n.b. Whisper

Welcome

Whisper was built by Warble Narrowboats Ltd and launched at Warble Wharf, Hyde, Cheshire on Monday 29th March 1999. Since then she has been based at the Thames & Kennet Marina, Caversham, Berkshire. You may see us out and about on the Thames or the Kennet in the Reading/Oxford/Henley areas.

Give us a wave or pop in for a chat and a cuppa (or something stronger ;-))

Whisper was one of the Warble exhibits at the Braunston Boat Show in May '99 and attracted many favourable comments from visitors. In three days we had approximately one thousand people through the boat, and I spoke to just about every one of them!

There is information here on the technical design and interior design of Whisper, plus links to a number of other waterways-related sites for you to explore and a number of photo galleries featuring Whisper.

Evening, near Lechlade
Moored on the Upper Thames
Sheffield Lock, Theale, K&A
Straining under the weight of snow at the Thames & Kennet!
Up, up and away at Aldermaston Wharf, K&A
Moored above Days Lock, River Thames
Big boys toys at the Thames & Kennet

If you wish to go to a suitable starting point to find out more about UK waterways and narrowboating in particular, you could do no better than George's Canal Boating in the UK and Europe.

Before Whisper was even born we were "founder" members of the 'Blacksheep' canals mailing list (now canals-list@yahoogroups.com) and newsgroup (uk.rec.waterways).

We are members of the Cutweb Internet Boating Club - the first virtual boat club on the Inland Waterways and the only one to be affiliated to the AWCC. Click on the logo below to visit the Club's site.

Please Note... int3

Whisper is fitted with a constant speed cocooned diesel engine driving the prop via a hydraulic gearbox with a trolling-valve mechanism to control prop shaft speed. We have had a number of slightly puzzled looks from moored boaters as we pass, who think that we are speeding or showing discourtesy by not slowing down (i.e. dropping the revs) because they have heard no change in the engine note as we approach. I can assure everyone that we do indeed slow down for moored boats (and keepnets) as witnessed by our prop-wash and the lack of any bow wave. Engine note is no longer a reliable guide to forward speed! Sorry!

Whisper is a 'fisherman-friendly' boat. If we're doing something that is not to your liking we'd like to know about it. In lieu of any other instructions we try to keep to the centre of the channel (not always the centre of the water surface!, please note) and drop our speed when we see keepnets in the water. Otherwise we will maintain a steady speed to get out of your way as soon as possible.