Winter boating on the Leeds and Liverpool canal | Kirkstall to Leeds

[@CallmeRogerRoger]

I think the turn around spots are WINDing holes (as in blowing air - wind) and are so named because pilots of horse drawn boats would often use the power of the wind to help turn the boat around. Of course, I could be wrong. Thanks for the wonderful videos. Please keep them coming.

[@RobbieCumming]

Roger you are absolutely right, I'm just a moron. Thanks for taking the time to explain it so well!

[@CallmeRogerRoger]

I'll feel terrible if the result of my comment is for you to feel like a moron. Not my intention at all. I really enjoy your videos. My wife and I plan to spend one to two years continuously cruising once I retire. While we're Americans, we're avid anglophiles.

[@RobbieCumming]

Ah no! Don't worry Roger! I was just being silly - I'm glad you are enjoying the videos, it's great to have you on board!

[@peterrussell9473]

A lot of people argue that it is about winding (as in winding a clock) but you are right Roger and they are wrong. If you have ran a narrowboat pair for a few years you get to realise that to turn the butty the wind can used to help. It does not matter which way is it blowing; it becomes obvious then that before motorboats existed the horse boats would be turned using the wind (blowing air).

[@paulbonge6617]

@@RobbieCumming It's been over 5 years so I'm assuming (dangerous word I know) that perhaps you've learned a few tricks when going in reverse. One, your propeller is likely, a right-hand prop, meaning when going in forward it cuts into the water on the right side if you're looking forward. When going in reverse by nature the propeller is less efficient but cutting to the left or Port side and that if you look at a propeller as a linear screw which it is (thank you Archemedies) the tendency of the boat given the now sharply shortened pivot point and not having water thrust past the rudder by the propeller in forward motion, is to move in the direction of the cutting of the screw or to the letf/port and is EXTREMELY difficult to control the direction of travel. You only begin to overcome this by gaining enough reverse speed to overcome the tendancy to move to the left because now you have greater waterflow over the rudder and its effect on direction is increased. This applies to ALL marine vessels, whether they be ten-foot small boats or 1000-foot-long tankers! When you shift into forward, thinking you have to correct the direction of travel, you are negating and nullifying whatever advantage you may have gained when increasing your reverse speed. This is a situation where you have to be planning well ahead, you need space, you have to set your vessel up to have ample room to begin to gain the advantage of greater reverse speed, where the rudder will gain advantage and be able to lead (at the apex of the fulcrum now) the direction of travel. Once you have enough speed, then if you drew a line down your tiller backwards, the direction that line points is the direction the vessel will go. It's ALL about speed in reverse and you don't need to be going like a bat out of hell! I've reversed tanker ships, fully loaded, (so there's a hell of a lot of inertia there once you get it moving) at between 1-3 mph and controlled the reverse motion with great accuracy. Of course, at 3mph, a fully loaded tanker, if put into neutral would still take a kilometer to come to a stop at a bare minimum! The first thing is to not be hesitant or afraid. You have to get enough reverse motion/impetus/speed going to get a good flow of water moving over your rudder so that you can influrence/dictate the direction your vessel will travel. In reverse because you are influencing the direction at the apex of the fulcrum the corrections of direction are much more minute. But, given ample speed and a delicate hand, one can steer almost any vessel in reverse with some level of accuracy. Now we come to wind and that just F's things up no end and makes the finesse required that much more important. Practice, Practice, Practice! A friend of my father in New York City had occasion to be given one of those moments of serendipity that few are blessed with. He was crossing the sidewalk to go into The Russian Tea Room when he encountered a tiny Chinese Cellist, lumbering her Cello on its way and confused as to where she was. The Russian Tea Room is very close to Carnegie Hall. She asked in broken English, "How do I get to Carnegie Hall" A well-known cliché, to which he replied, "Practice, Practice, Practice!" A magical moment to be sure. I am confident that by now you are a significantly more accomplished boatman! I've been mucking about in boats since I was 5 and there's no difference in the learning curve, it's constant and as my father always said, "If you don't pre-plan, think ahead, and do things right NOW, GOD will punish you at 3 a.m. during a rainstorm!" A suggestion if I may. Better control when going in reverse can be gained by adding 2 to 4 inches of rudder surface forward of the pivot point, given the length of your vessel and its entirely flat bottom and the shallow water. You might get away with less. Your boat yard may not agree, but trust me, 2-4 inches of rudder forward of the pivot point of the rudder will work miracles!

