Captain Fizz

I reckon Tig is the most difficult to master but is the most controllable once you get the hang of it. It would make a good mud weight but as for welding??

I meant to ask Richard, what is Buckby Banter?

Drill a hole through the inner plate, weld a tube on and pressurise with an airline and look for the bubbles on the outside.

A good trip then?

The Banbury canal day had nothing to do with the canal other than using it as the location. It was just a craft market and a collection of local charity stands.

Another+ for ASAP or search (oil filter comparison) there are several charts that cross reference the different manufacturers.

Awesome!! What size guns will she carry?

Having beefed up the starboard front engine mount it was only going to be a matter of time before the port side went the same way. Time to make a new pair from scratch I think.

I am moored up at Hillmorton, so if you fancy a day out and a bit of practice before you pick up your boat just let me know. I am also happy to join you on your first day out.

Scuttling, always works.

If you are going to tow it behind, it will need to have someone to steer it which could be a trifle lonely. It may be better to push it with it double chained to the front.

At least with a trad, the bilges are not permanently full of rainwater!

I agree Alan, I would not swop mine, takes up minimum space and great reliability. Just a shame it does not have electronic ignition.

Photo please.

That sounds like excellent service and a very fair price.

Yes, if running flat out the gas consumption is 13kg in 28 hours. They are another case of turn it off if not required because the pilot flame is gas greedy. We generally only use ours to top up the hot water if we have not been travelling. The stove keeps the boat toasty.

Yep, never a good idea to attach boats to mains water supply and leave them unattended. I remember a certain celebrities Dutch barge having a ball valve fail. Fortunately it was spotted low in the water, but not before it had taken the oil from the engine room bilge throughout the carpeted interior.

Running the boat's domestic water pump will only fill the hot water content of the colorifier not the heating circuits either to the engine or Alde boiler. Those circuits will have to be refilled independently and all the air bled from them. The water int both circuits should contain antifreeze.

Is that an uncapped gas pipe I see? (The valve with the yellow dot)

Chain driven systems on Dutch barges are not of the motorcycle variety but of the anchor style chain. This enables them to change direction through pulleys thus getting round corners within the vessel.

Crows Nest, if you are in Bristol, go and see the guys at Rtech in Gloucester. They will give you sound advice and also let you have a go. Most of their Migs are set up for mma as well. They also do the hobby gas cylinders which are fairly economic and you buy the cylinder so you do not need a rental agreement. I use a generator welder for boat work simply because I then don't have to worry about an electrical supply and can also run the essentials such as angle grinders.

I am of the trad stern fraternity. Partially closed hatch with my patent brolly holder in use if raining and a cape as Mike suggests when the wind is sub-optimal for the brolly. Cosy!

My sentiments exactly Mike.

You could always cut the collar in half if you cannot remove the flue and fit in two pieces.

Are most of the coal boats cash only?