nipper

I have one on my 24ft-6" sailing cruiser., 1kw I think, but it was a long time ago that i fitted it, so really can't remember what power it has. It's been fitted for about 15 years now and works when required, mind you, my sailing boat is quite small, but it makes it snug inside after a cold winter sail! Nipper

Just another update from the stoppages section of CART. It would seem that I don't have to rush as fast as I thought i would, having just done the 33 locks from Seend today and just moored up at the Bridge Pub. This update was issued at 17- 03 this evening! Time for a beer me thinks! Notice DetailsFrom Date: 29th September 2015 at 09:30 To Date: until further notice Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Structure failure Notice updates: 06/10/2015 @ 17:03 Due to location of the the under ground services and temporary works required to facilitate the crane. A provisonal date advised by Kier for the lifting of the bridge is Monday 12th October.

Looks like another swing bridge is out of action untill at least the 10th of October! https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/4947/bridge-25a-ufton-swingbridge Nipper Notice Details From Date: 5th October 2015 at 16:30 To Date: 15th October 2015 at 10:00 inclusive Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Structure failure Description: Due to an Electrical Failure Bridge 25A Ufton Swingbridge will be closed until 10:00am on Thursday 10th October We understand that this closure may disrupt your schedule. We are taking every step to fix the problem as soon as possible and we will keep you updated of our progress. Location: Kennet & Avon Canal Starts At: Bridge 25A, Ufton Swingbridge Ends At: Bridge 25A, Ufton Swingbridge

Some more news about this swing bridge. Apparently the crane CART bought in was too small and so the proposed lift on the bridge will now be put off!! It's all happening here folks! Nipper Edited cus i got side tracked!

Just as an addition to whats already been said about the stoppage. Apparently it was an owner who lives in one of the dwellings that stopped CART from working during the week saying that he owned the bridge and the police were called! Other home owners have offerd there own moorings where they can and have been supportive of the boaters. All taken from FB Kennet and Avon Boaters page, so don't shoot the messenger! Nipper

To be honest, the companies would be better teaching hirers how to use locks and the etiquette that goes with it, ie if the lock is empty, don't close and refill unless they are sure there is nobody coming up! I met four groups of hirers today at the Bath locks who closed gates on me and in not sharing water managed to empty the pounds between them all! All stated that they hadn't had any training at all from the local hire companies! Anyway, back on topic! Perhaps a card with sound signals on it in the cockpit, but it's no use at all if nobody else knows the signals. Nipper

I would do if i knew how! Just go into Facebook and a search for Kennet and Avon Boating society. Cus thats how i found it! Hope it helps! Nipper

Indeed! Also, when i take yachts to foreign places, France, Spain etc. I always instruct the crew that will be on watch, that there will be no hiding behind the spray hood, and that I require an all round lookout at all times and that includes looking behind us, wether the boat has radar, AIS or whatever else they have invented, there is no better system invented than a pair or two of eyes. Most fishing boats in the Biscay or anywhere else for that matter don't have AIS and don't come up on the radar either! Far to many small boats have been sunk by not looking behind them! Now i will stop being a Captain Bligh and get this Narrow boat under way, complete with lookouts , of coarse! Nipper

Yes, well, it happens to the big boys as well! Just think of all the oil that have been spilled due to not obeying the Collision regs! And that is what it all boils down too, Not obeying the rules! Wether your in a small cruiser or a large steamer, those rules are there to prevent such things, they were also written a long time ago! Also those rules will be used in a court of law should one have an incident! Be it in a Narrow Boat or Super Tanker. Of coarse, those rules are are quite minor on the rivers and Canals, but they are still apt! Nipper

Somewhere in the back of my mind i remember a little ditti about a man just about to go under the water for the third time, Raising his arms and shouting, " But i had the right of way! I think the collision regs state that all boats must adhere the rules of the road, untill, such time as it is plain that there will be a collision, then it is your duty to prevent it! Nipper

From a post on Kennet and Avon Facebook yesterday, Sorry, but i am not responsible for the spelling etc! - " Well after a long wait ut would appear that nothing is going to happen reg fixing the bridge. Untill monday. Then a team will come from shelfield to try to fix broken ram. So no passing through newbury this weekend guys......."