[@michaelpilling9659]

A wonderful video Robbie. What a shame vandalism is such a problem. The C&RT certainly have to take on extra duties to combat it. Finally we've reached Leeds. That's the full length of the canal - well done. A superb journey. Thanks so much for taking me along. I thouroughly enjoyed the trip

[@eleanormortimer6392]

Hi Robbie greetings from Grant and Eleanor from Crescent Beach British Columbia we have been watching narrow boat videos since lock down in March and just bumped into yours really enjoy your show and love your cooking and beer sampling.. Hey Robbie this weekend if you have clear skys at night stick your head out of the stern and you will see the Geminid Meteor Shower show, Cherrs and Merry Christmas.

[@chevyimp2808]

Thanks so much for your contributions.. from the Gloucester and Sharpness.

[@carper1325]

Hi. Robbie it's great to watch a video where everything done go perfectly I think it's refreshingly honest and well done keep it up

[@LifeinaNutshell]

Great vlog Robbie. It's good to see someone else out there doing a bit of winter cruising. Cheers

[@RobbieCumming]

Yep! You're not alone! Keep on cruising guys 8^)

[@adrianparker8583]

Life in a Nutshell

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

I’m thinking an alternative name could be Robbie Cumming's Cruise & Brews. Cheers 🍻 This is really an eye opener compared to others that moor up for winter. It has a completely different beauty to it and we’re able to sit and enjoy it in the warmth of home. So, hats off to you;)

[@RobbieCumming]

Thanks very much. Good idea on the name, I live up north though so brews just mean tea up here!

[@askmel1]

Hi Robbie. Hope the winter is kind to you as you seem to have enough on your plate! I know how your feeling and send a cheery Hello to you :)

[@tsuchang1]

Thanks Rob. I enjoy your videos.

[@carlthor91]

Another great video, have a great time. Cheers Carl

[@peterwoods5310]

The fine building right at 10:00 used to be the Mackeson brewery.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Tour video; awesome!

[@snappyfish]

Tour video "winter" Mr CruisingTheCut" :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

Gary Arnold Eh?

[@snappyfish]

Just a cheeky joke, love your vlogs too :)

[@ade9685]

Cool as normal another brill vlog looking forward to the next one Rob, tunes still on it too.

[@RobbieCumming]

Ah cheers Ade that means a great deal!

[@seren2646]

Awesome video, can't wait for the next one

[@RobbieCumming]

Thank you Seren 😄

[@finlaybuchanan]

Your films are awesome. A great balance of humour and informative narrative. Keep up the great work, i'm a hooked subscriber :))

[@RobbieCumming]

Thank you Finlay that is very kind of you to say. Welcome aboard! 8^)

[@petethemod1]

Thanks for another great video Robbie. I certainly enjoyed all of your posts along the Leeds Liverpool.Even if the waters around my neck of the woods ( Blackburn) looked strewn with litter and junk. Glad you enjoyed your stay at Calypso. Really looking forward to your next video.Buying a boat. As it is something i am thinking of doing myself. Once i get my divorce all sorted. ;-)

[@RobbieCumming]

You're welcome Pete! Glad you enjoyed it. Next one will be a live stream I think!! (Just to prove how crap they are) 8^)

[@peterrutter7332]

Hey Robbie great vid really enjoy watching your stuff.

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Hi Robbie, loved the video, just done my helmsman course out of Apperley Bridge with Bear Boating (March 2019). The swing bridge up from the marina still gives problems two years on from your video. we had to keep our finger on the raise button and not let go otherwise the whole thing locks up...... We had to master helming in those horrendous winds 14th - 15th of March so we learned a lot about manoeuvering in those 2 days up and around Dobson and Field locks.

