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I wonder if this boat is still available? Another one off experiment at "modernising" canal boats. The asking price was somewhat in excess of £12k though. ETA. Further to Twooh10's very valid comments about boats being built to be "in sympathy" with their environment, a bow as above could do damage to a lock gate or another boat.

I think the OP should start his own boat building company, hoover up all the pent up demand for quality boats and make himself a fortune given how easy it will be using CAD.

Just to be clear I have absolutely NO problem with engines/gennies running within the 8 till 8 rules although you can and should be aware of disturbance/ exhaust fumes - my problem was with the close mooring up as we do try to find occasional remote spots to allow our dogs a treat of some freedom without disturbing others - and YES we do clear up

Not like a CM'er, mostly a small cruiser covered in junk with the bank next to it with assorted junk. I am sure you can make a good stab at telling the difference, if not you need to get out more

I wonder reading your last post why you are even on the forum 2 points made by you 1, you know & don't need advice quote I can gleen it all in half a day from the internet 2, What ever you say my take on the subject is the way i'm going to go ,In that case why are you seeking advice if you know it all & your way is the only way you will consider going + your general attitude will get you well liked on the cut should you ever get afloat Advice is sometimes given that is not wanted but if you come to a forum seeking advice you might at least give consideration to the points made by others not call others that differ from your thinking as stone age numptys after all a goodly number of them have probably been building shells/boats longer than youv'e been on earth & they are still going strong & have long waiting lists so must be doing something right/appealing to a good number of potential buyers .I hope you can find someone to fulfill you dreams but I think your attitude will need modifying to get any where to realizing your aim

May I ask the OP a question out of curiosity? What makes you think that canal boating is for you? I think you said you are new to this forum, but I’m not sure if we know what you experience of canals is (I may not have read all the posts, so forgive me if I’ve missed this). Many people on canals are here precisely because they like escaping many of the trappings of the modern world and embrace not having to keep up with the times. As far as boat building goes it may be worth a reminder that this is a pretty small community. There are something in the region of 35,000 (??) boats registered on CRT’s waters and many of them were built in the last century. The size of the market does not necessarily encourage large-scale ambition. Innovation is also much hampered not only by the value and interest that many people place on these waterways’ history and tradition, but also by the dimensions and infrastructure of the narrow canals. It is not merely the restrictive dimensions of a lock which dictate a narrowboats’ design, but also the curve of bridges, the depth and shape of channel, the need to maintain rope and person quick access to certain areas, to not have additions which may cause potential damage to infrastructure or person. For these reasons many design features have their origins firmly rooted in the 19th century! Also, not many people will keep one boat for their entire lifetime, they will want to sell at some point, and something out-of-the-ordinary is frequently hard to sell (think the house sellers neutral colours!) Sea going boats, and even river designs have a far greater scope for variation. I think your internet search for builders is a good start. Many of what would be thought of here as the “best” builders are indeed older and often do not have the fanciest websites – they do not need to. Also many of these people will have long waiting lists. I think you may be looking to find someone younger and perhaps more recently established who is not so entrenched in traditional ways. Sorry, but I am not able to help with any names. As has been said before, please do update the forum with your progress. I for one am much intrigued as to what your bespoke designs may be! Good luck.

So, is there a dog alone on a boat near Bridge 133 and Tring railway station? If so, would someone go and have a look and rescue it... I’m in Spain, so not in a position to do anything. Take it to a vets, or a rescue centre, (Dogs Trust), or just take care of it until the owner is sorted?

Hi it's me Roger just a note to let you all know I am fine. I am not dead as some people say. It's business as usual. Thanks for all your concern. Roger

..... and you wouldn't want any of it to rub off on the barge pole ?

I don't see the problem with charging batteries at 5.30 pm? The bylaws on cart controlled anyway are 8 till 8. I tend to charge my batteries when they need charging not when they are full and I will be running mine later between 7 and 8 this throws a bit of charge in but also ensures I have a tank full of still very hot water for our showers in the morning. Not every body moves every day and will still need lectricerry.

And have reinforced the presumed right of another selfish boater to continue with their actions although of course it ain't 8 pm yet so they are doing nowt wrong engine wise at least innitt ?

I’d still try for 7 of 9...

Precisely. I have never been hit by one yet I find the eejuts all slow or stop. Their infantile bully style brains simply can't react quickly enough to work out how else to deal with the non moving obstacle. The gennies don't bother me if it's between 8 and 8 I just think why would you to myself but it's no big deal.

Futile

Do you feel better for that?

And was your engine grateful?

I often think that the best use of a boat pole is to stand on the towpath holding the pole with the other end resting on the towpath at an angle just on the water's edge. "Sorry I didn't see you coming..."

Some of us don't! Weighing in at over 100kg Ill take my chances with cyclists. I used to be known as the portable roundabout for a very good reason.

Yes it is frustrating. What's worse is if the new neighbour then decides he wants to be your best friend. Decades ago my dad observed that if we went out for a car-ride and picnic, and found a perfect spot, within 10 minutes, two other vehicles would be squeezing themselves in alongside. He also thought it was because people are afraid of being on their own.

Because we don't want to be hit by a bicycle?

That's modern day boating.

I thought we were slowly moving towards the point where he tells us he has! ??

