AllanW
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Posts posted by AllanW
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Wow.... A down hill canal! Where's my skis
Dunno about around your way, but the canal around Chester has been going downhill for years
Allan
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Hope this is the right place to post this;
Lambon are holding an ''Open Weekend'' on the 22nd and 23rd September.
They have asked me to extend an open invite to any interested CWF member to 'come along and have a drink and a chat'.
If anyone is interested it would be nice to meet you there.
Les+Heidi
Hi Les
I got the invite in the post, but I'm not able to get down. Do you know if there's another open day before Crick next year?
Good luck with the day!
Allan
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I think it is mainly to do with the fact that dry powder can deal with most types of fire.
That's probably right - plus I *think* iirc that the dry powder extinguisher has a longer shelf life
Allan
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Eugene - don't know whether to say congratulations or commiserations, but in any event I'd like to add best wishes for your 'retirement' (lol) and good luck for the future.
I too hope you'll continue to post here as your post were always worth reading - also I hope you introduce us to your sucessor here before you finally leave
BTW - when's the virtual leaving do?
Allan
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I write to ask if you could give advice/comments on my new project a 50ft deluxe curser stern narrow boat. As you may know, there is a variety of different style & features that are available, to many to list. My overall aim to design and build a narrow boat that is unique and innovative. Also I am looking to put a new engine in but can any one recommend what size and hp, I have a budget for about around £4000 , any suggestions?
I am currently in negotiations with a boat builder at the moment but I have this nagging feeling
that I have might have missed something out. I would really appreciate if you could anyone suggest your top 5 unique innovative features or ideas that should be included that are not normally found as standard. Something that later on you have found essential or desirable Please see below for my project ideas so far: - 50-foot cruiser deluxe stern
- Lockable Steel Doors at Front
- Lockable Centre Sliding Hatch
- Seating area with a rail around stern
- 30-inch Side doors (duck feeder)
- Cherry type fender eyes
- Mushroom vents 4 in total
- Centre storm ring
- Pole and plank racks
- Lockable security strap for engine cover
- Lockable security strap for the front doors
- Lockable control box
Any suggestions or comments would be very much appreciated, many thanks for helping
Kind regards David
Hi David
A few suggestions...
Consider how you might get back aboard in case of an accidental swim - it's easy to have the builder leave the bottom plate a couple of inches proud to provide a step.
I'd also consider having a small step to allow you to get onto the roof easily in case you need to (for example) get to a lock ladder in a hurry. It's not so easy getting on the roor of cruiser stern compared with a semi-trad with seats!
Again speaking personally, I'd be inclined to put the stern tube greaser just inside one of those under rail lockers... I know you should always take a quick peek in the engine 'ole when stopping, but clambering down to reach the greaser can be a pain - especially when it's wet and you're in a hurry
Also, for what it costs to put in at the build stage, I'd make sure there's a watertight bulkhead forward of the weed hatch - accidents do happen
Internally - as you seem very security concious - how about getting one of the internal cupboards made from steel, lockable, and wooden clad, as a secure locker for your valuables
And finally - if you are considering river cruising - have you considered a stern anchor point? Some builders provide a very neat 'bike rack' type of anchor storage just behind the tiller (I'll find a picture if you don't know what I mean)
You might also find THIS thread interesting
Allan
- 50-foot cruiser deluxe stern
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Off to do the 4 counties ring this Friday.
Anyone suggest any good night stops please?
Nice trip... did it clockwise a couple of weeks back - I'll try to dig out my diary later in the week
For a start tho, the only thing I can suggest off the top of my head is to stop above the lock one up from Audlem and walk in. Oh - and avoid the Stroppy Fly at all costs! The Bridge is far more friendly (see previous threads on the subject)
Have a good hol
Allan
(edited cuz I can't spell)
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If we follow the example of New York (who a few years ago had serious problems with petty crime and vandalism) and the government is serious about tackling these anti-social problems, we need a zero tolerance approach and real punishment for those who choose to behave badly. ASBO's are not the answer...
