Boatgal

Stop worrying" enjoy the crossing and feel the exileration when you reverse out of the final lock at Preston whooo hooo. When I did it July 2011 there was a really rickety boat which smoked like hell, listed badly with the owners drinking merrily and they made it surprisingly. I am crossing on the 25/5 so let the sun shine brightly

hi there, There are a number of "rubbish" wifi booster aerials out there (through experience) BUT I researched it for a while and found a fantastic one which picks up from a long way. It looks like an anologue tv aerial and enables you to log on to "open sites" or if you are really cunning you can go into a local pub/cafe with wifi, get their password and log in on your boat via your laptop (I never did anything like that coff coff). Of course you have to be in view of the building from your boat but it is a really good piece of kit. I now have dongles galore so dont require this anymore so if you are interested in purchasing it off me please get in touch (you can try it before you buy too).The aerial also picks up your own wifi too.

Hi, I am pondering on whether the deep lock at Appley Bridge can be operated single handed. Looking at some pictures it doesn't look like it is possible. Help!

I currently have an accumalator tank and shurflow water pump. I looked into water pumps that didn't require an accumalator tank and the one that was coming up was the Parmax 2.9 (Midland Chandlers)under £50 at the moment. However, I thought I would stick with shurflow and bought a water pump that again, doesn't require an accumalator. This was a little more expensive at £109.95 and it is yet to be fitted (once my new kitchen goes in). This can be positioned upright or flat. It looks the business and saves on space.

oh my my my.....bleach, hotwater arrrghhhh the poor canal birds and fish ((((hugs)))). Bleach is very bad for the water and the creatures living in it. As for the hotwater, the ducks like to feed from the water coming out of the drainage hole and if it's hot they will burn themselves (((((awwwww)))))). I am not sure what vinegar does but I am sure it can't be good. I use a product just once a month and it contains 'friendly enzymes'. It is a granule formula that you pour in your plug holes (before retiring to bed) and leave overnight. Voila, in the morning clean and nice smelling plug holes. The friendly enzymes break down all the food debris in your pipes. Fish, ducks and others are very happy all round.

My stern gland had been dripping when cruising for sometime but nothing when moored up (after greasing). Knowing that the gland was dripping on the excessive side, I thought it best to get my stern gland repacked. Only having been an owner of a NB for approximately 6 months and a complete novice, I kept putting it off (like the proverbial decorating). However, it was a constant "niggle" at the back of my mind and I would often pop and just check I wasn't taking on water (usually this happened during the wee small hours of the night). Eventally, my boat was taken to the marina to get the stern gland repacked to be told "YOU HAVEN'T GOT ANY PACKING IN".........WHAT! Yes, I had no old packing left and I was told by the marine engineer that he had never come across this before and the boat still floating! Come to think of it, I even did the "Ribble Link" with a leaky stern gland and probably with no packing either! Phew, I class myself as very lucky!

My narrowboat does exactly the same and it's the rudder bearing. One thing to check is, when you reverse hard does water come up onto the deck, if yes then it's the rudder bearing. The bearing costs £80 and one hour to fit it.....good luck! My narrowboat does exactly the same and it's the rudder bearing. One thing to check is, when you reverse hard does water come up onto the deck, if yes then it's the rudder bearing. The bearing costs £80 and one hour to fit it.....good luck!

I wondered has anyone has got any useful tips on how best to feed the wiring into my boat for my solar panel. I have to put I in the centre of my boat on the roof but I hate wiring on show. I know I can feed it down a mushroom vent but how the blinking heck can I get I behind t&g inside to the engine going through the bathroom and bedroom arrrggghhhhh help!

I have the 3 mi fi and it's pretty ok for signal most of the time but I have an iPad with a sim in it also on 3 which is fabulous. It's only on the rare occasion I am unable to get a signal. I pay £15 pm for 10 gb on my iPad but can pay up to £25 for 7 gb on my mi fi. I watch a lot of tv catch up....any tips on cheaper Internet?

I do have the drain holes but the channels don't go all the way around so, there is no channel where the hinges are to catch the water therefore it runs into the bilge

Howdy, I do have a slightly wet bilge after it has been raining due to water getting in via the hinges on the stern (hatch to the stern gland/greaser). My boat is a 1992 trad.....any tips how to stop this Thank you