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Showing content with the highest reputation on 10/10/17 in all areas

  1. A remarkable parody of a 70's union leader claiming that it isn't his members walking out that is inconveniencing people but the management who MADE them do it. You may not have started your argument with Peel on the basis that nobody would pay. Like most others in your position, you started from the entirely selfish position that YOU shouldn't pay. However, there isn't even a vaguely arguable position that says that you shouldn't pay whilst others do. The only argument that you can advance is that all charges are illegal. Your post then veers off into the realms of utter fantasy. Bridgewater boaters would probably pay voluntarily? On what basis do you assert that? You are regularly on the canal and you won't pay. If there was no compulsory charge, the canal would soon begin to attract others of the same ilk who fancied a free ride, and those who are prepared to pay would rapidly conclude that they didn't want to pay to be on a canal choked with freeloaders, and they would move to CRT waters. You say that you want to return to the reciprocal agreement, but if you accept that agreement as valid, you actually accept that they CAN demand a charge, because if they can't demand a charge, the reciprocal agreement isn't needed. We then go even further with a suggestion that somebody else would take over. Where do you imagine somebody else would get the money to run it? Frankly, the canal system needs those who want the world to revolve around them like it needs a hole in the puddle.
    5 points
  2. What a joy to wake up to all these helpful, kind, funny and practical answers. To summarize so far (in no particular order) 1. Slow down, especially when passing moored boats. Slow down to enjoy the canal. Slow down (this is my goal for the trip) 2. Read the Nicholson guide (downloaded and read it last night) 3. Don't waste the water in the locks by emptying without a boat in it, unless there is no-one in sight 4. Don't moor in places where others need to go - such as water stops, winding holes 5. Take turns at bridges and tunnels (notify waiting boats if you have a boat immediately following) 6. Be prepared for some humiliation on keeping the boat going straight (I've read the zigzag thread) 7. Do the homework - watch the canal trust videos https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/a-guide-to-boating/boaters-handbook (done) 8. Learn how to use and protect the locks - paddles etc. 9. "Drive" on the right 10. Pay Mike the Boilerman 10 Pounds per lock + 20% VAT and hope that he buys everyone some warm beer when he gets back from the Seychelles Thanks again - can't wait to get out there in June 2018. We'll warn you before we get going
    3 points
  3. It appears to me that there are two camps here, one looking for originality of design and the other being more accepting that a boat changes and develops with its owners desires along with the accepted engineering methods of the day. I am in the second camp where these alterations and modifications form a part of the boat history, and as long as it looks about right and is strong then I can live with it. Clearly nobody will want to buy a boat that has alterations where time has taught us that these are flawed, unless the price reflects this - and of course anything can be put back to original design at a price. I really hope we do not move towards concourse as with the classic car world (in which I am also loosely involved) as this will be the point where money is more important than the boat
    3 points
  4. No. It means you don't come onto public forums and make stupid posts. Hmmmm. Yes. Looks like a bad case of sour grapes to me doctor.
    3 points
  5. And far more than one (your boat) work perfectly well with two or more baffles, in some case vertical so that should be good enough for you also, but it appears it isn't? According to your original posts an extra baffler would cause overheating on the grounds the engine water pump would not be powerful enough to overcome the extra resistance to flow. As Engines Plus have in the past and may still supplied the majority of new hireboat engines any that followed the mariniser's advice would be overheating according to you. They are patently not, even the ones that were allowed to do the London and Thames rings. This indicates that either the builders ignored Engines Plus's advice or your conclusions about baffles and resistance are wrong. I leave it to other readers to decide which is likely to be closer to the truth. It is my view that you have a tendency to read something, do it, and if it works take what you read as 100% correct. That's fine for you but when you then try to use that limited experience to advise others then, again in my view, you are in the wrong. No one has a problem with the Beta design because it will work but it may be sub optimal. I could reply in the same way and say if you have a problem with the Engines Plus design take it up with them but my experience tells me its a pointless remark to make. I do have a major problem when you mislead other people (in my view), criticise very experienced and well regarded people and then try to justify your conduct by quoting a single internet source. That is not good enough for me.