Allan
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I'm a regular walker of this particular stretch so it's more than a little disconcerting to see this:
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Another Chester towpath attack
The second attack is two weeks took place on the Towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal when a 49 years old man was repeatedly kicked by a gang of teenagers as he walked home.
The attack was by Hoole Lane Lock, and he was approached by the group of youths in their teens and pushed to the floor where he was repeatedly kicked in an unprovoked attack.
He suffered a number of injuries and was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital for treatment.
DC Steve Marsland, of Cheshire Police, explained: “This was a completely unprovoked attack. “It was a violent and mindless assault that led to serious injuries. “However, any person who was in that area who may have seen the attack or seen a gang of youths in the area around that time should come forward and assist us with our investigation."
Anyone boating in the area should perhaps bear in mind that this seems to be becoming a regular occurrence.
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Even before this I would always advise anyone to avoid mooring under the ring road (not far from where the Mill Hotel boat operates), as there have been a couple of vandalism incidents that I'm aware of (broken windows)
I have to say that this attack took place later than boats would be using the locks, and I've never had (or seen) any trouble on this particular stretch - however it does run through a built up area - so as always, boaters be aware!
Personally I'd say this area suffers from a serious lack of investment from the Council (not BW) - which so very short sighted as Chester could become another Stratford as an outstanding terminal destination - the city itself has so much to offer.
For any boaters coming into Chester - I'll be happy to point out good moorings, pubs and sights...
Allan
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Ooh you've got me all nostalgic now.
I too remember the BBS's. A few like minded nerds having the same rows (though not boat related of course).
Then I moved to France and discovered they already had Minitel! An internet type communications system with (potentially) a terminal in every home.
Online shopping, chatrooms, special interest forums (3615ROSBIF was my favourite) and, of course, porn.
I do miss my little beige terminal with it's crap graphics and clicky keyboard:
My first modem was one of those you put the handset into...
Problem was that we had a trimphone that didn't fit it so some creative use of yellow pages as wedges and weights was called for
Ahh - happy days
Allan
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My god Simon what have you started?
214 posts in 7 days - you've obviously hit a raw nerve here!
And well done for raising the issue. I've was knocking around on BBS's way before the 'net - and I've been on the 'net all the way through from the very start (who remembers GOPHER, TELNET and Veronica for example?). Initially we all started talking to each other on IRC (for those who remember that!), and then came the development of usenet newsgroups (btw - I was a founding member of uk.rec.competitions which is still the most sucessful non porn newsgroups in the UK!), and later again came web based forums like this...
Though technology has changed beyond recognition in the last quater of a century - one thing that hasn't changed is the folks who post!
It's funny - we used to have these discussions 20 years ago when such posts were called 'flaming' (and probably still are in some obscure corners of the 'net), and unfortunately it's not going to change any time soon. Flaming is a sad fact of life on the net - even in such genteel forums as this. We can all moan about the more contentious posters (you know who you are!!!), but at the end of the day at least every computer has a delete button - pity the same isn't true in real life eh?
You are OK here as long as you are prepared for a bit of flack if:- You ask anything about electrics
- Don't do a seach first before you ask a pretty basic question
- Mention Lager in the VP
- Forget that Wooden boats, GRP boats, Cruiser sterns & Galvanic Isolators are religious icons
Other than that, you will be fine.
Edited out the last bit as I was afraid of being ridiculed
Can I add that other taboo subjects should include:
* Continious Cruisers (or continious moorers as they are sometimes known)
* Bridge Hoppers
* Positioning boats in locks
* Taking sides in the Pump Out V. Casette debate
* Anything in praise of BW
Allan
Those that know you know better - Those that don't know you don't matter!
- You ask anything about electrics
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I see Sainsburys are considering delivering to some of their stores by boat...
From the press relese
Back to the future as Sainsbury’s trials food deliveries on the Thames
* Moving goods from road to river could save 350,000 kilometres *
* Sainsbury's revisits method of delivery similar to over 100 years ago *
* 25% reduction in CO2 by 2012 in greener energy efficiency measures
London's oldest grocer, Sainsbury's, has trialled a more environmentally-friendly way of delivering food to its stores. The supermarket has recently transported food on the Thames, as it did originally in 1869, showing that history does repeat itself.
