James Owen

Yeah, good luck with that. Everyone seems to be an 'expert' on how to manage something they have such little idea about, relying solely on their internet forum based feedback and disjointed knowledge... I know, let's have an elected party to run our waterways, whose agenda is keeping the day to day interests of the demographic wholly aligned with those who find little use in the system other than mincing from one bridge to another in the name of 'continuous cruising'..ha!! Geez, God help us all if that happens. Amyone know a Nathaniel ?

I don't recall saying anything about the 'pod' idea, even less so on the positive side Alan. Big boats are indeed ideal for converting in the more usual sense though, given that from the photos it seems the Barnet has lost all her originality from the footings down (in the hold at least) it would make sense to use it as the basis for a conversion.

From the pictures in the ad the Barnet seems fairly desecrated already so perhaps less harm or loss in converting it compared to some other boats. Done sympathetically, a conversion to this boat would perhaps give it more chance of a useful purpose for however many years until it finds another guardian in the future to use it for work.

Mine being one of them ;-)

I always find Pothouse to be the end of sensible depth...3'+ draft on more than one occasion too. After that it tends to be the shaft seeing more action than the gearbox... Maybe BW are hoping the weekend will provide plenty of free weed clearing works in favour of paying contractors ??

Really? I went there a few times last year and the 'undergrowth' was, shall we say...thick? There'll not exactly be a 'race' to the finish....

Single cylinder me-thinks ;-)

Have messaged you Andrew, I'm happy we can help.

Yes, mechanical is the only option really as we don't have an alternator...

That'd be nice wouldn't it...a friendly stockist supplying any AS bits as and when required. Cheap too, quality parts, off the shelf....sigh... ;-)

Thank you Tim, are there many different styles of actuator or is it either just a long or short arm version?

I'm just in the midst of recommissioning an AS2 into our motor boat and need to source a lift pump as we've decided to do away with the day tank. I have the adaptor plate to mount a pump onto but don't really know what model of pump I'll require. Albeit preferably one with a priming lever, I'm unsure on specification regards actuator etc... Any ideas?

The notice says they will start on the Oxford, not necessarily complete the run on it!!

I didn't really want to name the seller.

An unusual can for a different look...ready for painting?? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151662178887?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT A veritable steal if recent prices are anything to go by :-)

Weirdly enough, I even saw a dredger heading up the Macc on Saturday...perhaps we have spoken too soon ??

The police stopped providing escort services about ten years ago unless you happen to be a judge or barrister... Oh, you mean for lorries...my mistake ;-)

Not much chance of that, drawing 3' it was tricky to be anywhere other than the channel. ...and unless that party was 27 miles long....

Yes, I must admit it didn't fit with what I was expecting or been told in conversation. The list includes fishing net (with aluminium handle nicely wrapped around the shaft), blue tarpaulin, washing line with what were clothes, multiple plastic bags, coal sacks, orange barrier netting and many many reeds/cuttings. Perhaps I should be happy that at least it'll be a bit clearer now for others :-)

Ahem, yes I'd heard this was a service they offer ;-)

Cruised from Hardings to Marple this weekend and I've now got a mountain of rubbish fetched from the blade over countless visits down the weedhatch...I certainly won't be looking to take a proper boat up that way anytime soon. ;-)

Great, yet back in the real world. It's full of rubbish and shallower than a toddlers bathwater.

You are mistaken.

Logically, yes we should. ;-) Unfortunately, logic is clearly at a premium in this day and age.

Yes, according to the engine list I have it was originally fitted to the 'Bexhill'. When it was removed from said boat or it's history thereafter I don't know.