Joshua

Gloucester (Gloucester and Sharpness) to Weedon (Grand Union) VIDEO - https://youtu.be/JJqEwwDcoyg Some artistic licence was taken over the tunnel scenes (they do not appear in correct geographical or time sequence). This video was shared by my nephew to a site called Reddit. I was really surprised by the reaction from, what I assume is a largely American audience, first because the comments on Reddit were so civil and upbeat about an old English couple piddling about on a boat and secondly because they were so unaware of the existence or nature of our canal system. I regret, I didn’t have time to answer their various questions at the time.

My partner and I are a few paces ahead of you and making the same sort of decisions (albeit, possibly for different reasons). We own and live on a 66ft narrowboat (with a bath) but recently bought a 1931, 66ft wooden gaff rigged Ketch, which we plan to move on to. We are currently on the G&S while we prepare the Ketch as a liveaboard, our intentions are to explore the west coast of Scotland whilst we get our sea legs, then a few years around Scandinavia before sailing further afield. We wont be ready until late next year and until then will be on the G&S, if you think our experience might help you, we would be happy to meet.

Not much help to the OP (she has, I think, already sailed), but since the thread has spawned into a general discussion about anchoring, some might find this article interesting. https://www.dropbox.com/s/c8l3npav68jfbbw/Anchors%20and%20Chain.pdf?dl=0

Don’t quote me but I think she is the last of the boats owned by the company based at Charlestown, the whole lot including the port is being sold off. The Earl of Pembook is geared and managed specifically for film work, she came to Gloucester to star in the Walt Disney ‘Alice in Wonderland’ film but is still here as her foremast was discovered to be rotten and T Nielsens are about to cut her a new one. She welcomes visitors (voluntary donation) and is worth it for anyone in the area, whilst on the subject of interesting things happening on the G&S at the moment, there is a good looking country fair on at Frampton next weekend. Details here: http://www.framptoncountryfair.co.uk

Talk about ropes, how about this! https://www.dropbox.com/s/g4cy5texa7cv86j/Earl%20of%20Pembrook%200005.JPG?dl=0 It’s the Earl of Pembrook and its moored just ahead of me in Gloucester Basin. Actually, I am surrounded by interesting boats at the moment. The boat directly in front of me turns out to belong to the man who made my narrowboat, (long before I bought it), the owner of Orion Narrowboats, just had a chat with him and his wife, nice chap not just a first class boat builder. Next boat up from the Pembrook, sort of bridges the gap between these sea boats and narrowboats, it’s a Trow, https://www.dropbox.com/s/lhh3f7dkw9n60i9/IMG_4607.JPG?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/fuujfsullp5k713/IMG_4611.JPG?dl=0 just arrived at T Nielsens for its annual brush up. More about it here: http://www.theherefordbull.org/Home.html

Many thanks for the compliments about Josefine. Yes, she is a very capable boat, built originally to work in the North sea. She was converted for leisure use in the late 70’s and has crossed the Atlantic to America at least once. Of the many joys of this type of boat, we like; The large open decks that allow a lot of time outside rather than always below, The uncomplicated construction that allows for self-maintenance, The massive construction (Josefine is oak on oak) which make them so strong and the relatively stable lumbering manoeuvring for most of the time but which in a good breeze can feel like your sailing a dinghy. There is of course, also, that heady aroma of pitch, pine and salt and the lovely warm feel of wood under foot. I am trying to put some stuff together for a YouTube channel so that I can share some of our experiences, just too busy at the moment with the current refit, but I’ll get there!

Nearly, she is a 1931 former Danish Fishing Ketch, built by Andersen & Ferdinandsen, Gilleleje. https://www.dropbox.com/sc/n3t2ch8suqx8ndg/AABCc-BRwxi4e8XaOPlLxJB_a

Personally, I think the most important factor is how active a life style you want, life on the canals is VERY undemanding, whilst the ocean demands your constant attention, which do you prefer. We CC in a narrowboat but recently bought this boat: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dize5ym1o9rzyab/Josefine%200013.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/eebo6ek1qtx18z9/Josefine%200012.jpg?dl=0 to move off shore and will live on her. We are currently refitting her to our needs, then we are likely to spend some years in and around the Scandinavian countries or west coast of Scotland while we get our sea legs (plenty of sheltered waters and good anchorages). Last time we sailed was over 40 years ago. Not sure how serious you are, but I am a firm believer in pursuing your dreams, life is way too short to squander it. If you really wanted to do it, learning to sail and getting appropriate qualifications would be part of the fun and take no time at all.

