[Youngsters hiring boats]

An interesting encounter yesterday on the G U

I was heading north and approaching bridge 22 when I saw a boat coming towards me at some speed.

I stopped my boat before the bridge, but the oncoming boat hit his right hand bank at speed just before the bridge. He then steered through the bridge hole and ended up with his bow between my vessel and a moored craft that I was alongside.

There were about six young girls on the forward roof area ( probably 18/20 years ) and the vessel was being aimed/steered by a couple of lads. They were all dressed as pirates and all pissed out of their faces.

They were extremely apologetic , but I do wonder at the wisdom of hiring to such young groups.

[Aaaaaaah Moment!]

 

First few weeks????

We've lived aboard for three years now and I still check the bilge every morning.......but you are correct...we haven't sunk!

but yes, its surprisingly easy and "pleasant" is a bit of an understatement.

 

.............Dave

 

 

Nothing wrong with checking the bilge every morning Dave, much better than wet slippers!

As for locks, we met a family on a hire boat last week. The dad was pretty much having to do it all and was about to turn round rather than negotiate a lock. We just gave him a hand with a couple and he carried on without a hitch.

There is always help out there and we were all new once!

[Whilton Brokerage]

I must admit, as a potential buyer, I quite liked being left alone to look over a boat.

But I did have a good idea what I was looking at, it would not be of much use to someone with little experience of boats.

Not sure that I would be quite so keen if I were the current owner.

[Alternators]

 

No you didn't suggest that

 

Neither did I

 

But CRT forbid boaters to run our engines in gear whilst moored, because it damages the canal sides

 

 

Then I stand corrected.

However, I would like to see the evidence to support the CRT stance.

[Alternators]

I didn't suggest leaving the boat whilst it is running - did I ?

[Alternators]

Are you living aboard or is your boat left unattended?

If unattended, is there any electrical load?

Charge your batteries by cruising with the boat or at the very least, with the engine under some load (in gear) Diesels are not improved by being left on tickover for long periods.

[Use Of Fenders In Locks]

I only fender when mooring to keep it quiet at night.

[Cement Ship has a smashing time]

I remember something similar on the river Crouch.

The timber ships would come up on the tide, pass the wharf and turn on their bow anchor and then come back to tie up against the tide. On one occasion, the skipper misjudged it and ploughed straight through the fueling pontoon at Wallersea marina.

[How Not To Paint Your Own Boat: A Step-By-Step Guide.]

That was a much better read than the Council Tax rant!!

[Any Thoughts On Another Boat?]

As above, go and look at boats in the flesh.

That is a typical 'out of site, out of mind' engine space. It speaks volumes.