Baron & Mrs Boater

Our first boat was the "African Queen", a 1970 Buckingham 20 cabin cruiser. We bought it to see if we would use it, enjoy life on the canals, and you've guessed it ~ we loved it ! It is now living in Peterborough, and we hope the new owners are having as much fun on her as we did !

Tony, If you ever find one available to buy- let me know - as after a few hours standing on the stern of Baron, I could do with taking the weight off by just perching ! We have an old high kitchen stool, but it doesn't half get in the way. I had thought about having a go at making one out of a length of scaffolding pole and some form of bracket ~ it will probably never happen !

I am also interested in this, as I have to rebuild my engine box very soon - having had it apart to have the recon engine fitted, is now vibrating like the devil ! I could just rebuild it as is, but I would like to improve it, so that I have better access to the engine - so as many photos as you have would be really helpful ! The existing one is lined in what looks like foil faced foam - any ideas where this can be bought from ?

Not sure....but it tastes nice on toast !

Many thanks David.

I think I will try the new cap first, I will let you know if it sorts it out. The heat exchanger has no marks on it, in fact you can't really see the water level in it because of the fins in it - I stuck a pencil down it as a dipstick.

It's done it since we bought the boat ~ but that is only 9 months. The cap is a bit loose.

Here's a thought - if the existing cap on the heat exchanger is US, could it be letting water out through the overflow by contracting when it shouldn't ? Maybe I just need a new cap ?

Thanks for your input - I will mull it over !

Alan, I do have a Bowman heat exchanger unit on the top, which always seem to be nearly empty, though it doesnt appear to be leaking from anywhere, other than the overflow when hot. The engineer did say I needed to cap it off, and use a tank off a scrap car with the radiator cap - but I've never seen one on another boat ! The skin tank dimensions, well I am not too sure, but it seems to run down the length of the swim.

Its a useful site - thanks !

we are losing coolant through the overflow on top of the engine, when we are running hot - which is a nuisance as it collects under the engine, and also potentially damaging should we run out, so I guess if I fitted a tank at least I could see the levels were right. That said, I presume I need some sort of pressure resistant tubing - if I am getting a tank with a pressure cap ?

I have had my annual RCR engine inspection today, and the engineer suggested I fit an expansion tank to the cooling system on my BMC engine. Has anyone fitted one - what did you use - shall I go and get one off a scrap car, or is it just not necessary ?

Mrs B and I went to the show on Thursday, and I have to say I was a tad disappointed. So heavily biased towards caravans and motorhomes, the marine side was a lot smaller than that at Excel in London last year (when we went to that one). Having said that it was quiet, allowing us to have a look at the narrowboats on display (mainly Sea Otters with a Liverpool boat and a Stenson) without feeling rushed or pushed. We picked up loads of literature on all sorts of things, and the odd accessory too - but I am glad we only live about 30 miles away or I would have been cross if I had travelled. Alas we can't make Crick this year, there is always next year. By the way, has anyone used Biomagic loo fluid ~ we bought some to try it out !

Well, just to lob in my two pen'orth - Mrs Boater is a babe, and isn't very often seen in comfortable shoes, but she can't half work a lock and loves to boat just as much as me and the dogs !

Blimey that was quick ! OK, try this one

Here you go Alan, get searching ! You got there before me Rog, and I think your location is near Walton and Weybridge on the Wey navigation, where it joins the Thames.

I used a thingummy....well it looks like a double ended nozzle off a sealant gun (but I don't know what on earth you'd call it) bought from a well known DIY warehouse to connect two pipes together. Coupled with the trusty jubilee clips it works a treat !

I don't know whether Google Earth refreshes each time you load it, but more and more of the UK seems to be getting clearer every time I open it. There are still vast tracts of countryside that are blurred, but over Reading into London is clear on my version. The co-ordinates are 51"24"04.13N 1"19"01".85 W if this helps. I first loaded it in August 05, but it connects to the server every time so I assume I am getting the latest pictures. Try refreshing yours. Correct - Limehouse Basin - I wish I had owned and not rented that flat ! Correct - Limehouse Basin - I wish I had owned and not rented that flat !

Here you go then, another famous location and the timer is running ! Interestingly, we used to live here !