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Maiden Voyage !
Had a great maiden voyage in our Honwave 3.8 today on the Ouse. Parked and launched from Hartford Marina. A bit expensive at £10 for using the slipway and £5 for car/trailer parking, but as it was our first time and we know this marina well, we thought it the safest option. I also forgot the hitch lock and chain so wanted the extra security of it being overlooked by the chandlery staff all afternoon. Turned left and went down to Houghton Mill Lock, then the opposite direction through Huntingdon, Godmanchester and onto to Brampton Mill for lunch. No dramas really although we had to rely on the goodwill of others at locks because we didn’t have a key and windlass with us. Something we will def. fix for the next outing and as ex-narrowboaters, we should have known better. The small Suzuki 6hp seemed to go pretty well, although the exhaust dried up at one point. Not sure if some weed or other debris clogged up the intake but a quick squirt in reverse seemed to fix it. Managed to run out of petrol on the way back but we had taken a reserve can with us. Floated around at the mercy of the wind and current for a few minutes and it seemed to take forever to pull it through but we got going in the end and made it back to the Marina with no more novice errors. My co-pilot forgot to attach her side of the trailer lights on properly and as a result, we dragged it about a mile up the A141 on the way home. So, apart from a new light cluster required for the trailer, a very successful, enjoyable and sunburnt maiden voyage. It bodes well for a good summer full of sibbing. Many thanks to Fenlander for all the expert advice ! (couple of photo around Godmanchester bridge hopefully attached)
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