Mike Tee

Call C&RT, tell them he is getting stuck, don't volunteer the info about recent welding on the phone but do discuss it if they turn up to assist.

I'm sure I remember my sister-in-law telling me that when they lived in Germany they were not allowed to cut the grass on a Sunday!

The only things wrong with that sign are the words 'don't ' and 'or' - delete them and it would be perfect.

If it's not contravening the T's & C's wind your neck in and let people be as childish as they like. Use the ignore button if you wish, it's easy enough.

For a minute there I thought you'd sank your boat!

Some years ago a so-called 'friend' was telling me they were hard up and couldn't afford to rent a tv. We had an old spare one so I gave it to him to help out. A couple of weeks later I ran into his wife who took great delight in telling me that she had put my old tv on a coffee table, gave it a good kick and it fell off smashing the screen. Claimed on their insurance and got a new one. It's assholes like that who put up the premiums for the rest of us.

You mention checking all the usual things, temp, humidity etc but I recall reading that the 'dew point' was an important one to check.

^^^^ Thank you, good information.

When you talk to 'bespoke' boat builders, some are more bespoke than others - some will try and convince you that they would rather build you the boat they want to build, rather than the one you want built. On the other hand, most of them do know what works and what doesn't so it's all a bit of a balancing act. Do talk to as many owners as possible to find out their experiences on what worked, what didn't and how was their relationship with their builder (are they still talking?!). Walk the towpath and talk to owners of newish boats.

I've bought and fitted one of these - the boat gets visited during the winter (wish we still did winter cruises!) every two or three weeks and sometimes the engine started, so this means I don't have to remember to take the cap off or remember to put it back on. And no way will it blow off so no worries about that. Come spring it will come off and the tin back on. They do sizes from about 2" to 4" in small increments so should get one to fit. And (I think) cheap. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115255121963?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=115255121963&targetid=2361039923645&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046201&poi=&campaignid=21697381820&mkgroupid=170109506289&rlsatarget=pla-2361039923645&abcId=10027101&merchantid=113155889&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4rK8BhD7ARIsAFe5LXK9aQEg6KC6xCXnf594x1xruVCXaZ6SYegD24STXZxyjwMRtjCZfK8aAq6mEALw_wcB

I know the op said 'gunwales' but do you mean the vertical section from the top rubbing strake up to the edge you walk on?

I guess that's true, which is why newspapers rarely let the truth get in the way of a good story.

It's a pet hate of mine when newspaper editors flip a photo because it looks better on the page - most obvious when a man is wearing a suit and is buttoned up the wrong way!

To be practical I'd get my EoG mooring before getting stuck in!

Where is it coming from? Door, collar, sides, back?