GRLMK38

I couldn't resist at this price but delivery is stated as 11th Dec to 11th Jan as it is shipped from China. OK if you're not in a rush.

I agree. I was highlighting how complicated buying oil has become and it was worth knowing what to buy before you get there, which you have kindly confirmed.

.... and that's where the fun starts. Mineral?, Semi Synthetic?, Fully Synthetic?, Audi spec, Renault spec, Ford spec? Long life? Low ash? Oil appears to have become a "black art" in places like Halfords. I suspect mineral is the one to use but worth checking before you buy.

The Watford Flight is not locked but it would make sense to accept CRT assistance if "Red before White...." means nothing to you. Rob-M beat me to it

Thank you, that's great ... I will make some enquiries to see if any of the Members are in your area in the meantime.

I know The Friends of Raymond would be grateful for it, if you are passing Braunston Marina at any time. The office would be happy to act as a drop off point if that suits you...? It would be installed in Nutfield as part of the renovation work currently underway.

There has been no update from the OP, hopefully it is sorted now?

A local cover maker told me only this week that they use clean tea cloths and Fabsil for cleaning. Use of pressure washers and brushes (washing up, nail etc.) are not recommended as they do damage the stitching. As everyone else has suggested, proofing has to follow cleaning.

Sound advice. It looks as though the old unit is key to resolving this. Doesn't the old one belong to you if you have been sold a new unit (unless you agreed a part exchange)? Has the fitter disposed of it or are they planning on getting it refurbished/keeping it for their own stock? Probably worth challenging them as it sounds as though they have left you in a difficult situation.

I am sure a BMC specialist will be along shortly but it may be useful to take a look at the following link https://www.asap-supplies.com/media/faq/133000-BMC-2.2-Manual.pdf . It states that the starter motor type is a Lucas M45G and if you look this up in Google you will find a number of refurbished units listed on ebay and a new unit from http://www.autoelectricalspares.co.uk/110443-starter-motor-replaces-lucas-lrs124-m45g-1898-p.asp . There is also reference to a new part number equivalent which may increase your options. Please do not buy one based on my suggestion, definitely worth checking with your engineer first (that assumes you have somebody assisting you).

Are you happy with the electrical specification? There are lots of references to 240v (11 sockets) but there is no mention of a generator or inverter capable of powering them (the 750W inverter included will not be sufficient to run the washing machine, heater or immersion). If you are planning on having a landline attached the majority of the time then this is not an issue. This appears to be a marina live aboard kind of boat. Is that what you are after?

That's the one that was craned in at the Marina. The owner claimed to be heading "South" and had it dropped in at Braunston because it was too expensive to go the whole journey by road so it's strange that they are on the Oxford. Perhaps they are enjoying the local waterways while they are waiting for the tunnel to be made exclusively available to them along with additional resources required from CRT.

Did I see a new fatboat sail away being craned in at Braunston today?

Anyone doing the Inland Helmsman course at Willow Wren Training will be taught the "Steer a bit, straight a bit, wait a bit" technique. (Other RYA training centres are available).

The reading is taken from a glass thermometer so there is bound to be a fairly large tolerance. Given that the coolant circulates through the keel tank and the thermostat opens at 60 deg C, I suspect I am actually within 60-70 deg. My point was really confirming the suitability of a 3LW for river work as it doesn't appear to work very much harder under normal water level conditions.

For what it's worth, I travelled from Gloucester Docks to Upton upon Severn today. Water levels were "normal" due to minimal rain and the tide was low when we departed, so nothing was too challenging. We maintained 3.5 mph at 850rpm and the thermometer reached a whopping 54 degrees and the keel tank return feed remained cold. Downhill a few days earlier, we were achieving 5.5 mph with ease at the same engine speed. This is with a 3LW Marine 36 hp, PRM500 (2:1) and a 23" prop set up. On the canal we typical cruise at 600 rpm and tick over is 420 rpm.

If you have bought decent brushes it is worth investing in a "Brushmate 4" to store them in.

Good to hear it has been found. Did the Police use a Stinger?

Mmm ... the very same people that are about to impose turbo diesels on us How long before stop/start is introduced?

If a builder uses some original parts from an old "scrap" boat (with a valid registration number) to build a new replica, is it a new boat or a fully restored old one?

Nice, did you go to great lengths to find the coordinated throttle cable?

Agreed - 1993 and 1954 in my case

You may find it a challenge to find a "fixed bedroom, living room, diner...." and an engine room as more often than not an engine room is paired with a traditional back cabin. If you were prepared to configure the back cabin as a fixed bedroom and lose the traditional look then you could achieve your wish list. Alternatively, you could leave a cross bed made up permanently and use the gunwales and side hatches for access the stern (which is what the previous owners did). The point above about 6ft+ is very valid. If it helps, our 62ft configuration is pull out double from under the front deck (you have to have moveable furniture for this to work), dining area with drop down table (where the furniture goes when the bed is out), galley, bathroom, engine room, back cabin with 5ft double cross bed. I was nervous about ownership of a vintage engine but these fears were quickly erased and having owned the boat for 12 months I would not have it any other way. My only advice would be to try and buy something that has history with a competent vintage engine specialists, in my case a 3LW maintained by Paul Redshaw. One other thing to bear in mind, the recent RCD changes have just about ruled out vintage engines in new builds (somebody will be along shortly to correct me if that's wrong) and there are very few "traditional" builders taking on new builds. In my mind that means that a good boat will remain a good investment for the foreseeable future.