[@RobbieCumming]

My god yes at least you’ve experienced the worst! Also, glad to hear my videos are still relevant two years on!!

[@pattyfarghaly1821]

Glad you made it out.

[@MagickIsPower]

Yeah a new video! Looked a bit scary in Bradford! Really pleased to have made it into the Crank It Crew! Keep on cranking it Captain!

[@RobbieCumming]

Stephanie, you are so very welcome, I hope you enjoy being a member of this select group! We shall have to come up with a handshake! 8^)

[@FCWatford1]

The place you were warned not to moor just East of Fallwood Marina is near the famous Abbey Pub (worth a look). I wouldn't moor there myself - my boat came from Fallwood but is moored at Rodley and I only ever journey West from there. For reference for all boaters - don't moor anywhere East of Fallwood until you hit Leeds. I'm not running the area down - I live nearby and am involved in local politics representing that area but I wouldn't have confidence leaving a boat out in that area. (Some boaty people would say Rodley is the last safe place East before Leeds).

[@RobbieCumming]

Thanks for watching- YES the Abbey Inn is a great pub, would've been POTW if I'd have stayed longer!

[@SailingAroundTheBalticSea]

Great video! Thank you.

[@jezlanejl]

Yipee, glad i found ur channel m8, liked and subscribed. Theres just a beauty in Travelling the canals, esp in winter, look out for the ice though. And people who say its to cold have never stayed in some of the flats i have. At least you have a hot fire and a cup of tea....

[@RobbieCumming]

You know it Harry! I grew up in a house without double glazing and certainly no central heating blasting away through the night like some houses - so this is luxury really! Thanks for commenting, great to hear from you 8^)

[@JPinFuerteventura]

Great vlog Robbie. Not sure why but I like tour videos so looking forward to that.

[@RobbieCumming]

Thank you JP that means a great deal! Cheers mate

[@TarotBob]

Hi Robbie - I used to watch another cruiser on KZbin but he unfortunately sold his boat, so I was excited to stumble upon this video. Great content and very well filmed, you make the viewer feel like they are with you on your journey. I have subscribed and it looks like I have some catching up to do. I'm looking forward to the next installment :)

[@RobbieCumming]

Hey Bob welcome aboard! Yes I really hope it does feel like that for viewers as there are times when I imagine you are all here to give me a courage boost!

[@CheckFred]

Blimey!! Seemed so much better than usual. (Must've been better light ;-)

[@RobbieCumming]

Yeah, right! I think it also comes down to practice, luck and editing too (so much editing!) 8^D

[@michelefoxton1586]

We are just catching up on your old vlogs and we have heard that people still are not nice on the Newley locks x

[@nilodrallub7812]

Robbie , my hats off to you mate! There is still a stark kind of beauty seen in your vids , but Man ! it looks like a huge pain in the ass to go anywhere there. You are a tough dude Robbie ! Keep on truckin ( err Crankin it) my friend !

[@RobbieCumming]

Hey Nilo, yes, it's hard work - but definitely worth it! Thanks for watching and commenting always good to hear from you 8^)

[@Roundhead1642]

I grew up round Newly, fishing and swimming in those locks (I know)😨. Not as rough as Armley a bit further downstream where you can get folk lobbing house bricks over their garden fences down on to the Canal LOL! Lock keepers always really friendly round those parts, always have a chat with them when I'm fishing.

[@carper1325]

Hi are canal and River Trust who is that good to come out and see you through the locks

[@TheRamblingsofBry]

Really interesting video mate, thankyou. Be well

[@RobbieCumming]

Aw thanks Bry really appreciate that cheers!!

[@07438724]

This goes right past my (old) marina. Nice to see when I'm missing home from Greece. Technically though, this should be Bramley to Leeds? Excellent videos though. I'm toying with the idea of moving back onto a boat. It's a different way of life.

[@robertwheeldon6526]

glad you made it to Leeds....I'm sure the drivers where Understanding!! Not is though they got much choice is it really... sent you a PM on Patron. So crank it mate and guess compass will point south now....