    3 points
  6. And I am seeing this with boats now as so many have been heavily restored and their history erased. When I was a young man it was possible to identify a G.U.C.C.Co. Ltd. motor by the dents in its counter but this is rarely the case now
    2 points
  7. Exactly. Tingdene are being flexible and accommodating, two words which the OP would not recognise, as they do not sit well with 'petty' and 'bitter'.
    2 points
  8. Not the only one to do it and not the most serious either because you were just expressing an opinion. When I first started on here about 11 years ago I posted incorrect info on electrical wiring and was attacked, quite rightly, by a shoal of Forum piranha. Lesson (almost) learnt. There is a wealth of experience on here and conversely a wealth of inexperience its just a question of being able to identify which is which. For the old timers on here it was mainly Gibbo who had a go at me, again quite rightly. I stood no chance. Still stub my toe from time to time but soon get nudged back into line. Again welcome.
    2 points
  9. Rules and honesty are two completely different things. There are many, many businesses that do not put profit before honesty, but rules can be broken or bent without compromising one's honesty.
    2 points
  10. Neil 2 may not not be "the Eyes" of the Forum but I am probably not alone in considering you as often Impolite and expressing opinions that you do not have practical experience of .
    2 points
  11. While I accept that logic or common sense has nothing to do with the law, it would seem that if something is owned by someone, they have the right to control who uses it. And if someone wants to use it, to charge them for the privilege. After all, that's how most of us make a living. So, whatever the original acts say, I think it highly unlikely that any court, should it actually ever come to that, which it almost certainly won't, would rule that Peel don't have the right to charge pleasure boats for the use of the canal (there are enough weasel and ambiguous words in any legal document to support a variety of interpretations - that is, after all, why lawyers are rich and the rest of us aren't.). And the extension of that is that they can limit that use however they want and charge accordingly. It is also just about certain that no authority is going to go to court for a few quid, whatever they may say in a letter or notice. The reason they don't reply until forced to is, again, because it costs more to answer a letter than to ignore it, and as they have no intention of pursuing the matter, why should they bother? It just wastes their time and increases their loss. Whether the aggravation that comes one's way for refusing to accept that a change has been made, because one doesn't think it fair or even legal, is worth it is up to the individual. Sometimes if it's a matter of principle, support can be gained and a desired outcome achieved. If it's just argument about a point of law, it may be well to bear in mind that laws are largely there to protect property, and the owners of property, and have little to do with what most of us may think of as justice.
    1 point
  12. Having spent hours going up the ditch that is the Coventry we worked it out. Green is where they have weed killed and cleared the side of the bridge. There are odd non towpath bits that have green dots and they have been cleared. I thought at first thread vegitation was caused by fishists..lo the rusty cans were exposed but then worked out it wasn't them when I first saw spots on bridges Maybe it's the elf and safety elf telling you not to lick the brickwork....that's about the level they are at. " warning hot coffee is hot"
    1 point
  13. I fully understand over-plating at the back end when the interior fittings of the cabin are in good condition, and I think this is a very common solution. To be honest I think cutting out and weld repair is more than satisfactory in other more accessible parts of the hull, after all this is how 'British Waterways' carried out much of their repair work
    1 point
  14. not a lot of people now this .but i did .but thanks for that ..my kingfisher would flutter along about 2 ft above the water ,then he would perch himself opposite my side hatch even seen him dive in for small fish
    1 point
  15. lots on the weaver ...all last winter the kingfisher use to come and visit me most days if not every day .at my moorings ..he use to let me open the side hatch .and let me admire him ..when i got back to my mooring mid september .i was so looking forward to seeing him again .and to build up is trust in me only to find crt or someone had cut the trees back ...and i have not seen him since ,shame .great photo bob
    1 point
  16. If part of an integral tank is below water line, it is doubtful that water will be as much as 10 degrees, so the side of the tank will not be either. We currently have some hull lining down in Flamingo, our ex working boat, and my wife decided to remove loose rust and treat the riveted sides last week. She applied Kurust, which quickly cured above the water line, but stayed un-cured below it. Fortunately a fan heater did eventually persuade it, but it wasn't even cold that day.
