The Bagdad Boatman (waits)

non powered boats have the right of way.

Look for direct fuel injection instead of carberetter which can spill fuel

Prepare your boat with sucking any water and sludge from the bottom of the fuel tank. Service the engine and clean fuel filters check fan belts and have spare filters and belts. Anchor must be set out so you can deploy it if necessary and secure the bitter end to the boat, it is no use under the bed. Life jackets for all crew. You will leave Tarleton river lock before high tide and push against the tide down the Douglas and with the tide up the Ribble to Savick brook. Choose a neap tide and avoid the high spring tide. The Lancaster is a lovely area to visit. There is a width restriction in Savick brook.

if you refit a boat do it slowly a bit at a time do not strip it out but use it and decide what to replace. Your dad can puddle weld pits and also use lead to fill pits. if you prep the steel and cut holes so he can weld new plates then his skill will give you a good hull, hard and dirty work but economical to do.

Saw some super heavy batteries at mole valley farmers. looked to be off a tractor.

Reminds me of the feeder to springs branch in Skipton the bridge is now the bypass.

Yes they work well.

By using the levers you allow the flywheel to spin up and start the engine more easily.

Clean fuel. Good oil and regular fiter change is what engines need to keep healthy and a good cooling system.

Try to make all your straps the same length. They can go the shortest way and work the first battery too hard.

If you have the room put your dining area on a plinth so you can see out.

go for a diesel fuel stove or a diesel Esse cooker.

some use halfords car boxes.

Pershore is worth a visit there is a sauna in the public bathes near the mooring. Saul is worth a wander it dates back to Saxon times. Look at the hulks at Purton. Beware of flooding if there is a lot of rain.

Major problem is that new fiberglass bonds with a chemical bond and any patching or joining to old fiberglass can only be a mechanical bond which is not as strong.

If the boat is mobile with the engine working and water to the sink then go on short cruises at weekends tie up to the bank and do a bit of fitting out before having a meal and a pint. That way you enjoy the boat and can take your time deciding what goes where.

Security is a problem with generators I used to secure mine with a long chain and good padlock. The scrotes will try to walk of with it. You must run it on the towpath and fulel up off the boat.

Look for boatyards with straddles for cheap lifts

Look at a wheelhouse convertion. Extend and be carful to watch the tides and river flow if you go out.

Needs to pay the wages rent and transport costs.

Skiners Rough and Ready we find good. A dog loves hunting eating and sleeping. Pleaty of water to drink and minimum mess.

I had the weed hatch extended to raise the edges above water level by another 6 inches.

I guy I knew has an electric motor from a miget submerine powering his narrowboat. By useing a generater of the wispergen type you could place it anywhere.

You do not own a wooden boat it ownes you with a lot of plesure.

I used laminated glass from normal glass supply merchents scribe the size and corner radius on a template.