[@ChaimU1]

That's so weird! The exact same thing happened to me at bridge 199, spent 45 minutes directing traffic until the great guys at the CRT turned up!

[@RobbieCumming]

Argh nightmare for you!

[@davidbutler4363]

Brilliant vlog👏👏👏👍😁

[@RobbieCumming]

Thank you David!!

[@MrJimbaloid]

Love the vids mate.

[@RobbieCumming]

Thanks Mr J! 8^)

[@Sailingon]

I stopped the traffic at the same swing bridge, enjoy Leeds I'm about 3 hours down the Aire near woodlsford lock on Waterhorse

[@RobbieCumming]

Gotta be done! Cheers Kerry see you in March sometime perhaps!

[@ScragtagUK]

Interesting Video.. Thanks..

[@RobbieCumming]

Hey you're welcome thanks for stopping by 8^)

[@tph2558]

Robbie you should have tried the Grove pub in Leeds just behind the very tall building (the Dalekt) building a two minitue walk from Grannery Wharfe a little jewel tucked away in modern Leeds

[@RobbieCumming]

I'll give it a go, cheers for the recommendation!

[@Hedgey2]

Another good vid, just became a Patroen so get filming lol. i'm retiring in two years and will be buying a Narrowboat to live on for a few years. My partner and I enjoy your vids. :)

[@RobbieCumming]

Thanks so much Grant! I’ll be in touch shortly 8^)

[@guywithacamera416]

I'm sad to see I've taken the comment count over 69 (wahey!), but I'd be really interested to see how you go about refuelling the old girl if you haven't already shown us :) Great vids!

[@carper1325]

Nice to see you survived till the end of this video like being burnt out lol

[@tims7793]

Still catching up here, Robbie. Enjoying these and your unique humour. Would love to know more about your musical side...how you record the songs, software, instruments (I haven't seen any lying about the boat). Tim (a Kiwi/Brit, living in Vancouver, Canada)

[@RobbieCumming]

Hey Tim thanks for watching, I use Garageband to record my guitar!

[@roykemp4941]

Hi,great Vlogs, just subbed ,thanks.

[@RobbieCumming]

Hi Roy, welcome onboard sir! 8^)

[@hayprofilms]

They need you in mainstream TV to show them how to make documentaries! very nice regards Hayden

[@RobbieCumming]

Cheers Hayden!!

[@CheckFred]

Some great quality scenic video there ...... (must've got the hang of the Go-Pro?? :-)

[@RobbieCumming]

Thank you Pete! All done on the iphone as it just works and is aways ready to go when I need it! Would struggle to find a handier option really...8^)

[@charliewilson4670]

Hi Robbie is the many Hot spots on the canal where is bad for Mooring up of a night time or is it common knowledge

[@donnapeters3126]

Staying on Leeds canal soon, do you have any good recommendations for pub of the week 😊🍻😍. Yay. Cheers 🍻🍻

[@RobbieCumming]

McCulloughs irish bar music tavern Barnoldswick 👍

[@novadose1975]

Watching this on 2021, where you had the problem at that first swing bridge, you will have just come down some locks. That is literally the main hub for the Canal and River Trust in these parts and where all the maintenance teams come out from literally 100 meters away!

[@RobbieCumming]

Ironic isn’t it they must have already been on other jobs 100 miles away 🤔😂

[@WhereWasItLastTime]

11:17 Dual-carriageway canals - is that a thing?

[@RobbieCumming]

I don’t think I’ve come across one yet, but it’s possible and some even cross over each other. But what you see there is part of a marina.

[@matthew739]

"final episode" lmao, got scared for a minute then.

[@mattgunning]

hey rob, am i right in guessing that if you're caught in a flood, you could drop an anchor off the boat so it doesn't float away off the canal? or is that not allowed? its been great getting i to your vids btw robbie, im discovered you ages ago via your tv eps, think i would love aspects of CCing but it seems to have tricky bits to it all too 😄 im definitely thinking of doing it all later in life tho keep on cranking it! 😆

[@RobbieCumming]

Yeah i reckon that would work. Cheers Matthew 👍

[@stewartrobertson2337]

Robbie, have you ever went under one those bridges tunnels and there's a load of Ned's there?,,what to do!!!,cheers, Stewart...

