Dave_P
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Posts posted by Dave_P
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Thank you for the reply. I was under the impression that the engine was cooled via the main water tank at the front of the boat, which I haven't checked but there is water in the taps....am I being an idiot though? Thank you
Unlikely, since that's drinking water! More likely that your engine can heat that water, giving you hot water.
You should have a seperate cooling system running to a skin tank on the inside of the hull. It does sound like your engine has overheated which can cause problems and then you tried to run the engine again without addressing them. The most likely cause of overheating is a lack of water in the cooling system. You need to locate the pressure cap above the water reservoir, undo it and check the water level inside. If there's no water, then that's the problem. The cause could be a leak in the system somewhere or possibly a worn out pressure cap. Over heating could split the head gasket too so check inside the oil filler cap to see if the oil has turned into something akin to mayonnaise which would indicate water getting into places it shouldn't.
The good news is that bmcs are tough old beasts and can usually be coaxed back into life.
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Have you not tried the "Old Bilge Pump" columnist, (I think I have his "pen-name" right?). Makes Victor seem like a moderate!
I know him personally. You don't know the half of it! :-)
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Also city centre is gas street basin but moorings come up rarely. I should know, I have one. Towards the Black Country there are some around Tipton and caggys boatyard, also ocker hill and smethwick engine arm. Again moorings rarely come up. South of brum there's plenty online at alvechurch, online and down the arm at earlswood boat club they often have availability. I think there's moorings available right now at Lyons Boatyard about 4 miles south of the city centre. Further out there's swallow cruisers and lapworth junction. Heading north there's moorings around fazeley junction and streethay wharf or if that's too far, try cuckoos wharf (rather you than me round there though). Of course Gas Street Basin is the best mooring in the whole country even if I am biased!!
It would be worth knowing how wide a radius around Birmingham you would consider.
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Ok. I was hoping the app would include chat, because the mobile browser version doesn't seem to.
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We live in a strange old world.
Boaters get the hump if people dump stuff in the canal thus polluting it but they are quite happy to pollute the air that we breathe!
Now if the there was no smokeless fuel available I could understand.
Fair point. I only burn smokeless coal but I do also burn wood.
Cheap non-smokeless coal is a waste of time IMHO. Pound for pound I get more heat for longer from smokeless with less ash, less chimney sweeping and less lugging heavy bags around. Even cheaper smokeless coal is often a false economy. I like supertherm. Not the cheapest but it burns for ages.
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A longer scan says not in most cases.
Basically, if you are in a Smokeless zone, they have to use the clean air act, and you are exempt under the clean air act.
If you are NOT in a smoke control area, they could use this against you.
Not quite. The EPA applies everywhere. You are quite entitled to complain to the council about fumes and odours coming from your neighbours, even if it is from from something as silly as smelly socks (and believe me, people do). The council has a statutory duty to investigate.
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So quiet on the Llangollen then! And haven't the trees grown on the approach to the aqueduct?
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Update: I've been thinking about this some more and here's what I believe to be the 2 key factors:
1. The authority of a council to declare a 'smokeless zone' is given under the clean air act. Therefore, burning wood or non smokeless coal in such a zone is an offence under the clean air act. Unless you are exempt. Which boats are.
2. To prosecute under the EPA the council must demonstrate that you have caused a statutory nuisance which is either 'prejudicial to health or a nuisance'. This applies nationwide, not just in smokeless zones. To demonstrate the existence of a stat nuisance in this case, a council officer would need to demonstrate that smoke from your chimney was entering a neighbouring premises. Otherwise anyone burning wood in any house would be potentially liable to prosecution.
Can I ask which council sent the circular and perhaps you could post up a picture of it? I'd be interested to show it to my boss.
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I work for a local authority environmental health dept so maybe I can shed some light / muddy the waters here. The legislation which is generally used to prosecute in smokey fuel cases is the clean air act which specifically exempts boats. That said there is nothing to stop a LA from prosecuting under the EPA except that as far as I know there is no existing case law for a boat owner being successfully prosecuted in this way.
