Sweeny Todd

Hi We have laid our boards length ways. Our barge is 17' 6" wide so wider than many. We do live aboard the boat (2 adults, 1 large dog and a cat). As the boat is still a work in progress the boards are getting plenty of hammer but are standing up to it. As for the concrete, I agree with your surveyor. Having been on quite a few of the older barges, many of them have concrete in one area or another so not unexpected to find some.

Hi We have used scaffold boards in out barge. We have tried different flooring types in our last boat (a narrowboat) but found that they all had their drawbacks. We figured the scaffold boards were designed to take the hammer and have been down now for around 6 months and have coped with everything that we have thrown at them during fitting out the barge, including getting very wet a few times when we were re building the cabin roof / deck. We fixed the boards in place using batons underneath which we screwed the boards to and have used cork inserts to fill the gaps in between whilst allowing for expansion. Gives a rather nice pinstripped effect too . We have sealed the boards with wax.

sponge clean with vinegar and warm water. Vinegar helps get rid of the smell and will do the same as bleach for cleaning. Also, bicarb of soda or baking powder will get rid of the smell and absorb the moisture.

MJG, yes you are correct about the sluice at Lemonroyd, although we haven't been up that way since last year. The showers at Stanley Ferry, Castleford and Horbury are all just CRT key to get into the building, no leccy card needed unlike the majority of the showers nowadays.

Hi Castleford does indeed have a shower, sluice etc. Not a bad place to stay over night, and good for dog walks if you have one. Woodlesford is lovely but lacks facilities. In between is Lemonroyd which again is nice but the facilities there belong to the marina. If you are going down to Horbury, Kings Road is ok to moor (no facilities) or Stanley Ferry (showers, sluice etc). Horbury also has a shower etc at the residential moorings. You can moor up just outside.

Hi I have not had any experience with the people you have found but can point you in the direction of a good mobile marine engineer in Wakefield if it helps.

Quaysider Are you going to be moored at Stanley Ferry once you have your boat?

Hi I used Alpha batteries for my last boat and having just bought the new boat, have used them again. Their deals and delivery are good and the set I bought for the last boat lasted me for 3 and a half years (they were XplorerAGM). We live aboard and use solar charging too.

Hi Danica I had both my tanks cleaned by TheBoatGenie (a member on here). I can highly recommend him and he is mobile. PM me if you want his contact details.

John V, that is a mighty generous and selfless offer but I think I will stick with them for now

Hi Tony, yes we are ok with the Trent and Ouse. Have someone to take us up with a tug as we haven't had the boat long enough or been able to test her enough to be certain the engine is 100% and don't want to tempt fate. Giant, I looked at the paint work and you were bang on with the paint. It does indeed have several layers of slightly different shades of blue. Also thanks for the help with identification. On some paperwork work have the name James Thomas so that fits. She still has the hiab on at the moment. Thanks for passing on the info, the more we know about her the more sympathetic we can be with her refit. She needs a fair bit of work as it stands. First things first though, get her home and then arrange to get her into dry dock and see where we go from there.

Giant, I will take a look at the paint layers later when I get back to the boat. Tony, thanks for the suggestion but its Thorne lock we have had a problem with. We measured the lock at just under 18' but unfortunately the red brick entrance butresses? slope inwards towards the bottom and were too narrow for the boat

Hi. Yes the pictures are taken just below Thorne lock, near Stanilands. We have been working on the engine as we hope to take her onto the Trent at Keadby onto the Ouse and in at Goole the week after next. We normally moor at Wakefield so hoping to get her home asap so the real work can begin.

Hi. I have recently bought an ex-workboat and am trying to find out more information about it. Several people have made comments on its origins but I have not found any firm information. Having looked, I can see boats with similarities but nothing the same as this one. It is made from riveted steel on the hull and deck. There are two massive ballast tanks inside towards the bow, and looking at the set up they appear to be designed to be filled from the cut when extra ballast is required. The boat itself is 50' by 17'6" and has a draft of approx 3'. Her bow is a pretty typical shape but the stern is a real nice tapered shape. If any one can shed any light on this, it would be appreciated. Hopefully if I have done this correctly, there should be some photos below...

We used the B&Q board mentioned above on our last boat. Its been up 3 years without any issues. Nearest point to the fire is approx 3 inches. Using a similar board on the new boat which we got from Buildbase.

Stanley Ferry, Wakefield then the next ones are Horbury Basin. Unfortunately I don't recall any after Horbury Basin. I also don't recall there being any at Sowerby Bridge but I am sure someone will be along soon to correct me if this is wrong.... And welcome to the forum

Their organisational structure as of Nov 2014 can be found at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/7730-asset-management-team.pdf

Thanks for your answers Guys.

Hi Just a quick question for anyone out there who is using a washer or washer dryer on their boat (non electric hook up). We currently use a local laundrette but are looking into the feasability of getting a washing machine or a washer dryer on our boat when we refit it. We do not have an electric hook up on our mooring, but use a 2.5kV generator when we need extra power. Would this be sufficient to run a washer or washer dryer?

Clare De Lune I know of two people selling their boats that are within your budget that are in a good state, both in West Yorks. One is at Woodlesford priced at £12k I believe. Its a Springer, has just been out of the water at Goole marina to have the bottom blackened, a small weld done and I think the prop was also re-allingned to correct a previous botch job. It has a Lister engine (sr2 I think). It has a new paint job and has been refurbed well inside. I has an AGA fitted which I love . I believe it is 42 foot. Also, at Stanley Ferry, a 45 foot narrowboat, BMC engine (1.8 I think). If I recall correctly, it has a fixed bed at the bow, hip bath with shower over and toilet beyond that, then lounge followed by kitchen going toward the bow doors. It has canvas cratch cover and pram hood over the stern deck. This one needs a paint job outside as there are several colours on it at the moment Both boats are stern cruisers and I am not sure either have been advertised yet but both would make decent starter boats.

Hi Yes we do it occasionally. Your mooring manager will be the same as ours - Rob Taylor - We just send him a quick email or text if we are heading off and we know someone will be using our mooring in Wakefield.

Hi If "Alpha 1 Bravo" is the same boat, it is indeed moored on the Aire and Calder ( Foxholes i think) and it has been up for sale for as long as I can remember. IIRC there are some issues below the waterline.

Thank you all for your replies