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We are Americans who have fallen hopelessly in love with boating the UK canals.  There is no known treatment for either condition, so we must fly in for two fortnight cruises a year.  We are investigating shares as an alternative to hiring, and I have many questions of the wonderful boating community.  Starting with a small but niggling one...
 
As foreign share owners (managed share by an established company)  how could we deal with supplying ourselves with linens and bedding?  These things are supplied with hires.  We can't fly with all that. Are there services for such details, or off-boat storage facilities in marinas?
 
Thoughts?
 
Many thanks,
Robin 

How would you stop this “clonking” when the wind is up and there is more movement in the boat ? Dampening? Replace with rope ?
 
TIA 
 
Chris 

So, it seems that with many of these steel NB's the tanks (potable water, diesel, waste) are just cavities built into the boat when it's made and whilst that doesn't seem such a bad idea for diesel or waste, it seems a bit 'basic' considering what we can do with stuff today?
 
The remedy for a dirty / rusty water tank seems to be to empty it out, clean it out, de-rust it mechanically, neutralise the rust chemically, paint it with a couple of layers of suitable paint, allow to dry, rinse the tank a couple of time, use ...
 
This seems as 'Neanderthal' as is most house building, stack blocks up with cement, stacks other blocks up inside with cement, smear cement up the inside, smear plaster up the inside, glue paper on the inside, paint the paper .... what, in 2025, when we are sending probes half way round the galaxy ... ?
 
So what about having plastic tanks ... or tanks lined with fibreglass or epoxy resin that will last the lifetime of the boat?
 
Cumon panel, please tell me there is a more subtle and long lasting solution used these days ... 😉

Hi Folks
I'm doing a small research project into the historic use of (lime) mortars in canals. Was wondering if anyone had access to any mortar analysis of historic mortars, eg local enthusiast groups that may have had testing done? Have contacted the usual suspects but they've not been hugely helpful.
 
Also interested if anyone can point me towards actual evidence of portland cements (1800s style) being used, or general archival evidence. I don't have the time at this point to go rifling through archives myself.
Any other relevant info would also be appreciated!!

Hi All
 
as she's out for blacking shortly i thought I;d get some black paint to go above the waterline on the sides (the bit above the blacking and gunnel).... mine is black and a matt finish currently but I'm struggling to identify the type of paint, is it a special sort?  any links to what you recommend really really appreciated!!

Visitors to the South Oxford may wish to note that the Bridge Stores at Cropredy is currently closed, having sold off their existing stock in recent weeks. The leaseholder is reported to have said that there are structural problems with the building that the landlord has not shown an interest in resolving. 

Bad news just received, lift shut for summer.

https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/people/new-series-of-bbcs-canal-boat-diaries-features-robbie-cummings-adventures-in-milton-keynes-4637281
 
Unfortunately only on Yesterday and UKTV Play... 😞 

I'm not sure if this is good publicity, what do you think?

Heard talking for five minutes at the bow, it set my security light off, i wondered if they were considering lifting a bag of logs, no, they were moving a plastic, in the dark. Last time i saw this behaviour a boat was being stolen but then abandoned at a lock.
I challenged them, no apology, they are now moored up next to me, so why come past. Complete idiots. Aparently i was rude, asking what "they were up to". No engine, or lights.
Ive only seen two boats moving in the last seven days.

Hello,
 
I'm a new boater, although I've done my RYA Helmsman course and know the basics.
 
I'm shortly going to be acquiring a 70' narrowboat, which is considerably bigger than the ones I've learned on, and will have to single-hand it from Whilton Marina to White Mills Marina on the River Nene.
 
Any tips, or things to watch out for? Or am I being too ambitious and should I hire a boat mover?

Thanks in advance.

We are about to purchase a boat of our own and have found two that tick many boxes for our needs. They are New Concept Boats built and fitted, one is 60 'x 9, the other is 60' x 10', both have .Barrus Shire 50hp engines.i would really appreciate peoples thoughts/ experiences with New Concept boats and Barrus Shire engines. 

Hi wondering what canal etiquette there is please.
 

It's always puzzled me why this company had such trouble staying in business when aluminium seems to be the perfect building material for inland boats.
 
Personally I always lusted after one of these when I couldn't possibly afford one, now I can, I'm looking for the disadvantages...
 
