AllanW

I'm aware that online eBooks are in a somewhat grey area, but judging by the number of posts about boat electrical systems, I'm sure some will find this useful... One of the blog sites I follow contains link to an eBook 'Essential Boat Electrics' http://magazinz.blogspot.com/2007/06/essen...-electrics.html Some other interesting/useful stuff on the site too Allan

Maybe you could have a word with the first 4 Horsemen and get them to pay a visit?

That's looks even wetter than Crick! http://www.junctionevents.org.uk/ for those that havent seen the pics Allan

Now a flood detection system that shuts off the rain.... Where's me drawing board Penfold?

I know what you mean - that was what the was for! As for being BW lapdogs - well it seems to be a toothless lapdog these days for sure, but the thing is, what would replace it? Maybe we could start a topic - What The IWA Can Do For You! Probably not get to many replies tho... Allan

From the replies here I can't believe how many (including IWA members) didn't know about this... The IWA does a lot of things well - but apparently publicity isn't one of them! Anyone spot a closing date? Allan

That's an interesting thought... be interesting to see how it worked in law I've just spotted an IWA petition against mooring auctions, and started a new thread (SEE HERE) FYI - The official IWA Position Statement on British Waterways Moorings Trial... IWA is seriously concerned at British Waterways’ decision to proceed with a trial of tendering mooring vacancies against the express wishes of all the major user groups. Rather than fill mooring vacancies with the first name on the waiting list, as has been the practice for many years on those moorings where demand exceeds supply, BW has decided that it will put these moorings to tender. The mooring will then be allocated for three years to the highest bidder. This new process of allocating moorings is to be trialled for twelve months, during which time the existing waiting lists will be suspended, and it will likely to involve about 600 moorings. IWA is concerned that the new procedures are flawed and un-just for the following reasons; • It is unfair to those who have been patiently waiting on lists, gradually working their way to the top. • It is socially unjust, with the less well off and elderly being priced off the system by the highest bidder. • It exploits a monopolistic situation where British Waterways controls the majority of the moorings on the network whilst also levying a system connection charge on other mooring providers. • British Waterways moorings procedures lack transparency in that they are unable to identify vacant moorings to those in the waiting list or to state how many applicants have multiple applications pending and thus allow the current system to operate effectively . IWA urges its members to actively campaign on this issue and to write to British Waterways condemning the trial as unjust, and to additionally write to their MP asking for their support on this issue. Allan

I've not seen this mentioned mentioned here before (apologies if it has...) The IWA are asking for signatures to present to BW Details of Mooring Petition: We the undersigned petition British Waterways to cease the implementation of the Moorings tender trial, as we believe it to be unfair to those already on waiting lists, and unjust to the less well-off and elderly who may be priced off the waterways by the highest bidder. Link: HERE or Full URL: http://www.waterways.org.uk/News/OtherCamp...MooringPetition Sorry - don't know when this ends (anyone here know?) Allan

Hiya Norman Wouldn't mind seeing a few pictures please... Thanks Allan

Wondered what a pedant was so I looked it up From Wikipedia: Being referred to as a pedant, or pedantic, is generally considered insulting. However some people take pride in being a pedant, especially with regard to the use of the English language. In an attempt to avoid censure, people who wish to make a correction often preface it with "not wishing to be pedantic, but ..." or "without being a pedant, ...". Pedantry can also be an indication of certain developmental disorders. In particular those with Asperger syndrome, or high-functioning autism, often have behavior characterized by pedantic speech.[1] Those with Asperger's tend to obsess over the minutiae of subjects, and are prone to giving long detailed expositions, and the related corrections, and may gravitate to careers in academia or science where such obsessive attention to detail is often rewarded. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is also in part characterized by a form of pedantry that is overly concerned with the correct following of rules, procedures and practices.[2] Sometimes the rules that OCPD sufferers obsessively follow are of their own devising, or are corruptions or re-interpretations of the letter of actual rules. - - - Obsessive-compulsive, or having some sort of personallity disorder eh? Well that's most folks on the cut innit? LOL Allan

HI Moley Before you resort to drilling, cutting, grinding or chiseling... Run the engine till the exhaust is HOT then give the flange a good thump with a copper hammer (or at a push, an ordinary one with a lump of wood over the flange) You don't need to worry too much about getting a wedge in between the faces as the shock should fracture the 'fault line' between the two faces Don't think the leg puller idea will work for you as there is nothing in the centre of the pipe to pull against . You may find a bearing splitter will work if yu get desperate (see pic) and have enough room to get it in Allan (edit to include puller/splitter comment)

