Rick Spleen

I am also trying to resolve an engine overheating problem so have been following this thread with interest. My problem seems to occur intermittently. I've taken many of the steps suggested in the thread but don't know yet whether I have finally nailed the problem as the problem is intermittent. When I spoke to Beta about possible causes, one thing on their list of suggestions was whether the water filler cap needs changing. Is it the right pressure rating and/or is the spring weak after so many years in service? It seems too simple to be true but for just a few quid it can be changed and that possible cause eliminated. My engine used to run constantly at 80 degrees for 14 years, then it started edging up to 100 for no obvious reason, and now after some fettling it seems only to edge up to 90 degrees. Interestingly, I've also had gearbox problems recently but always considered the two problems were not in any way related. I've done a bit more fettling in the last day or two so will find out later this I week whether my overheating problem is cured permanently.

Thanks very much to both respondents for taking the trouble to respond to my query. The replies were very helpful. I checked with Crowthers (very helpful people) and they advised that to do what I proposed would most likely lead to gearbox failure in a very short time. I'll therefore play safe and stick with the same ratio gearbox and my existing prop. As a few people on the forum have said, prop selection and design is a bit of a black art, so proceed without expert advice at your peril! Thanks again to those who responded to my query.

Your right. I'm relatively new to this so was unsure of the process re. starting a new thread. I've since found out and have already started a new thread. Thanks for your reply.

I have a PRM120D gearbox on my NB with 2.5:1 ratio which is now 15 years old and in need of a major overhaul. My boat is a little too slow at a comfortable engine speed so I was considering changing to a PRM box with 2:1 ratio. The intention being a slightly higher speed at the same engine speed. I know the 2:1 box is physically the same size as the 2.5:1 box and will therefore fit the engine and shaft without the need for any mods., but are there some technical considerations that I am unaware of that may lead to problems by using the same engine and prop? The engine is a Beta 30 and the prop is a Crowther 17 x 11.4 High Efficiency style. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry if I'm changing the topic slightly but could anybody advise me on gearbox ratios? I have a PRM 120D 2.5:1 ratio which needs a major overhaul. My boat tends to be on the slow side with the engine turning at a comfortable rev rate so would a PRM120D 2:1 ratio box be a suitable and straight forward replacement? My engine is a Beta 30 and I have a 17 x 11.4 HE Crowther prop. It's a 50ft NB. Any advice would be appreciated.

I too have written to my MEP's (six of them) and I have had replies from two which appear encouraging. I'm not bettting my pension on a good outcome though. To me, the unintended consequences of being forced to use white diesel are too catastrophic to contemplate. In any event, how long will it take to get all traces of red diesel out of our boat tanks and the all the marinas' storage tanks? How would we get round the unfairness of having to use white diesel for central heating. Home dwellers don't have to so why should we? No doubt all these points have been made before during this long lasting thread, but I needed to have my rant.

I've looked back at my records about mooring fees. There was a £250 deposit which I paid to reserve a mooring. £125 of this was deducted from the first three months mooring fees (i.e. approx Aug to Oct 2006) and the balancing £125 was deducted when paying the first three months of 2007 (i.e. Jan to March 2007). I agree with Dalesman's figures about the cost per foot and paying 3 months in advance.

I was there in the early days. I remember the original manager, his name was Kay. He was involved with the construction and was to become the marina manager on completion. I recall he left suddenly and unexpectedly but don't know the reason why. He always seemed a decent and helpful bloke whenever I spoke to him. I don't understand your mention of the 3 months in advance - was this some kind of problem? By the way, were you moored at Nantwich Basin prior to Swanley?