I wasn't aware I was being dramatic, I'm certainly not known for it, I was merely stating what I have found and experienced on my trip along the Kennet and Avon. What i do know is that there is probably a difference between the vegetation in August than there is now, something, of coarse, that you yourself commented on in your September post. Indeed there were probably a lot of boats about in August, more than there is now, but I would suggest that the vast majority of them were on their holidays and travelling, where as now there are probably fewer boats, but a great many of those are now almost static, and seem to have taken over the town and village moorings, especially where there are good communications, ie the trains! The usual mooring rules are indeed in place, but they seem to mean little to those that want to turn a blind eye to them, and I see precious little signs that they are being addressed by CART either. This, of coarse, means that if there was a free 24hr mooring for a cruising boat to use of an evening, then that mooring is now not available! Of coarse, as you state, the Winter Moorings don't start till November, but also starting are the Winter Stoppages and I want to be off this canal way before they start. Anyway, I notice that CART have no updates issued today for the repair of this swing bridge! Nipper edited for bad speeling!

Oh dear! " Engineers have been onsite, and further investigations of the bridge have shown that the hydraulic failure is significant, and an attempt to repair the bridge temporarily has failed. At this point, it’s likely that it will require extensive works before being able to reopen." It looks like I'll be spending the first bit of the Winter Stoppages on the Kennet and Avon then! I don't know where, cus all of the 24, 48 and 72 hour Moorings are taken up anyway, and you can't get into the side because it's either far too shallow or so much vegetation that you can't even see the tow path! So, nowhere for a cruising boat to cruise and stop a night anywhere! So much for the UK 's premier canal then! Nipper

It is being stated on the Kennet and Avon Boaters Facebook page that it will take at least 5 weeks! But they like to wind people up on that site! I hope the bridge will be repaired soon as i have just come out of Bristol Docks heading for Reading and freedom! Nipper

Yes, but not that many get strapped into a shopping trolley! Nipper

Nice to see you adding to this thread! Edited because I had second thought and I am beyond caring!

Sounds like a fouled prop to me! Sounds like a fouled prop to me! Nipper Oh! There seems to be an echo in the box!!

No, CART have been practicing this tactic along the Kennet and Avon with broken water points and elson's. One would think that it's part of a wider scheme from CART, to get all constant Moorers to move. Trouble is, it also makes it awkward for the Constant Cruisers that actually cruise the system too, or is that thought just in pure conjecture? Nipper

Um! Not trying to teach you how to suck eggs, but you did pull the carriage rods out of the back of the washer didn't you? They are the rods that have to be taken out so that the drum can freely turn and move without making the whole washer jump about, I believe they are called transit rods! Sorry, it was just a thought! Nipper

That's what I like about this site! I couldn't give a dam about those winging about CART, there probably the same people saying the same old things that probably don't go anywhere far on the cut. Nor the wingers, who are trying to convince themselves and others that they are a special case and deserve to stay put in that one place, because they either have work or business near by or have always stayed in the same place without a mooring. It's the questions that are asked and the answers that are so freely given that I find so likeable! Even if I don't understand a word what was said! Nipper

Yes , I have it sorted now. I used the Internet Explorer Browser instead of my Maxthon Browser! All is right with the world and I can carry on marking out my wall chart to find a clear passage between November and April. Thats my evenings sorted for the next few nights! Thanks for your help! Nipper

Mmm! I wonder why it doesn't work on my computer! Anyone any idea's? Working from a PDF is much easier for me than trying to go down that list on a spreadsheet! Hope someone can help an old chap? Nipper

Well, it looks like the winter stoppage list has been confirmed. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/winter But, can anyone get the region map clicky to work? The spreadsheet works, but the area maps just don't want to work at all, is it me? Nipper

Yes, your probably right, but one more go, and if there are more excuses i will pull away and get it done somewhere along the Kennet and Avon. We were waiting for the repair to the lock, so haven't wasted anytime waiting for them! But if they let me down tomorrow i will vent my voice box at em! Nipper

I am not there yet! I'm in Reading by the park (£9-60 per night) waiting till the morning for Better Boating to weld the taff rail seat back into place. They did say they could do it Tuesday, but apparently they had loads of work come in at the weekend and I would have to wait till lunchtime tomorrow! It would seem that Boatyards are run similar to Garages! But at least the lock is usable and will probably make tracks tomorrow afternoon or even Friday, to get a good run at it! Mmm! maybe i should of written that better, but you know what i mean! Have a good trip Nipper Nipper