I used to own a 1936 J3 Piper Cub that went one step better. The fuel tank sits directly in-front of the pilot, well passenger actually, as the passenger sits up front and the pilot behind. The filler cap therefore was on top of the engine cowling in the pilots direct view, well nearly, the pilots forward vision is so restricted you spend most of your time looking out the side windows. A piece of stiff wire (like a coat hanger) fed down through a hole in the filler cap and through a cork in the tank. As the fuel burnt off, the piece of wire slowly disappeared down into the tank, effectively a permanently fixed dip-stick, in full view, all the time. The plane rattled and shook far too much for the wire ever to stick. It is generally true that pilots rely on checking everything as much as possible by sight and where possible manhandling things, it is an industry with a generally very good safety culture.

http://www.woodenships.co.uk/sailing-yachts/danish-sailing-fishing-boat/ What a shame, terrible end for a once nice boat.

I have just done the bowsprit, masts, booms and Gaffs on my ketch with the Owatrol system, its time consuming, not least the 12 coats of D2 (6 recommended minimum) but what a finish! My main mast (newly made) soaked up 5lts of D1 all on its own. I also have to deal with the shakes in some of my spars, especially the newly made main mast which was constructed during that very hot period a month or so ago. I can’t make my mind up whether to fill the shakes or leave them open. I am tending to the view that they are best left open so that water getting in can quickly dry out again, trouble with filling is that you have to do an absolutely water tight job or you just trap the moisture in and accelerate the rot. At least the shakes helped with the D1 penetration! I know your problem is slightly different, but talk of splits in wood got me thinking about it again.

Thanks Detling, the word ‘pump’ in this context is not quite descriptive, in relation to these toilets, it refers to the whole assembly including built in sealed pump, macerator, pressure and timer switch, inlet and outlets and control panels. Anyway, I have ordered a 12v Vetus, so job done, thanks again for advice given above.

Thanks I have been in touch with the Doctor-SaniFlow, great guy, very helpful. From further research, it seems that the 240v motor would fit but by the time I have paid to have my electrics altered I don’t think it is worth the down side, namely higher elec and water demand, so I am now looking for a complete loo. Cheapest I have found is the Vetus TMWQ at £341 from Vetus Direct, at over £300 cheaper than the Lee SaniMarin alternative I am just wondering, does anyone know if its price reflects its performance, if not, I’ll order one?

Thanks Kae, I was more concerned about the principle of keeping the nice simple 12v system that didn’t rely on another component like the inverter, but I suppose as you say its no big deal. On the other hand, if I stick to 12v I can simply replace what’s there i.e. do it myself, if I go 240v by the time I have paid an electrician to rewire my system ( a simple call out fee is £100 and I am a complete dunce when it comes to electrics), I might just as well have bought a replacement 12v loo!

I am looking for a replacement pump for our 12v SaniFlo Compact C43 macerator toilet. I have been in touch with SaniFlo UK who passed me to their service partners PumpMaster UK who in turn passed me to Lee Sanitation who take care of the marine stuff! PumpMaster told me that the 240v pump was basically the same as the 12v and costs £350 but they don’t supply 12V, a new 240v C43 toilet complete would cost £470. Lee Sanitation told me the 12v C43 model that I have was discontinued in 2002 and suggested my best bet was to buy one of their replacement loo’s on offer at £650! What to do? I have been back in touch with SaniFlo UK to get confirmation that the 12v C43 pump is discontinued but I am still waiting for the return call. If I can’t get a replacement 12v pump would it be mad to stick a 240v pump in, it is by all accounts the same design, shape and fit and I of course do have an inverter. Or, should I buy a different macerator toilet and if so, any recommendations? I have stripped down the current pump assembly and it is the pump that is broken not blocked with calc or anything else. Ta.

