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I've got to sort the camera mount out as it's a bit wobbly. Most of you won't have been on this canal but it's the second closest to my home, nearest one is closed for dredging but will follow later All are raw video as recorded, haven't learnt to edit yet 🤔

In case it is of interest I have dug out from my files two articles specifically relating to Hotchkiss Cones and canal narrowboats. These reports in the Motor Boat magazine would have been prepared by Donald Hotchkiss himself - he had been a sub editor there. The dates are 1935 and 1936, at the peak of Cone sales. There was a report in the Trade Notes section of the same magazine in 1956 which reads thus: ' Installation of two Type 30/12 W reversing units is taking place at Braunston, Rugby, in a 72 -ft by 7-ft towing barge, with two Coventry Victor 9-11 hp Diesel engines. By fitting the engines over the cone propellers, it has been possible to reduce the normal length of engine room by several feet, thus increasing the cargo capacity of the barge.' Unfortunately there is no illustration. There is a photo of a butty which appeared in the Leicester Mercury in 1955. But this does not I think refer to a Hotchkiss installation. It seems to me to be a Gill Jet system. 'Princess' was taken over by Barlows 1957, I understand.

If that's about all they can find worth mentioning it's sounding like a good boat.

I just don't fall for the line that if it's new it's better. Just look at music these days lol.

A bolt cropper will work in the weedhatch. Let's see an angle grinder do that

Which goes to show that just like an MOT for a car, the RCR certificate is only valid for the day it is issued, as Geoffrey and George may have been to work since.

Severn locks have lights and the lock keeper will see you approach. You’ll get a flashing red light as they prepare the lock. They will also signal which side of the lock they wish you to be.

Have you considered selling your Rolls Royce

Ive just finished moving a narrowboat- the new owners run their own business and have a young daughter at school so time is somewhat short and they need their new home quickly. Monday I collect a widebeam for the newish owner that has had heart problems and is unable to do anything strenuos. After that Im over to Wigan to move a boat down the Flight for a single and relatively inexperienced single lady boater. Could give you several more quite understandable reasons why people do although I do still chuckle at the widebeam I once had to move off the mooring , turn it round and put it back on the opposite way. I dont find it sad at all- I really appreciate it 😀

Thanks for the mentions @matty40s and @MtB. I’m currently recovering from eye surgery so may not be able to help in the timescales but I have PMed @Liz E with a few pointers of what she should be looking for in terms of price and insurance. A couple of my customers at the back end of last year told me they’d had quotes from elsewhere that were broadly double what I charged them. And my rates are comparable with a couple of other boat movers I know.

"...not old photos of 10 years ago" Oh dear, I'll try harder with the 50+ years ago photos then. On this day in 1971 Curdworth locks B+F. Jumping off before lockladders earlier in the day at Tolson's Footbridge B+F - Steve climbed from the front of the boat on to the bridge, then over the bridge and returned to the boat further back. Which all goes to prove that fewer people wear jackets to go canalling these days ...

@nigel carton also moves boats. I always find it a bit sad that someone has bought a boat, presumably to go boating on, yet they can't find the time to move the boat to their new home mooring. Especially as we are about to have a four day weekend which would be enough for most of the trip. And no reason not to leave the boat moored to the towpath for a week or two if the trip can't be completed in one go.

And there was me thinking I'd be able to help a fellow forum member sort of their spreadsheet problems... 😅😂

The OP may think you are talking about a new boat. I think you are probably talking about an old boat which you bought recently?

Absolutely, I am taking it out for hull painting, we are spraying it navy blue, car paint better finish and longer lasting. Then it's an anti foul of some description, there are some fantastic vehicle protection systems that might be good for the job, anti rust will be zinga as it's well proven on my own boat

The answer was in your post = cutting off the 2 stops and removing the first mushroom vent Bolt on stops on reassembly, stainless allen screws in the vent then you stand a chance in 5 years time of undoing them again.

If he is throwing away one of those hopelessly useless lithium batteries, can I have it please?!!

At the risk of becoming entirely boring on this subject I would just like to try to give some idea of the extent of Cone use. It gives one food for thought, doesn't it, that in the 1930s one man of very uncertain temperament and entirely on his own, managed in one single year to sell his product for installation in the following, some designed entirely by him: - 110 dwt cargo vessel - motor canoes on Thames and Wye - salvage launch for Sudan Government Railways -weed cutting boat for Egyptian Government - stream clearance vessel for Somerset Catchment Board -inspection launch for Athy Drainage Board -inspection launch for Sudan Government -towing launch for Saigon Port Authority -houseboat for South Africa -canal barges for Italy -river barges for River Ebro, Spain. - alligator pursuit vessel, Guayayquil, Ecuador -oyster fishing boat, Florida -missionary launch, Madagascar -foreign power gunboat - cabin cruiser for River Amazon. - and others besides... He went on to produce a number of vehicle ferries for use in Africa and India. All sorts of different designs for various purposes. Here for example is a launch which I hope you will agree would make a very pleasant motor yacht to grace any river or broad waterway. It was in fact a Calcutta built launch for the Lighthouse Department , Indian Ministry of Transport. A 36/1 W Cone system was specified in view of the shallowness of some of the waters in which it would have to operate. I quite fancy it, especially the officer's quarters at the front end. Just one of many and diverse designs incorporating the system. But perhaps enough for now.

