lockedout

Good advice, thanks. Question about the Aluminium angle - horizontal surface of the angle on top surface or underneath?? Also, does this not increase noise levels if you introduce metal to metal?

I was thinking about chequer plate... Slippery when wet? Noisy? And it still needs marine ply or similar to fix to, so although the steel might live forever, the marine ply won't, so maybe not such a good idea... Not according to the 'experts'... "We have purchased phenolic ply from China which looks very good but the ply veneers are invariably a softwood/hardwood combi, eucalyptus or poplar, and the construction quality isn’t the same standard as European plys. We now buy Russian or Latvian phenolic ply with a birch core, the quality has proved much better." I haven't got a clue, but I believe everything I read on the internet (apart from Wikipedia, obviously!)

Hi Everybody, I need to replace the decking in my semi trad, the existing phenolic ply has started to go spongy around the edges and the top layers are starting to degrade. Decent (ie not Chinese) phenolic ply seems to cost about the same as a new boat for a piece 2 foot square. Now I am sure that you clever people have come up with some smart ideas as to possible alternatives that cost slightly less but do as good a job. Suggestions please???

Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection? Stick with the same system...

The guy who painted our boat recommended Autoglym Super Resin Polish - follow the instructions on the bottle.

We are regulars on the Thames and South Oxford... Lots of good advice above, one thing no-one has mentioned is an Anchor. Particularly if you are unsure about the reliability of a new (old) engine. There are some big weirs on the Thames and I would hate to get stuck on one. Nothing wrong with the Sheepwash Channel, IMHO slightly quicker and a few places to moor near a couple of decent pubs as you go through Oxford, and fuel and pump out at College Boats if you need it. A good early start to rock up at Osney ASAP and off you go with the current behind you. And, as above, make sure you have two decent mooring lines, we have dedicated Thames String which is longer and thicker than anything we would ever use on the cut, some of the Thames locks are pretty deep. Usually the lockies will take a line for you, particularly if you ask nicely...

You're not too far off. Having said that, I have seen Marinas elsewhere around the network with similar arrangements.

Yup - if you want to pay for a 'Premium' berth. ~I don't!

Every time we get on the boat when parked in the Marina.

Very nice - but, how do you get off when you are moored stern to? Especially if you have small people or dawgs...

We're at Pyrford and get up there every few weeks in the winter - happy to help. PM me.

You will need a serious set of straighteners...

If only...

Up until very recently I really hadn't though about the necessity, or otherwise, of having a trap. Our sink is slow to drain and would be vastly improved if I got rid of the trap. I see the point of not needing to provide a trap to stop smells, but what about capturing things dropped into the sink by accident? I am thinking Wedding Rings, grub screws from taps and the like (not that I have EVER had this happen of course!!)

When I was a kid we moved to a house that backed right on to the main London to Brighton railway line. After a while, the only time I woke up was when the early morning trains didn't run.

So far so good for us, but we have a long way to go to catch up with your 10 years. We don't clean the windows that much, but popping them out is deffo the way to go.

Worth knowing. When I fitted the window liners I had to replace quite a few of the screws used by the fitters, all were replaced with stainless nuts and bolts, not screws. It wasn't anything wrong with the fitting, just that I hadn't decided what internal liners I wanted when they were fitted.

Speak as you find, but I thought the cost was reasonable considering the quality of the product, the good customer service and the good fitters. They are a good company to deal with. (No connections to CG, just a satisfied customer)

We replaced Caldwell with Channel Glaze DG when we got repainted last year. We are glad we did. Condensation hugely reduced, although we still get a little bit of damp on the frame, it is nothing like we used to get on the glass, and if we ventilate properly it is virtually zero. One other advantage to consider is the noise reduction, it is really noticeable. Oh, and one other thing. Having the full drop back frames, we can remove the whole window. Excellent if it ever gets warm and good for cleaning and maintenance. IMHO - worth it.

How about one of these? https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-mar200b-1830-x-254mm-motorcycle-ramp/ Not a bad price, not sure about the length though?

Barrus Shire 45 on a 10ish year old boat. Had the boat 5 years now without any issues. We spend a lot of time on the Thames and it deals with tidal and non-tidal equally well. We get it properly serviced at, more or less, the correct intervals and it never needs too much or costs too much. We are happy with it. I have used Yanmar quite a lot in the past in lumpy water boats and have never had a problem. (Of course, you know that having written all this, we will break down turning into Brentford against a spring flood tide and end up stuck on the bank! ho hum)

Three email accounts with different providers: #1 Only for friends and family #2 For 'proper' commercial dealings and trustworthy forums #3 For everybody else #1 Keeps nice and clean, I never get spam in this account, #2 gets a dozen spam messages a week, #3 gets mercilessly spammed on a daily basis, but I hardly ever look at it, I have rules set up to regularly delete stuff and there is rarely anything important in there to read anyway. What I do find interesting is how soon after you enter your email on a site a new spam campaign hits, sometimes it can be less than 24 hours!!

Ahem... Our has just gone up 5k, thanks!

We have gone through two Shurflo pumps in three years. Now have a Jabsco fitted, it has caused all sorts of problems, but it works well and doesn't leak. The problems are caused by it being slightly more powerful, which I thought was a good thing, but I have had to fit an accumulator tank, and then a bigger accumulator tank or else the shower has all sorts of issues, now I have to fit thermo valve taps as well. Boat ownership eh??

+1 for Tyler Wilson