Jamborock

If its not too far, the Saltisford Arm Canal Trust moorings at Warwick are excellent and very friendly.

Just back from cruising 118 miles round the Warwickshire Ring during probably the best week 's weather for some considerable time. A thoroughly enjoyable experience, a brief trip report is here http://almakate.blogspot.co.uk/p/4-fenders-and-chimney.html

Thanks, Saltisford Arm Canal Centre have been brilliant, great facilities and really nice folk.

Can anybody tell me if there are pump out services between Knowle and Hatton Locks, or between Hatton and Winchester, Thanks

Can anybody tell me if there are pump out services between Knowle and Warwick, we are going anti clockwise on Warwickshire ring and the answers will determine part of our plan, Thanks

If Rugby is not too far, Willow Wren Traing did a pretty good introduction to diesel engine course, and I've heard some good things about their boat handling courses.

Hi, Does anybody have any experience or advice with regard to using FERTAN rust convertor. We have bought a 5/6 year old narrowboat and it has some bumps and scraps to the paint work on the gunwales and the rubbing strakes which are showing signs of surface rust, and there are some other areas where the paint has come off and needs attentions. We intend to have a new paint job in the next year or so, but the painters and dry docks near us are booked up for some time into the future so I would like to do something about these areas sooner rather than later. The makers for FERTAN suggest I can wire brush these areas and then apply the solution directly, 24-48 hrs later it has done its stuff and it should be possible to paint directly on top of whatever is left and get everything rust protected again. As I will be doing this lying on the pontoon and stretching to reach the boat this solution sounds ideal, especially as without being able to get a dry dock I don't think trying to use a power tool to sand off the rust is at all sensible - I will at some point drop it :-( If anybody has used this successfully and has any tips I would appreciate your views, also if anybody has had propblems with this product. Thanks, David

We went on the Canal Du Midi, from Negra to Argens, through Castlenaudary, Carrcassonne and Bram. Booked through Locaboat. This was a great weeks cruise, and in the right direction, as after the first day it was down hill all the way. The locks are all electric and operated by lock-keepers so that was easy. Scenary and villages were superb. Lots of literature and info on this route and Rick Stien did a series along the Midi. For a weeks cruise one way is far better than a return, as otherwise you are turning round too soon. Car parkign etc. can be arrnaged, as can transfers and pickup.

Hi PhilR, thanks for the suggestions. Eventually plucked up the courage to dismantle the pipework back to effectively the output of the stop cock, there is only a dribble of water coming through when the tap should be fully open. As the water tank is full, I am guessing that over-tightening of the valve to shut off the water before Xmas has caused the valve to fail, and the gate is no longer being opened/lifted when the wheel is unscrewed. I have contacted a marine engineer who says he can sort this out, so fingers crossed. Thanks to all who offered ideas, at least it wasn't something completely daft I hadn't spotted.

Hi Bottle, It was disconnected to stop it running when there was no water on the tank / system. It was only one wire that was disconnected, it has been re-connected and I can now hear the pump running. It was the end of a long day when we got round to filling the tank, so it may become obvious tomorrow after a good nights sleep and looking at it in the day light. It doesn't appear a difficult system, the items are tank - stop cock - pressure sensor tank level meter (shows empty but I don't know if this is working - but it wouldn't stop the flow of water), odd looking semi-transparent filter thing, then the pump - which was running.....

Hi MtB - yes we tried the tap directly after the accumulator and also the washing machine water inlet pipe which is a split off before the accumulator. So, I'm afraid no water out of the taps..... PaulJ - Thanks for the suggestion. The stopcock is not easy to get to due to the position of the bow thruster which I guess was fitted after the original build. It a good idea but frightens me as the prospect of 250 gallons of water flooding in from the wrong side of the stop-cock is not something I think I want to change. I think I need to pump the tank before I try that.

Thanks for the replies Grace & Favour - the pump is very close to the tank, I suppose it could be gunk as the tank had been empty but is has done a reallt good job of completely blocking the flow not just reducing it, and I put an awful lot of water somewhere, so I am pretty sure the tank is full. Bill - I had the stop cock to the full extent both clokck-wise and anti-clock as I was not sure where it had been left - also tried it half way. I guess I need to pump the tank out and look at the stop cock. ta

Bought boat before Xmas. Water system, sink, shower, toilet etc shown to be working and then the system was drained and winterised. Was told all I had to do was fill tank and re-connect the water pump at the chocolate block and all would be good. Did this - filled the tank - and the pump runs but no water. Realised I should have asked more questions. The is a stop-cock (red wheel) I have tried this in both directions and half way. It then goes through a amber/partly see through bulb (don't seem to be able to post a photo - the forum asks for the photo's URL ?) to the pump. The output of the pump is split (t-piece) to the domestic water system on one side via a pressure vessel/accummulator thing and to washing machine inlet on the other - there is no water there so I guess no water leaving the pump. Does anybody have any ideas or failing that known a marine plumber/engineer near Crick who would work on a Sunday. Thanks....

Thanks for the reply. When you say we need to book in, do you mean when we get there or in advance, and if so how dowe do that? Cheers

We want to travel up the the Watford Locks next weekend, but I can't find any information on opening times or if there are Lock Keepers controlling them at this time of year. Does anybody know where I can find this information, or have any advice or tips about using this flight. Thanks.