davey b

It's an ash pole and my main concern is trapping moisture causing rot - leaning on it only for it to give way is never amusing to the pusher, only the gathered crowd!

The ash pole for our boat was painted in colours to match the boat, presumably when the boat was painted approx 9 years ago. In the last year (our first with it) the paint on the pole has started to crack and peel. The original top coat has lasted well in terms of colour and adherence to the primer. I know what it is and I don't think it is necessarily the wrong type, but the primer layer appears to have been the same two pack under coat used on the hull and it has caused any moisture to be locked against the wood and has not been flexible enough to move with the wood. The paint is sound on the steel. So, the questions are, what paint should I use to paint the ash pole and should I treat the ends differently? It's scraped, sanded and awaiting its clothing... I was thinking something breathable like International Ranch Paint and some Ronseal end grain sealer, and then use the same paint as the boat for the colour.

We blacked our 70' hull with Epimastic MT about this time last year (April - remember the hail, frost and snow?) and I think your timings are optimistic unless your dry dock is maintained at ideal temperatures. After a very powerful jet an amount of the previous polyester based two pack came of but the original two pack primer over grit blast remained mostly intact. A bit or grinding and wire brushing on the rust around the abrasions (and the removal of quite a few cosmetic rivet which are brilliant for trapping moisture and therefore rust - and why do mine go all the way to the base plate and even under the counter...) and we were ready to go. The Epimastic MT can be applied over moisture and is ideal for brush, roller or spray application with a short set up time and quick immersion time. It can be successfully applied over previous coating but not to full warranty standards unless grit-blasted (so say Spencer Coatings, the manufacturers). It is designed for dock pilings and rig use hence the specified qualities - Spencers were very helpful throughout. We applied around the rivets with a brush and two coats with mini-rollers (which it destroys quickly if they are bargain basement types). We only did the sides but it took us 20 litres to be content with the coverage and to over band any areas we thought needed special attention. Due to temperatures, the paint went off in about 4-6 hours which is a nice long working time and not the race against time for warmer temps, but it is quite thick so takes extra time to apply. This will affect your timetable but nothing more... Over coating times are 24hrs so that is at least 2 days and it takes a long time to dry at colder temperatures. It looks OK so far but goes brown on first immersion so be prepared for that. We're happy with it and it can be over coated with Comastic (single pack bitumen based) for touch ups on rubbing strakes. I think you're being a bit optimistic with timings but go for it... It should be fun in a perverse sort of way! If you're interested...Epimastic MT specs No links with Spencer Coatings other than a satisfied (and poor) customer - its not cheap stuff, but they deliver it for free for 20 litres and more.

It's not wasted space if, as suggested, it's being used effectively. The neatness and space gained will be worthless if filled with services that still need to be run somewhere.

BWML really are scraping the barrel to wring every last penny out of their customers at the moment. We've just had the (frankly rude)letter regarding Grade 1 & 2 moorings, the assertion that their residential mooring policy is being pressed by local authorities and they've announced their above inflation price increases. Am I the only one thinking that the financial avarice being displayed by CRT & its subsidiaries points to a major hole in the budget?

This is precisely the point I have made in my reply to the consultation. The introduction of the off the road notice for uninsured vehicles has not reduce the number of uninsured drivers, just missed the point entirely but showed someone doing something - which is what CRT are doing to pacify the IWA and Hire Boat Operators (if they are the true instigators of this plan; no doubt their membership will benefit but no-one has proven this information). This is a barefaced attempt to introduce a charging system for all visitor moorings to raise revenue.

But it is not a Trust of the users. I tried long and hard to insert a suitable 'n' word into that but decided it wasn't amusing enough

That's true... It's all about change and resistance to it - there is a new target perceived.

I think you will find it varies as to whether people are writing, speaking, signing or whether they approve or not of a policy or decision, whether they think the organisation is to be viewed in a positive or negative light today. The Trust has given themselves an abbreviation that cannot be pronounced correctly/easily so the pronunciation will fall to the individual and depend on the above. For example: Corporate Statement: 'The CRT will continue to maintain the canal heritage' (spoken or written) Written request: 'Please will CRT desist in defacing locks with poetry carved into our heritage' General conversation: "I wish those cart, waterways, trust - whatever they call them selve would sort out these leaking locks rather than carving rubbish on them" Irritated customers chatting: "Those W****** who took over are concentrating on the wrong things - who the f*** cares about words on a lock gate!" Which brings us back to: "The CRT will continue to maintain the canal heritage and considers the poetry will enhance the canals and attract new admirers who may be wont to donate funding. I can confirm no Trust maintenance funding was expended on this projected which was partly financed by the Art Council." (written or spoken) This is inevitably closed by: "Whatever... What was I doing that was more important?" (again, written or spoken) I voted C&RT and pronounce it with all options and more listed above

I found some of those under the engine... I think the dirt was oil (I have to believe...) In order to preserve the forum (and my mind - it took several hours to get over the shock) I shall not be posting the prints. Purely for quality control reasons... That SX70 film fades so badly. I do hope the previous owner is not a member (of the forum). As for various states, I'm sticking with my description and going no further

That's quite a relief - we found a collection of Polaroids depicting the previous owners in various states of nudity... and worse!