[@RobbieCumming]

I just look at them all dead in the eye and smile knowingly. They're just kids. Some of the little smashers threw stones at my boat the other day so I jumped out and stood with arms out stretched. They apologised as they ran away!

[@ItsANarrowboatThing]

Ay up cocker, th'as nearly in our neck o' woods! Great video, Granary Wharf is one of our fav places to moor up, did you get a chance to try all the beers in the Candlebar? :-)

[@RobbieCumming]

Thank you for watching guys! No, it looks a bit too trendy for me ;)

[@Dave-bu6bc]

Where next? You've almost reached my stomping ground, are you headed straight down the Aire or will you be turning right in Castleford and coming up the Calder?

[@RobbieCumming]

I think it'll be straight down the aire towards the Trent... but might wait til spring

[@Dave-bu6bc]

If you were coming up the Calder & Hebble I was going to recommend you a pub, the Bingley Arms adjacent to Bridge 27, between Wakefield and Dewsbury. Good beer and friendly locals. If you're going to wait for spring to do the Trent you have plenty of time for a detour & explore!

[@RobbieCumming]

Good point, cheers Dave!

[@curlyanneb1973]

You surely do resemble John Lennon. Bet you hear that often. Loved video about wind storm.

[@RobbieCumming]

Oh yeah - all the time!??!! Ha ha thanks for watching Carolyn 8^D

[@tertrace]

Hi Robbie......would my 66ft crank it thru those locks ? been told anything over 57 too long for the Leeds Liverpool ....

[@RobbieCumming]

Hi Terry, Sheila, no I don’t think so sorry! 8^\

[@seancarr7483]

Is your boat a fibre glass top?

[@RobbieCumming]

No what makes you say that?!

[@seancarr7483]

I've seen similar builds and they were fibre glass.

[@erichaskell]

Is there a fee per lock or a gratuity expected or is all of this included in your other fees?

[@RobbieCumming]

For most of the canals/rivers it is covered in the standard annual licence, however for some waterways, such as the Thames, you are required to pay for each day you're on there.

[@darryljames0111]

Donated to the beer fund, sorry, Patreon! Out of interest, when your going in reverse, can the speed be as fast as when your going forward, or is the engine limited?

[@RobbieCumming]

Ha ha! Nice one Darryl, that's really kind, hope you enjoy the extra content as well. Reverse, good question... I'd say it's definitely slower. Not because of the engine so much, more because of the other factors such as trying to keep it in a straight line!

[@darryljames0111]

Robbie Cumming ah, makes sense. Keep up the great vlogs!

[@qwerttrewq9192]

At least two things, you rarely wants to go fast in reverse on any boat because of poor steering response, secondly you normally don’t get the same speed in reverse because the propeller is working less efficient (I have been told.) You will probably smash the rudder before you brake the propeller.

[@mjallenuk]

Damn I forgot about your Patreon ... fixed that now 😉

[@RobbieCumming]

Thanks Matt!! You rock!!

[@johnbrookes2196]

I'm the same as you Matt. Sorry Robbie didn't realize the patreon option was available due to the support button still there but fixed now. Great video mate. keep cranking it. By the way I found 'The lockkeeper" sit com its nearly 30yrs old

[@mjallenuk]

Least I could do fella 😉

[@misery13666]

Been watching your videos and had noticed that you didn't note who made the songs like is normal. Just realized (read description for once) that it was you. At time stamp 10:00 I really dig the song. Sounds like harpsichord with modern beats and is very chill. Anywhere I can get it from?

[@RobbieCumming]

Hi Doug, very kind of you - was using layers of picking from my acoustic guitar, over some beats i made - have uploaded to soundcloud for you to download: soundcloud.com/cobedy/grey-fears

[@misery13666]

Robbie Cumming. Thanks much. Binge watching you after finding you via CtC and Narrowboat experience. You guys have given me the itch for a narrowboat. all I need to do is win the lotto (have to afford bringing the daughters along, and kids are damnned pricey) then get a visa so I can leave the U.S. for the free world.

