larryjc

All good advice, everybody. Thanks very much.

Not sure about the lead but the trackers are obviously a very good idea.

Thanks for that. I think I'll start training on the rattle tin method.

Sold our last boat 8 years ago (where did the time go??). We and the dog did about 2/3 of the network over 6 years and then sold up. Now seriously considering getting back on the water, the dog unfortunately has long gone. But we now have a rather cute little pussy cat. Not sure whether we can take him because we tend to go away for months at a time. Does anyone have any experience or advice on how to acclimatise a cat to a narrowboat and not lose him after a couple of days?

I guess I'm lucky with a pram over the hatch and only the stern gland to worry about. However, previous owners weren't so careful and there has clearly been quite a lot of water in there in the past. Which I why I have some fertran, bilge paint, wire brushes etc all ready for me to make the effort to paint it all out as soon as I can find the motivation!!!

Or do what I do and keep it dry!!

This really winds me up. A CO alarm can only be used for the internal safety of those on board. I was repeatedly told by the examiner of my boat this year that the BSS is there to prevent my boat causing issues to others like catching fire, so like others have said here, this seems yet another example of nanny state mission creep. BUT the one thing that can really ruin your day and of those around you is if the boat blows up because of an internal gas leak. I come from the yachting world and have never sailed a boat in recent years without a gas alarm. They are cheap and easy to fit. I normally put the sensor as low as possible and near the cooker. When I mentioned this to the examiner he had no idea what I was talking about. The reality is that all the incredibly detailed BSS gas safety precautions can't stop a leak happening if it wants to. The only way to find out is to light a match (not a good idea) or fit an alarm. Heres a simple one: https://www.force4.co.uk/pilot-single-sensor-gas-alarm-12v.html?sqr=gas alarm& I'm not trying to widen the debate or suggest that BSS should adopt these merely using it to illustrate, to my mind, why the BSS is losing its way.

Did Hillmorton a few weeks ago and the female lockie at the bottom lock was so interested in her gardening that once we were in the lock we were given a stiff ignoring. The other two locks were manned but they only helped crewed boats and ignored one poor chap who was on his own.

Yes but mine are in parallel as I don't want shadows on one stopping both working so the voltage is only about 36.

I did this when I fitted my tracer - all I use is a standard battery isolations switch - fitted in the plus line - like this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Techniks-BS01HD-Battery-Isolator-Switch/dp/B009CRM34I/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1531917286&sr=1-1&keywords=battery+isolation+switch

Mines even easier - I have a great big hinged hatch over the tank in the bow and just lift it up and look in!

Got exactly the same problem with the hatch over my water tank I thought about getting fancy replacement hinges but saw another solution on another boat. I'm going to angle grind off the bits that take the hinge itself and replace with a bought in hinge that I will bolt on on - drilling and tapping a thread in the metal either side. As the metal is quite thick there will be plenty of depth to take a thread. Midland chandlers do a selection of hinges. https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/store/category/midland chandlers/cabin and deck/cabin fittings/hinges.aspx

Ditto - hence the narrowboat!!!!!!

That will have been with Lieutenant, later Commodore and even later SW Police Commisioner Tony Hogg I suspect. Good bloke. I flew the Wasp but not at sea thankfully surprisingly I also flew one last summer with my co author who owns an airworthy example. A great machine to muck around in on a sunny day, night deck landings off Iceland maybe not so much!!

Not advertising honestly! I have a book about the Wasp helicopter coming out in the Autumn and there is a section on the Cod Wars with a remarkably similar ramming photo in it that I got from the Flight Commander of Andromeda. I personally missed out on that fun and games although had some 'fun' a few years later.