zenataomm

What's the history behind your prop?

She's very pretty, and apparently free!

AI says it's Big Woolwich "Ladybank" 1936

Good old Ben, how's he keeping these days?

I find that nothing in this life is guaranteed.

Back in the 80s I recall the Fuller twins at Stone fitted Hiab style hydraulic arms to their narrow boats. Martin's boat The Anne Roger's boat The Elstree I believe this was part of their company "Five Towns Carrying" They had constructed a form of steel railing along both boats' gunnels in order to manoeuvre the contraptions up and down the length of the holds. If I remember correctly (which I rarely do these days) stability was an interesting experience to be enjoyed by onlookers and operator alike.

You can get too pedantic when it comes to introducing paint to boats. Really it is all down to preparation. It matters not a jot what overalls/gloves or masks you wear, you'll always end up adorning yourself more than the boat. If you tend to tie your boat up facing the same way then the sun will bleach one side more than the other. So plan to paint one side twice as much as the other. As a boat approaches you it's easy to tell how recently they last painted it. If the towpath is on their left they stay in the middle of the cut not wanting to move over into the bushes and twiggies to let you past. However you approach painting your boat I recommend you view it as lending your craft a splash of pigment for a year perhaps two. So far as I'm concerned my purpose is to slap on some protection and the thicker the better. If it happens to look decorative too then it's a bonus. Although it is like weeding your garden and will need doing again sooner than you wanted.

I stand by my comment. "no". I was referring to OP's opening questions. He does not mention model boats! You did.

The answer to all of OP's opening questions is: - no

I've learnt that John Edwards, one of the last genuine Waterways Captains died on Sunday in a home in the south. He had been a poor soul for a few years, a victim of dementia. I first met him in the early 80s when he and his family were living in Gas Street on "The Beaulieu and The Marcellus" The butty was for sale and I bought her. John went on to buy "The Cam" At the time he was working at Brummagem Boats and was a well respected diesel engineer. He had recently rebuilt the single pot Ailsa Craig in Erebus. Such a deep little ice breaker he managed to bottom her out in the middle of Gas Street while testing his handiwork. A talented raconteur he could be heard holding court on Worcester Bar while drinking tea from his giant tea cup. He had opinions on everything and everybody and could be loud when not suffering fools. His like was rare and we're poorer for his passing while richer for having known him.

An interesting character.

I was trying to cover every single common possibility as OP started with "Complete amateur (just got my first boat), so go easy on me." He then explained things which could easily be misunderstood, yet might be essential clues. The bloke next to me on the moorings let his exhaust line up with a pipe outlet exiting from the bank. It only took a gentle but regular dribble to find the one cylinder on his SR2 that had rested on its exhaust stroke. I reckon it's his battery(ies)

What do you actually mean by not turning over? Does it move at all but just not over compression? If it doesn't move it all then it could be either seized or there is water in the cylinders. Lift the dipstick, what colour is the oil, does it look like chocolate milk? Turn on all your lights and press the starter. The lights should dim but if they really disappear then I guess your battery(ies) are flat.