vicarious traveling during COVID and beyond. This one was nicely paced and especially of interest as our son and his wife rent a flat in Ironworks with views of the Old Ford locks. If only I could talk my wife into retiring on a narrowboat.

[@grenvillephillips6998]

It seems that every place looks better viewed from a canal, even London!

[@ttaibe]

Yeah weird isn't it. If you want an holiday on the cheap, get a rubber dingy and go float somewhere. It's so strange that you hardly recognise the world around you sometimes.

[@horstszibulski19]

What a nice trip, and it was only the first part... Thanks for taking us along! 👍👍👍

[@61futura]

Thanks much for showing the Narrowboat Pub at 11:18. I lived in London from 1994-96 and found it by accident one day--I think it was on St. Peters Street in Islington. Anyway I used to get a pint, then go down the stairs and sit right on the canal. Lots of memories of doing just that, soaking up the warm sun on a nice fall day. It seems like there was a small basin on the opposite side but I didn't see it in the video. They were nice enough to give me a pint glass as a souvenir and I still have it.

[@myhillslife27]

Another great cruising the cut video, thanks David great job.. Absolutely HATE the shark. it put me off watching the video. But great content regardless and Ham AND?! Cheese?! so extravagant hahaha

[@spencerjhog4429]

Another of your most enjoyable vlogs. BTW those "planks" on the side of a boat are called "Lee Boards" by some. They resist the lateral push of the wind enabling one to use sails for forward propulsion. Without them the boat would simply be propelled sideways. Rather antiquated as "center boards" or "side boards" are more common now. They are deployed by dropping through a slot in the bottom of the hull to accomplish the same function. Sailing with side boards is always fun as one opts to raise (retract) the windward board since due to heeling it is only creating drag. All the best!

[@ronnronn55]

Thanks for your quality efforts with filming, commenting and editing. Ronn

[@garyc5483]

The large steel infrastructure on the right are the retaining towers for inflatable town gas tanks. They were like a tubular metal telescope construction. When full of gas they were at height and as the gas level went down they slid down inside each other to a lower level. Love the videos. regards

[@spewter]

The construction work at that site is for foundations. There are two big housing blocks being built inside the gas holders, similar to the one’s by St Pancras Lock

[@johntisbury]

What a pleasant way to see London.

[@sharktripdan]

The only thing I've seen similar to those large wings were the keels that come as part of the sail kits for canoes.

[@sianwarwick633]

Do you mean outriggers, of some type ?

[@trep53]

Since they stick down I believe they are called “sticky down things”

[@snarfinigus]

The only thing missing was the "tour" of the gentleman's engine room, albeit with the diesel running, of course. Wonderful as always, David. Look forward to part 2.

[@ScholarGypsyOx]

I'm afraid I don't have a trad engine room, but there are some photos of the engine (after the bilges have been polished) on the blog.

[@chrishewitt4220]

Thanks, David! Enjoyed that pleasant cruise.

[@Lego6980]

12:45 Discworld - I should have guessed you might be a Pratchett fan

[@stevenholton438]

I'm all eyes and ears for the sequel!

[@Lego6980]

16:01 Yay. Love that dog. And quiet as a mouse - but bigger

[@evro8030]

Pedant warning., its 'YOU'RE gonna need a bigger boat' 😮

[@altacat9702]

...thank you for slipping a little street art in and even canoes!! ...Always thank you for sharing the good fun in your part of the world : )

[@caniacstevehenderson7115]

That was a nice trip., that bass sandwichplate sounded yummy.....thanks much !!!😊😊

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Brilliant video, thanks so much for sharing your journey thus far. The relocation of that water tower is amazing isn’t it? Bonkers, but totally amazing. Also - CGP Grey’s video regarding those sharks is thoroughly entertaining and recommended to anyone interested in knowing more about them and their story/saga. 🙂🐿🌈❤️ P.s Readly would be such a great Father’s Day gift idea, and also just for any keen hobbyist in your life.

[@BarneyLeith]

Thanks for another very interesting video, David. My wife and I recently helped crew a boat belonging to friends from Mile End, up the Hertford Cut to the Lee (Lea?) Navigation and on to Hertford and Bishop's Stortford. So we recognised some of the locations in your video. Looking forward to your cruise to the Thames Barrier.

[@davids6533]

The meal at the end looked very tasty in deed. : ) Maybe I'm just hungry. Lol!

[@peterwyndham5352]

We were there last month. We spoke to the couple in the beautiful white narrowboat behind where you moored who told us you were coming into the Basin. Sorry we missed you.

[@troyw8338]

Another fine video David, Thank you 😊. I know your cheese sandwich 🥪 was calling your name all afternoon, but that dinner at the end of the day looked fabulous and worth the suffering earlier.

[@rickkearn7100]

I love Readly! Great jaunt, CTC. Always a pleasure watching these narrowboat episodes. I enjoy Vandemonium as well. Cheers.

[@alexbiketester]

You are getting rather good at these cliff hanger videos..... roll on the next video!

[@cbeuck5024]

After a stressful day yesterday ...today I 'tootled" through L - each lock opening a new vista❤ - each stretch of the river boats to oggle❤ nature that put a smile on my face❤ BLISS many thanks for cheering me up. Looking forward in anticipation for part two💙 Jan Adelaide