I considered the problem warranted a scything course. It was fun but not a cheap option. Course was about £100 and equipment (with 3 blade types to cope with the varying vegetation we encounter) was £300. Here on the Gloucester & Sharpness in particular, I have found the scythe a perfect tool and I find scything very good for both the soul and the body! Modern scythes have the advantage of easy rigging and de-rigging so they also store easily in relatively little space, do not cause the horrible noise and noxious fumes of powered tools, no need to keep dangerous petrol, are cheap to operate (a couple of pints of beer and a ploughman’s lunch a day), do not fling grass and damaging stones at the boat and can get right up to the edge with ease. A good, well maintained ‘ditch’ blade will cut surprisingly thick bush. You need to be relatively fit, but if your technique is good, its not very hard work. I also normally have a ‘slasher’ for overhanging small trees and bushes and I find the best source for these are second hand markets that often have a lot of good quality antique garden tools (hickory handled) for reasonable prices. Having said that, I have just broken the handle of my favourite slasher, cutting overhanging trees near the Sainsbury moorings, but I think that says more about my abuse of the tool than its quality! From my experience, I would say cutting bank side grass and weeds is relatively easy/do-able but overhanging stuff is different, it is very time consuming and hazardous. Normally, it has to be done from your boat, which is not an ideal/steady platform and which to be effective, invariably means your boat is blocking the channel. Personally, I don’t begrudge having to cut safe passage from and to my moored boat or to provide a view other than a wall of weeds. I try to look at the positives (my health) and just turn a deaf ear to the minority of winging ramblers who complain that I am destroying natural habitats. If I say anything, I normally retort that on the contrary, I am creating a natural habitat! To be fair, most passing walkers, bikers and boaters are interested to see an old tradition still at work. I am not suggesting it is a solution for everyone.

Funny thing is, at the initial costume fitting, the makeup girl took one look at me and said ‘oh great we wont have to do much with you’, meaning ‘your already a scruffy looking old bugger’. Most of the hairy tall ship crews were told the same!

I actually managed to get myself in the film as an extra, it was a fascinating day beginning with one and a half hours in makeup! In the clip you link to, I am the character near the beginning, standing up in a rowing skiff to hand cargo up to the Irene. Picture link attached showing my rowing action shots! (courtesy of mailonline). My ketch Josefine was due to star in the movie but sadly we couldn’t finish her new rigging and decks in time, we will definitely be doing more film work in the future, its great fun and well paid. Gloucester basin looked great. https://www.dropbox.com/s/gd4op3xlj6pxys0/Rowing%20Disney%20style.jpg

I can’t answer your question Daniel, but on the general subject of primers, I can add to the mix the advice I have recently received. T Nielesen and Co in Gloucester are doing some work on my wooden boat and for all the paint work I need to do (a lot) on both metal and wood, they recommended ‘Jotun Vinyguard Silvergrey 88’.

We have a couple of Montague Navigators. http://www.montaguebikes.com/navigator-folding-commuter-bike.html We spend far more time on the roads and around town than we do on the towpath but with 700c wheels they are good at both. One thing I would add, whatever size wheel you end up with, handling and comfort on the towpath can be dramatically improved by simply fitting good quality chunky tyres. Our Navigators came with thin road tyres through which we could feel every stone on the towpath, fitting chunky tyres transformed the ride.

When we passed through Birmingham at the end of March, a guy on the tow-path took a load of photos and recently sent us the results. Don’t blink! It was just before the Birmingham film festival so may be a short clip from a longer piece. Bit of fun anyway. http://youtu.be/B9owl2Hpzgs http://youtu.be/B9owl2Hpzgs

Sorry to take this thread a bit sideways, I have looked at bespoke security systems before, there are not many companies offering it. The lower end ones don’t seem to offer anything better than the type of thing I can buy off the shelf in Maplins etc and the higher end ones are way too expensive. I looked into these people http://www.gostglobal.com/home_boat-alarms_vessel-tracking-&-yacht-trackers.htm but apart from being very expensive, I realised that the rate of change in technology in this area is so fast that any system I did buy would be out of date very quickly. I came to the conclusion that it would be better to wait until 4G was more widespread then buy something ‘plug and play’ from Maplins. I would be interested in the views of anyone who has done this recently.

There may well have been, in fact there must have been some cavemen that wanted to do things differently, otherwise we would no doubt all still be living in caves!

My brother does that, lives on top of a mountain in Portugal. 3 donkeys, orange and olive groves, hay paddock and scythe, water well and wind generator, small stone house (self converted agricultural building), no computer, no telephone and he is not mentally ill. Lots of local friends doing the same or similar.

I have never tried it, but I understand that when having to reverse a long way, trawling a bucket or something similar, tied to the bow stud (used like a sea anchor) helps to keep the boat straight?