howardang

Anyone remember the frigate HMS Jupiter doing the same thing on London Bridge in 1984? After a visit to the Pool of London she had to turn short round and misjudged it, coming alongside the bridge and causing substantial damage. Howard

The owner is a retired master mariner and the vessel is immaculate both inside and outside. I had a guided tour last year at Stainforth (where Vulcan is moored) and the inside is, if anything, even nicer than the outside! Howard

I suppose they have to wait until C&RT are up and running before they can speak with any form of authority, although the first Council meeting was held last week. Don't hold your breath, however, because the start up day seems to be going back and back. It is now scheduled for somewhere between the end of June and late July. Howard

What rattled your cage? Howard

Not all shared ownership boats are miserable old gi**s Some of us even enjoy ourselves! Good to hear so many people are out and about enjoying the great weather. Howard

Re SOLAS, some aspects of SOLAS are applicable to pleasure craft. This will give brief details. http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_185781.pdf There are also aspects of LSA that apply to craft over 13.7 metres. Regards Howard

This may be what you remember British Waterways Bye Laws:- No 37 Moorings not to be cut etc. No Person shall turn any vessel adrift upon any canal or shall unnecessaryily cast off, cut loose, or interfere with any mooring or rope or fastening of any vessel. Regards Howard

Interesting that in the list of basic navigation kit, no-one has mentioned a compass, and something to plot a course or bearing on a paper chart. Howard

Mice or rats? Any signs of droppings? Maybe try a mousetrap for a few nights. I would guess they would have to be big insects to make the noises you describe. Howard

Yes - I got it a few minutes ago. Howard

It may appear condescending to you but you are an experienced boater. Why not give him the opportunity to make up his own mind.

There is a web page called "The considerate Boater" which makes an attempt to set out many aspects of canal etiquette - link below. http://www.considerateboater.com/homepage.htm Like a lot of things in life, it's as much about manners and consideration rather than detailed technical knowledge, but above all, just ignore the minority who may be snooty towards hirers. They all forget that they were also novices once Regards Howard

I would agree with the other comments and go with the Reeves/Kingsground. You mention that with that boat you would need to get a survey and of course that is an absolute must, but even for a brand new boat it is well worth considering having it surveyed. It gives an independant, prfessional view on your purchase and may save a lot of problems lataer on. Good luck in your decision. Howard

The British Waterways Guide on Waterscape is a good place to start - link below. http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/guides/download/3522797073fdd5c021fa4b312fba2a37 You could also buy a copy of one of the guides for the area - either Nicholson's or Pearson's both of which cabe found on the Amazon site. Regards Howard

Normally this is called stud link chain. the purpose of the bar across the middle is two fold; firstly to strengthen the chain link against collapse when under load, and secondly to stop the chain becomming tangled as mentioned previously. If buying chain which is not stud link, if the safe working load is the same, I would prefer short links rather than long links, to help stop the chain from tangling. Regards Howard

Oh, I understand what your saying all right, and thanks for the helpful advice but I don't think I need any confidence building/handholding; I would rather rely on a lifetime spent as a professional mariner with a broad background in command of both ships and small boats, and as someone who has trained ship handlers over the years. You and I will just have to agree to differ about whether getting off a boat when singlehanding, for however small a period, with the gear engaged is good or bad practice Best regards Howard

Bizzard has very ably demonstrated why it's not such a good idea and if you were taught this by an RYA trainer/examiner it just goes to show that even they can make occasional errors of judgement. It all boils down to good boatmanship/seamanship - something which is occasionally mocked on this forum but which I think is just as necessary on the canals as it is on more lumpy waters. Regards Howard

I would take issue you with this statement; you can't possibly have control of a boat when it is in gear and you are on the bank. In my opinion it is a problem waiting to happen. Howard

If these tips don't work, put the kettle on and stay alongside Howard

The Ibis is a good alternative, just across the M1. Howard

A residentiual mooring is one where the local authority has granted planning permission for permanent residency, whereas a leisure mooring is one for use when a licence holder has a permanent address elsewhere and uses the mooring puirely as a secondary, leisure mooring. If you want the strict definition I would suggest that BW are the best people to ask for the correct documentation. Cheers Howard

See if you can find someone who is used to boating in your area to give the boat a once over for bits & pieces that you may need, and also to see if they may help you to get used to the boat on your first trip(s) Howard