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I would simply get rid of those small side pipe fenders. They don’t do any good, are not necessary, and tend to get ripped off in locks creating a potential problem for other boaters. Quite anti-social in fact. Fenders are for mooring, not to compensate for bad driving!

The weed on the hull shows that the ducks have been on lock down somewhere else. Now that they are able to travel to their second home around your boat it will give them something to eat. You aren't supposed to sleep on board overnight yet, so the rat a tat tat of their pecking in the early hours of the morning won't wake you up. Much cheaper than shop bought duck food. Locally sourced and organic too. ? The fenders attached to the gunwale thing has been torn to shreds by other posters already, but I thought I'd add my bit. When I first got this boat and on its first trip I decked it out with fenders attached to the gunwale eyes with old retired climbing carabiners once I was on to the wide locks of the Trent and Mersey. Thought the krabs would make them easy to remove. Unfortunately I was right! The action of rubbing along the lock sides coming in unclipped every one of the fenders and I lost the lot. Live and learn. I now hang fenders with long ropes from the hand rail while mooring only. Jen

Actualy old boy they should be lifted at all times when underway

The green 'tool' is used to hold several supermarket bags. Thread it through the handles and put the spade end through the slot. It is easier to carry them than the individual plastic finger cutting handles. I'm assuming that it is flexible, we've something similar.

I, and many others, worry about what the police are not doing, such as investigating burglaries and prosecuting shoplifters. Not so long ago we were being told that the constabulary was dangerously under resourced, now they seem to have the time to drive up and down quiet mountain roads and deserted streets at night. Ever been on the receiving end of police harassment? If you ever are, you will change your view.

Help - I'm at a loss to understand how staying overnight on a boat you can visit two days running is any more a threat than the two visits?

Firstly, many thanks for the many PM's and Emails, I've only just gone 'back onto the computer and seen them. It has been a weird couple of weeks with all sorts of 'ailments' rolled into one - I'm still very short of breath just walking 50yards, but it is getting better - so - stand by for the old 'me'. You'll all be boating soon.

More on the Mosel. The line alongside still had steam haulage, the electrification plan having hit problems in the tunnels. One of these things came to a stand one evening in this position on the bridge and we got the full display: the hissing of steam, the clatter of fire-irons, beams of light when the firebox door was opened, then the wailing of the whistle and the gathering of power as the signal turned to green.

Many of you will know George and Helen Smith from their UCC camping boat days. This is their barge a Belgian registered spits which they worked for around 20 years before retiring back to Braunston a couple of years ago. Picture at Conde sur Marne on Bastille day but George wouldn’t stop. Load going to a cement works on the Rhone from Belgium.

Lock keeper's garden ornaments on the Marne à la Saône canal (now renamed the canal Champagne à Bourgogne, but just to confuse things generally called the Heuilly canal by the boat people.) Tam

How do you know that? I'm 36 and I've done a lot seen a lot and went through some serious crap before the age of 13 so.....she has an opinion, you certainly do so she is due hers as you are yours. Just because your older does not mean yours should be listened to any more than hers, in fact yours are perhaps more deeply entrenched due to age so perhaps it is you who is less able to open yourself up to conflicting opinions and your ability to see both sides...note i said perhaps.

I am just waiting to see if I can get a local CRT number that might work better, but yes it should be an official request. When I have been emailed with a request asking if anybody is available and I am I usually sort out meeting with the boater directly so we have contact before the day and I turn up at the right time and place and are expected

, And you know what they say. We end up similar as when we were born, outspoken and naughty, often tyranical and irrational, height and size deminishes as well as the brain, No hair, no teeth, can't see much, , often need nappies again, can't walk far, start crawling again and burbling and bubbling at the mouth.