    1 point
  17. 1 point
  18. If the OP had Style he would keep his Council on this matter
    1 point
  19. Bitumen is anticeptic, thats why swans and ducks pecking at a bitumen painted hull don't get ill with food poisoning. Childrens playgrounds are bitumen covered for when children fall over and graze their knees they're usually not infected. In days of yore and gore on navy sailing ships, amputated limbs after being sawn off, the bloody stumps left over were bunged up with hot tar to seal it and stop infection. Aneasthetic was half pint of rum and a bonk on the head with a mallet. Most died of shock with this treatment though. Bitumen is good for you.
    1 point
  20. I've been thinking about this thread on my way home, well it is a very boring drive, the OP managed something that is rare in my time here and we should thank him, he has created something approaching a consensus, so... Thank you @Nick Best
    1 point
  21. What is it you are still confused about re CEVNI? I know it is difficult on any forum to know the validity of the advice you get. I have no interest in willy waving about experience, but my information is from the perspective of someone who worked as an RYA training school in France for 20 years, more significantly also as an instructor and examiner authorised by the French Department d'Affaires Maritimes for French licences for pleasure and commercial purposes. I have to know the law and the information I gave on the assumption you were talking of France is correct. Now you say you will be buying in Holland that does change things slightly, and the size of boat becomes much more relevant. In the Netherlands there is no requirement for any steerer's certificate for craft under 15m and Germany accepts the ICC for craft to 15m, but I think I'm all done with writing on it for now though. Things may well have changed by the time you get your boat anyway.
    1 point
  22. But there is no reason for the OP to "mount a legal challenge". It is for Peel to seek redress through the courts if the OP (or anyone else) refuses to pay. In the OP's case, Peel have refused all invitations to do just that and so there is no action to him to defend. Perhaps your "not willing to mount a challenge because he knows he is wrong" comment is in fact more applicable to Peel.
    1 point
  23. But the OP has stated several times in this thread he has no intention of mounting a legal challenge. His only intention is to publicise his purported fact that peel have no legal basis for making the charge. Not willing to mount a challenge because he knows he is wrong, more likely.
    1 point
  24. I can't imagine where you get that from. Without looking through my files to quote the exact wording in the Reglement General de Police de Navigation every vessel on French waterways must be in command of/steered by a person with appropriate steerer's qualifictions. Once you leave tidal waters a qualification valid only for sea cruising is not valid. All French inland certificates require a test for knowledge of CEVNI rules - the computerised test is much more stringent than the piffling RYA one. There is a published list of non-French certificates that are execepted, and some (e.g. Swedish) which are not, specificaly because there is no test for knowledge of CEVNI involved with them. You do need registry details of the vessel, but full Part 1 British Registry is obviously OK, and does also prove ownership, which the SSR does not. The fact no-one demanded to see a full set of mandatory papers was just luck, but not a thing for people to rely on and inspections are becoming much more frequent now with the increase in leisure boating. I do know of a handful of people whose craft was effectively arrested and they were not allowed to continue until they had the essential documents. I've had a quick look and Article 1.02.1 is the one. It says inter alia that the conductor (the person in charge) must hold a certificate of competence for the class of vessel and the waterway it cruises. It sets out the level of fine applicable for persons in default.
    1 point
  25. On a wearhouse and the chimney of the Pumping station
    1 point
  26. I dont think they are drying their wings. When perched they often spread their wings out - I would guess they are getting heat in from the sun. You get them on many large lakes around the country so they will appear on the canals. One flew past us last week on the GU between Braunston and Napton but that's only a few miles from Draycote water where there is a significant population.