[@RobbieCumming]

Well Doug sounds pretty straightforward to me?! Although actually probably easier to build your own canal over there 8^D

[@stuartsmith5276]

Solution: Have Trumpy build a canal instead of a wall. We will be able to travel from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico. Might need some armor plate on the south side of the Boat! The Erewash use to be my home, when there was a upper cut too, near Eastwood. Been in San Jose CA since 78. Love watching the Vids, and the humor.

[@kmmining1359]

Happen as like as not :)

[@trapperjohn6089]

Might could. C’mon den.

[@qwerttrewq9192]

The theme of not mooring here is a reoccurring event in your videos, so a question. How much of the UK is a no go zone for honest people?

[@RobbieCumming]

I don't really know as have not been around the entire network. Hopefully my videos give you an idea - but that's just based on my experiences and sometimes you're lucky, sometimes you're not. If you moor with others you'll generally be fine, if mooring alone, you can get picked on - but it doesn't matter where you are really.

[@qwerttrewq9192]

It's really a shame! It makes it so much less attractive to cruise on the system, but I suppose that’s one of the consequences of living in a densely populated country . What you call rural I call suburban. How it is in Sweden now days I really don't know since I haven’t been around for years, but back then such events would have been exceptions. On the other hand back then an occasional knife murder in rough areas could happen, these days they shot, and to often machine gun, each other down every week, and not only in the tree major cities. Placing the dregs behind lock and key seems to have fallen out of fashion, not only in Sweden.

[@ladygardener100]

Robbie are you sure your key is the genuine key, counterfeits will not work properly

[@RobbieCumming]

What’s a counterfeit key?!!

[@stephenmundane]

*meanwhile in an alternate reality* "In the winter of 2016, the crime rate in Yorkshire rises four hundred percent. The once great city of Leeds becomes the one maximum security prison for the entire county. A fifty-foot containment wall is erected around the city and across the Leeds and Liverpool canal. All bridges and waterways are mined. West Yorkshire Police, like an army, is encamped around the city. There are no guards inside the prison, only prisoners and the worlds they have made. The rules are simple: once you go in, you don't come out. Watch Robbie "Snake" Cumming and his Escape From the Leeds and Liverpool canal." *CRANK IT!*

[@RobbieCumming]

Ha ha ha! This is brilliant, thank you Stephen, thank you, for brightening up another canal based KZbin video with your amazing comments!!

[@stephenmundane]

My pleasure Robbie. I feel I must make an effort when presented with quality KZbin content. Looking forward to the virtual tour.

[@danonthecut2351]

Grab another mug, you've got a new crew member :) I won't be cruising myself for quite a while, need my fix, so I'll watch you having fun. I see a "Crank It Crew" T-Shirt in your future :) Chat more on Patreon.

[@RobbieCumming]

Ha brilliant, thanks so much - you can definitely have the one that says 'I'd rather be cranking it'!! Only available to full crank it crew members of course! Let's definitely discuss this over in P town 8^)

[@clearlake3492]

A Hells Angels pub where it's too risk to film? Sounds great - just the sort of pub I like. Mind you, I still prefer the types of hostelries that are a magnet for psychopaths and serial killers...

[@69Phuket]

Parking Wars... You never got into that....Needs a whole video.. Reverse park? or barge in? How do yo you park a loooong.. peace of real estate?

[@markmay184]

Wrong'uns !

[@AMPProf]

football hooligans????

[@MrJimbaloid]

Robbie HOW does a 45 y old technophobe support you?

[@RobbieCumming]

That's very kind of you Mr J! Well the best way for me (ie minimum transfer fees etc) is www.paypal.me/crankit - but also if you wanted to buy any merchandise that would also be really cool (although the printers get about 80% of the money) teespring.com/en-GB/stores/crank-it-clothing?aid=marketplace Many thanks! 8^)