- One thing I picked up from the salty water brigade is that ally boats are perceived to be noisy, compared to grp or steel boats.
 
- Sea Otters draw quite a bit less than most steel narrowboats and are much lighter so can get blown about more. Even the 32 footers have bow thrusters.
 
- Most of them have Nannidiesels which wouldn't figure on my list of ideal narrowboat engines.
 
- They are still considerably more expensive than a steel boat of comparable size.
 
 
I doubt there are many members with first hand experience of these boats but any comments would be appreciated.
 
 

Bridge 100.jpg

Good evening everyone. It's been three years since we had our integral (built-in )water tank repainted. They did use water potable bitumen. The bitumen is failing, as we are getting fine black sediment from the taps. Firstly, I have been a fibreglass laminator for much of my life, using polyester resin in those days. So I will be tackling the job myself.  But now I'm contemplating using epoxy resins to do it, along with 1.5 ounces of fibreglass matting. When all is cured, then going over it with what was called gel coat, to give it a nice smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Have any of you done this using the latest epoxy systems, or could you give me some pointers to any company that could advise me, please? I will be grinding back all the bitumen to bare metal. Will I have to prime all the now nice shiny bare metal? Yes, a lot easier said than done. Thanks in advance. Dave and Diane. N/B Tickety Boo. Presently cruising up the Llangollen canal.

Announcement from David Orr: 
Canal & River Trust - Chief Executive appointment.
'I am pleased to let you know that we have appointed a successor to Richard Parry as Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust, who will be leaving us at the end of July after 12 years.  Campbell Robb will take up the role on 6th October 2025.' 
It appears he is the current CEO of Nacro, a national social justice charity.

With declining supply sources for coal, the challenges for steam boat operation become more acute. The smell of steam and smoke combined are features to be found on heritage railways and the steam boat on the British Waterways. There is still some coal mining in the Forest of Dean but should other mines be opened for this market?
 The environmentalist does not evidently agree, but then elsewhere in the World there is less concern and coal extraction still goes on and there is an increasing amount of coal now carried by sea !
 
Radio playing old songs-Brenda Lee is coming on strong
 

Hello everyone!
 
We're pleased to invite you to our laid-back UK Canals & Boats Photo Contest. There aren’t any prizes - just the pleasure of sharing your beautiful photos of our scenic inland waterways and boats.
 
A few simple rules:
Theme: Your photo should clearly feature a UK inland waterway or boat.
Originality: Please submit only photos that are your own work.
Quality: Choose entries that truly capture the charm of our waterways; let’s keep the submissions on track.

Simply upload your favourite photo in our Gallery linked here, and we'll feature the best on our homepage for everyone to enjoy.
 
Looking forward to seeing your wonderful captures. Happy snapping!

Want to talk about shunts, I have searched on here also but wanted to ask, does the size of the shunt you pick get decided on the power from your biggest draw, or size of batteries being used or something completely different. Should it be the same size in amps as your mega fuse protecting the main pos from your inverter which in my case is the 12/3000/120a one. I know that it’s needed to be able to monitor battery health through my victron system but ain’t sure of the size required. Appreciate all responses. Tia 

So the sliding hatch on our boat is missing what ever is stuck to the underneath i have no idea what should be there. Anyone gleen information on what could have been there. Or is it just a case of cleaning it up rust treat it paint it and then stick some sort of insulation there. Apologies it’s not a great picture. 

King Charles joins in with Fund Britains Waterways protest cruise

I’m think of buying the Black & Decker collapsible wagon. Weighs 10kilos folded, and carries 79kg.
Anyone else have this, or any other truck they think might be better? 
It’s for my cassette from my toilet. Wood, coal, you know, bulky stuff. But also for shopping. 
Let’s see how fast this descends into an argument!😉 No pedant calling. 

Hi All,
 
On our trip down the oxford canal I spotted this sign on one of the paddle winder posts. When were the new style windlasses with 19mm tapering holes introduced? and did they do it all at once or a phased approach?
 
Thanks

Having moved to the Trent, I'm thinking of buying a wide beam.
My question is:
Do the Northern reaches connect to the South?
or
Can you get from York (say) to Bristol in a boat greater than 7' wide?
& if so
How?