Woodstock

Hi- we found out that our boat was made by DA Watts boatbuilders- I think they are still in existence, but cant find a website. Does anybody know anything of their history, how many boats did they make, do their boats have any specific characteristics and did they have a good boatbuilding reputation?

Hi- Before we bought our boat earlier this year, we looked at a lot of boats and none of them had a carbon monoxide alarm. Given that a lot of boats have gas boilers and stoves we were surprised by this and have fitted a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm. You can also get combined ones now- dont know if they are as good Is there a reason why people dont fit them- or did we just see an unrepresentataive selection of boats. Either way- be safe everyone

Thanks everyone- I think we know how to drain- as on our first trip- the fan belt broke and the water hose shot off emptying the water out. I'll measure and calculate based on the skin tank measurements so we know approx how much to buy first and then drain (hopefully under more controlled conditions than the fan belt fiasco earlier this year), measure and mix. Thanks for advising the ratio as I dont think I would have known to use such a concentrated mix Thanks- How do I use the hydrometer- I think I have one used many years ago for wine making but I guess this may be a different type. Do the ones from Halfords- give required readings for antifreeze use. Thanks for your advice

thanks everyone- you're making me think now- I'd love psychadelic swirls- may need to work on the other half though- plus I hadn't thought of black getting hot- good point!- and I kept seeing the peanuts bird when I googled woodstock- whilst I knew the cartoon- I didnt know the name of the bird- mystery solved. We're meeting the painter next week - will let you know how we get on

Hi- preparing for winter this weekend- How do I know how much antifreeze to put in the engine- it's a 1.5 BMC engine

Hi- We're looking to have our boat painted. Any thoughts on colour and design- she's called woodstock . She currently doesnt have the name painted on the boat- just a tatty viny plate on top. Favourite so far is black with a simple coachline in white or cream with the name in a curvy style font with perhaps a line of daisy chain underneath (in the spirit of love and peace!!!!!- my partners not sure about the daisy chain though). Any thoughts on colour and design appreciated and you may just see your suggestion crusing down the T&M next year. Trying to keep it simple and hopefully costs down, so nothing too complex Looking forward to your creative thoughts

Thank you for the links- I've just seen some good reviews of his work on the internet- looks promising

Hi Ive been reading other threads about painting and (reluctantly)decided to bite the bullet and get my purse out. We've got a 38foot narrowboat desperately in need of some rust treatment and a repaint- Can anyone reccomend someone to treat and paint- not looking for anything complex in design. We're based in Shardlow, so somebody in the East Midlands would be good Thanks

Thanks everyone-some useful tips

Hi- This is our first winter and have read all the useful tips on what to do- thanks everyone. We have what I think is an oil filled electric heater on board (looks like a small radiator)- would it help to run this from a timer and shoreline for an hour a day- plus are they economical or would you reccomend something else. We will be checking the boat at least once a month and hope to have the odd blue sky frosty weekend where we can take her out and light the woodburner (Bliss!!)

Well said- glad you agree. We're new to boating and love the evenings out, but couldnt believe such a lovely boat could be decked in such tat. Do people deck their boats out at Christmas with lights and decorations- which I could understand more. I promise I will never buy any

Hi. We bought some of these LED lights from ebay- free p&p and they're brilliant- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200647993539?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 they're magnetic so great over your back door when fetching wood from under the cratch cover at night. They also hook onto things so really portable- they run off 3 batteries-I got a pack of 10 for £1 from the poundshop- I have no connection with the company but thought I'd share a handy buy

Hi- Tried to get up the Erewash at the weekend but the weed is like a thick green blanket- Had to turn around in the end. Our dog jumped in next to Trent lock thinking it was grass and we heard he was at least the third one to do it that day. Please be careful- it gets worse as well past Long Eaton

Hi- We saw a beautiful boat over the weekend decked out in solar lights- some nice white ones added a nice glow- but some blue flashing ones just seemed to take over the sky. Forgive me if I'm boring but I love the canals, and the normal lack of light pollution- but these things just seemed to monopolise the scenery and you dont turn them off. What do you think???

