Sea Dog

I use the same app with similar issues. I tend to use the bearing line in satellite view and align using landmarks, canal orientation, etc. Works to an extent.

I use the same app with similar issues. I tend to use the bearing line in satellite view and align using landmarks, canal orientation, etc. Works to an extent.

But also perhaps one of the neatest!

Didn't use them, but I believe I saw washing machines and tumble dryers at the one in the basin in Stourport (not particularly handy for Norbury though).

These debates are always interesting and often contentious, and the perfect'blacking' solution has clearly yet to be found, but I'm struggling to see why Zinga, a zinc coating, will do much to protect a steel boat. If the boat was in brackish or salt water it would probably have zinc anodes to sacrifice ahead of the hull. I understand why we use magnesium anodes in fresh water, but if a canal boat has a very thin coating of zinc over the hull, surely it'll still be gone pretty quickly if exposed to galvanic currents, the very thing we're trying to protect our steel hulls from? Is there an expert in the house?

Seconded. Fun distractions aside, it's good to see folks looking out for one another and that the forum facilitates that. Plus it's nice to see someone calling himself 1st Ade living up to his moniker!

What, mooring with the middle string thingy?

A samaritainly post. However, surely it's a spring that's been removed. Noone on here would be using their centre handling line to moor, would they?

Alan, it's not just adrift, it's on the bottom. I passed by about 5 or 6 weeks ago when it was secured alongside in the arm but was clearly burnt out. Police and CRT are aware I'm sure as it was also the subject of a CRT stoppage email a few days later when they closed the canal to shift it after it had been moved and sunk by herberts. Looks like more of the same has occurred. Nothing a passing boater can do with it I'm afraid - even one with a crane!

Came down the Worcs and Brum towards Alvechurch this evening to find that NB Fisher King is once again sunk across the canal by the M42 bridge. There's just enough room to squeeze by at the moment, although that could change when the next stag boat full of pirates out of Alvechurch Boating Centre founders on the wreck!

Everywhere I go there seems to be quite a lot of water for the Ship's Dog to take a cooling dip in. Perhaps it's just good fortune?

My boat is 57ft, my fore and aft lines are 10 m of 14mm. They're black so they don't look manky too quickly and, importantly,are soft and easy to handle and coil. Sometimes too long can be a nuisance too, but I've yet to have a problem with 10 mtrs (though I do have a couple of longer lines in my locker which came with the boat). Someone will be along shortly to say that you need 30 mtrs of 25mm and one day they may even be righ! Til then, I'd go with the 10mtrs of 14mm. Hope that helps.

Or, to put it another way...... Oh, that's interesting Casp - where exactly are you?

Hi Rendelf, I don't think anyone's mentioned yet that your gas locker should be freely vented to atmosphere at its lowest point to prevent the dangerous build up of any leaking gas (which is heavier than air). If your locker has water in the bottom that hasn't run away, either it hasn't got a vent, it's blocked, or it's below your current waterline. All of these situations are bad and should be remedied as a higher priority than the paintwork in there. Sounds like you've got your hands full! Best wishes.

We moored there at the end of Feb and visited over 2 days (entry fee is also good for a year's worth of revisits). Hadn't been for about 20 years, thought it was great. Fish & Chips are outstanding, beer in the pub is excellent. Staff in costume bring the place to life with interesting tales. The Fountain Inn down the road in Tipton is worth the walk too. Moorings are secure and CRT facilities good.

I think the Pizza nomenclature refers to the thin crusty bit towards the bow. When these are covered they're know as Calzonne boats. Then there's deep pan versions which have a tank fitted for carrying olive oil iirc.

That's just showing off, that is. Spare a thought for those who don't even have a first stern greaser. And it's the thin end of the wedge - you'll be having two bilge pumps next. This is exactly the of two-tier Britain thing Milliband is gonna sort out. The CRT should levy a hefty licence increase on second stern greasers and make boats with them move twice as often! And twice as far!! (although, obviously, how far that should be is open to debate)

Swift and helpful Nick, thanks!

When these guys correctly connect their solar to the non-battery side of their shunts, the MICC (or other battery monitor) will see the charge current supplied by the panels. That's a good thing, but when the panels dip in output due to cloud or daylight issues, will the battery monitor not see the low current as an indication of a full battery bank, thus screwing up the State of Charge indication?

Go up into Diglis Basin, continue up through the next single lock and moor anywhere from there (by the Commandery) to just short of the road bridge by Pizza Hut. All towpath as someone said, but we've never had any undue noise or other issues there. Short walks to town where there are many good pubs, cafes and restaurants. Friar Street/New Street worth visiting, with The Cardinal's Hat and King Charles II being two quite special old pubs.

Paint works pretty well and can also look nice if it's done well. Do whatever you like, of course, but I'm not sure why you'd want to buck that trend really.

Sounds to me like you bought the wrong boat. You need a pair so you can keep all your roof and transom paraphernalia in the butty! Sounds to me like you bought the wrong boat. You need a pair so you can keep all your roof and transom paraphernalia in the butty!

The observant amongst us will have noticed the yellow band (denoting the high explosive in the warhead) and the brown band (denoting the propellant in the boost motor) which together identify the missile as a 'Warshot'. So, whoever reported it was right to do so - even if only to improve the accuracy if the the paint scheme . Now, had it been a marked with a blue band... oh, never mind.

Nicely put. My own experience and sentiments exactly.