BLUEMOMENT

'Cos the weather wasn't playing nice Marisca transited the Crinan on her way to SIPR. Over £150 with the justification of an "assisted passage". Not just one or 2 people but we counted 18 Scottish Canal uniforms during the trip! They take the ropes, work the gates and paddles, are all very cheerful and some are even pretty.
Was it worth it? Not really. We went through with Contender and had enough enough bodies to work the 19th Century technology. Was left feeling robbed, not particularly of the money but of the feeling of satisfaction of using my body to achieve something. They claim it is only a trial so expect the price to stay the same and the bodies to have disappeared next year!
They certainly ain't making money with £300 from 2 boats split between that many staff - we were the only punters that day. Even at minimum wage they will need 8 boats a day just to cover staff.

Where I believe that the assisted passage is a good thing, and I won't mind paying a bit extra when I use the canal. I too do not wish for assistance.
I love using the locks and doing the work myself, I like the involvement that working the locks has, if I just wanted to stay on the boat I would go round the mull. If we cant get off the boat to do the locks our selves the appeal of the canal is lost to me.

marisca wrote:'Cos the weather wasn't playing nice Marisca transited the Crinan on her way to SIPR. Over £150 with the justification of an "assisted passage". Not just one or 2 people but we counted 18 Scottish Canal uniforms during the trip! They take the ropes, work the gates and paddles, are all very cheerful and some are even pretty.
Was it worth it? Not really. We went through with Contender and had enough enough bodies to work the 19th Century technology. Was left feeling robbed, not particularly of the money but of the feeling of satisfaction of using my body to achieve something. They claim it is only a trial so expect the price to stay the same and the bodies to have disappeared next year!
They certainly ain't making money with £300 from 2 boats split between that many staff - we were the only punters that day. Even at minimum wage they will need 8 boats a day just to cover staff.

Can only echo this. We counted 17 people, but it was hard to count, with so many standing about nothing to do. One guy had a clipboard, and all he did was hold it. Did note all the new vehicles, new uniforms, and the rather resigned look from the old hands.
I've done this transit 2 handed faster that we got though that day with the new assisted passage.
We have our own slice gate handle aboard, but were strongly discouraged from using it.
There's still not enough hanging places for clothes in the Crinan showers, nowhere for soap etc, and the floor drain still doesn't flow well, though otherwise the showers are really nice. (faults reported last year).
The amenities doors are now combination lock.
We assisted another class three yacht out of Crinan, (engine failure) but could find no way to eliminate other competitors en-route to Oban!