Ricco1
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Posts posted by Ricco1
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I live on a 35ft boat. Built in 1998, I paid £18,000 for it 3 years ago. It has a fixed double, kitchen with 2 ring cooker, oven and grill. Small gas fridge. Shower and cassette toilet. A wardrobe that's small but me being a bloke, it's big enough. Plenty of storage under the bed and under the seating in the lounge. Ideally I'd have another area for eating as that all goes on in my living room, on the fixed table I have there. Other than that though, it's perfectly livable, providing that you get rid of most of your 'stuff', that being things you have but don't really need.
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Ah right thanks for that. As I said my memory of it is a bit sketchy. I certainly wouldn't have filled the lock if it was empty, and I'd seen another boat approaching. I guess I should make more of an effort to look beyond any bridges or other things that obstruct my views, in the future. Nice boat by the way!
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To Bill (quote button isn't working)
I think I remember going through that lock, there were 2 boats coming up, including an ex. BW workboat. Is that the one you were referring to?
I've tried to cast my mind back to what happened there, it's sketchy. I recall one of the boats being in a hurry, the one behind I think. Id be really grateful if you could explain what I could have done differently in order to make progress through the lock a happier experience for all. Genuine request this, I'm in no hurry to go anywhere, I'd prefer to sit back and let everyone do their thing then do mine. I don't want to be seen as an arse on the canal.
Cheers.
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Yes I do use Edge. Funny really, I'm someone who thrives on logic but find computer issues baffling. I used Edge last week, the quote button worked. Now it doesn't. I never try to do anything clever with my computer because in that respect; I'm not clever. So I haven't updated anything or similar. I've simply switched my computer on, visited forums I use, bit of Ebay, couple of other sites I visit, then switched the machine off. I don't think I've worn it out or anything. But now it doesn't work.
As I said, baffling.
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I'll have to take your word for that, PITA is a type of bread kebabs are served in, as an alternative to nan, that's all I know. It used to work, stopped doing so a week ago, I didn't change anything.
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When I hit the 'quote' button it doesn't include the post I want to quote, it's as if I was just replying without a quote. What's wrong?
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On balance, it's probably best to make the extra effort and close them, so that's what I'll do.
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This area used to have a reputation for sizeable carp a few years ago. Does anyone know if they are still around?
Cheers.
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Following on from my other thread I've been giving the whole process some thought.
My understanding is that generally, if no other boats are around, a boater should leave a lock with both gates closed and paddles down. OK so far?
Now then, and assuming no other boats are in sight: if a boater is single handed he or she needs to stop and tie up after the lock in order to close the gate. If the boater were to leave the gate open: If the next boat along is coming in the opposite direction it can motor into the lock without opening any gates at all. If the next boat is following in the same direction the crew would need to close one set of gates and open another. So the effect of doing this would seem to be neutral to other boaters, but saves the single handed boater needing to stop and tie up so often.
I don't do this as I'm not sure it's acceptable, but thought I'd put it out there for comment by more experienced boaters.
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Yes the recent experiences I've had the locks were in my favour. On a longish flight the crew behind helped me a couple of times by closing the gates behind me. At other times I was ahead. I suppose I'm just looking for a way where nobody gets upset, I'm in no hurry myself. At the same time I have a fairly low tolerance for people who go out of their way to deliberately attempt to antagonise me.
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Another thought from recent experience: being single handed it obviously takes longer; have to stop to open gates or set locks, climb up and down ladders.
Being single handed, should I offer to let boats with crew to go in front of me? Set the lock then wave them through
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I did think he was being an arse but thought I'd check back here to see if my relative inexperience had clouded my vision. I will generally offer to help where I can. If a similar bokle turns up though, I'll tell him he's an arse.
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I should maybe have pointed out that although I've lived on my boat for nearly 3 years, I've only been through 50 or so locks. Many of them in the winter when there was no one around.
The next time I'll ask if I can help.
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I was going down, single handed. Cruiser on the way up, bloke with windlass in hand, woman steering the boat. They'd just arrived so I took the opportunity to tie to a bollard and make a cup of tea. Brew made, they were coming out of the lock so I untied and started to move forward slowly.
