Benadix

Was hoping to go through Salter's Lode to Denver today, but when I spoke to Paul (Salter's Lode) lock-keeper earlier in the week, levels were going to be too low for any day-light passages from Thurs through to Mon am @8:30am. End of that plan. However if you're coming from the other direction you can always spend the week-end moored outside the Jenners Arms. There are worse ways of spending the w/e - especially with the wind, hail & cold on the Fens at the moment!

Had a similar problem with a mikuni 40 last year. Traced it to a faulty solenoid valve fitted in the fuel pipe between the tank and the heater unit. . good luck in finding the fault!

If the wind is blowing downstream at the speed you mention (from Denver) it could be a bit of a challenge! Particularly the tight turning into Salter's Lode. You'll also need to factor in the tide. If the tide's ebbing & the wind's taking you with it you may be better to go past, turn round & approach it from down-stream. Otherwise, from experience, knowing when to turn in will be a bit of a lottery & you either find yourself aground on the nearside entrance to Salter's lode or giving the stake on the opposite side a good clout as you hit it broadside on! However the lock-keepers are very helpfull & hopefully the Salter's Lode locky will guide you in OK - but it should be fun to watch - what time are planning it!?

There is an alternative route via the 100 foot New Bedford River from Denver to Earith. However currents can be strong, particularly when spring tides combine with high river flows as a result of wet weather in the midlands (as at present). Thus not for the faint hearted or 1st time boater - hence the prohibition of hire boats on this river. There are rumours that the river will be closed for 14 weeks - for anyone not already upstream of Ely, it could make life interesting for anyone intending to come to the IWA festival at St Ives at the end of August!

Oil is going to get very expensive - supply and demand says that 1000 million Chinese have more buying power than 60 million Britons... We all need to dilute fuels to make sure there is enough supply to keep prices stable and avoid repeating the 1970's oil shocks... What about locally made Biodiesel (from waste oils and local farms) to dilute existing supplies and create local jobs ? Oil may get very expensive - however have you seen what the demand for bio-fuels is doing to commodity prices? Rapeseed oil, palm oil, corn, sugar, etc have all seen double digit increases over the last 12 months. We may not have such an issue in the relatively affluent developed countries about paying higher prices for our food in order to fill boats / planes / cars etc up with these bio-fuels (with all their questionable environmental benefits), however the less affluent parts of our planet certainly will. Cutting back on energy consumption should be the priority - however I'm not quite sure this is the right message, particularly for many of us who (like me) are recreational boat users! Perhaps I need to go looking for a horse to tow the boat!

We came down the Northampton Arm & along the Nene on our way to our current moorings on the Great Ouse last August / September. It was a great trip - over several week-ends. We never found mooring too much of a problem. We relied on Imray's Guide to the River Nene, which I highly recomend. My two favorite moorings were at Cogenhoe - moor above the lock on the grass bank & walk up the hill to the village - a great pub awaits!. Likewise another good morring on a grassy bank is above the lock at Elton. If you don't mind a bit of a hike & fancy a good meal - there's a great Loch Fine restaraunt there. Otherwise the Nene is a very attractive river & in comparison with the canals - very quiet. Most of the guillotine locks are now electrified, however those that aren't take a bit of winding on the wheel. If they don't work up a thirst nothing will! A couple of spots on the Nene are worth passing swiftly through - Billings Aquadrome - full of noisy grockles & Wellingborough - not a very attractive town. Otherwise I'm sure you'll enjoy the Nene. Steve

[ My advice to you is to write as detailed a specification as you can from the beginning and try to get them to tell you what they are going to do before they do it. Sometimes, it costs them nothing to fit something a particular way providing it is clear before it happens. What they don't like is an owner who whinges about something that has already been fitted ("Oh I wish that was over here instead of over there - can you move it for us ?"). I apologise if I'm generalising a bit, but I'm trying to be brief. Hi Williwaw Thanks for taking the time to pen such a detailed response, it made intersting reading. My backgound is purchasing complex equipment - chemical & mechanical plant. This is usually as part of a team with specialist engineers to call upon at the design, build, installation & commisioning stages. This sort of advice is invaluable - albeit one pays for it! Hence my initial leanings towards employing a surveyor. However from the responses I've read to my post I'm now inclined to think employing a surveyor at this stage would be an expensive luxury. I've already drawn up a fairly extensive spec., based on past knowlege & borrowing ideas from many sources. Whilst work comitments will get in the way, my intention is to be present during the build frequently. Also my initial observation is there seems a wealth of accumulated experience & knowlege from those posting to this site - which I may be calling upon if I hit a particularly knotty problem! I may change my mind if it all goes pear shaped!

Hi Richard, I've spoken to 4 separate people who have had boats from our intented builder in the last 2 years. All with good reports -hence one of the factors in our choice. For the very good reason you pointed out - namely developing & keeping a good relationship going, I'd rather avoid naming anyone at this stage until I've made up my mind on this subject. I don't want appointing a surveyor being seen as a lack of trust. However once I've got through this stage, I intend documenting the various stages of the build (when all will be revealed!) on a separate posting.

Hi John, Point taken - must say I skipped over this when I registered. I've since added a few more details to my profile which I hope is helpful. Have had to leave the boat name blank - still working on it!

We've had several years of holiday cruising, using hired boats & have now taken the plunge to buy our own. It's due to start build in Feb 06 & finish end of May. We've done the usual checks on builders, spoken to owners etc & have full confidence in the builder we've chosen. However for extra "insurance" & advice is it worth employing a surveyor to oversee the build & fit-out? We've a fair amout of boating experience although not having owned a boat before, this is limited to handling & minor repairs. Also what would be the cost /going rate for surveyor to supervise a build & fit out?