KJT

Similar to what I do, but I use the pins with the integral ring at the top. I put the first pin in at an angle as normal, and the second pin I put through the ring of the first so it forms an 'X'. I have never had any pins come loose! (Touch wood!) Ken

We passed through there a couple of days ago and the boat has now been refloated and is currently moored against the towpath immediately south of bridge 18. Ken

Coverit up Manchester way did ours. Very happy with it.

Another vote for a Reeves shell. Ours is an eleven year old shell and a recent survey found it still in prime condition. The fit out was by Kingsground and was superbly fitted with many thoughtful and very useful touches. It has stood the test of time exceptionally well! Ken

My centre line fixing cleat is mounted about 6 feet aft of the centre point of my 62 foot narrow boat with the result it doesn't pull or hold the boat symmetrically. I guess it was positioned like that due to various items on the roof, vents, Houdini hatch, side hatch etc., which made line handling easier. The boat is also fitted with roof mounted fairleads on the handrails each side of the centre cleat which I need to use due to having top boxes and solar panels which would otherwise be damaged by the centrelines. I therefore have two centrelines, one port and one starboard. I could easily move the fairleads forward six feet to the centre point of the boat, but moving the centre cleat would be much more difficult. So it would mean the ropes entering the fairleads at the mid point, but then running aft at an angle of 45 degrees or so to the centre cleat 6 feet aft of them. Can anyone think of any problems that might arise from that solution before I move the fairleads? Thanks, Ken

Wot he said! I believe it originated in the horse drawn days when the wind (blowy stuff) was used to assist in the turning of the boat.

Is that a depth charge or a mine you are carrying on your deck? I'm not surprised he gave you a wide berth.......

I have found it more convenient to moor up at the VM's west of Shobnall between bridge 33C and the A38 road bridge. There is a short pathway which leads through a small, new industrial estate to a large Morrisons supermarket, Curry's PC World etc, and a couple of pub/restaurants and a McDonalds. Less than 10 minutes walk from the VM's. Ken

The mooring is directly opposite the VM's and water point on quite a sharp, narrow bend immediately after Skew Bridge which is on the bend itself. Well travelled by the Canal Time hire fleet, it can be a challenging bend for the inexperienced when the VM's are occupied. I think you would need plenty of fenders! As for the nearest point to turn, unofficially it would be the entrance to Yelvertoft Marina. Ken

I would certainly recommend a cream roof. Ours has been a godsend during the recent hot weather, keeping the interior nice and cool! As for the main colour scheme I would have an eye to resale value, ie something not too outlandish. There are some strange colours floating around on the cut! Ken

You're correct of course! Sitting or standing on the outside of your boat wouldn't do you any good at all!

Thanks Mike. I'm all in favour of unnecessary easiness! Ken

Mr Faraday and his cage has something to do with it! A narrow boat Is one of the safest places to be. If only we could somehow harness the power in a lightening strike to charge the batteries! Maybe Bizzard can come up with one of his wonderful schemes! Ken

Good topic and great video! I have very little experience to date of swing bridges so far and none of lift bridges. It would seem swing bridges are a little easier as at least, with bow and centre ropes to hand, you have access to your boat from the bridge to pull it through. Lift bridges on the other hand seem more difficult as putting yourself in harms way standing between the bridge and your boat to pull it through I would think is a complete No-No in case it should fall, especially single handing. I am slowly heading down to the South Oxford which has a few lift bridges, so I guess I will find out the best way in due course. How do single handers deal with lift bridges? Ken Edited: Sorry Dean, I don't wish to hijack your topic, but it is sort of related I think.

Thanks Jo. I will do as you suggest. Thanks also for the email address. Ken

We use a couple of products from the New Blue Loo Co. which seem to work very well. For cleaning the bowl we use their 'Blue Away Toilet Cleaner' and for the pump out waste tank their ''Bio Toilet Fluid'. I also put a small amount of vegetable / olive oil down the loo weekly and it seems to keep the works well lubricated and working as it should. We don't suffer any obnoxious smells and everything stays clean and fresh. You can Google them for their outlets. Ken

Thanks everyone, for your observations. Clearly this idiot has nothing to do with CRT. With the large number of hire boats I have seen passing through here the last couple of days or so, any inexperienced crews could well be put in some difficulty or even danger, by his antics! He seems to regard Swarkestone as 'his lock' so don't be surprised if you come across him if travelling through there. Forewarned is forearmed. Ken

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 holds the credit card company jointly liable for purchases between £100 and £30,000 and in some circumstances Section 75a increases that protection to £62,260 so you could well be protected if you use a credit card to make stage payments. I would take professional advice, or maybe citizens advice or your local trading standards could provide the definitive answer. Ken

You could disconnect the heating element and fill the drum with hot water from a kettle. That would save a lot of power. Anything involving an electric water heater will take a lot of power. Ken

This morning at about 10-30 am I arrived at Swarkestone Lock on the Trent & Mersey. I was travelling uphill and the gates were open so I entered the lock. Just as I am going in a guy on a bicycle and carrying a windlass arrived at the lock. I ran my centreline over a bollard and back onboard just to keep the boat to my side, which is my custom when solo in a wide lock. My partner closed the gate and went to open a ground paddle to start filling the lock. This guy then proceeded to open both the other ground paddle and then a gate paddle causing my boat to buffet about and then cross the lock to hit the wall on the offside, before I had a chance to correct it and prevent it running back towards the rear gates. I tried shouting to this guy to get him to stop, but at no time did he give me eye contact. I gave the engine a burst of power to prevent hitting the gates. My partner got his attention and told him to stop, which he did. In conversation he said he was the lock keeper and had just arrived for duty. I very much doubt this as he was wearing a black sweatshirt with some company logo on it, not CRT, and was not wearing a lifejacket which seems to be the norm! I am sure also that CRT training would included involving the steerer and keeping eye contact at all times, not staring into the lock, drawing on a cigarette! I guess this guy is some sort of a clown with nothing better to do on a Sunday....or is he a lock keeper as he says? None of the other locks we have passed through, including the powered one at Sawley had a lock keeper on duty. Anyone come across him before? Ken

We certainly will. I've pencilled it in for next April when hopefully water levels will be higher and the weed problem should'nt have started yet. What I have seen of the canal so far it is really worth the effort. I think I just picked the exact wrong time with the heat wave adding to water level issues and blanket weed growth! Ken

For £1.7 million I would expect a bit more than a Kipor petrol genny sat on the aft deck........

That looks like you could walk on it and pull the boat behind you......!

Now you've done it.......I'm on a mission to beat your 2007 example! Ken