David Schweizer

Union Canal Carriers have Sabb engines fitted to their three Barney hire boats.

Yes 🤣. Original post deleted because of missing information, post now re-instated and repeated below:- I always tended to use individual people to do work on Helvetia rather than boatyards, with most of them being based in Braunston, and I always got excellent work at a fair price. Yes I will name them:- Roger Farrington for Steelwork, Jonathan Hewitt for engine work, AJ Canopies for canopies, Tim Hewitt for blacking, John Sanderson for complete boat re-paint, and Ron Hough, and later Dave Moore for decorating and signwork. Apart from Ron Hough, who is no longer with us, I would recommend any one of them.

I always tended to use individual people to do work on Helvetia rather than boatyards, with most of them being based in Braunston, and I always got excellent work at a modest cost. Yes I will name them:- Roger Farrington for Steelwork, Jonathan Hewitt for engine work, AJ Canopies for canories, Tim Hewitt for blacking, John Sanderson for complete boat re-paint, and Ron Hough, and later Dave Moore for decorating and signwork. Apart from Ron Hough, who is no longer with us, I would recommend any one of them.

There certainy was a boat called Aster moored on the K&A something like twenty years ago, painted a pinkish red from memory. I always understood it was ex Salvation Army, but whether it is the same boat, I am not sure.

I am not sure why you expressed surprise about my posting the "First Attempt" They do look a bit shabby and the Roses and Castles were at least 20 years old if not older. The scumbling had started to flake off, which is why I refurbished it. Perhaps I should aso make it clear, I only did the scumbling. The Roses and Castles on both pairs of doors were done by "the Late Master", Ron Hough.

I scumbled the back cabin doors on Helvetia. However, my attempts were quite simple without medullery rays. Ron Hough told me how to do it, and after a couple of practice runs on some old hardboard using Canary Yellow base and light Oak Scumble I actually found it quite easy. My first attempts fell foul of the "too many knots" problem, but my second lot on new doors a few years later were an improvement. First Attempt Second Effort

It's a long shot, but you could try the Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club, who have their spare parts warehouse less than a mile from my home. AFAIK they are predominantly a car owners club, but they may know whether any spares are still available for the diesel Engines. Their phone number is 01225 723809. .

Not Cookes, they always had a pipeclay impression, and often G H COOKE stamped on them. My research notes indictate that Lawrence Hogg identified Bronze windlasses with an arrow impressiom as having been made by Selwyn Jordan of Keays Dock, and that they are quite rare.

I wonder whether the OP might consider engaging a qualified marine surveyor to examine the boat and advise on any items that require attention. Of course it will cost quite a bit, but he should get a better informed assessment rather than rely upon advice from individuals on a forum, who have not actually viewed the boat.