    1 point
  27. I believe that the biggest/hardest/most important learning curve for a new boater is 'electrical management' You can see when the toilet is getting full, you can see when the water tank is getting empty, you can weigh your gas bottles to find out how full they are, but 'electrics' is a mystery to most - they are just unable to understand why (for example) a 70 amp alternator doesn't 'put back into the battery' 210 amps in 3 hours
    1 point
  28. The 1972 vintage Russell Newbery was taken out of ELSTREE in about 1993 when it was replaced with an air cooled Lister HA3. If I remember correctly that Russell Newbery had a habit of running on one cylinder, but after a thorough sorting out is now in F.M.C. Ltd. motor CAMEL. The Lister HA3 was replaced by the Gardner 3LW with PRM501 gearbox in early 1999. I have all of the engine serial numbers available. I also recall being on ELSTREE in Bristol Floating Harbour shortly before the Gardner was fitted, and the owner told me how the boat required refooting and rebottoming after he had completed the under cloth conversion. During this work the hull sides were reduced slightly and the owner referred to ELSTREE now being a 'middle Woolwich'
    1 point
  29. That's what you get when you give it to a salesman who lives on a Josher Tim
    1 point
  30. Paul Weller purchased a Narrowboat for his Mum, they moored it in Pyrford Marina(true) is that Karma or topic coincidence? I Don't they lived aboard it, probably used it for music practice, or Jam Sessions?
    1 point
  31. And the more you know the less you understand,(Paul Weller song?)
    1 point
  32. If you are looking at testing that design as a future liveaboard, I would be a bit cautious. The large single sliding roof is pretty impossible to get draught free. They are fine in summer, but I have hired one in February and its not a design I would use for winter living/cruising. The single level boats with split sliding roofs seem a lot better in this respect, if a sliding roof is one of your must haves. I'm not sure a sliding roof is a great idea for a liveboard anyway. Where are you going to put all your tat?
    1 point
  33. As I get older the more I realise how little I know In fact the more I learn the more I realise how little I know
    1 point
  34. Pre boat steering practice can be had on dry land. Commandeer a rear wheel steered dumper truck and drive it around awkward obstacles. Or alternatively, drive your car in reverse everywhere for six months. If the tyres are let down by about half the vehicle should emulate a boat wallowing. Hope this helps.
    1 point
  35. Agree totally ... a lot of people know narrowboats as barges from the carrying days ... And obviously the film the bargee with harry h corbett would never have worked if it was titled the narrowboatee Rick
    1 point
  36. I engaged Mr Kedian to make and fit me two large pigeon boxes about ten years ago, before he turned up on this forum I suspect.
    1 point
  37. Apart from your blood pressure, is this causing you any issues, does it negatively effect your life in some way?
    1 point
  38. There are many moorings both on the canal and offline which don't allow you to liveaboard, that's where discretion comes in-a quality you appear to be short of.
    1 point
  39. Nothing more to be said really is there? I think Blackrose would redeem himself in the eyes of the forum if he apologised for his ill considered remark.
    1 point
  40. You could go in and out through all the routes and really explore all the BCN, last year we had a trip coming in to Brum via the Wolverhampton 21 then out via the Stratford, back in via the Grand Union and out again via the Stourbridge.
