Greymarauder
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Everything posted by Greymarauder
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Thanks, it will be an adventure if nothing else. Looking forward to the tidal Thames as I have only ever been at the other (estuary) end of it. James
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New to Lister's - where is the model number etc? I can then have a look and get back to you Biggles, Cheers, James
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Any good advice out there on the best place to sell a Lister engine? It is a 3 cylinder and in use daily. Thanks in advance, James
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Hi, I am heading from the Thames up the Grand Union and then on to Cheshire in a wooden 72, and looking for anybody who would like to come along. I run the boat mainly between Thursday and Tuesday and stop in between. The boat is very sparse but it does have beds, a single burner for tea/coffee and easy meals, and a roof! It is not a paying position, I expect the trip to last most of the summer, and you will need to be able to feed yourself or chip in with me. I am 42, easy going, ex commercial sailor, and now a therapist (handy for being involved with wooden boats). You may need a few good books as somebody ends up on the tiller whilst the other sorts the locks etc, so there will be a bit of time sat about watching the canal side go by. Drop me a message if interested. Thank you, James
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I am slowly working a 72' traditional wooden narrow boat from Oxford via London (don't ask) to Cheshire. Accommodation is bloody sparse a fantastic opportunity to re-live the past just how it was, except you do get a real double bed all to yourself (but beware if you sleep walk - some of the boards are loose). Leaving paint/tar/pieces of hull behind is actually a requirement as the Canal and River Trust have not kept up there upkeep on locks as much as they should (though some would say she has sagged over time and is thus a little fat for some locks), and food is quite cheap as you are very limited to what you can cook on a single burner. I am also 42, YMce etc, and by coincidence have never knifed anybody in their sleep either... James
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Well, we are back down to Oxford nearly once again. 4 weeks on and a massive 8 miles from where we started. Still smiling...
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I have a feeling I will be giving it a try! I will of course let you know how I get on, and thanks again for the advice. James
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Maybe. If she sticks again somewhere on the way up, then that will be the next option. Any advice on how to fit/wind the chains?
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About a quarter way aft from the bow seems to be the worst place. Too much for Napton, should be ok up the Grand Union though I am figuring.
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Just an update - I can now verify what has been suggested here; Length is not the problem. The width however is another matter. Hazel will no longer get through lock 12 at Napton, and certainly has no chance of lock 9 either. Only just got her back through Southam but am going to attempt the route via London. If anybody has any ideas on that route, let me know! Best wishes to all, James
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I am impressed. After being wedged nicely in four locks between Napton and Southam on the Oxford, every single person was still polite, friendly, and helpful. Apologies to anybody who had a slight delay on Monday, and thank you for showing what is still possible of human nature in these modern times. An eventful (canals taste horrible) start to this way of life but a very promising one. James
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Thank you Deckhand, Maybe we will run into each other out there. Very best to everybody, James
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Thank you to Maffi, Stagedamager, Furnesvale, Graham,Tuscan, Jigsawged, Pete, Fadetoscarlet, David, and BlackIbis for your help, I will keep you posted of how things go. This is a very good first impression of this forum so I'll stick around and stay on it. As for right now - I am happy to say that my mind is not on lock sizes any longer. The rudder coming off at the same time as the stern gland opening up and the bilge pump failing have successfully focused my mind elsewhere... James
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Hi All, Thought I'd check in on here. I am moving onto the canals after skippering yachts out there in the deep blue, and I am looking forward to no longer calculating tides, arguing with customs (the canal and river trust folk seem much friendlier), and sleeping at 45 degrees. But I am not being complacent for a moment: These things look like a bugger to deal with in a cross wind... The boat is Hazel, and she is made of wood, and my name is James. See you out there...
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Big thank you to everybody who responded, peace of mind is everything isn't it. The journey has begun (being split between a colleague and I) and I will make a note of any issues, should anybody else ever run this route in something similar. James
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Hazel is a 1957 boat from Nurser's yard (wooden). She doesn't seem to have spread too much but we will see. Might be time to grease the sides liberally... James Voyaging - not cruising
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Thanks Graham, that was exactly what I was hoping to hear. I have traveled all of the Scottish canals but have minimal experience in England. Not for much longer though I hope... I was thinking of the Oxford, the Coventry, the Trent and Mersea, and then the Shroppie canals as a route if that makes sense? James
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Has anybody any experience of moving a full size vessel from the South to the North (or vice verse)? I am currently planning a trip from Oxford to Chester on a 72 foot narrow boat and after spending far too long studying the internet there seems to be a lot of vague information. The sites I have checked which claim to have information on the narrowest lock dimensions are also not in agreement with each other. So after all of the research, does anybody have any real experience of this and could they suggest a viable route? Thanks, James Voyaging - not cruising.
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You could give Jem a call at Bates Boatyard - http://www.batesboatyard.co.uk/ - He is a very helpful guy and seasons his own wood. I am pretty sure he would be able to help and it is not far from you. Good Luck, James
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Hi all, heard there may be a tree down north of Banbury; does anybody have any more info on this? Thank you in advance, James