All good so far?
The bloke with the windlass then closes the lock gate. I had to reverse a little to tie up again. I told him as he walked past that he could have left the gate open. Tried to say it in a friendly manner. His response: "you could have helped me with the lock, mate"
Was I out of order at all, should I always look to help people, even when they don't need help?
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I'm moored above King's Lock. Nice and easy for the bike but a bit noisy from the road. I'll have a mooch in a bit and see if there's anything better, but this will do for now.
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I'm heading north along the T&M, should get to Middlewich today. Plan to turn onto the arm towards the Shroppie. I keep my motor bike on the back of my boat, I need to use it later. Does anyone know anywhere in Middlewich where I might be able to get it off my boat and the towpath onto a road? All I need is a fairly level towpath; no more than 20 inches above the water level then access to any road by gate, hole in hedge or whatever.
Many thanks.
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Red Bull Services: Tony, 01782 779033.
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I had mine done at Red Bull services, just up the Macclesfield from its junction with the Trent and Mersey. Bitumen is £9 a foot or 2 pack epoxy £10. I went for the latter. Tony does 3 coats below the waterline, 2 above. 48 hours drying time before going back in. The yard is outside so it's possible for the weather to get in the way but the advantage is that you can live on your boat comfortably while the work is being done. Tony even offered me a free electrical hook up.
Recommended.
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I decided some time ago to paint red and white bands around the stern of my boat, in the traditional style. I've done the upper white band, it looks good, thanks to the useful tips I got on this forum.
I'm hoping to do the red band today. The problem is that, due to where the rubbing strips are positioned, the red band will be about twice the depth of the white one. I've thought about masking a straight line to keep the red band the same depth a the white one, but this would leave 6 inches or so of black hull under the bands. Might look odd?
If I were to do the red band full depth I'll have a problem with the curve in the paint at both ends. I could use a shallower curve to keep the proportions the same but again, this might look odd. If I used the same curve profile the paints won't line up, if that makes sense. Once again, might not look right?
What's the best way to approach this?
Thanks.
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Hi Dave the red is on the task list for the next few days along with the gunwales, decorations at the front and painting the handrail at the stern. I'm just out from blacking, epoxy was used, the guy who did it said I could paint straight over it. May try sanding it first to get it flatter, maybe try a test patch first. I've plenty of water at the moment, filled up at Red Bull, but will be using lots to clean down before painting, don't want to run out.
Cheers I prefer to cruise 3 hours or so once a week, my water lasts about 10 days. Can cruise longer if needed, but I like to take things easy if possible.
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I'm on the Trent and Mersey at the moment, heading north west towards Middlewich. I've spent a while googling 'water points Trent and Mersey', 'CRT service points' etc.etc. but I can't find either a list or a map of where I can get water and empty my cassettes. This information must be on the web somewhere, surely? Can anyone help?
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I'm at Rode Heath now, it's nice here. There's a road nearby. Unfortunately it's fenced to prevent wheelchairs, sorry, motorbikes, being taken onto the towpath. No worries, it's a 5 minute push to the next bridge, no restrictions there.
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I've done, I think, 6 locks. Moored up now in a lovely spot in the middle of nowhere. Only problem is that the towpath is consistently too high to get my motor bike off. Hope the whole stretch isn't like this; I'll starve!
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I painted one side of my boat with this yesterday. I went on very nicely with a roller, and looked a treat. However: today some of it is falling off. The bulk of it is OK, where I sanded down existing paint. However where I treated rust with Kurust and then red primer it's not sticking. The red primer is oil based, as is the gunwale black. I prepped the gunwales; sanding then washing, wipe down with white spirit and tack cloth.
I was thinking of sanding back the affected areas then perhaps coating with oil based undercoat, before repainting with the black.
Does anyone have any idea why this might have happened, or suggest a better paint than undercoat to cover the primer?
Thanks
Universal Credit and "houseboat"!
in Living Afloat
Posted · Edited by FadeToScarlet
You're right that you don't want to be living on the pittance that's handed out to single job seekers in this country. You could try moving to Ireland, double your money?