Rebotco

Very drole!

And for the cost of it, we could have 2 new Royal Yachts, CaRT funded for the next 100 years and all the hospitals upgraded etc. etc. (Might be a slight exaggeration- but you get my drift!) Brian

I think Matty's explanation is right. The rope+ball is set at 65 ft in length, so when the ball touches the water, the mast will clear the bridge. I don't think any winching could work - just some very clever steering. Must be a heck of a force on the mast though! Still, if it broke off, he could then easily get under the bridge! Brian

My fresh water tank is at the very front of the bow, formed by the steel hull and coated with black stuff. Not too keen on this idea, especially as little black flecks come out of the tap sometimes. Can't really see how to recoat it though, as there is only a screwed-on 12" square access plate to get at it. I sure couldn't fit down that and suspect my arms wouldn't reach far enough to get in all the corners anyway! So what options have I got? Anyone used those flexible water bag things? I have seen them up to 200 lts but they cost around £300. Or is there any sort of spray on lining that could be applied? Thanks Brian

And the £32 BILLION on a bloody pointless railway line. Brian

Impressive! I must try that on my chimney next time I go through a low tunnel!! Brian

So is it looking up info that makes you a troll - or is it calling someone a pratt? Brian

Sorry if this sounds a bit thick - but what exactly is "trolling", and how do you do it? Is it supposed to be a bad thing to do, and why? As you may guess, I'm not a natural geek! Thanks Brian

Agreed. I always thought it was pure spite by Labour to abandon it in the first place. Brian

I had to pay a small extra premium on my policy to go down the Severn last year. But it was not stated as essential to have an official pilot. Just a competent/experienced person for the trip. Brian

There are lots of self adhesive printed vinyl woodgrains around. But they're a bugger to get all the bubbles out on a large area. Dunelm Mills and other Homeware/fabric stores sell lots. Or probably ebay. Brian

The tides are - the overtopping of the weirs is not. Brian

Yes, thats true on rare occasions on a spring tide. The "Tidal Wave" bore can overtop the weirs as far as Lower Lode, just South of Tewkesbury. I would not entertain being on the river in those conditions personally. Fortunately though, that is not the norm. Brian

Don't want to worry you - but that wasn't even a high tide! The river is non-tidal north of Gloucester. But it can be hairy enough just as a flowing river. In flood, it can be lethal. I have done the tidal trip Sharpness to Bristol in a 60 ft narrowboat. Pilot cost £160 to Portishead, although I had a friendly seaman who helped me for a bottle of Johnny Walker instead. Pilot's not compulsory, but for a first timer pretty near essential. You already know the Severn won't be mucked about with. The harbourmaster won't let you go if the wind is above force 4. But its a unique experience, and you'll be glad you did it. Brian

Exactly so. Mine is a cruiser stern, so probably gets more of it than yours. As I understand it, the area under the engine is "fenced off" so that any oil leaks/drips are not pumped into the canal by the bilge pump. But due to rain from the deck area above, its often got as much depth of water in it as the rest of the bilge. In fact I have just had a tonneau cover fitted to reduce this problem. Brian

I'll second that! Tunnel lights are for tunnels. Brian

That sounds an eminently practical and sensible solution for these circumstances. Brian

One died. The other is in hospital. Brian

Bugger that! Go for a normal pump-out. (That will guarantee this thread running for at least 6 pages!!!) Brian

Saw him on QI recently. Didn't like him at all. Brian

I used to think like that until I realised that:- With a cottage you have to spend a lot of time and a fortune on fuel to get anywhere each day. Plus all the hassle of driving everywhere in a car on congested roads. And every day you have to start and end at the same place. You have to find and pay for all your entertainment every day and evening. Even more if you've got kids. But with a boat all your entertainment comes free. And it starts when you wake up and lasts until you go to bed. And no two days are ever the same. The change of pace on the canals is not only more beneficial, but 1 week seems like a fortnight on canal holidays. And you will see things and meet people on the waterways that you cannot begin to imagine on land. In short, it is utterly unique compared to anything else. It will relax you more than anything else. And if you measure it as "Enjoyment/£" it is far cheaper than anything else. But BEWARE - it is highly addictive!! Pretty much all those who now own their own boat, started off by hiring a boat for a holiday - and got hooked for life! Brian

Am I right in thinking you just want to find the actual veneer to stick on to ply/MDF/Chipboard etc? If so, you could try My link You are not likely to get it in 8' x 4' as not too many trees are 4'+ diameter! Its ususlly in long strips about 12" wide Brian

Thanks Arthur. Those are not the actual charging voltages - see above. The float charging is at 13.6v. Apart from the cost, the problem I've got with solar is that their max output seems to vary up to 100 times according to the season. So to be adequate on dark winter days I would need a massive panel at a massive cost. Then there would also need to be a very clever type of controller to keep it in check during summer conditions. Brian Thanks. Had seen those, but worried about its performance on a bank of 440 Ah batteries. Would be interested in how you find it works. Brian

I think those 3 voltages are selectable for either NORMAL or AGM/COLD or RECONDITIONING applications. I believe the maintenance charge rate is at 13.6v. Brian