Well no. The UK government (in their wisdom - we voted them in) have decided we are not in a total lockdown and are relaxing the rules. I agree with the relaxation as this virus is not going to go away and locking us up for another month or two is just going to delay our exposure later in the year. The only advantage of a total lockdown is to delay our exposure until they get a better handle on how to treat us, but at the cost of peeps dying for all sorts of other reasons. The summer is coming. Transmission will be less while we are outdoors and as the NHS has lots of capacity, now is the time (for me) to relax the rules. It seems from all the studies out there that less than 10% of the population has had this disease so locking us up is not going to achieve herd immunity. Letting it spread slowly is I think the best idea today. The big problem is that the government advice/laws are so confused that no one really knows what to do and the SUV brigade can flout what we think the laws are. I just hope they find the medical solution to treat the worst cases to stop people dying as soon as possible. That is to me the best cases scenario.

Wow we are all allowed a viewpoint...i get that, its a discussion but id love to see you stand in front of her and say all this stuff folks, i couldn't hurt someone feelings like that....you all need to have an argument or something cuz there is some serious attitudes towards her here. If i was sat in my house and a dog came up to the windows jumping at them barking or scratching at them id have a thing to say and so would you I'm sure....so if it is true and I'm sure it is i know emma and her mum as im one of these (ex) youtubers we've met (and yes i always worked very hard not a jobless uneducated bum) then they have every right to complain. Don't like watching don't do it and try not to rip her apart as she may be on this forum. This is supposed to be a place for knowledge and celebrating a common passion. If that was my boat and i was there and that happened to me id be polite the first time asking them to please stop there dogs jumping at the windows... the second again id ask poltely but as my pride and joy was being potential damaged and my health put at risk id let them know they are pushing there luck the third. You all discussed in depth about how its dangerous to travel and against government guidance etc but for this its her fault she should move....they are not in front of the house, they do not engage with the home of these people, they are just trying to live there life and keep safe. Honestly sometimes i wonder where all those lovely people on the cut are that I've met and would do anything to help others.......not here obviously. (No not true I've met a few on here and they were perfectly lovely).....try it!

So now you don't lke teenagers or anyone who does not agree with your moral code/ethics/ethnicity/ religion/or wearing socks with sandals., pathetic. I am glad she has overcome all the negative and spiteful comments on here, but has had to turn off comments. I don't usually watch her stuff as it's not my style, but I subscribed and gave her a thumbs up, for courage in the face of adversary! Keep going girl, don't let the old gits on here get you down.

Quite agree. We had a 25Kg Delta on our lumpy water boat. Not the easiest to set and pretty useless if trying to set when the sea bed is getting deeper ie you are moving away from shore. The only need for an anchor on a NB is in an emergency and it must set first time. If near a river bank but being pulled towards the centre, the bed is getting deeper and no chance to set (unless snagged). As the river gets shallower on the other side then the anchor is going up hill and will far more easily set. As its unlikely you will recover your anchor, peeps wont want to spend £500 plus on a Mantus or a Rocna (the best). The best answer is dont get yourself in a position where you need to deploy your anchor! We spent 3 years living aboard and anchoring many many times. I am still crap at anchoring. God help anyone who has to do it first time in an emergency!

I'm still happy to police myself, which is largely how the country used to run itself when I was a lad.

The rule is designed to deter long distance travel which in itself offers opportunities for virus transmission eg calling at service stations. If people can't sensibly make the two way journey in a day they should stay at home. If people are allowed to stay overnight on boats then staying overnight in holiday homes or caravans etc should be allowed too. Staying in holiday homes etc also may involve long distance travel and potentially brings the virus into area that are otherwise relatively free of it. Staying overnight on a boat may involve a need to use communal toilet facilities which is another means of spreading the virus . People need to be given simple rules - they may appear illogical in some circumstances .

The idea of a curtain twitcher would suggest someone who has an unwarranted interest in their neighbour's activities even though they may have no impact on their own life. This isn't anything like that. The idea of one rule for the 'rebels' and one for the rest in this situation just doesn't wash. Play the game ffs or else it will keep spreading

Can't see how it would be possible for staff to check the overnight properly. Torchlight through the windows at midnight? Now people can get to their boats guess some are going to take the proverbial. At the end of the day though, staying out at second home is against the law so the police could prosecute if irrefutable proof. Marina, just like other businesses, should have stated distancing and sanitation policies/guidance in place before reopening, eg one off - one on the jetty, Not dismissing the Q; someone staying over on their leisure boat at the moment is simply claiming to be more important, more privileged and more entitled to put everyone else at greater risk than the rest of us.