This situation commonly occurs across a range of issues where there is more than one piece of legislation which is relevant. LAs are all cash strapped at the moment so it would be a brave officer to bring a prosecution in this case, risking court costs etc.
I would reply to the letter, pointing out the clean air act exemption.
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No problem doing the Trent solo provided it's not in flood. Listen to what the lockies advise re times and tides and try and find out how to enter Keadby without hitting the walls. I've yet to manage that.
Thanks Doc
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Just downloaded the IP board app. Anyone know how I find this forum on there? Also how do I use the chat room on my phone?
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I'm planning to go upstream in the summer sometime. Are you allowed to go solo?
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The tidal Trent is fine so long as you are sensible and plan ahead.
Next year our big summer holiday is two weeks on the Norfolk broads. The big bit is getting there though, along the coast.
I bought the trent guide from these guys a while back My link
Don't know what I've done with it though. Will have to have a search.
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Wow, you guys are incredibly passionate and also very kind, possibly with the exception of sueb (I wouldn't want to meet you on a dark night).......only kidding. We are not limited to a 45 mooring, we are not necessarily limited to a 45 boat............although we have all fallen in love with one. I am NOT the sole decision maker within my troop, nor the wife, nor the bin lids, we make judgements collectively and all in all in, one out all out is generally the rule. I once saw a cottage and dreamed of living there with my family but instead bought a mansion so we all could live separate lives....
I'm also in Yorkshire. PM me if you want to meet up for a natter about the ins and outs of living afloat.
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I'm planning on tackling the tidal Trent. Scary but exciting! Never been on a tidal river before.
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Definitely crossing Pontcysylite aqueduct for the first time, on a perfect morning in October.
Me too! As awesome as i'd hoped!
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Getting to Standedge Tunnel, only to find that my boat was too big to fit! Had to go back and round the Rochdale to reach Huddersfield.
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Good evening everyone. We are complete newbies and therefore we make our apologies up front. Without beating about the bush i'll get straight to it. We are about to use all our life savings in purchasing a 45' narrow beam semi trad cruiser for the purpose of living on board, yes LIVING on. So far, of all the kind people we've spoken to, at marinas, along the towpath etc most, infact all, look at us in complete disbelief when we tell them of our intentions and indeed most actually comment "no, you need at least 50 feet" So, apart from the obvious, can anyone shed any light on "why 50 foot"
We have a nine year old and a 12 year old.........oh and a Jack Russell.
Hello, and Merry Christmas to all too.
First up is it a semi-trad or a cruiser? Can't really be both. I live alone on a 55' cruiser stern NB and its fine but I'd struggle for space if I had to share. 2 adults, 2 children and a dog sounds incredibly cramped unless you; A. Never, ever argue. B. have very few possessions. If so, good luck to you.
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Any update? Did you find a stopcock? Did you fill your tank completely?
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I don't know you but you are a true inspiration!
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We were out for 2 days last week on the Oxford and passed no other moving boat
Just been walking past Braunston Marina. A fair few boats on the move. Always busy in Braunston.
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Does the pump come on automatically when you turn on taps, or do you have turn the pump on at a switch? If its the latter it sounds like there's a stopcock. If your tank is in the bow, the stopcock should be immediately after the water tank outlet, probably near where the water pipe enters the main cabin. Mine is in the void under the front deck. I think you'll need to do some crawling about to trace the run of the pipes.
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You are so right we stopped at a couple of the newer ones this year to use the facilities and at no time did I ever see anyone making use of club houses, etc. it was all far too twee. I would not moor in one like that.
We have a club house at my moorings. It's called the pub.
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Of course it's not cost effective to dredge to 6 foot now, but wouldn't it be nice to be cruising with 6 foot of water under you all the time! Slipping smoothly through the water rather than grinding through silt!
license renewal
in General Boating
Posted
Yet again someone starts a new thread with a valid point and instead of discussing the point he/she raised, he/she is berated for it. Then the thread is subverted into an argument. Very sad.
This comes to mind.