Hi If you find a good price for an eco fan let me know- cheapest I found when I looked last month was on ebay- Chandlers seem very expensive

we're just back from a week on the llangollen- started at Bunbury- found Anglo welsh boats great and the staff lovely. They have a good choice of boats and some with wood burning stoves. We had 48ft for 2 of us and a dog- so would choose a longer boat for you with 2 fixed berth as suggested. We did the tripin a week but would have liked a couple of extra days to see more of the towns. They have a base in Trevor if you want to start nearer the aquaducts- good tip from other members- to ring the boat yard before to ask what time you can start. I did like the Llangollen - it's beautiful, but we've only a few canals under our belt- so dont want to bias you

There's an artcle about Mercia in Novembers canal boat magazine- massive expansion and new facilities- might be worth you having a read. It also lists other moorings by location. We're based at Shardlow which is nice- great location for the erewash and River Soar- but still waiting for electric hook upon our pontoon which is my only moan but on a waiting list. Bought our boat from Sawley- but dont know anyone moored there

That seems very true- last week was great- easy to moor, not too much traffic at the locks and aquaducts- but the lock keepers did say it had been really busy in the school hols. Am I wrong to have thought the Chirk aquaduct more stunning than the Pontycylite- it was really quiet in Chirk- very few tourists. We're new to boating and have just bought a NB and moored in Shardlow- Any suggestions for a long weekend in the area??

Hi- congratulations- really interesting thread with plenty of highs and lows- really glad you found a boat- we bought our first one 6 weeks ago,so can remember well the impatience of waiting for the phone to ring. Hope you get on her soon- and that the weather stays good for the maiden voyage- dont forget the champagne!!!!

Hi- Just back from a week on the Llangollen- wow what a stunner- The weather certainly helped but what a stunning canal- and for a relatively short canal, plenty to see- the scenery changes from farmland to woodland etc. Cotton Arms at Wrenbury do really good food at reasonable prices.

Hi- We've just bought our first narrowboat and have some areas of rust to treat and fill. Can anyone reccomend a good rust treatement and make of filler-plu snay tips would be appreciated

we bought our first boat 2 weeks ago and have met lots of really nice helpful people and just a couple who think they know it all and need to tell us that they do. Our maiden voyage last week was blighted when the fan belt snapped- keep spares!!! I did have one guy at a lock deliberately trying to be bossy and make me feel like a ditsy woman- but I've decided in future that I will just explain that I am new to this wonderful life, and trying to learn quickly and that its a shame they cant remember when they first started to learn- this is a much politer expanation than the one that my partner suggested We are moored in a marina- and the people there are lovely and I have to say once we got going after the fan belt, I spoke to more people last weekend that I didnt know -at locks etc than probably in the previous month. I hope you've just been unlucky. Keep smiling and enjoy

Hi- We've just bought our first narrowboat after several cruiser holidays. Best advice is to research- look at lots and lots of boats on the internet to give an idea of price and what you get- then have a look in person- again look at lots, as we found 2 that looked superb on the internet were in terrible condition and really overpriced- and then we bought one, I had discounted, because it was so much better than it looked on the internet. We found Sawley marina sales really helpful and they have a good choice of cruisers- also castle marina at nottingham. When you find the one you want- dont start with the asking price- and consider any work that will need doing- If you're buying through a broker they may be able to help give a guide on offers- but remember they are working for the seller Oh- and our maiden cruise last week was blighted when we broke down after the fan belt broke- breakdown- RCR got us going again- it'll probably never happen but keep a spare on board and dont let little things spoil it. Have lots of fun looking- it's tiring but you will get an idea of what you need and what you would like- and then when you get one- enjoy- remember there's always a bit of work to do if you're buying a second hand boat- but we've met some really helpful and experienced people over the last 2 weeks- you do meet the odd expert who knows it all???? but few and far between Survey costs about £600, incl survey and lift out- but remember any findings can be used when agreeing a price Take care and hope you find a super boat.

I've seen a 1970s Fernie, composite top, really well refurbished internally. £16K is open to offers. It was replated early 2000s At this price- is it worth considering and should I survey. We would look to keep for about 5 years- would it be difficult to sell on?