jddevel

Thank you. Understand

Having followed the thread about the pros and cons about pump out toilets and on a slightly different track has anyone made use of an air admittance valve as found in house plumbing? Would they be an asset in on board sewerage system to help eliminate odours? Any opinions.

That seems a "Highly Recommended" comment. Why I am specifically interested in them is because in my search for a sailaway they have a insulated shell that they have built on spec. and I`ve persuaded the owner to possibly sell it to me as a sailaway which the owner claims they do not normally do. Further advice especially from other customers

Any opinion or comments especially from owners of the Stoke Boat Building Company. PM if necessary. Would appreciate your comments

May I suggest that whether you have a professional or as a DIYer complete your new work or service your old. Get a bubble tester fitted that way any time you turn the bottles on you`ll see if you have a leak.

My biggest problem with the idea of moving the vessel nearer home is my location. Being in Cornwall and the local infrastructure not really suited to boat transport I may have difficulty in finding a suitable location. That said if I try hard enough I`m sure I will find something. Second point is the availability of a crane this end. I haven`t looked into it for a quote but think that the cost of 300 odd mile one way I would think quite high plus as I said the hire of a suitable crane. I`ll have to consider it. Any hauliers suggested would be appreciated.

To expand on my interpretation of a sailaway. Taking on board many of the comments made. A caravan for accommodation bought this winter sold next Spring- some of my money back possibly. Working away from home less "domestic" interruptions. The boat purchased "water-tight" and painted. Insulated and engine stern gear fitted. Local marine engineer contracted if my son-in-laws brother, a marine electrician, is abroad working. Boat gas fitter contracted even if I have to get a local to me and used on my cruiser to "holiday" for a week. Plus would add further if budget allowed. If travel every 3 weeks became too tedious then yes possibly transport home somewhere. Appraise and adapt as required. I`ll either have a boat to use sooner rather than later or acknowledge to the doubters that they were definitely right. Maybe a cheap part finished sailaway on EBay next Spring. Watch this space. But I hope you`ll wish me luck. Perhaps I can get one of those T.V. shows- D.I.Y. disasters etc on board - sorry about that,

Although this will be our first narrow boat the days of sailing and offshore cruising behind us. We have taken boating holidays for over 45 years -on the broads in the early days as teenagers (What memories of those lovely old wooden boats we "thrashed" around Salhouse broad etc. or hanging from the quay at Lowestoft having returned from the pub and the tide had gone out!! We spent great times in Ireland -very low key. Have some amusing tales over there during the year of foot and mouth plague- please take that the right way and nothing directly to do with that awful problem just the circumstances it created. Fond memories too with my late father (now deceased) and mother especially on the Brecon. So we have certain specifics. Two loos. Secure accommodation for my grandchildren so we can enjoy our family times together so semi trad. Somewhere for my elderly mother to sit "up front" A Houdini and at our age as many comforts of home as possible. Enough of force 7/8s in the North Sea. Tranquil times now a must. All of the above means that we are being rather fussy about exactly what we are going to be happy or rather ecstatic over. Hope you understand.

Thank you for your comments and observations. One thing appears clear and that there are those who having done it have done it again and so obviously not deterred. Regard the logistics of the work I would state the following: 1) I have completed a 3 bed with ensuite etc. detached house with only two other members of staff from excavation of footings with my own plant to handing the keys to the new owner in 26 weeks 51/2 days a week. That included bespoke kitchen hand made in my own workshop. 2) It is anticipated that I will stay away for say 3 weeks at a time so working 7 days a week 12 hours a day (not unusual for us ) in fact the guy probably coming with me has only had a weekend off since last November (excluding three days at Xmas) That`s real work ethic and some could learn from !!! That way hopefully no home disruptions. I have weighed that against transporting nearer to home. Pity I could not get it down the Cornish lanes and on to my own fields-but that is not practical. 3) The logistics of it all are down to planning and planning again- nothing ever runs smoothly. Fortunately we have an extensive array of professional tooling from generator to a multitude of electric and battery tooling which if not with us then such things as sliding carriage saw bench and spindle moulder will be available in the workshop when "at home" 4) Having installed black water tank and new loo in my previously owned cruiser I am familiar with tight spaces which can be compared to some situations that occur in bathrooms, loft spaces or in sewer trenches. 5) Thankfully I have the asset of a carpenter son-in-law whose brother is a qualified marine electrician whose help I hope to engage. Well after all that outpouring and always up for a challenge- my philosophy is no such word as can`t just physically unable to or don`t know how- none of what has been written so far deters me. Just got to find some where to keep it on the hard whilst working. Incidentally to that end I have a son who lives in Northampton so frequent visits to the grand children would be in order if I can find something near him. P.S. None of the above I hope is insulting on your comments just a better insight into my situation.