Thing is, people turn up frequently here asking much the same questions as you have, and the result is usually the same. Boat builders are busy, their books are full. What they don't need are customers bringing jobs to them with 'features' that have problems or issues that they have already seen and solved years ago. So they are very wary of enthusiastic potential new owners with armfuls of schemes and ideas What they will really want to do is sound out a potential client to see if they can work with them Best bet is to go and talk to some boat builders and see if you get on. Then start discussing what you want from a boat, and listen to what they say. They have many years experience of boat design and building And if what you want really is a shell with the windows where you want them, I can't see you having a problem Richard Max Talmey, Einstein's mentor Richard He was an ophthalmologist, perhaps he would know how to design a good looking boat

It will seesaw around the centre of gravity.

I think its in Galway. https://connachttribune.ie/damaged-lock-gate-prompts-flooding-fears-977/

Hi I'm not keen to build new boats but I'm still doing loads of work, rebottoming, extending and all sorts of metalwork and fabrication. Who knows what the future holds. I may be tempted in the future. Best wishes Roger

It does amuse me that he has written them off as thick hillbillies who can't work computers. I know a few of them have built one of the precut kits just to see if it is easier than their usual method, and have either decided it isn't suitable for their building style, or use the technique for the "fiddly" bits where appropriate. I'm wondering what he's going to make of a 200 year old muddy ditch with hand operated wooden gates to keep the water in. That could do with bringing into the 21st century as well - maglev tracks perhaps?

Or spare anodes waiting for the next docking. Mike Carter to me at my first BSS: “It’s a good job you haven’t got any big lumps of magnesium in here, isn’t it, Bruce?”

Narrowboats stopped for shopping (as opposed to stopped for years) tend not to have the roofs covered in junk.

"Great Expectations"

it also looks to be a lock landing rather than a mooring space

With respect Phil i think it is obvious to most that you have no experience of boat builders or even canal boat builders. Visit a few and maybe you might appreciate what others have already said. Most reputable canal boat builders have been around for many many years, a fair number since leaving school and now in their 60s or even 70s. I can think of some that have probably built thousands of shells. Tim Tyler and Jonathan Wilson spring to mind. My own "custom built" boat was designed by a Naval Architect and built by a 65year old, a 70 year old, and a "lad" of 40ish. Between them they probably had over a 120 years of boatbuilding experience. Whoever you approach for your boat build, please treat them with respect or you will not be received well. I know some of the comments made on here might grate a little but there is some good advice also. CAD may well make an appearance in canal boatbuilding but I wouldn't hold my breath. Good luck with your project.

I don't know if this helps, but the top picture shows what is would look like with a 60' boat in the centre of the mooring and the bottom picture shows the full length ot mooring to be 44.18metres (should have been easily enough space for two 60' (18 metre) boats with neither have to overhang anything).

But you have not worked with boat builders, they do it how they do it, you will not change that. Go see boat builders instead of wasting time on here.

Just be aware if it's a waterproof coat any cleaning agent will strip the proofing off so you will have to re proof it. If it's just grease, swarfega would be as good as anything. I used to be in the upholstery cleaning business and despite all the so called professional products we had access to, more often than not it was good old swarfega for a stubborn oily stain. Another really good product for grease which is pretty much safe to use on anything is auto glym engine and machine cleaner which you can get eg in Halfords. I have this at home, on the boat, in the car, it really is miracle stuff.

I'm not buying it Dr Bob. If you were that much of a fan you would be at the game. JP

Bob. Life is way too short to watch a load of daft blokes kicking a ball about. Get a life mate there realy is much more than poxy football out there innitt ?

Thanks Paul and Mike for the interest in this old sod who is need of in help. As mentioned its only sanding the hull below water line. These are the recent pics i have just taken of where i have got upto, it looks a lot done but only a little is sanded really and more on the rear end is needed to be ground out and filled, along with what has been filled maybe more sanding once sanded back has been done, the usual fill sand fill sand etc. I caked the filler on good so maybe be one session on the sander will do the job without more filling. Thats all really that i need help with. I feel a bit daft needing help but the so called mates are busy....fancy that. I have been doing this bit in the pics for weeks as its to pan full in the end. Stop start every minute then even more agony for days after. I know its not the most exciting of jobs so i understand if are not keen on it. Feel bad enough asking for help as if i can do things myself i do so. I am happy to work on your boats in exchange, obviously no sanding like this laying on my back though. If anybody can help i really appreciate it very much. Wayne

A narrowboat is not an engineering piece - it is more akin to a commissioning a sculpture than buying a widget. You are getting someone to create from flat steel a knockoff of a wooden boat with a few tweaks - it is very very different to ordering a car or designing a type of house. You are also doing it based on 10 year old prices from a bankrupt company that churned out cheap shells of debatable variable quality. I don't think you will get the shell you want at a price you want to pay, built the way you want to work unless you design the whole thing yourself and contract it out to a jobbing fabricator shop, not a boatbuilder. I'm sad that you think we are winding you up, but there is a reason we are not all telling you it can be done - those of us that know the "industry" (it's more like a craft fair!) don't think you understand how it works.

I can see you point of view, but boat building is a craft, its not really engineering. If you have a computer controlled lathe or mill then yes, CAD is what its all about. But boatbuilding is about forming 6mm steel plates, they are part welded then maybe lugs welded on and a block and tackle used to bend them into shape, in fact I expect many builders have their own "special" method of forming the shapes, pull a bit, stand back and look, pull a bit more, yes, that looks right, weld it in place. CAD only really works with CNC tools! Boats are like Victorian houses, the tape measure and spirit level are a starting point, but standing back and looking is also important. ...............Dave

Never mind about that tame TV rubbish, Transvestite policemen, Lama theft, and class A drug dealing are rife in the Archers. ...............Dave