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On my BD3, the calorifer is fed from the front of the cylinder head. I get hot water in about an hour of gentle cruising but a full tank would take a bit longer. My calorifier will stay hot enough for a morning shower provided I don't use it for washing up etc. the night before. I find if I use some of the hot during the evening then it's still warm but makes for a rather chilly shower. Answer, shower in the evening or eat out, preferably both! Rik

I had a ST2 that was blue on my last boat. If you speak to Chris at Marine Engine Services link I believe that he can supply you with Lister blue paint. Rik

Was along there last summer an met a spritely old chap wandering the towpath. Apparently he had been evacuated to Stockton from Coventry during the war. There was a footpath down through the cement works and across a footbridge over the GU main line just by the arm into Nelsons works that he used to take to get to school. He remembered working boats coming and going from the site and that all the lads used to swim in the cut there. Fascinating glimpse into the past, and don't think he'd been back since the war so I was lucky to meet him. Rik

And from CRT earlier this week Kintbury to Reading Monday 18 March 2013 until further notice Due to high flows on the River Kennet, it is recommended craft refrain from navigating this section until the levels have subsided. Enquiries: 03030404040

Yes, Tuttipole in Hungerford. Not much closer though I'm afraid. The cafe in the Stone Building on the wharf in Newbury used to do them, might be worth a call. Rik

I agree, the Thames will be a doddle after the K&A. The environment agency publish numbers for all locks so you can always speak to the lock keepers it you need advice. You'll find them here

My understanding is that you wouldn't have been able to moor on these stretches when the canal was built as it was built with a "saucer" or shallow v shaped profile. This was because boats only moored at wharfs and other specific points, such as pubs, and so there was no need for deep water along most banks. I will certainly agree that it would be much better that it currently is if it was properly dredged. Rik

This is because the connection agreement between CRT (formally BW) and the marina requires that all boats have a license. There are marinas that have very old agreements where this doesn't apply and so you don't need a license until you leave the marina. There are also sections of river that connect to the canal where you don't need a license and no part of any mooring fee is paid to CRT. Rik

I invested in 2 of these Avanti chairs last year link. I paid under £200 each which I didn't think was bad. I find them pretty comfortable, may be a little soft but that's a personal thing. Rik Edited to correct link

Last year they were giving boats overstay tickets in Hungerford when they were trapped between two closed locks. When the enforcement officer was asked where they were supposed to go he claimed that he didn't know that the two locks were closed. The enforcement team is based in the same office as the engineering team so it shouldn't be too hard for them to talk. Talk about left hand not knowing about right hand! Rik

No widebeams allowed at Kintbury I'm afraid. Not that there are any spaces either. Rik

I thought that the Holybrook ran between the Oracle and John Lewis and joined the Kennet at Forbury loop. If not, what's that stream called? The other challenge at County Lock, particularly for newbies like Trix, is that as you approach the IDR bridge with the lock moorings underneath you can't see the lock and so don't know that you should be stopping. By the time that you do see the lock you're almost past the point of no return. Rik

Sorry I missed you as you came through Kintbury the other day, would have given you a wave and a hand through the lock. As for Woolhampton, my gut feeling is that it will make Newbury feel like a walk in the park. Have you investigated the setup there by road? If you haven't do stop at the visitor moorings before the lock and walk down to the pub to see what you're up against. As you leave the lock the river enters from the right and will sweep you towards the trees on the left. Don't try to go straight ahead, even if the river is slow enough to let you, because,with all there recent flow ,there'll be a sand bar extending out into the cut. So you've survived joining the river and now in about 200yds there is the swing bridge. Do get it open before you leave the lock. The bridge is set at an angle to the canal and so it isn't a straight run through also the bridge acts a bit like a funnel and so the flow is faster as you go through. Still in one piece? The skew on the bridge requires you to steer towards the left bank but the moorings are on the right so you now have to cut across the current to get to the moorings and slow up enough to be able to stop before you've passed the mooring altogether. If to overshoot your crew will have to trot after you until you manage to pick them up. The next mile is a river section which is quite windy with lots of overhanging trees so take care to keep to the middle or you'll end up scratching your paint work. One last thing, keep a close eye open for the canal as it leaves the river on the left soon after the trees on the left finish. Don't miss it or, if you do, make sure you go into the marina to turn. We don't want you ending up on the weir. Hope. I haven't scared you too much. It probably won't be as bad as this sounds but it can be quite an experience! Let us know when you've got through and we'll tell you all about the next fun bit! Good luck Rik

Hi Mathieu, Welcome to the Forum The short answer is yes. Most of the SR3s that are used in narrowboats have lift pumps fitted and replacements are freely available. If you're looking for parts try marine engine services they're very helpful and knowledgeable link I've no connection, just a satisfied customer. Rik

Have you reported this speed to 3? I was having a similar problem and reported it, they. Said they knew they had a problem but it would take a while to fix. About 6-8 weeks later things began to improve and now I get a download speed of 6-9 Mb/s. Rik

When I had a similar problem on my last boat I found this document that gave me some ideas link Hope this helps Rik

I understand that this used to be the case with Dell machines but I've got a 12v brick that powers my Dell machine and it didn't come from Dell and it didn't cost a Dell price. It was specifically advertised to support my make and model of machine though. Cheers Rik

If you've contacted Merlin then they can help. Gibbo, who designed and developed the Smartguage / Smartbank system now works for them. They bought out his company a few years ago. Rik

If your set on leaving at boatyard/marinas then the challenge you'll have is between Newbury and Devizes. There only boatyard that i can think of on that stretch is Gibsons at Honeystreet and it will be two long days to travel from Newbury to Honeystreet. Having said that we rarely hear of any problems with boats left for a few days so I'm sure it'll be fine. Keep us posted with your plans, I'm sure some lock wheeling can be arranged if you need some help. Rik

I had a problem with mine when I first installed it. Turned out to be a faulty cable between the smartgauge and smartbank. Kindly sorted by Gibbo. You could get a new cable and try that just in case it's a similar problem. Once working its a great bit of kit. Rik

I know someone that have got housing benefit to pay for their license and insurance and they didn't have a mooring. The local authority were happy as they didn't have to pay for a flat but they did required that the person stayed in their area (although as far as I'm aware they never checked where the claimant was). CaRT weren't so happy as it meant a lot of bridge hopping! Rik

This day boat, called Cygnet, was bought by the kennet horseboat people and is now at Kintbury Rik

Kennet Horseboat company have a day boat for hire. Based at Kintbury just west of Newbury. See here

You could try some anti-condensation paint, something like this. I know someone that used it in a GRP boat with no insulation and it seemed to do a good job for him. Rik