Leaderboard

Not sure what your point is? I was captaining that run back from Braunston and to be honest do not recall us failing to negotiate a bridge hole on the Northern Oxford, but any bridge hole you get through without any damage would seem to count as a success. This was a training run for new members, so things were not always as slick as we might like. We are a volunteer organisation and put a lot of effort into presenting the boats as smartly as we can, in terms of both presentation and handling. You are obviously a very experienced and capable boater, so perhaps you would contact the Trust? We are always pleased to learn from the experts who have shared the benefit of their experience with us over the years.

Back in the 50s/60s, when pleasure boaters were a rarety, the most you could expect from a boatman unless you knew them well was a slight inclination of the head. We referred to it as a 'boatman's nod', but it was pretty much the same you'd get while walking in rural areas. The waving and cheering that now goes on seems to us more like a rather self-satisfied "look at me - I'm on a boat", and I find it rather embarrassing if a guest on our boat does it.

Interesting you mention the "right"side of the canal. As a former historic boater, the correct side is in the deeper water on the outside of the bend, which doesn't always correspond to the convention of passing on the right. However, having deeper water underneath you, from this position you are able to move to the correct passing side in most cases. Coming round the shallow inside of a bend is a recipe for disaster as, at any moment, you can skid across the cut in a straight line.

You passed me near Dunchurch- we met at a bend just as I was coming through the bridge. No dramas- you were (unlike a good percentage of private, hire and historic boats I met on bends) actually on the right side of the canal and well positioned. Think you had about 6 crew in total- all of which smiled, waved or exchanged greetings as we passed. I did think at the time this was how it should be done having passed too many miserable scowly faces en route as I dodged them.. 🙂

Made a new cratch this year. It's made out of 18mm marine plywood without any joints.

It’s not unusual 😂🤩😂 ha someone had to start!

I had never been to the Braunston show until this year as we have been on the continent for 18 years and then the plague. I’m not a fan of shiny paintwork but do like polished brass. Met some old friends and made some new ones and people who are serious about maintaining the boats even if they are not”working boats” . I tried to make a joke to the friends of Raymond’s crew by saying they were in the wrong place ie on the corner by the bridge but it fell flat as they said this is our place. Great atmosphere between the crews and I for one thoroughly enjoyed it.

Just converted the document above to a PDF, let's see if the forum accepts it. The Jointless Cratch Board.pdf

Sorry, but my computer didn't like the last quote and wouldn't let me alter or finish it. I meant to say that the L&LCS members who look after Kennet, although they get some pleasure from the work, do it more for the general public and to promote the history of the canal. Kennet and Mersey are the only unconverted short boats on the canal, and Kennet is the only one to which the public have access. Last Sunday we had over 450 visitors on board over the day at Skipton, and though it can be a pleasure chatting to them, it is also time consuming. Heritage is one of the many factors which ensure that our canals stay open, and educating the public is an important aspect of encouraging government to keep funding the system. A few more volunteers would be a help in achieving this aim by educating the public to the benefits and heritage of our canals.

Yes, and without any real joints. However, the file is too large to post on the forum because it contains images. If you of anyone would like a copy (.DOC format) either PM me your email address or just email. Email address in signature

It’s massively over the top and likely most would never do it but it’s probably the only way to (almost) guarantee no water ingress Osmo would probably tell you it was the wrong oil for iroko, or it was too wet etc etc but to be honest I’ve used Osmo for years and never had an issue even though I’ve frequently ignored their recommended usage specs. I find it generally very forgiving. That said I use Sikkens Cetol more and more and it’s all round pretty unbeatable. Great coverage. Easy to apply. Great depth of colour, quick drying and easy clean up. 👍

I'm surprised Bizz hasn't considered making his own SIM card! 😋

I think seller was correct, technically. In any VAT liable sale the seller is the entity that invoices the sale, including VAT at the correct rate, allocates the tax point date, completes the VAT return and pays the VAT to HMRC. The buyer then (with luck) pays the Invoice sum to the seller. Depending on how the seller is set up for VAT it may be that the invoice is not settled until after the seller has actually transferred the VAT money to HMRC. TL;dr the buyer provides money, some of which is VAT which the seller is liable to pay to HMRC. In any event, if HMRC discover they have not received VAT they think should have been paid they will start their pursuit of "their"money with the ooriginal seller. N

I have some garden gates made of iroko. When supplied they were treated with Osmo Oil and I was advised to recoat them annually. It failed within a year! I carried on with this for 3 years before giving up on Osmo Oil. I have since treated them with Sikkens Cetol HLS woodstain followed by Sikkens Cetol Filter 7. Four years on they are as good as the day I painted them I have since used it on my deckboard with similar results.

This is what we have. The front handles are stainless steel from the Little Chimney Company. These bollards from eBay. Bolted down with M8 stainless countersunk screws and flanged nuts. These grab handles made by local fabricator after I made a mock up using 22mm copper tube.

Used to be a comment in the sellin business that nothin sells before an election...........so next week may be different.

MtB Try this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rim-driven_thruster for a general description though a wide range of both centre hub and hubless units are now available. Can Anything withstand everything ? But the hubless type seem able to pass small items stright through - i believe because there is nothing to wrap around 'cleanly' that does not involve moving against the prop flow direction. If it rested on to a skeg of some kind much like the lower side of a rudder does (on most NBs) i think it would do as well as a standard prop at withstanding damage.

We solved this problem by adding extra mooring points just in front of the cratch board - I used M10 stainless steel eye bolts and then permanently attached short mooring ropes to them. I no longer have to clamber onto the front of the boat to moor up.

To be fair we don't know who was taking pics... the boaters both appear to be lockside to me. Agree about sharing. We have shared that lock many times including with a 63 footer (we are 50 foot) which needed a little bit of thinking about but was fine. Yes which is why CRT fitted most L&L locks with planks up to the balance beam . These can be seen between the paddle gear and mitre in the pics and appear to be OK So I'm still slightly mystified about the story .. even if f***wittery it's still a shame to see a boat like that. I would say that when things start to go wrong in those locks you often don't have long to sort it out....

I can actually watch Emma Raducanu being honest. Apparently she plays tennis?

Unfortunately water stains like your picture tend to be permanent. The best you can do is probably a gentle sand along the grain with 240 grit then 400 grit, followed by some teak or danish oil. N

We uave moored on lock landings, but only in France where the electric locks are not switched on until nine in the morning - by which time we were ready to go. If another boat had turned up, we would have invited them to moor alongside us.