Jo Gilbertson

Re reverse gear and direction of rudder; if you push the tiller away from you towards the bank and engage reverse the bow will naturally try and turn towards the bank,( try it mid stream to see) the reason the stern doesn't motor away from the bank is that is that the closeness to the bank allows the prop to suck the stern in at the same time. I used to do what Athy does and push the tiller away from the bank - but found my bow kicked out as the stern went in.

I've a deep drafted boat and suffered this problem for several years until a fellow boater showed me the following technique. Slow to a stop mid channel, then slow turn into the bank so that you stop bow in just kissing the bank where you want the front of the boat to end up at an angle of around 40-45 degrees or so; then tiller pointing full over at bank and apply gentle power to ease the stern in, as the bank approaches and before the bow starts to move forward or kick out apply reverse whilst still holding the tiller towards the bank - the reverse 'sucks' the stern in the last foot or so without kicking the bow out.

33 boaters, 6 boating businesses and nine employees standing for election to the council.- Confirmed by BW

Thanks - really cool- a floating engine....

Hi All, The founding trustees for the new waterways charity have been announced. -pics and bios!

Genius!- will try this one more often in future!

Mentioning DIY near Napton- theres a v good traditional Hardware shop in Southam

Hi I had a problem with my blacking and someone suggested needle gunning it off - Stockton Dry Dock Co can do this(Stockton Warks GU) (01926814441, E.mail Graeme graeme@stockton-dry-dock-company.co.uk). Not sure where you are in relation - might be other closer yards that could do the same?

Thats the one I'm uncomfortable about although to me it makes sense to do so - Speaking personally have no probs breasting up to a 'squatter' on say a lock landing or a water point, but shuffling boats when unoccupied... hmmm.

OK - Im cool about that - how do you feel about moving a boat to make space to fit into a mooring?

But breasting up - or moving a boat are both intentional acts are they not...?

Totally agree- Is breasting up or moving a boat trespass ? There are three categories of trespass: trespass to land, trespass to goods and trespass to the person. Clearly the last of these has no relevance to this scenario. It's also worth noting that a criminal offence by trespass is only committed where damage is caused; it is therefore unlikely that the scenario below could amount to a criminal offence. Trespass to land Trespass to land occurs when someone enters someone else's land without lawful excuse (mainly permission, but also necessity etc). Land, however, only includes real property, which as well as the surface, includes the subsoil, airspace and things permanently affixed to those things (e.g. a house). As such, crossing a boat in the way described would not amount to trespass to land. Trespass to goods Forms of trespass to goods are various but include, for example, moving them or making contact with them; stepping onto another's boat would therefore seem to meet this requirement. Trespass is actionable per se (according to dictum of Lord Blanesburgh in William Leitch v Leydon [1931]), although obviously where there is no damage, only nominal damages would normally be available. It is also worth noting that although not relevant for this scenario, accidental trespass is not actionable (National Coal Board v JE Evans [1951]). The claimant must have had possession of the goods at the time of the trespass. This is, however, does not stop a trespass being committed as even if the boat owner was not there at the time of the trespass, they would still be in "either actual or constructive" possession, or would have "a legal right to the immediate possession" (Lord Esher in Johnson v Diprose [1893]). In summary, there would probably be a de facto tort of trespass committed by this act, although damages available would only be nominal unless actual damage was caused. The lack of damage would also preclude a criminal act being committed.

1881 Stevenson, Treasure Island, 'He was hanged like a dog, and sun-dried like the rest, at Corso Castle. That was Roberts’ men, that was, and comed of changing names to their ships - Royal Fortune, and so on. Now what a ship was christened, so let her stay, I say'. BTW - the Mary Celeste was renamed from the Amazon ...

These hardwoods burn well and slowly, Ash, beech, hawthorn oak and holly. Softwoods flare up quick and fine, Birch, fir, hazel, larch and pine. Elm and willow you'll regret, Chestnut green and sycamore wet checkout 'scoutbase' - advice on woods for fires etc. http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs315001.pdf

I was taught as a dinghy sailor that it was an old superstition to 'whistle' to call up the wind when it was flat calm ...I suppose it could be unlucky if you got too much back... edited for spelling *!*