Leaderboard

Dont try B&Q, they never have more than 4 of anything and one of those is broken and another 2 warped.

As long as it isn't stuck in a field and you have to get it over a wall with a JCB, you shouldn't have any problems with your bost.

Indeed and this reality is that someone who tried to improve his lot has lost his shelter and has scorn poured on him for his efforts. Hopefully the publicity will demonstrate his ingenuity when facing adversity and someone will give him a job. The least he could be doing is fancy log cabins in posh gardens. You are indeed entitled to your opinion but don't worry my buttons have not been "pushed". I am perfectly happy and calm discussing this subject whilst avoiding the blinkered condemnation of someone just trying to keep warm this winter.

No, you don’t have to buy anything at all. OP asked for a recommendation for a relative density tester and was offered a few options that he can consider. Nobody suggested that you had to buy anything.

I read Nibbles comment as being that it was stupid to put the 'vessel' in view on a busy waterway underneath a no mooring sign - similar to putting up a tent on the central reservation of the M1 - it is going to generate some action. Maybe they do not have any understanding of waterways law, but hopefully they could read 'no mooring'. Had they been a little more sensible they could have 'hidden' it on some quiet backwater or out in the 'wilds' and they would probably have got away with it for some considerable time. Being homeless does not make you an idiot or dumb - but doing idiotic or dumb things does.

Does the fear that building a shelter on land risks it being bulldozed by the council make them dumb idiots? The homeless tend to know more about the law regarding illegal encampments than the laws on boat registration and illegal mooring. Let's face it we have spent years debating the finer points of waterways legislation on here without drawing any conclusions. Wanting to live somewhere other than a cardboard box in a shop doorway does not make you an idiot or dumb.

At the end of the day I think the problem is that the idiots were dumb enough to stick it on the water where it sticks out like a sore thumb and more or less challenges CaRT to do something about it.

We're having a few days out of the marina, and currently moored at the top of Foxton, which is having a CRT open-weekend, where the public can visit the bottom of the drained locks. I noticed this feature, which I thought might be interesting to you peeps. First picture shows the outlet from the upper side pond on the left, where the water comes in. Opposite it is a recess in the wall which breaks up and disperses the flow to avoid the boat getting bashed around. Second picture shows the recess in more detail, with the wrought-iron support for the brickwork above. Finally, the third picture shows what's in the bottom of the short pound halfway down the flight. All those black "sticks"? Side fenders. Dozens of them. I always thought fenders in locks was a silly idea. Cheers, MP.

Thanks for all the comments. Went today to change gearbox oil and had a good look at the bolts holding the gearbox together,and the flange bolts. I think it must be the crappy photo that makes it look worse than it is. The top bolt on the gearbox has a thicker washer than the other so making it look out of line. In gear the flange spins true without any wobble,so I think everything is ok, so thank you all for your input.

That centre screw between the two cables looks the same adjuster as my Parmax 2.9. If its already adjusted to maximum by previous owner, it should only be able to turn one way, which will reduce the cut-out pressure. The pump label shows its factory set cut-out was 1.7 bar, but this is adjustable if its the same as mine, which I think it will be.

I agree. We purchased a new fridge when the BM2 was showing the fridge continuously drawing over 5 amps and not turning off so it is a good indicator of when something isn't normal. It was then good to see the new one only using just over 3 amps when it kicks in. I always glance at the charge when I start the engine in the morning as a good indicator of when the alternator belt needs tightening.

So how did the previous owner turn up the pressure? Have you tried turning that screw? Here are Jabsco’s installation instructions, showing where the accumulator should be installed. https://www.jabscoshop.com/advice-and-support/jabscoshop-about-pressurised-fresh-water-pumps.htm

Yes, check that pressure gauge you showed earlier. Adjust the pressure switch (just a quarter turn at a time), turn a tap on until the pump runs, turn the tap off until the tap stops, note the pressure. That centre crosshead screw looks likely.

I think you have to unclip the rectangular blue plastic cover for access to the pressure adjustment screw. Mine's a Parmax 2.9 and has a small phillips head screw to turn - but I've forgotten which way! Trial and error I guess.

