Ryeland

I fitted out my shell at home and had to move it from a neighbours field into my property. The crane put the shell on several short sections of telegraph pole, and then with two tractors we rolled it about 40 metres. The ground was grassed but quite soggy (November) but the shell rolled fairly easily. When it was finished, I was worried that the extra weight (9 tons to 13 tons) would be a problem and I had four tractors available. But as the ground was firmer, two tractors easily moved it again. If the field is grassed, I would consider doing the same. It's MUCH easier working on the boat at home where you have all your tools, power etc than on the water. Richard

Having used MCBs professionally on 48V DC systems, I know that very few manufacturers give a DC rating. ABB are one whose products I have used. On my boat I haven't bothered - if one burns it's contacts on breaking a fault I'll replace it. I suppose they could weld when reset after a fault after they burn but IMHO this is very unlikely. More likely they will not make a good enough contact to be used, prompting replacement. Richard

There is a car park for £5 a day under the railway viaduct the other side of the Rochdale bottom lock. Richard

Hep 15mm to 1/2"bsp tap connector, then a 1/2" hose to 1/2"bsp male adaptor screwed into the tap connector. 1/2" flex pipe will connect the filter to this. Have used this setup in several places on the boat. Richard

First thing to do though is to put neoprene foam tape on the deck board where it meets the steel supports. This stops a surprising amount of sound finding it's way through the gaps. Richard

Came down last week. There were various water problems that CRT staff were sorting before we reached lock 65. If you have difficulties I would ring straight away - CRT were really good. Richard

Caldwells standard windows use this section. Always found them helpful. Richard

Mine are just fixed with 3 x M5 brass screws each (and some sealant), and I've been surprised that they have lasted 5yrs so far! I use the centre lines a lot, including for stopping the boat when waiting for locks etc. Richard

It was done when CRT carried out work on the gates this past winter. They lifted the gates using a manual gantry and winch, so I can only assume it was so the weight of the beams didn't unbalance the gates when they were lifted. Pity a coat of paint wasn't applied though, looks a bit of a mess now. Richard

Thanks, I was starting to get worried! Richard

Anyone have any idea where to get them please? I'm at Great Haywood going towards Aldersley Junction Richard

My rather elderly Nicholsons says that a special BCN anti-vandal key (not the handcuff key or BW key) is needed. Is this still the case? Richard

Only if it is a constant power device, maybe containing a power supply designed to cope with varying voltages. More commonly, for say a lamp, the resistance will be roughly constant, so the current drawn will drop with reduced voltage. Richard

We didn't have any problem getting in to the side, but my thoughts were why the expensive concrete and bollards on top of standard steel pilings? Just the pilings a bit higher and some grass would have been fine. Richard

We are also booked in: NB Ryeland Richard, Anne and Stephen Lacey

Except that the Volvo Penta seal that I have doesn't have any water pipe running to or from it, the water lubrication is internal. The other thread is about a Vetus gland. Richard

I cured my leak by moving the prop shaft a few mm so the bearing ran on an unworn length of the shaft. Richard

I had the same problem. I bolted a 9" length of angle iron through the floor of the well deck. It is located near a corner for maximum stregth. Two 12mm high tensile bolts, and a reinforcement plate under the deck. The upright of the angle iron has a 1/2" hole in it to take the anchor warp shackle. I usually give the warp a couple of turns around the T stud so it is located correctly, and there is some sharing of the load. I've never used it in anger! Thank goodness. Richard

There was an article in one of the magazines some time ago, and these were the recommended concentrations of THIN bleach (the thick stuff has other chemicals in it). Sanitising water tank: 5% thin bleach, 100ml per 100litres water. Sanitising hose pipe: 5% thin bleach, 20ml per 10litres water. Both above to be left for a few hours then rinsed out. Disinfecting water: 5% thin bleach, 1ml per 100l water. This concentration can be used for normal everyday use. It needs a small syringe to measure accurately. Richard

Just bought a Cello 22" from ebuyer.co.uk. Excellent TV (apart from the sound which is rubbish on most small sets these days), and Made in Britain! Already had the 12V stabilised psu from the old TV, but the new one only takes 19watts so a cheaper 2 amp psu would be OK. Richard

I fitted out my 50' shell, and it took nearly 6 months working virtually every day to get it to a good standard of basic fit oiut. The big advantage was that it was only yards from my house, in front of my workshop. Doing it away from home and facilities must be very hard, and probably explains why so many boats never get really finished. There is a need for storage for materials - you can't work on the boat without clear space. Do LOTS of planning and thinking about everything.before lifting a tool. I reckon that if I costed in my time, I could have bought a boat fitted out. But I did have lots of satisfaction from the exercise, and now know every inch of the boat. Richard PS If you are around the Midlands and want to visit the boat and talk over the fit out process PM me.

My Valor Willow on the boat gives very little heat downwards, I just have tiles on 3/4 ply with no problems. Just for interest I have just put my hand under the Clearview 6KW stove at home and the tiles are just lukewarm! I think the main reason for fireproof covering is in case of embers falling out of the stove. I think the 5" hearth in houses covers the old open fires which would get very hot. Richard

I would use decking timber. It's pretty straight (as long as you avoid the cheapest c**p), and well treated with preservative. Also reasonably priced. I have a step on the boat made of it which after 5yrs of being wet a lot of the time is still fine. Richard

When we had our boat lengthened I fitted a low profile anode in the middle of each side. I thought if they get knocked off I'm no worse off than not fitting any, but in fact three years on they are fine. Not even any scrapes on them. The overall width including the anodes is much less than at the rubbing strips. Richard

Nice spot just west of the Meadow Lane bridge at Colwich. Buses to Stafford from the bridge. I left my boat there last Xmas, no problems. Richard