I hadn't seen this thread before (I can see it started a while back...) I'd suggest adding a secure strong box or safe internally, and think about a cover for the controls and guages (if fitted externally) Allan

Stuart... Site is looking good and working well!!! Allan

You realise that everyone is now trawling through your posts wondering what misdemeanor you have committed to print! LOL Only thing to add is that editing is only possible for a short time after posting (don't know exactly how long sorry) Acorn - If it's really bad and the edit facility has closed, you can ask a moderator to help or remove the post. Allan (edit for poor spelling - really wish they had a smell chucker on this forum!)

I followed the Holly saga (and I'm glad she was safely recovered) but I'd not realised until this post that there are currently 7 other narrowboats missing around the system... right across the range from a small Springer right up to a full 60 footer! I hadn't really taken any notice of the stolenboats site previously ( CLICK HERE TO SEE ) but I have realised that I (or other forum members) may have unwittingly cruised right past them at some stage without knowing Allan Quick edit - On second look I see the 60 footer was actually recovered so it's only 6 outstanding

Just tagging on to this thread so apologies for going off on a bit of a tangent here... I'm a time served and very well qualified electrician - and in recent years have been classed as a 'technician' I realise there's a whole world of difference between industrial (or even domestic) installations and boat electrics, but I'm wondering if there is anyone in the North West who wants a hand for a couple of days a week (for free!) where I can work alongside a marine electrician and gain experience on boat systems Be fun being an apprentice again - and I make a great cuppa tea! As I say - it's just a thought - but get in touch if you think I could help, while learning a little... Allan

OK - I've registered - logged in and set starting place... what now? It just sorta sits there? Or do I need to clicl on the next lock - and the next lock etc? Allan

Just spotted this... This might be useful for those without 12v 'car' charger kits - a solar charger for phones and other portable stuff I quite like this as plug in chargers are 240v and often not reccomended for use from an 'inverted' source More details HERE (edit to show picture) Allan

I wouldn't worry about getting caught by the police... When a 43 foot long, 6'10" wide canal boat with a top speed of 4mph went missing the police were utterly baffled as to its whereabouts. Given that such a vessel was confined to the canals and that your average canal boat is about as stealthy as a hod of bricks in the middle of the road, one must conclude that the art of detection is not what was. Allan

Regarding locks - since taking an Inland Waterways Helmsmans course last year, I would reccomend it to even 'experienced' boaters... I did mine last year with Malcom of Top Lock - and one of the many things he teaches is the way water behaves in locks. It's one thing to say 'do things this way' but a little knowledge of fluid dynamics will help understand 'why'. I was suprised at what I didn't know - for example everyone knows about 'passing boat effect' and 'bank effect' - but how many boaters understand the fluid mechanics of it? A little understanding goes a long way! Personally, in locks I generally keep the boat well forward - but the key thing is to be aware! There are some gates that you can get hung up on - and some leaky gates will leave you with mopping up if you get too close - but all locks have a cill! Safety should be the prime consideration of everything we do on or around a canal - and the main person who can avert a locking disaster (or even a minor problem) is the person on the paddles - not the one on the tiller! It therefore follows that it should be the most experienced member of the crew on the paddles - one who can spot a problem developing and drop the paddles quickly in an emergency. And although it's a bit slower - one crew - one paddle! The other simple (but often ignored) rule is to keep visual contact between skipper and crew at locks! How often do we see the 'crew' leaning on the beam staring at the view, wandering off, or nattering to all and sundry while the lock fills/empties? Allan

What have I started? I only asked if anyone knew this company, and I think there's now 3 threads on this! Forum Moderators - do you want to tidy all these loose ends up into a single thread? Allan

What have I started? I only asked if anyone knew this company, and I think there's now 3 threads on this! Forum Moderators - do you want to tidy all these loose ends up into a single thread? Allan

Paul I was the member who first asked the questions about Amber Boats here on this forum Thanks for taking the time to post a comprehensive account of the company I'll still be considering a Polish built boat when the time comes - but I can see that I am going to have to be careful... Do you sell your boats exclusively through Narrowboat Sales Ltd at Alvecote Marina? Thanks again - and good luck whatever the future holds! Allan