Alan de Enfield

I expect that due to the reluctance of inland boaters to buy an anchor that very little in the way of canal, Weaver, etc testing has been undertaken, who is going to fund it ? As the sea bottom can go from 100s of feet of 'soft ooze', thru soft sand, hard sand, gravel, shell, to rocks, kelp and anything else. I'd expect one of the following would cover the Weaver TECH TIPS: BASIC BOTTOMS ABBREVIATION BOTTOM TYPE S Sand M Mud CY Clay SI Silt ST Stones G Gravel P Pebbles CB Cobbles R, RKY, RK Rocky BO, BLDS Boulders CO Coral SH Shells WD Weed K Kelp SG Seagrass TECH TIPS: LESS COMMON BOTTOMS ABBREVIATION BOTTOM TYPE OZ Ooze SN Shingle CK Chalk VOL ASH Volcanic ash OYS Oysters GRS Grass TECH TIPS ABBREVIATIONS QUALIFYING TERMS F Fine M Medium C Coarse H Hard CA Calcareous SO Soft SY Sticky SF Stiff HRD Hard DEC Decayed And, we needed to know and remember all these for the RYA "coastal skipper" qualification. Excellent point - no point in having it if you don't know how to use it - and - have practised it.

Because it is a design from the 1930's and it just does not work efficiently. If it does 'set' then its not a bad anchor, the problem is that it can take several attempts to get it to set - this is not the end of the world on a coastal boat where it is the end of the day, you are anchoring up for the night and have plenty of time, and space. to deploy it, when it fails, haul it back in and deploy again, repeat, repeat, repeat. The Danforth manufacturers own "Anchor selection chart" suggests that for a 55-60 foot boat you need a 100lb (45kg) anchor. Whilst the Kobra manufacturers selection chart recommends a 20kg anchor for a 60 foot boat. When a boat on the River is likely to require an anchor it is normally a "brown trouser moment". The engine has stopped / The gear box has let go, etc etc. and you are heading towards the weir. For this, you need an anchor that works 1st time everytime and the Danforth does not. The length of rode and the scope makes a huge difference to the perfomance of the anchor, If you have a poorly perfoming anchor to start with, using a short-rode means you could be only achieving (say) 50% of the anchors (already low) rated holding power. There have been several 'generations" of anchor designs since the '30s, each one improving in perfomance (both holding power and setting ability) Following on from the Danforth there was the CQR, then the 'Plow' (Bruce etc) types and then a later design very similar to the Danforth called the "Fortress" which has astonishing perfomance. The difference between the fortress is that with computer, more knowledge and CAD this anchor is made with slightly different angles on the flukes, small differences have made real differences. The latest generation of anchors such as the Fortress, Mantus and Manson anchors are a very different kettle of fish to the old designs. Tests by one of the boating magazines : And another ................ The Kobra 2 which I have on my cruiser (and IanD has on his NB) is not expensive - I picked mine up for £60 and on a test of 12 anchors conducted by "Yachting Monthly" came 2nd out of the 12 types tested (The Fortress came 1st and the Manson Supreme came 3rd the Bugel which I have as a back up came 4th)

I think you will find that very, very few moorings are transferable. They may possibly be transferable subject to the agreement of the mooring owner/committee/Commodore, but selling the boat on its mooring is unlikely to mean the mooring is 'sold' with the boat. Despite what the advert may say you should always check directly with the mooring owner / club committe and get confirmation in writing from them that the mooring is transferable - as you say, it is pretty much "dead man's shoes" and the owner will take every opportunity to change the rules and "amend" the fees for 'new' owners. If you go in "all guns blazing" with I want this changed, and that changed, you'll soon find that you are an undesirable and will be kicked off the moorings. We had it at the golf club - a new breed of "entitled" members moving in demanding rule changes etc etc, they were quickly told to remove themselves, buy their own golf-course and set what ever rules they wanted, but, whilst in "our house" they followed our rules.

I do get a little sea-sick if I put my head down, If I am focussed on what Im doing I'm fine, but I have to agree with the Camel situation. We hired camels for a mini-expedition in Morocco and I have never been as sea sick as I was swaying around on the back of a Camel. Once was enough !

In 2001 the previous owner of our NB had similar work done .................. Pump out tank removed. Floor made good Cassette toilet installed and plumbed in Bed changed to a cross-bed Narrow wardrobe (for storage of 2 folding bikes) fitted into the gap between the bed and the bathroom wall. Cost (2001 costs & labour rates) was just over £11,000. The only non-labour items were wood for the floor & bed base and the cassette toilet. Nothing on a boat is either simple, straighforward, easy or inexpensive.

Thats the same video I linked to

The 1st link is an 8 minute video and explains he history, refurbishment and power to the wheel - but, I cannot get a direct link, so, try here : https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/lording-s-lock-water-wheel-the-1780-canal-pump-brought-back-to-life/vi-AA24ifYx?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a1938c440a0466293957e4de605906d&ei=91

Try telling that to home owners in Kent/Sussex

Lording's Lock water wheel, the 1780 canal pump brought back to life Deep in the Surrey countryside, a forgotten 1780s water wheel has been painstakingly restored by volunteers on the Wey and Arun Canal. We visit the site to see how this remarkable piece of engineering actually works. Lording's Lock water wheel, the 1780 canal pump brought back to life | Watch

The answer does exist. Stand on a milk-crate and not only will it be easier with the tiller, but you'll be able to look down the length of the boat. Does Snow White know you have bought a boat ?

Just mooove on now.

Yes - assuming it is sufficiently charged to start the engine.

Shirley a lifejacket is simpler than that.