larryjc

Then he would have tried to go up river on the wrong side!!! - and gone aground.

Even when there are bouys helping you out some people don't have a clue. Can't remember exactly where but it was on the Thames on a sharp left hander going up stream there was a red can buoy marking the shallow water. Kept it to port as we went up. A week or so later as we came back we met another boat coming the same way who was very angry with me as I left the buoy to starboard and, to his eyes, gave him very little room. He shouted angrily to me ' don't you know the rules? You should be on the other side of that as you come that way.' As an RYA YM I think I actually know the rules but there wasn't time to put him straight and anyway that would have spoiled his fun when he came back.

Ahah - so we were there together then - b****ered if I can remember much of what they taught us. But that seems to make sense which also makes my point because if you can't protect the whole hull why bother with just small bits? It seems the real reason for fitting them where they tend to go is its about the only places they are liable not to get knocked off, which is hardly sound logic. I'm going to invent a complete system and make millions.

So going back to my originl post if a boat is 12 meters long you should really have anode fitted every 2 metres, ie six each side or not bother at all.

I can understand then having them at the stern with all the different metals about but seems a waste of money to put them at the bow. Anode manufacturers must be laughing all the way to the bank.

Just got the boat out of the water for blacking at short notice as when in Liverpool I could suddenly see just how rusty it was getting. However when she was out it was quite clear that the anodes were only protecting the hull wthin about a metre of thier location consequently the bow and stern were fine but the sides well rusted up. The anodes which were about 3 years old are still in goodish condition. So whats the point?? To make them useful one would have to have them all down the sides about every metre. Alternatively they aren't working properly but why? They are in pairs probably because they were replaced but it wasn' worth taking the old ones off. Is it possible that they are slightly different so are actually working against each other to a degree? I understand the chemistry of how they work but can't reconcile that with what is actually happening. Anyone else seen this effect?

Did this on my last boat and seem to remember it needed several turns per volt.

Didn't realise who paid and didn't realise it wasn't CRT. And I'm sure the Bridgewatger closure is having an effect - but why then does the internet booking system give virtually no availablity for a clearly empty basin? When I checked my booking today there are apparently only two days this month where I could book a departure which infers the plade is full up - no its not!! As I said before its as though the system is actively designed to discourage people coming here.

I personally don't object to paying for a service, so yes why not a few quid to use Anderton (next on my list) But thats not really the point I was trying to make. This basin facility in Liverpool is actually quite new and clearly a great deal of money has been spent on it to make it as good as it is. And then it seems to me that the prodecures that CRT have put in place actively discourage people using it and absolutly ensure they get worst value for money.

Been here a couple of days now and apart from kids throwing stones at us from a bridge at Litherland and the bigget amount of plastic I've ever seen on my propellor, I have to say its pretty fantastic. There's even a steam fair on the dock to keep us amused (including two steam narrow boats). But why is the place so empty???? I've counted and there are jettys for up to 56 boats (obviously less if broadbeams are using them) and the grand total of boats in here is 14 - what a waste. Out of curiosity I went to my CRT booking for the basin and although there are plenty of slots next week, looking at the availability today one would think the place is full. On top of all this the shore power is free and CRT pay several staff to help us through locks that are quite easily self operated and all for a grand total of 6 boats a day (why?). Surely this place should at least pay for itself? - CRT must be losing hand over fist operating it. A local told me it used to always be full until they reduced the free period from 14 to 7 days but frankly I would have thought at least a small nominal charge would not put people off and with a bit of forward thinking and dare I say it 'management' it could be much better for both CRT and the boater alike. I have to say its been a bucket list item on my boating list for some time and despite all this I'm really glad we came.

Thanks - something to look forward to then!!

Just looked in my tank which has a large lift up access top so easy to get into. The sides look similar to this with brown slime but the water is clear and we've been drinking it with no issues for over a month. So whats the best way to clean it - presumably empty it and then scrub it out (steam cleaner) and I note several products are metntioned here but I've also heard of 'bitumen' being used. Any advice gratefully received.