The journey would mean that once food is dispatched by a Sainsbury's distribution centre in South East London, the day's delivery for the store would be shipped by barge, rather than by road, arriving in close proximity to the west London store. If rolled out to stores in the same area, this could save 350,000 road kilometres every year.
LINK TO FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE
Allan
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None of them have names yet but I feel sure it is only a matter of time
You've really got to get out more...
Allan
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Anyone got any good ideas about how I can get spiders from inside the boat? Don't mind them outside, but would much rather they stay there and not spin webs inside!
Don't know about getting rid of spiders, but I know a good joke...
An Englishman, Scotsman and an Irishman applied for the position of a laboratory assistant.
They all attend an interview. The laboratory manager comes out of his office with three jar and he gives one to each candidate. He informs them that in each jar is a live spider. He asks them to take the jar home informing them that whoever has the most comprehensive observation results will be given the job and a starting salary of £40,000.
The exhausted and weary looking candidates returned the following morning. Suddenly the managers door swings open and he shouts in the English man. "Well, what have you found out about your spider," asked the manager.
"Well it has eight legs, a hairy body and its runs in all different directions." Replied the Englishman.
"Is that all you have to report?" asks the manager.
"Err ... err ... yes" replied the English man. "
"OK, said the manager, "please take a seat outside and send in the Scottish man."
The Scottish was also asked what he had found out about his spider. "Well it has eight legs, a brown body with lots of small hairs, it is only able to crawl three inches up the jar before falling back and the longest it stays still is five minutes."
"Very good," said the manager, "so far you have the job but I do have one more candidate to see, so could you please take a seat outside and send in the Irishman."
The Irishman was also asked what he had found out about his spider. "Watch this said the Irishman, who took the lid on off the jar and placed the spider on the managers desk. he said to the spider COME HERE!, the spider began walking towards him and he said STOP! and the spider stopped. Again the Irishman placed the spider back and said COME HERE! at which point the spider again began walking towards him, he again said STOP! and again the spider stopped."
"That's fantastic," said the manager fantastic, "this is worth a fortune, we will be rich !!!!."
The Irishman then said "eh if you think that's good wait for this." He picked up the spider placed it back and pulled all its legs off and then said to the spider "COME HERE!" the spider didn't move ........ "COME HERE!" Yelled the Irishman, but still the spider didn't move. The Irishman then screamed "COME HERE!!!" but still the spider didn't move.
The Irishman then proudly stood back and said to the manager "What do you think of that then!"
"Think what about what?" said the manager confused as to what he had proved.
"Well" said the Irishman, "it proves that when you pull a spiders legs off ..... they go deaf."
Allan
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Our Summer holiday trip to Stratford had to be curtailed when the incredible flooding of the Severn and Avon took place.
Instead we moored the boat at Wilmcote and took a bus-trip into the Town. In such haste to catch the bus I left my digi-cam on the boat so went Jessops and bought a disposable camera to shoot the attached pics. They might give you some idea what it was like.
Same place exactly a year ago...
Allan
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Thanks for the offer Chris. I will do some measurements tomorrow. The extra length is going to be in the region of a metre there and back so 2m total. Will that be enough to require an increase in size?
Nick
Hiya Nick...
I can see you're being given excellent advice by Chris already - however you may also find these couple of pages interesting (if only to better understand why Chris is saying what he is...)
http://www.tb-training.co.uk/MarineE03.html
and
http://www.reuk.co.uk/AWG-to-Square-mm-Wir...e-Converter.htm
Allan
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Bet there's a couple of bob to be made by some enterprising soul who wanted to do boot sales and turn some of the brass curios into tiller pins...
I seem to remember Faries Wear Boots looking for a faerie tiller pin a while back
Allan
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That's your conscience and karma covered, mate. It's in Darwin's hands now.
That reminds me... are you aware of the Darwin Awards?