    1 point
  41. Err actualy NOT..........just extracting the michael
    1 point
  42. I never attended any of the nationals around the country, however have attended the show at crick which allowed me to be in the position I am now as a 1/12 owner of a boat. However I happen to live in St Neots the location of next years festival ( though ironically wont be going as it clashes with 2 weeks on the boat). If no one has ever been over to this part of the world I would encourage attendence by boat or car or train... in the town we have to offer... A large riverside park where the festival is to be held. Good transport links by car, train or x5 bus from Oxford to Cambridge. A very pleasant river system to explore...with some nice towns on the way. But of course I would encourage as many visiting boats to make the trip down the nene, over the middle levels and up the great ouse, yes it is out on a limb but worth it. The end of the river at Bedford is worth the journey to as well with the lovely embankment area. And if the long talked about bedford to milton keynes link gets built then this are will be so much more accessible. So thats the advertorial over.... Please come and enjoy the area.. Rob Nb EOS
    1 point
  43. Dear Black Rose being as you state most people haven’t heard of me prior to this forum perhaps you might like a potted history of my work life In 1967 I started working for Kearney and Treacker in Brighton and did a four year apprenticeship as a Fabricator welder passsing EITB courses with credits and City and Guilds fabricaton and welding courses with credit I moved to Northampton for personal reasons in 1973 and was offered a position with Hancock and Lane in Daventry and began a further apprenticeship in steel boat building I worked up through the ranks to become a leading hand I have built boats for notable companies ie Peter Nicholls yacht builders. G &J Reeves Probuild narrow boats and Steelcraft during this time I have been involved in the construction of over 100 boats I decided that I would like to finish by running my own company Kedian Engineering I bring over 45 yers of experience to this forum and am happy to share that if asked Thank you for your interest in my journey and for your comments on this forum which I take on board and read with interest Martin
    1 point
  44. Gin Palace : it's usually said in a somewhat negative tone, but I've always thought it sounds rather nicer than," Expensive floating shed for drinking with your mates, or conducting illicit liaisons.(or both, but not necessarily at the same time)." Towing a butty: The late and fondly remembered Nigel Carter was bow hauling the Mary into a lock when a passing lady asked whether the boat had broken down. Nigel, adopting his most solemn expression and sonorous tone of voice replied, " No, I'm afraid the horse has died". The lady hurried to rejoin her companions exclaiming, "Did you hear that? His horse is dead". They all said, "Ooooh! what a shame!"
    1 point
  45. I luv widebeams why wouldn't you like a boat that handles better, is more stable and VASTLY more comfortable than a narrowboat? Lets be honest 7 feet wide is a pain in the aress and none of us would pick it as a first choice width if we hadn't been lumbered with 7 feet wide locks. Yes some people don't get it that certain locations are unsuitable for certain boats but it doesn't mean the boats are crap.
    1 point
  46. Will you not be breaking the law if you let it go? As a non indigenous species it is illegal to release back into the wild, it should be humanely destroyed and roasted for Sunday dinner
    1 point
  47. And I might suggest various peeps crying loudly how unfair it all is will eventually mean there will come a time when there really arn't any liveaboards quietly getting on with their lives
    1 point
  48. 1 point
  49. As a confirmed narrow boater and student of canal history with little interest outside of narrow craft made from steel or timber you might think it's obvious where my sympathy will lie. However I don't agree with the premise of the OP at all. In 50 years since the end of wholesale commercial carrying we have gone from the threat of little or no craft on the waterways to worrying about what sort of boat can go where. The true threat to canals is from under use not over use or perceived inappropriate use. The rise in demand for boats is a product of our time and things will not be so favourable regarding the usage of canals forever. In some places it still isn't and the threat of consequences of underuse are real. Be thankful for what we have. The 'blame' for this situation lies with the Grand Union company; it was they who opened up north of Braunston for wider craft with their ill-fated widening of the Napton & Warwick and Warwick & Birmingham canals. Before that I believe the stop narrows at Braunston toll house was only wide enough to pass narrow beam boats. Personally I think it a great shame this scheme ever happened. However we can't change the fact that it did happen and we must deal with the consequences. It was also that scheme which gave rise to the real anomaly in this debate; namely that the section of the south Oxford between Braunston and Napton that is part of the wide route from London to Birmingham is surely even less suited to wide beam craft than the north Oxford beyond Braunston? As for the issue of Berkhamsted being the northerly limit for wide beam craft I don't believe that the intention of either the Grand Junction company in 1800 or the Grand Union company in 1930 was that their wide locks would never be used by wide craft. It was lack of demand requiring such that caused that. There also was a time in history when wide boats did trade to Braunston in small numbers. Today there is a demand for wider craft and the principal problems around the movement of wide craft are dredging and vegetation management which are eminently solvable. This section of canal may never be ideal for wide craft but that it is delicate point since it can easily be argued that craft longer than 57' in the north or ex-GUCCCo boats on the BCN are not suited to those canals yet such craft do operate in those areas. And there is unlikely to be any craft on the network with more potential for causing damage than a butty crewed by volunteers. So I would say put the effort into campaigning for dredging and particularly vegetation management instead of telling others where they should or shouldn't take their boats. Ultimately it may just be doing canals more harm than good. JP
    1 point
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