Some of you may have been watching/contributing to my topic on mooring location south of Birmingham and seen my latest post but this is my question. Where on the canal network is there a location to complete on the hard a sailaway 57 ft hull with "co-operative yard owners who do not mind DIYers. My reason for asking is that having seemingly found are boat of desire we visited yesterday for a second viewing deposit cash in hand having agreed a price nearly £20000 over our original budget. Well this time unlike last week alone spent 4 days looking at some 15 plus online researched boats we spent a good deal of time looking at the boat in detail. Needless to say having spent nearly 5 hrs travelling there we spent 5 hrs travelling back still with our cash deposit. So we come to the real topic subject. Having spent some 40 odd years in the new build/renovation property market which included all major work such as electrical work, plumbing including under floor heating, bespoke timber windows and doors, hard wood flooring plus obviously the less details the only way we are going to get something to our satisfaction using my own fitters is to buy a sailaway. Therefore two questions. 1) Recommended manufacturers 2) A sensible location for us to complete the internal fit out if not readily available at the hull manufacturers location. I envisage 18 to 20 weeks on the hard. Look forward to your advice- especially who to avoid. PM me if worried about putting in the public domain

Well I`ll repeat my previous comment regarding the grateful thanks for all the advice given. It has always amazed me how sections of society can be so helpful whether it be for example classic car clubs of which I have personal experience or in this case the Canal World that my wife and I are so desperate to get into. BUT another knock back yesterday. Having had an offer accepted on a boat we travelled (5 hour journey there) to place the deposit with the broker and had a good couple of hours to again look over the vessel. Well we`d obviously looked at it after both numerous other craft - this one was nearly £20000 more than we`d originally budgeted for - through "rose tinted glasses". The finish actually left a lot to be desired, engine room half full of water, much of the flooring would need replacing. Wear where we`d not noticed etc. etc. So we came home -another 5 hours- quite despondent. So I`ve started a new topic that I`d like you guys to look at namely a self build sail away.

Thanks for all that sound advice. Will seriously look at Fazeley we think is certainly worth looking at. Any thoughts on Droitwich Spar Marina? To Goliath Near Callington so nearer than yourself.

Hi to All, Well after my problems with a build of our own we have had an offer accepted on a 58ft Semi-Trad- our first narrow boat which we want to find a leisure mooring south of Birmingham as we live in Cornwall and want to reduce travel time as much as possible. We know this is a bit vague but we`ve got to start somewhere Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Getting frustrated with our search for what for us will be OUR perfect boat so considering a sail away. 57/58ft semi traditional. A good number of years experience in the new house market means a good deal of hands on experience with electrics, plumbing, tiling, flooring bespoke furniture making including doors and windows so not phased by "attacking" it. However we`re nearly 3 hours away from the nearest suitable marina/work site so apprehensive about the time frame. Am semi-retired and have a employee similarly experienced who will assist. What time frame should I realistically set myself on the basis of say 3 week periods of 7 days a week 10 hours a day. Assume using local accommodation or boat itself. Advice from those who`ve "lived" through it would be greatly appreciated. Regards Jan

h Hi, My question is if I buy a second hand narrow boat that has been used as residential. What is the VAT situation if I then want to use it simply for leisure purposes. Do I (tongue in cheek!!!) have to reregister the boat or am I just being naïve?

Looking for a good boat surveyor around the Leeds Liverpool. Any advice?

I`m interested in what the forum members consider is the most popular length of craft for leisure cruising the canals and rivers. These are not those which are liveaboard or continuos cruisers, but the home from home to rove during our wonderful U.K. climate.

Don't think I ought to let my wife read this if we take the eagerly awaited trip (by me!!) through the Standedge Tunnel with our new boat. Better ask the boat yard for an ample supply of "touch-up " paint!!!

Seeing your post about venturing into salt water reminds me of a request on channel 16 a number of years ago when cruising between Wells-on-Sea and Kings Lynn in a force 6. An emergency call came out requesting to be on the look out for a narrowboat crossing the wash and being guided by a guy in a car using a CB radio. As the car moved in land he had lost both sight of and contact with the boat. I would imagine quite a worrying time for the narrow boat occupants. Wind and tide can be quite hairy at the best of times (we were in a twin engine 32foot cruiser) but force 6 must have been frightening for them. Didn't hear the outcome.

As a matter of interest Strummer Joe what sort of "domestic" has the naming of your boat caused or is it already named?

Looks like a good piece of oak will do the trick. Thanks for all the advice

Excuse my ignorance new to the canal life and I see that a hand spike s required on the Calder. Where is the best place to get one- any chandlers?

May I cynically suggest that in times of austerity and the need to seriously review "management" levels in many areas this is an attempt to justify ones position by creating a need!!!! Of course the real way forward is yellow lines or tape between marker bouys.

Hi Junior, Clubs location I'm referring to are on the Droitwich,Worcester & Birmingham and the Staffordshire and Worcester

Would like to join a active club on either of these canals. Any unbiased tips?