It sounds a bit melodramatic, but 12V wiring overheating because the fuses, or breakers are the wrong size to protect it, or bypassed can lead to a fire that can burn a boat out in only a few minutes. Just because the voltage isn't high enough to give a shock doesn't mean it isn't to be treated with respect. Jen

I think the girl has probably had enough, I know I have. I could hardly believe this is dragging on, so many hurtful and negative comments. I think it is outrageous, and really little to do with boating , a lot to do with ranting by some very unpleasant people.

Sounds a bit like the small alternator isn’t working. It could have been faulty for a long time, masked by the other sources of charge and the VSR. If it is working “slightly” ie getting the voltage up to 13v or whatever, it could be that most of the diodes are blown just leaving a pair to rectify one phase. You mentioned the warning light earlier, is the warning light for the small alternator still illuminating when the ignition switched on and goes off when engine starts?

We have this type of fender holder which clip onto the handrail. They came with the boat so not sure where they came from, but any decent metal fabricator should be able to knock some up cheaply. They are lined with adhesive closed foam tape, so don't damage the paint and can be hooked onto.the handrail exactly where they are needed.

Completely agree. Blue makes pump out toilets stink. Our shareboats always had smelly toilets because people couldnt resist using the stuff. When we got our own boat the previous owner told me he never used anything and the toilet didn't smell at all. The manual suggested the same. So we didn't use blue and didn't have any smells. Still true after 6 years. Even when I cut a hole in the waste tank to fit the sensor for a level gauge the tank didn't smell much. The only thing I ever put in the toilet is Leesan descaling acid to remove limescale from the macerator pump, and I do that before a pump out. PS Definately worth fitting an MCS level gauge. The boat came with a "tank full" warning light, so we always pumped out as soon as practicable after it lit up. Since fitting the MCS level gauge, it has become obvious that the "tank full" warning lights just before the tank is 50% full. The MCS gauge soon paid for itself in the reduced number of pump outs needed.

3 is still useless at Heyford but o2 works on some mooring spots. I have found that o2 has the best coverage when I travel wether it be downt K and A or oop norrfff or in between. I have tried 3 twice over the years and binned it due to poor coverage. However things change all the time and different locations come and go. Where my old mums house is we got zero signal on o2 until last year when it suddenly became 5 bars in every room. If I change which I doubt I may give 3 a try again as I think they have upped their game recently.

In other countries, the virus isnt able to travel sideways.

What a plonker, eh?

Yes you get FFP1/2/3 donated by different coloured bands FFP3 will protect you against asbestos fibres and silica dust bacteria etc The statement about a one way valve is not strictly always true depending on style of mask you purchase and application. Some have mushroom style vents with filters you breath in through and an filter piece directly in front of the mouth the exhale or vice versa. Im a mask fit tester so know a bit about masks. Good link to see what masks can protect against https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.uvex-safety.com/fileadmin/www.uvex-safety.com/Media/catalogues_and_brochures/en/uvex_respiratory_protection_guide_PPE_EN.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiBv-TahLvpAhWLURUIHWO7Aq8QFjAAegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw1Lj3E0g-SBFtH-jIN54ufA

