What your correspondent Kevin McNiff did not realise with his problems with the GRP cruiser that he discovered was 'clearly not capable' was that he was well and truly in GRP land (or should that be 'water'?) writes James Henry.
The marinas on the Trent around Shardlow and Sawley are packed with GRP cruisers, that seem to change hands frequently, with many newcomers descending on the river in the early months of the boating season.
No instruction
It is very doubtful if any get any instruction whatsoever and I'm afraid it is all hit and miss, and as Kevin discovered, mostly miss. Should he moor during any fine week-end on Sawley Cut he will see many of them cruising back and forth. and often at an hefty rate of knots.
They can be seen cruising forwards and backwards between Shardlow Marina and Sawley Lock, either not willing to lock through either Derwent Mouth or Sawley, either as they are afraid of them or worried about sharing locks with what they see as dangerous narrowboats.
Very capable
You do of course get the real GRP boater who is very capable, and see them well away from base, but boaters using the six broad locks on the Trent & Mersey know that these cruisers are few and far between.
But come the inclement weather of late Autumn I can assure Kevin that the GRP cruisers are noticeable by their absence, so again narrowboaters with their stoves and heating systems have the river to themselves.