Better to moor against the bank

Er yes. Not another one of those. Would a dutch/Italian say 'paperworks' when the rest of the english is pretty much perfect. To the OP. If you are bringing a boat into the UK, make sure it has a working Smartgauge.

It was probably moored opposite where there is a long trot of live aboard boats and moved across opposite to fish it out. That tow path stretch just before the tunnel used to be a good over night stop over mooring which I've used two or three times and was secure at night as the gates at either end of that towpath stretch were locked at night, BW lock so one could go in and out.

Stop digging Alan. It is quite clear that your prejudice makes you determined not to acknowledge that the photo is taken at the craning out site, not the mooring. There are those who choose to think the best of people and those who think the worst. I am happy to be the former.

8:00 am "We were asleep and they put the door in......" "The former gas plumber who became homeless 8 months ago .........." "We told them we had nowhere else to go ....." "We were planning to fit solar panels and a shower....." I'd suggest that those statements would indicate that it was for 'living on'.

OK - fair enough, I'm of an age where PC excesses drive me crazy.

Hi Mike, Is that for the two weeks of sunny days each year lol. Thanks for Mike the offer of your cool box, but how big is it, only as i have got a space for it to go in. 41hx41wx32d cm. Oh yes where are you though? I always do use freezer packs, they are great, i use them everyday for work in a cool bag as i need to keep my insulin cool in my butty bag. I have plans here for one i designed ages ago when i started to fit the boat out and plan it all. I wanted a fridge but not liking the price i thought i would make my own fridge/box. Then though i decided to just get a cool box and now i am that busy to make one. The bottom of the cool box cupboard is not insulated and gets cool air from the bilge so that will help keep the cupboard cool along with a vent to outside to draw cooler air in. And the cupboard will be lined out with insulation to keep the warm air/ambient from the cabin air out.

Really........................ I wouldn't have posted if it wasn't appropriate - Ray (ex Streethay Wharf owner) has been in business moving boats across the channel and elsewhere for at least 30 years

“Welcome to Telepathics Anonymous. Don’t bother introducing yourself.” Am I getting a sense of little pity for people who are homeless on this blog? I am sure that there are people who are boaters for the same reason..they cant afford a house or dont want to live in a house with bad neighbours. Been homeless myself before and dont think that stigmatising the homeless helps the situation

I try to adopt a live and let live attitude to fishermen but its difficult sometimes. Whenever I clean the prop there is fishing line (and sometimes hooks) round it. Have watched a moorhen slowly die whilst tangled in fishing line, watched by its babies, and they do keep crapping in the hedge and don't bury it and my dog likes to roll in it!!!!! A few nice fishermen but sadly mostly baduns. .................Dave

Thanks to all who have responded Got some good help We have searched a few and it would appear that there are a few bit cheaper and some that will allow us to stay on boat whilst we work on it so just now have to decide where when lol yes eeyore we have looked at them and its possible just weighing up pros and cons and planning what we need to do lol

I think I'll just go and polish my engine, or empty the toilet, anything would be better than this.

Smug-Face. It makes one glad to own GRP boats.

Remember the couple of rafts with tents/sheds on them that were downstream of Teddington on the tidal bit? they were there for ages, added a bit of interest really to all that greenery. Over the years I have had friends that have lived in vans, coaches, sheds, garages, beautiful boats (a few) old and tired wooden boats (quite a lot) and cheap and nasty boats (many) , also damp caravans, a home made geodesic dome and unpleasant squats, its a long list and a lot of people. Vive la difference.

reminds me of a little incident years ago breaking ice, lock wheeling ahead came round corner fishist trying to kill fish through hole in ice. Mentioned there would soon be broken ice everywhere and he might want to move the crap lying on the ice ( 50 foot carbon pole keep net, 36 inch tv , usual stuff they drag about) he told me to ' off' sue came crashing round the corner breasted up pair ice everywhere he was seen trying grab everything as the canal disintegrated round him.