I tested my small alternator to try to find out if/how I can use it in my lithium charging system - can anyone help me make sense of these results? The positive of my small alternator is connected to the positive of my starter motor, which is connected to my starter battery positive. When I disconnected the alternator positive and turned the ignition to "on", I saw for the first time ever my battery light illuminate! I had no idea the battery light even worked, not sure what it's trying to tell me. I started the engine. With nothing attached, the voltage of the small alternator is 14.32V. I created a test load consisting of a 600W 12V immersion heater (theoretically 50A) element stuck down the spout of a stovetop kettle, with 6mm^2 wires, terminating in lugs to fit my alternator and battery. I tested the test rig on my domestic battery - it got very hot very quickly. I connected the test load between the small alternator (the only connection on it) and battery negative. I ran the engine and measured the voltage - it showed 40mV and < 1A current, which suggests that it was putting out nothing; the element did not seem to get hot. I thought perhaps there was a bad connection. I touched the original alternator connection to the positive of the alternator/test load, a little spark and the engine audibly started labouring - I believe this was the other alternator kicking in on the test load - so I removed it immediately. At least I know the connection was sound. But weird that I see nothing from the alternator alone?! Beta says the alternator is 40A. I figured it would put out as much as it could to a maximum of 50A. But is it possible that my test rig just overloaded it - should I try to find something less juicy to use? -- Given that I know my other alternator raises the voltage to 14.63V, I think I can at least conclude from this test that the two alternators are incompatible - so I wouldn't be able to combine the two outputs into one B2B. So that's a disappointing but useful result, anyway. So my choices are 1) forget the small alternator, get a 30A B2B for the large alternator. 2) forget the B2B, start with no alternator control (relying on BMS and manual effort to not overcharge, and a heat gun to prevent overheat), and develop an arduino controller to replace the manual effort at my leisure. I'm leaning towards option 2, I'll start out with 1) temperature monitoring, then 2) temperature cutoff of alternator field, then 3) voltage cutoff of alternator field, then 4) I'll consider using it to switch on a "float" regulator instead of cutting the field. I'd certainly be happy to, if I get it right, and if you're prepared to wait the months it will take me to actually get there! It's the least I could do for all the advice you've kindly offered. One may be able to buy something off the shelf to do just the first monitoring stage, but I want to DIY it so I can extend it to stage 2-4 eventually, and I think we've well established that doesn't exist, at least not without going into triple digits GBP!

For information, the chart can be found on the Mantus web site - linkbelow https://www.mantusmarine.com/mantus-anchor-knowledgebase/anchor-choice/ Howard

As one of said Volunteers, I was asked if I would assist a solo boater in her sixties down the Ashton and the nine last August bank holiday, which is the weekend of the Pride event in Manchester. We left the top of the Ashton at10am and were tied up in Castlefield by 5:30pm. A hard working day with her steering and me setting and working all the locks solo. Also some interesting sights on Canal Street. I did manage a pint to cool off from one of the outside bars set up, although the barman was surprised when I popped up from the lock and tapped him on the back to request a drink. If you don't have a crew go up the nine and stop at Islington basin having previously requested a volunteer for the eighteen locks up to Failsworth. Whoever turns out will give you invaluable help.

A child yes, but thinks she's an adult like a lot of teenagers do.

They're not actually cooked in that mini fryer. If you see one in a shop they have warning notice that they are not for cooking.

And a distinct safety hazard if you leave them resting on the gunwales.

Seconded.

Much the same as a cabin cruiser with single skin. Some you can some you cant. In true sandwich construction ( laminated both sides ) though there is more strength in it. And as the roof is often curved on a NB then then that adds strength and ona curved roof you can laminate one side and still keep strength. and to add more, even if flat roofed then more laminations will do the job. For this curved roof i would go three lam`s of 450grm. If a flat roof maybe three 600grm that would give a thickness of around 5.5mm. There will be the frame timbers inside also.

On the subject of a big inverter, bear in mind you need a decent battery bank (3 x 110Ah minimum, I’d say) to run it if you want to use much power. It is not just about saying “right, I have 110Ah of battery capacity and I want to boil the 2kW kettle, which takes 6 mins so that is 20Ah which is no problem out of 110Ah”. It is also about the battery’s ability to deliver a lot of current for a short time, and taking more than about 50A from a single battery is going to be problematic. There is no point in having a “big inverter” if the batteries can’t supply a “big load” even for a few minutes.

