Leaderboard

As I mentioned above there is an entirely separate starter battery output. The main service battery output whose upper voltage is controlled by the DIP switches, boosts the charge voltage in 15 minute cycles with a 2.5 min rest period between. This is actually beneficial to service battery charge regime giving time for charge to be absorbed within battery plates as well as giving the alternator a rest from working flat out. During the service battery rest period the starter battery actually receives more current as well due to increased charge voltage although it isn't adjustable. This is all explained in the A to B instructions here. Any answer you get from Sterling on the phone is not likely to be so detailed so its a case of RTFM

As one of the nobler and more deserving charities (we all rely upon to one degree or another), should we not allow the Canal and River Trust (note: Sunday name) be allowed to close all the canals to navigation for some months - during the summer obviously) - in order to reduce wear and tear to the infrastructure, and allow it's many fund-raising supporters to solicit fiscal support from members of the public. If successful - maybe we should encourage them to operate such 'temporary closures' every year ?

Have you met him?

As I said, the tyranny of the charity event. Wheel out the "its for charity" label, and sensible decision making has to be discarded, because you can bet your life that had CRT said "sorry, no you can't just close the canal for the day, they would have been slammed in the press" Yes, here we have a child who has lost his father (actually, three children who have lost their fathers). It is dreadfully sad, but hardly unique. Is every deceased parent to be accorded a one day canal closure?

FFS....it's a bloody charity event for a child who's lost his father and wants to remember him and benefit other people... ...what's a few hours inconvenience compared to that? It's a world away from the "chuggers" who accost you in every shopping centre with pleas for their charities... Let's get this little guy a bit of support rather than condemnation because one or two boaters may be inconvenienced for an hour or two... Janet

Hardly a fair fight though. The stolen dog is invariably a smaller terrier type. It has its mouth taped up so it cannot defend itself and is then put in a pit with staffies or pit bulls who then tear it to bits to increase their blood lust. No doubt some on this forum would give the human scum involved in this practice a severe talking to. Please forgive me for saying my solution would be slightly stronger and a little more "hands on". George ex nb Alton retired

I have tracked down the Builder

I have a wetsuit. Used it to rescue the cat who got stuck under the marina pontoon, in the dead of winter. It wasnt a great experience for either of us

like i said it needs to have heating, both NB's and GRP's without heating are cold.

Success! Firstly, wetsuits are awesome. Got in and immediately knew I wouldn't have any problem for ages. Well worth the money. I wore a track suit and knee protectors as well to protect the neoprene. No, it is not a good look. Stabbed the sidewall with thick knife (left over from chef days) close to tread and then cut down to bead. This on the side of the tyre nearest the hull. Then bolt cropper through the bead from inside this cut as this was the only angle to reach it from. Next, cut across the top of the tyre using tin snips to about half way. Lastly, stab the other sidewall (furthest from hull) and cut down to bead and back across the middle with snips again. After this I had more than enough play to get the tyre over the blades. Cue massive relief. So thank you again to all who posted with ideas and alternatives to taking the prop off. The moral support alone made the job much less daunting. As with all things boat related, having done the job only once I now consider myself the worlds leading expert in tyre/prop related issues... Oh, it took one hour from start to finish

It may be just me (probably!), but I do associate the term "plastic boats" as a derogatory referance made by 'metal boat' owners with a chip on their shoulders. What's wrong with using the words "cruiser" or "fibreglass". One idiot of a marine engineer recently talked himself out of a few hundred pounds of work by referring to our boat as a "yogurt pot".

This appears to be the culmination of a long process and doesn't provide CRT with anymore income. Neither does it seem to do much for the legitimate trader. It seems we are going to have to justify ourselves annually, be subject to spot checks etc. Neither BW or CRT have proved themselves to be that good at monitoring things, rather than concentrate on those that have taken the trouble to get a license I would rather they concentrated their efforts on those who are not complying with the regulations. This would include those trading illegally and all the other problems - overstaying/licencing/continuous moorers etc. Much as I feel CRT are trying to improve things there still seems to be a mindset on occasions to avoid the obvious and chase those doing their best to be honest. But then isn't that what happens in our lives every day.

Saga magazine has the rights to that one sue.