Spyder

Thanks again for all the replies . We opted for Coventry today after a late start . Will get to Wilton and Buckley locks first thing in the morning and hopefully sleep over at Willoughby on Saturday.

Thank you for all your replies gentlemen, all are greatly appreciated. We are leaving tomorrow afternoon/Friday morning. Are some of the locks closed earlier this time of the year ?

Well if i wasn't confused before. To be honest I had not given much thought to breasting up, as we have always gone out on our own before, but time will be short and this will make a huge difference. We also do not want a route without locks as that is afterall half the fun So in light of that will Coventry or Market harbourgh be any different ?

Hi, we are taking 2 boats from Gayton for 6 days a 45 and 55 foot. We were thinking of going as far up the Ashby as possible. Would this be too optimistic ? We are used to cruising for 7-8 hours a day weather permitting. The other options are Coventry and Market Harborough. Any suggestions either way and is there some really good places to eat and moor on the way-we will have 4 11/12 year olds with us as well. Any advise would be most welcome.

With the standard of work you have done thus far, I am sure you will. Please keep us posted.

I would think your LPM is an issue, although related your pressure would be ample for the "tonnage" that you are operating. The other thing to consider is the springs in the hand valve-Ie the two springs either side of the spool operating the valve from left to right. If that slides over too slowly, the pressure from and to your ram will cause it to be too slow-this will in turn slow your flow rate down. A stronger spring or spacer may help with this. Even mechanical springs directly on the ram would help if correctly placed. Not to detract from the wonderfull work you have done, why did you go for a 12V pump and not taken power off the motor, as in a power steering system on a car ?

I think it is an amazing inovation. Although I know a lot more about hydraulics than Narrow boating, I do think it has its place on the water. As much as I find it relaxing at the tiller there are times... Have you just taken the hydraulic pressure fron A PTO or a dedicated hydralic pump off a drive belt ? Is there a backup (besides the emergancy tiller) if you lose pressure for any reason -(an accumulator for example) ? What pressure are you running the system at ? A job well done in my opinion from an engineering point of view.