First Narrowboat to reach Monmouth, 29 miles up the River Wye
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 เม.ย. 2019
- Thursday 21st March 2019 was an epic day for Wye Invader Two, after several years of planning the conditions were just right to attempt a journey to Monmouth Rowing Club. After 5 months winter maintenance and having only just gone back into the water the night before, she set off for Portishead. Wye Invader Two arrived in Portishead to wait for the tide to return later that day, it was then a quick trip across the River Severn turning left into the mouth of the River Wye, onto Chepstow, then to Brockweir and finally Llandogo for the night, arriving just after dusk the same day. On Thursday at 08.00am she set off for Redbrook and then Monmouth, arriving in Monmouth at 11.00am that day after battling severe flood water under Monmouth Bridge, the first known Narrowboat to do so.
For anyone who understands rivers & narrowboats, that is some scary boating !
Congratulations.
You did alright getting under the bridge... I thought you were going to smack it for a moment! Against a strong stream...
Remarkable journey! Well done!!
Impressive, I've been waiting so long for you to get back up the Wye and doing it with so much flood water was truly impressive. That engine of yours deserves a bloody good oil change, fighting that flow and even going backwards at one point (or so it seemed) - there are very few narrowboaters who would attempt this and I applaud you for every single second of effort - cheers !
Martin, Wye Invader Two only went back into the water 12 hours before the trip after 5 months out of the water for full winter maintenance including oil and fuel filters, she should be good for a few more miles yet!
Enjoyed your videos as I shout to you when I`m on the locks/bridge your going through :)
Love watching your videos, always enjoyable. Where other boats, let alone Narrowboats fear to tread!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
I remember the steps of monmouth rowing club, I took part in the 5 mile kayak race many many years ago...those steps are etched into my brain lol happy days, happy days!
looking forward to watching more :-)
Fantastic! Well done, you had me on the edge of my seat...
What an adventure! Thanks for taking us along. Greetings from Vancouver, BC!
Thanks for your comment - Not sure Andy would agree with you!
Well done !
was looking for Wye tidal waters to understand why it's dangerous to kayak below Tintern. They say it's possible to leave Tintern no later than one hour after high water and travel down without stopping. Avoid going down below Chepstow in kayak if unexperienced. So I would not go.
Thoroughly enjoyable - I admired your feel for the water and river. It bought back some memories of some hikes and brews along the way to. How much fuel do you use for such a run? Good going. Mark
Many thanks for your comments, we used 30 litres of fuel for a 110 mile round trip
Would it possible to do a video of the waypoints that you use Sharpness to Portishead on one of your vlogs?
Possibly - maybe on the next trip as the Gloucester Lock to the Parting is still closed leaving nowhere else to go!
Wye Invader Yes I seen that on the CRT website, leaking seals I believe. Hope they sort it quickly so your season is not ruined.
I do enjoy your videos and having a boat myself at Tewkesbury it's good to see a local video. I have a note of concern though. As a boater we all know when the flood waters are high. You've only got a tiny diesel in that boat to get you out of trouble, and you almost lost it a few times. Perhaps somewhat irresponsible to attempt the trip in those conditions?
Many thanks for your comments. I appreciate your concern and would stress I did not undertake the trip lightly. I’ve spent many, many years studying the tides on both the Severn and the Wye, essential for the original trip with the 130 foot Wye Invader trip to Hereford in 1989 and again back down to Sharpness with Wye Invader in 2012/13. Wye Invader Two has an uprated engine, a new gearbox in 2018, larger propeller and extra cooling tanks, along with all safety equipment such as lifejackets, radio and flares and, just days before had been subject to 5 months out of the water for full winter maintenance including a new starter motor, new water pump, all new marine spec hoses, all new filters along with a complete back to metal hull service with new bitumen. I have a Day Skipper Tidal and RYA-MCA Coastal Skipper and YachtMaster Offshore qualifications and would not have attempted the trip to Monmouth had I thought there was any significant risk to my crew, Wye Invader Two or myself. You can see what she's been up to regularly on her Blog - wyeinvader.blogspot.com/ or the website - www.wyeinvader.uk/
Well your certainly far more qualified than I so as !ong as your safe that's all that matters. Best wishes Stu
@@WyeInvader I note the seamanlike discipline of your commentary and your careful indeed cautious preparation. I have taken yachts up to Chepstow and over Llanthony weir but your journeys are something else. As I climber and walker, I loved the view of the cliffs and woods I have explored from the bank