The chain and warp is fine for most situations (unless on a very deep river) but I'd suggest getting an anchor that is likely to work rather than one that is bought because it folds flat to make easy storage on a NB. Danforth anchors are notoriously difficult to 'set' and can take 'miles' of dragging before the flukes start to dig in. On a NB you will (probably) only be deploying your anchor in an emergency, (ie, engine failure 200 yards before a weir) and you need to deploy, set and hold 1st time, every time. An interesting article : The Danforth is in essence an improved version of the 19th century Admiralty pattern and stockless variations thereupon. Superior steels and economical access to them permitted radical changes to the age-old designs, but the Danforth does not represent a clean break away from these types. It offers better holding power, and attempts to dampen the rotating impulse (which results from the presence of more than one fluke) by employment of several tricks including the retainment of a dedicated stock (located in front of the flukes rather than at the end of the shank). However, rooted in its past as a symmetrical anchor, it still suffers from a number of setting and behavioral issues. Because the flukes lie flat on the seabed before setting, the process of encouraging it to set depends on the tip of a fluke achieving an initial ‘bite’ – and on hard sand or grassy seabeds, this is not a given. It can skate along the surface without setting at all. This initial setting issue then implies other problems later. Some manufacturers of the type even admit to this problem, advising users to set the anchor at a very short scope in order to lift the shank and thus exert a vertical pull on the crown of the anchor, the hope being that the flukes will then be angled downward. This tacit admission that the anchor will not set reliably at sensible scopes must inform its consideration as a general purpose anchor required to handle wind veers, changing depths with tides, and the myriad of other real world ramifications. The Danforth types’ behavioral problems include an inability to reliably handle force veers. Rather than remain buried when a sideways or reversed pull is applied, they tend to twist and pull out. Similarly, if the anchor is dragged once set (e.g. in soft mud), it has a strong tendency to trip on one fluke or the other, rolling and again popping out. Once this has happened, the anchor is unlikely to re-set itself. There are a number of other issues, including a reduced strength and durability. Even with good quality construction and high tensile steels or aluminium alloys, the geometry of the design does not lend itself to a rugged build. The flukes are flat plates with little reinforcement possible, and the tips are easily damaged. Furthermore, if the force on the anchor is unbalanced, e.g. if one fluke gets stuck but not the other, it is very easily bent and destroyed. Finally, the aforementioned issue with accepting changes in the direction of pull has consequences should the anchor be very well set in hard ground such as clay. The large flukes may be sufficiently well stuck that the shank bends before the anchor will re-align itself, a common mode of failure. Such a fragile anchor so vulnerable to destruction in the course of normal usage has little to commend it to the role of a vessel’s primary anchor. Because the Danforth types are flat, they tend to be easily stowed, and are therefore popular secondary anchors. Additionally, they do without doubt hold well in simple circumstances, and so are reasonable solutions for secondary anchors (to be used where the anchor may be set once and not expected to handle more than a unidirectional pull). Nonetheless, there are other modern solutions which are superior for this purpose and avoid the drawbacks, including the Spade which has a demountable shank and is also available in aluminium – indeed the alloy version has been independently tested to out-perform the best aluminium Danforths on a weight-for-weight basis.

Will the foam/GRP sandwich be strong enough to walk on? The roof is a working deck on a narrowboat.

Yes (to the first sentence). The “no overnight staying” guidance is intended to prevent mass migration from the cities to holiday homes in beauty spots, which would risk them becoming overburdened. I can understand that. There is already one rule for the plebs and another for the privileged, viz all the politicians, police chiefs, royalty, prime ministers et al who have scuttled off to their second homes (and got caught). So the moral point isn’t valid. There is a valid point about not spreading the virus irresponsibly but unless you can provide some insight I’m missing, there can surely be no increased risk of spreading the virus by sleeping on one’s boat overnight, vs 2 visits on consecutive days. In fact it seems obvious that the former is lower risk. Only fascists want to apply the law regardless of common sense (although let’s bear in mind there is no such law).

Hey, welcome back Alan! That's two weeks you've been away. Boy did we miss you during the virtual BCN challenge week (Alan was on our team - Barnier's Stern Gland - but pulled a sicky on day one!!!!!!!).....Alan, go and read the pm thread (20 pages of it) and the main log page to cheer you up....it was quite funny. Anywho, great to see you back nearly fit again!

Isn't it like a lot of things, money and enthusiasm to create something and nothing to maintain it

Aha! The joys of running a website. Bless you for persevering.....