Bod

Prepare yourself for bad news. Broken timing chains or belts, are very often expensive. Others will say just what to look for. Bod

Totally off the wall thought. Could you get wheels fitted? Needn't be too big, just enough to make moving easier. Remove before floating, of course! Bod

Check for air flow, around the back of the fridge, and over the top. Have you changed anything around the fridge? Moved the fridge to a new position? All cheap to check. If you put a new fridge, in a position where there is no air flow around the black fins at the back, then the heat from these cannot escape, then the fridge can't work! Many folk have fans blowing cold bilge air, up over the fins, which really helps. Bod

Would the thinners needed for the over spray, be different to the ones needed for the base coat? If so, then it might be possible to wipe the over spray away without affecting the base coat. Please test first!! Bod

The Statue cannot define "place" or distance travelled, unless there is a major rewriting in parliment. However as the "Board must be satisfied" before granting a licence, then knowing what would satisfy the Board, could be very useful, in avoiding problems later. We as boaters, of all licence types, should be working with C&RT to create acceptable guidelines, for all to follow. If we don't then, "guidelines" will be created, on a "Like it or leave" basis. Bod

What make of oil filter is fitted? Where did the filter come from? Well known supplier, or internet supplier? Is the correct filter fitted? Has it been changed? Lot of questions, I'm wondering if you have a sub-standard/fake oil filter. Bod

To state the obvious. Where ever the engine is, it has to be serviced. Also other items, placed around the engine must be accessible. Not only for service, but replacement. Bod

A parallel action arrangement would give a reduced push/pull travel, but still allow for the gear lever travel. Downside would be the greater effort needed to change gear. Bod

How much effort does it take, on these push-pull gear changes, to go from ahead to neutral to astern? One or two fingers, or a mighty shove, an heave? Have an idea to reduce the amount of movement at the helm postion, but it relies on how easy the actual gear box movement is. Bod

I think it is 5 years from compleation, not years afloat, that is the sticking point. http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=68780&hl=%2Brecreational+%2Bcraft+%2Bdirective I've added this link to my post, hopefully it explains much better. Bod

Should this boat be R.C.D. compliant? Hopefully others will know the correct answer. Bod http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=68780&hl=%2Brecreational+%2Bcraft+%2Bdirective Edit to add link to previous topic.

Depends on your experience. New to boating = full survey Highly experienced with narrowboats (10-15 years+) = hull survey. B.S.S certificate, is highly limited to certain factors only, and is no indication of overall condition. Use a surveyor who can issue a new B.S.S certificate on the day. Bod

Its generally thought that its your third boat, that is most perfect for your needs. You learn alot from the first two, incorporate these lessons in the third. Look at lots of boats, note the good ideas, and more importantly the bad, to avoid the same mistakes! If you haven't already, hire one for as long as possible, out of season, if you like it in the cooler/duller times, you will love it when the sun shines. Self-fitouts, my opinion, build to R.C.D. standards, the boat will then be saleable, should life turn unexpectly, a non RCD boat less than 5 years old will be almost unsaleable. Budgets, think of a number, double it, add 10.28%, its a starting point, works for both £'s and hours. (As others have said include cost of tools needed. Decent ones cost but last, cheap ones often cannot do the job.) Bod

Don't forget, all connections between boats will have to work, which ever side they are breasted up on, and one behind the other! This may include, motor behind butty. Alot of complication, and expense. It may be better to keep things simple, both boats being mostly independant. Bod

I fear the only person who will know how your boat was wired, is the person who did the work in the first place, and anybody who has since "modified" it. Most boat wiring has been described to me as a "cottage industry". The quality of the wiring on my 2nd hand boat, although safe, would have got me sacked, and laughed of the premises! had I produced that at work. (Capitial equipment manufacture.) I understand that for the RCD paperwork on a new build, a circuit diagram must be included. An older boat, its up to you to decide, which two wire ends belong to each other. Bod

Stay with Lister, or go with something else? Budget? (remember new engine beds may be needed) Bod

TD as a witness for C&RT........... Good luck, I hope it all goes well for you. Bod

Brass threaded rod is normally available at chandlers for this job. Bod

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=44221&hl= I think a rereading of this topic may now be in order. Bod

Try to find out, when in the fit-out the tank was fitted. The earlier it was fitted, the more difficult/impossible removal may be. Bod

Grass needs cutting. Bod

Stupid question. There is enough fuel in the tank, and the fuel stopcock is open? Bod

I've seen this done before. It was necessary, to check/replace fan belt. Then a radiator was fitted in front of the panel to hide it!!!!! Advised removal of radiator, and replacement with a towel rail, still get some heat, but could remove panel for service. Bod

Drawing a map of your plumbing is a brilliant idea! Draw only what you can see, straight pipe, connectors, etc. this will give you an idea, where the bits you cannot see are, also hidden connectors. Most pipe lengths are around 2.5-3 metres long, there could be straight connectors hiding. Idealy you would use rolls of pipe, rather than lengths, to reduce the number of fitting, and leak points. Don't forget to check the hot water pipes, including any pressure relief pipes. By the time any hot water leak, has got to the bilge it will be cold! Bod