Wouldn’t it be dull if we all lived the same? I welcome and in fact celebrate the diversity of different dwellings, it matters not a joy to me how legal someone else is, but I agree with a couple of others, this was a stunt more than anything, fair play!

The PRV is a safety device designed to operate only during a fault condition. This needs fixing. Worst case scenario is your calorifier will split from repeated over-pressuring and you'll have a £600 repair bill.

Technology !!!!! Just received an email : BWML are introducing a new system shortly which will make it easier for you to obtain gas oil (red diesel) at the 60%/40% rate at your local marina. For this you will need a BWML fuel card. To obtain your fuel card you will first need to register on-line at https://bwml.co.uk/fuelcards/ .Further information is outlined via this link. As part of this registration process you will complete an annual declaration for HMRC purposes. This only needs to be done once every tax year (starting April 1st) and is your declaration for fuel purchases with BWML in the relevant tax year. Your individual purchases are then recorded against the unique number on your BWML Fuel Card. There is therefore no need to complete individual declarations for every purchase as may be the case with other suppliers. The card you obtain will also operate the auto-vend diesel pumps at any of our other sites around the country with a similar facility- currently Kings,Sawley, Galgate,White Bear,and soon to come Cowroast. Other BWML sites may have staff operated machines and your card will be required to access fuel at these sites as well.

Its probably the column of moving water hitting the closed tap so the pressure on the PRV rises until l the pressure pulse "bounces£ back down the system. A bit like water hammer. Turning the pump cut out pressure down a little may very well stop it. The pressure adjustment is usually a screw in the non-cylindrical end of the pump.

A total loon I reckon, boating in weather like that!

I'd imagine this poor sod has anger issues with most of society and on that day it was boaters. I also imagine he chooses situations where witnesses are thin on the ground and the object of his tirade is physically removed from him to avoid direct confrontation within a few seconds. It feeds some need within him to feel a man as he's probably lacking in many other ways too. Those who do know him will have long recognised him as an inadequate bully and never believe anything he says as he has to exaggerate and lie to appear hard (which in his head is important). I tend to talk calmly as if in a casual conversation, and answer as if inconsequential questions had been posed. Phones with a camera are a god send in case things turn badly stupid, that and the fact there is a few feet of water between you.

Thanks. As it had been on charge on the mains for a few weeks, I can not see that the 100% in that case it would not actually be 100% as near as dam it, so if itis really is fully charged is 14.8V OK? I will try and measure the alternator current in the fully charged case next time we go out on the boat. On the light I would not describe it as flickering that to me implies random, it was I think 5 flashes at say 1 second intervals, which seems very much like a signal (eg as the shoreline fridge does on under voltage). I did check all the connections that I could and found nothing. Could mean anything! It could be quite possible it has always been 14.8V, not sure I have ever looked before!

I think its a marvellous attempt at cocking-a-snoop at authority. It is harmless fun , nothing more. If there were thousands of these home-made rafts around blocking access then it might be problem but I think its a sign of how authoritarian a society we have become when someone does something for a laugh and gets such a reaction...talk about Big Brother looking over our shoulders..its scary. The fact that its in front of a No Mooring sign says it all surely?

Surely this " vessel " is a pile of litter cunningly crafted into something that looks like a house. If it is not registed as a boat , it has no bss , no insurance & yet it has a means of cooking & heating (?) then it is basically a pile of rubbish thrown together in order to create a deathtrap . As is usual with such " accidents waiting to happen " it is unlikely to be the owners who go up in flames but poor innocent nearby . Suppose the authorities wait until the gas bottle explodes or it catches fire near other more boat shaped boats then folk will say " why oh why did the navigation authority not do anything about it ? " . Then , as if the owners stupidity wasn t plain enough they moor up 6 feet away from a No Mooring sign . Times are tough , folk are struggling , rents are bonkers but frankly these muppets are taking the piss . CRT have responsibilities to other people on the canal & adjacent to the canal & they are more important than the fuckwits who put that pile of crap together . screw em

I think it looked splendid, and brightened up that dismal cutting.