Allan
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Cant find it ???
Yup - it's definately there
Nice images, and I can appreciate the work that's gone into making this, but I found the "stand proudly on the deck" stuff a little OTT
Allan
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Once again thanks to Gary for an informative reply...
I know where you are coming from on the implications of penalty clauses:
I can make one observation from a previous life working with the building industry for a big PLC who demanded very large overrun penalties to get things done on schedule. They still overran but during the overrun total panic broke out and the standard of work reduced dramatically and corners were cut to reduce the penalties incurred to a minimum.
Unfortunately that's so very true!
The question therefore is what can be done? Maybe a name and shame list of poor suppliers? After all that's what many of our retail customers have. In fact, one retaillier we supply to has a traffic light system of Red, Amber and Green performance/quality status which updated and circulated to all it's suppliers monthly!
If for example (and no implication of bad service from this particular company) Isuzu found themselves being discussed here with comments like "don't buy one of their engines - it takes 2 months to get it delivered" would they take any notice?
One other point - have the boat building industry considered forming a buying consortium for such things as steel supplies? One small boatyard may not make a difference, but if a supplier was in the position where they might loose a contract to supply a consortium of say 50 boat yards, that would be a completely different matter...
Just my two-pennyworth
Thanks again Gary
Allan
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Hi
I have just moved into a house and this was left by the previous tenants. I was told it was something form a canal boat. I have no idea and I don't want to just throw it away. The only thing I can see on it is norfond belle.I have attached some pics.
I hope some one can help.[/url]
Thanks.
Hiya Dan90 (do you have a brother Joe?
) - and welcome to the forum! I think the stove lettering is actually NORLOND rather than NORFOND btw
I'm no expert, but it appears that what you have is known as a box stove, and probably dates from the early 1900's.
There's not much on the net about these stoves - and certainly nothing marked Norlond Belle. However this might be of interest.
(currently £50 for those that want one as opposed to £450 on the salvage site!)
I'd be interested in hearing how you get on with the research...
Good luck
Allan
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It's been tried before...
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There's about half a dozen lads in a hire boat moored up from me at the moment, and I had the wonderful job this morning of fishing out about a dozen empty lager (!!!) bottles that they'd thrown in the cut that were banging about my bow.
Had I not been told to "F*ck off, old man" when asking where they'd come from as they tied-up, I would have approached them (if I see them!) and reminded them. However, I got the distinct feeling that I'd end up worse off it I did ...
So - is it advisable to phone the hire company (after they've moved on!) and let them know their hirers are louts?
Abuse is criminal behaviour
Gather evidence and witnesses if possible, and report them to the police - they'll be waiting for them back at the hire base.
Wouldn't get involved personally with a group of louts.
Allan
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If you would like to see the new contract I have uploaded it in PDF HERE
I have sort of turned into a specimen version!
But I will probably still get into trouble if they find out.
Thanks for posting that Gary... I hadn't actually READ this through before. It made interesting reading
I appreciate that you will have a different perspective on this, but it seems to me that the contract is heavily weighted in favour of the builder?
For example there is the possibility of penalties being applied to the purchaser for late payment of a stage - but no such penalties for late delivery (which seems to be a widespread problem from some of the posts here)
I'm also interested in knowing how the "materials and equipment purchased for construction" are identified? Apparently they become the property of the purchaser even before the second and subsequent stage payments are made? (Section 11.1) So do the builders place an order (for example) for an engine stating "engine purchased for NB xxx"?
And how would this work in cases of the builder going insolvent? Would the administrators (again for example) say - "that engine has been purhased for that particular NB"?
Just wondering...
Allan
on my new project a 50ft deluxe curser stern narrow boat. As you may know, there is a variety of different style & features that are available, to many to list. My overall aim to design and build a narrow boat that is unique and innovative. Also I am looking to put a new engine in but can any one recommend what size and hp, I have a budget for about around £4000 , any suggestions?
Liverpool Canal Link
in General Boating
Posted
Ooh - I'll feel much safer now
Seriously though - isn't this why we pay for police?
Allan