Joe Bourke

There are working barges on the European inland waterways offering accommodation for a fee of course. Have a look at binnenvaart cruises.nl

The red topped filter is the crank case breather.

I've just done a service on my 120hp 6LW and I got about 20.litres out. Replaced with SAE 30 oil. The PRM hydraulic gearbox however got 15-40 oil. In the past i have used multigrade oil and noticed that the oil pressure stays pretty constant whatever the engine RPM, however when I use SAE 30 the oil pressure gauge fluctuates more with differing engine speeds.

I think that sailaways.net would be the last place you should consider Phil. They seem to specialise in fairly mundane, off the peg shells, not one-offs like you seem to want. The very boat builders you seem to be writing off are the ones who are the most likely to be able to accommodate you. After all we are only talking about a very small canal boat. I must admit I don't often read right through the threads on this forum but I have on this topic, it's been interesting.

With respect Phil i think it is obvious to most that you have no experience of boat builders or even canal boat builders. Visit a few and maybe you might appreciate what others have already said. Most reputable canal boat builders have been around for many many years, a fair number since leaving school and now in their 60s or even 70s. I can think of some that have probably built thousands of shells. Tim Tyler and Jonathan Wilson spring to mind. My own "custom built" boat was designed by a Naval Architect and built by a 65year old, a 70 year old, and a "lad" of 40ish. Between them they probably had over a 120 years of boatbuilding experience. Whoever you approach for your boat build, please treat them with respect or you will not be received well. I know some of the comments made on here might grate a little but there is some good advice also. CAD may well make an appearance in canal boatbuilding but I wouldn't hold my breath. Good luck with your project.

Whereabouts are you based gnasher?

The MT 320 i think replaces the G220. Both are sander/polishers , so yes it is for sanding as well. I have different size base pads for different jobs. The G220 is about 140 quid and still for sale, the MT320 is about 240 quid. There are other similar and cheaper machine s.

I use a Meguiar sander polisher. It is dual action rotary and variable speed. It takes 150mm hook and loop sanding discs or polishing pads in standard mode but different size base pads can be fitted from 50mms to 175mms diameter for different size sanding discs or polishing pads. The base pads are widely available. It is 230v. There are many similar makes of machine used in the painting and bodywork industry. With the same machine i can sand, compound and polish. Similar machines can be bought for something like 80 quid, although mine was quite a bit more. It gets heavier than normal use so needs to be good.

Have you considered a central steering position with perhaps hydraulic steering and conventional cable throttle and gear controls?

When the fans failed in our extract-a-lites we replaced the fan with doubled up computer fans. They were circular casings with little tabs in each corner. I cut the tabs off and taped 2 together with duck tape and stuffed them up the mushroom and cowl vent ducting. I think they were 90 odd millimetre diameter, so a snug fit in the ducting. We have 2 in the galley, 1 in the heads, and one in the shower room. I think they were only a couple of quid each.

Hello FluffMagnet, could I ask why you need that size vent? I know you mention fans, perhaps there may be a way of fitting normal size mushroom vents, but alternative spec fans. You said you would consider plastic vents, surely there are suitable ones of the size you mention readily available. I warned you Davey & Co were expensive, but I thought you were loaded with cash like all boatowners. ?

Try ebay

Have a look at davey.co.uk. Be warned they are dear.

Hello, I am based in Goole Boathouse Marina.. We have a draft of 4' and airdraft of 10'.There are no depth problems for you in the area. The lowest bridge on the Stainforth/Keadby canal is the Thorne railway bridge at Stanilands Marina at about 11' 6". Heck bridge on the Aire & Calder is supposed to be about 11', but I think it might be a shade more. Exol Pride is still running to Rotherham with a draft of over 6' loaded.

You can get matting additive or agent for paint. Even International do it. Therefore you can have a Matt finish in any colour. Just make sure it is compatible with the paint you intend to use.

Ahoy me hearties. swaggle me eyes it's......................insert name. Hello Debbie

How much for a staircase of locks?

It's a shame that through this "Consultation" there is now even more distrust of C & RT, and increased animosity between boaters. What really has it achieved as regards the London situation? Which after all is the real nut they have to crack. Meaningful increases to licence fees could have been applied to new builds after a certain date if it was really trying to reduce the number of widebeams coming onto the system. That way a new boat owner would be aware of the costs/problems when planning their purchase. Like someone has already said, "It's a national solution to what is basically a regional problem".

I would agree if the widebeam boat could then sail off and cover the same areas as the narrowboat, and share the same facilities. Bear in mind also that widebeams also share the cost of the narrow beam network that they themselves cannot access.

I never read your posts, sorry.

I will have to pay the extra, though I can't even access most of the Northern wide canal region, never mind getting anywhere near a "tighter" beam canal. I chose my boat knowing that. I was quite happy paying for the licence even with a much reduced cruising area, but now I am expected to pay even more. I am moored in Goole where there must be at least 200 GRP cruisers in the area. The majority must be in the 25ft to 35ft length that are also widebeams, and will pay up to 20% extra. How is that fair? Most widebeam boats on the Northern widebeam canal system will never see the areas that are under pressure down South, they just can't get there. I have seagoing widebeam neighbours who cannot even get through the first bridge from Goole on the Aire & Calder and have paid their licence without complaint, now they have a 20% rise. Please remember all widebeams aren't 70ft x 14ft clogging up the Southern canals.

Let's be honest, narrowboaters are in the majority on the waterways. They have the loudest voices. Is it fair though that they can influence a consultation process so much, where the result does not impact on them, the majority ? If this happens in the next "Consultation", what other minority group of boaters will be the target of their vitriol? Continuous cruisers ?

My opinion, a nice light colour is best in the engine room, or lockers.

Clean up the steel and straight on with Chlorinated Rubber. It's pretty quick drying, can be any colour you like, and apply plenty of coats. If the steel is damp or dry have a fan blowing over the work area. No heat.

Waterlogged pitch maybe? Moorings now available?