That reminds me that about 18 months ago I had to tie up, climb the ladder and go and wake up the lock keeper at Upper Lode.

The difference being that the RCR/RCD is for the entire life of the vessel, and, it is the owners responsibilty to ensure that it remains compliant, any changes to engine or safety (gas, fuel, buoyancy etc) should result in a PCA and a new RCR/RCD certficate being issued. If a PCA is not done then no one will know, or care (unless the boat sinks or explodes and a claim is made on the insurance) until it is sold and a broker or surveyor sees it is not 'as built' and no longer compliant. The BSS is exactly the same and if you read your certificate you will see a clause about 'having works done' can result in your BSS being withdrawn. From the BSS : The owner’s on-going responsibility: it is crucial to maintain the vessel in good condition in accordance with the safety requirements; and, any other licensing, registration or mooring conditions of the relevant navigation or harbour authority. The validity of a BSS pass result may be affected and can be cancelled if the vessel is not properly maintained; and/or non-compliant alterations are made....

I was chatting to the landlady of my local, as she has stopped putting bands on as the cost was not recouped on the night or profitable, as people were not coming in to listen too them and the groupies the band brought just didn’t drink and often sat with a pint most of the night as they drove in just for the band. You can see why live music venues are struggling. Shame really.

In my experience, if you arrive during manned hours the lock keeper will see you approaching, and if there are no boats using the lock he/she will start opening the gates or turning the lock before you arrive. If the traffic lights go green you can just motor straight into the lock, otherwise its usually easier just to hang around in midstream (current/flow/proximity of weir permitting) for a few minutes while the lock is readied. I can only recall one occasion when we actually had to moor up and go and find the keeper to see what was happening.

We have had one of these Oven/Hob units on our boat for about 16 Years. And we really do like its function BUT there are issues with its design and serviceability. We don't live aboard but do travel for months at a time and Kathy takes cooking very seriously. At present we also have an induction hob and are considering bringing the air fryer and/or Remoska for use when long term traveling. I won't at this point go into the detail of how I have tried to sort out better functioning but if you can cope with the servicing and have a secondary facility it "should" be OK. John

2 days plus travel to and from the boat, including professional insurance, sounds reasonable to me

That move is very unlikely to be able to be completed in one day by a boat mover. They’d have to travel from home and back again on a day with a very favourable tide and having had suitable time to ensure the boat is prepared and ready for a tidal passage. I’d guess that price reflects two people for two days. I think the reason some folk tell tales of inflated prices is because moves are priced for two people which is absolutely unnecessary on the canal network but if you don’t know a particular stretch of tidal water taking along someone that does is arguably a wise thing to do. On my website I say I don’t offer any service on tidal waters. While not strictly true because I have done some it’s simply because for some passages I’m not the best person for the job. You want someone that knows the water for certain jobs. I don’t think you can complain too much about anyone willing to take full commercial accountability for your craft on the tidal Trent for a three figure sum.

Bottled gas is extremely expensive currently, my new boat has it with small bottles. It will stay, I can get bottles filled for free so it wont affect me, but it's not something I really want. In the summer I used an induction hob on the old boat the solar and large battery bank made it quick and easy, also an air fryer is a fantastic way of using free electricity. I will move both items to the new boat as I know it makes sense.

Just did a bit of research on current Wallas 87D prices....a shade under £4000. That means a used one will probably make £2000 on ebay, which should mostly cover the cost of a gas cooker and gas installation should the buyer decide the Wallas isn't for him. Although like toilets, I say live with it for 6 months before making any decisions. Sounds like it's a relatively modern boat....so will likely have Webasto/engine/immersion water heating already so gas water heating won't be required.

On this day in 2023 High Green Bridge No 14 Brewood SU On Monday 18Mar2024 Farmers Bridge B+F Some wise words, for once, from C&RT Yesterday in 2023 Acton Moat Bridge No 92 S&W

More miles of canal than Venice – Simon Briercliffe

Although probably supplied by Kuranda, the stove in question is likely a Wallas 87D stove. I had one in a previous boat and I loved it. Very economical and clean as it uses a sealed flame with it's own flue. The oven is much better than a gas oven as it's fan assisted and works just like an electric oven in a house. The hob also works just like an electric ceramic cooker. I used to run the oven as a heater as it was so economical on diesel! I never had any trouble with it although I was not living aboard. The down sides are the hob isn't as quick to heat up as a gas hob, and it does require 12v to operate. IIRC it draws about 8 amps when starting but once it's running it draws only 1 amp or so. They cost an absolute fortune so if your friend decided to sell it and go to gas they'd probably get a couple of grand for it! In summary, definitely not a no no.

Well, I hope Peter don’t get put off posting. It’s also been good to have a thread where there’s usually little said, certainly no squabbling, just pictures to look at.

Arguably, the error was a 'Freudian slip' . . .

In the early 1900's my Nan, her sisters and brother were born in Keans Cottages. Miller was her surname and father was George Miller. I know my nan lived there until 1920 and her sister remained at Keans Cottages for many more years.

Confirm that this works on Webasto models that don't use Wbus communications between accessories. Thermotop C are fine, but the Evo uses wbus.