Whilst this may be part of the truth from BWML, they have also been sending out letters that are pushing people to admit their use of Grade 2 (leisure) moorings are more in line with Grade 1 moorings. They have realigned the pricing of Grade 1 moorings (depending on marina) from berth to per metre - equivalent to an increase in the rate at Apsley of approx £350-400 pa for a 57ft boat and that is at a far higher rate than the grade 2 moorings. They appear, as do their parent trust, to be trying to increase their revenue generation.

This is a point I made in my reply to the survey and why I have signed the petition. However, this won't gather more money for CRT which is actually the point of these proposals (yes, I'm cynical, I admit it).

Adapt and change or prepare to drown in a pool of irrelevance... as I was warned some years ago at work. It is a mantra that most elements of the waterways scene should strongly consider now that change has begun, having been prompted by the BW/CRT change. I also think the IWA (certainly the WRG) and CRT are closer in intent than either is comfortable with which will cause some friction at least. Other elements of the two organisations also chime together such as the agreement about the need to obey rules and regulation, they merely differ in the methods of enforcement. The Welch comments have embarrassed the IWA but sort of play them the hands of the CRT and their stronger enforcement tactics - almost as if it were a CRT plant from someone one the inside!

That's not a generator, that's a whistler! This is a generator....

That's an interesting comparison... The coffee machine at work has just failed after nearly 4 years of being used almost constantly and rarely left without either one or two pots being kept warm. Its replacement - same model just slightly newer cost £228. I wonder how the maths would work out there? Slightly pointless as the boss wouldn't ever pay for a warranty - why waste money on that when there are procurement projects for very purpose of wasting money!

We are currently customers and we have had only good service from them (not sure I agree with the reasonable rates... but that is GU south for you. Ironically it is the neighbours that cause the issues at Apsley! There are definitely cracks beneath the veneer, though. Some of the policies being inflicted on employees and probably affecting neighbours might be the issue here. I think if you dig into the organisation you will find cracks big enough into which a nice large out of court settlement could fall. It may also be down to individuals, as some of the 'characters' are interesting... 5 Stars fro Maeve at Packet Boat and Dave at Apsley, though - always been helpful

Certainly not the bits of the Highway Code that tell them the parts of the Road Traffic Act that do apply to they (traffic signs, road markings, right of way) although, strangely, they know the sections that say their rights to be treated correctly by motorised road users almost verbatim. Cyclists should be licensed and insured. Anyone who still believes that 'rights' do not cost money is sadly living in cloud-cuckoo-land. Of course, this wouldn't be an issue if everyone was reasonable and remembered that rights carry with them responsibilities... I don't believe there is a Human Responsibilities Act - shame. It would have been a more positive way forward.

When looking last year at this area, Winkwell worked out more expensive than Apsley for a Grade 2 mooring (priced per foot per month + vat) with a 70 foot boat. Cow Roast is non residential (Officially, used to blind eye rules - not sure at the moment) All three of those have their advantages and disadvantages... Railway noise is loud at Winkwell (though no doubt you get used to it) and present at all 3. Apsley is most convenient (except for parking - but best for Blue badge access around the marina - Blue badge parking could use the HCC parking over the bridge and still park closer than I can sometimes!) Cow Roast I'd definitely need a car - Winkwell probably - Apsley almost not at all. Apsley is newest, The management like a pound of flesh for almost everything at Winkwell but are also extremely helpful. Winkwell has the best yard facilities, Apsley the best social facilities, Cow Roast is... very rural! PM me for a Grade 2 view of Apsley if you would like

edited as it gives an error message, sorry

Thanks, Chaps, I think the 'pot mender' idea is the way I'll go for now, possibly a tidy version as Tim suggests as it is quite a neat hole (cut with a hole saw). I wondered if there was something 'prettier' on the market, ready made I took the fitting off as the I'd like to reduce the interior projection - it had a plug and cover on the inside before I started Ta...

I have recently removed a sink waste outlet skin fitting from the hull and wondered if anyone knows of a blanking cap available to plug the 2in + hole that remains? Obviously the long term answer is to weld a plate in, but that will have to wait until dry-docking. Thanks