Just to keep the information flow going - I rang Peel Holdings today and they actually rang me back which was encouraging. The nice lady I spoke to says that the work is progressing on schedule. She then went on to say that if they are early they would update the web site. I pointed out that knowing if they were going to be late was actually probably more important. Either way she was very aware that many of us are basing our plans on this and she promised to put anything new on the web site as soon as it was known.

24 May is the only date on their web site - http://www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/boating/stoppages/stoppage.aspx?ID=242 We are on the L&L and nearly everyone we meet is waiting for that date like us. Its going to interesting to see just how many boats are queued up on that day and what sort of riot there will be if they don't open on time!

Just out of interest we and another boat did Wigan top to bottom yesterday and it was fine. Some gates are stiff (lock 75 bottom gate shouldn't be opened fully as it jams but otherwise there were no issues). We knew about the gate on 75 because the permanent lockeeper told us - he's there every day. Had a long chat with him the day before when we moored up at the top. You can book him on Tuesdays for special assistance but the is there all the time plus quite often there are volunteers as well. Yes its hard work but no worse than others we've done and actually quite pretty in places - especially near the top. Took us 5 hours but we did stop for lunch half way.

Did this a while ago with a 150 on a Nanni and had to take off the bellhousing as the plate was too big for the hole at the back of the bellhousing. I wouldn't be surprised if the Beta isn't the same. Also there is one gearbox to bellhousing bolt that is an absolute sod to get out as it won't screw all the way out. It fouls the gearbox casing itself, so you have to remover the other bolts and loosen it off as much as possible and the pull the box back and do it again - I didn't replace it. Even PRM agreed it was a silly design when I rang them and said its fine without it. Because of access I had to remove gearbox first and then bellhousing, if you can get the whole lot off without splitting them I would suggest you try. Oh and a PRM bloody hurts when you drop it on your finger!!

You can get injector cleaner from Halfords. It may clean up bad injectors, I've used in cars and it sometimes works and does no harm to try. If you go to low revs and throttle up hard - does the smoke go black as the load comes on - another sign of bad injectors. Very unlikely to be valve seals as others have said as they leak oil into the cylinders when stationary and you get loads at start up as it burns off and then goes away.

Good info - we only got one large plastic sheet from Burnley. But the canal is pretty full of crap all the way - must be the dirtiest section of waterway we've seen so far.

Thanks for the replies - I'd already heard about the pub. Probably going to share the locks with another boat which should speed things up as well.

Hi we're going to arrive in Blackburn on the L&L in a few days (from the west). The good book advises against staying overnight in the town although it does say there are some secure moorings. Any local knowledge would be appreciated. Where to stop before the town to do the locks and 'escape' in one day (there are only two of us and we are not fast) or where its Ok to stop in the town etc.

Just a thanks to everyone. We tried a cold wash which worked Ok but today we did the hot water trick through the soap dispenser and it worked a treat. At one point the heater cut in only to realise it wasn't needed so Bobs your Auntie.

Didn't seemto be an issue on the K&A and anyway the bridge would have to be open for the horse to pass so the tow path would be clear.

Interesting video which only makes me glad that I'm not having to do it. However, it does beg the question why the canal was built this way in the first place? Some of the motorised bridges do now have the control box on the towpath side but none of the push ones operate from that side. From memory the K&A has them them 'correct' way round so why not here??

Did a quick search and couldn't find an answer to this one - so how on earth would you do the L&L single handed? Apart from some locks and bridges where it is physically impossible to move the gates on your own (we had to push one bridge with the boat to unjam it), all the swing bridges have the operating arm on the non towpath side. For a few it might just be possible to moor on the wrong side to access the handle but for most this just isn't on. I suppose if you were going in the direction they open in you could unlock it then push it with the boat although there would be no way to close it again. We have just done the first twenty miles up from Leeds and have many more to do - luckily there are two of us. I'm sure someone will have an obvious answer but for the life of me I can't work it out.

A minute is no issue but this isn't a compact its fullsize. I guess we fill it until we can see it through the door.