Thalia

Would you know if the stern tube is made of steel from the age of the boat or is it a builders preference? Out boat is about 5 years old. I really want to take our boat to another yard to get it mended, where we get are loo pumped out is a great yard and so helpful, only we don't want to move her, as the leak is worse when the engin is running. And the alternative place is about 3 hours away from us. We thought of haveing her craned there but if the job is as siple and quick as yours was it seems a bit excessive to go to all that for a job woth that much. Ido feel really pinned in about it all as I can't really argue with them about what is wrong with the boat I can only suggest to them what has been suggested to me. I have insisted that anything they replace they are to leave the origonal on the boat so I know what they have changed, but thats about as far as my authority seems to be going. And we are moving in may just before we get hitched and before next years marine fees are due. Thank you for all your help

Absolutly, the skill in painting is definately not to be knocked. When we have made our millions from being the mobile sign maker and a horse trainer we will absolutley have a beautifully painted boat, with all the authenticity in the world but we just don't have that sort of money (see loose stern tube) and the vinyl graphics are free to us while we are in that business. I'll try to get a pic of our boat to show you, I realise it sounds like we have a plastic looking boat, but it really doesn't. And I wish I could paint it all my self too, but we tried that. And like you said it would take years and possibly a life time to gain the skill to paint the designs so that I would be happ that they were perfect.

No that is great, I actually found I could picture what you were talking about so I can have a look when I get home, Thank-youso much for helping and for your patience with me.

Thank-you Yamanx DO you a deal I'll get all your boat graphics fitted for free if you fix our boat. Sorry just read your other post and thought you sound like you know what you are doing. I think my problem with the marina we are at is that they are abit renound for squeesing innocent canal fools like ourselves, but as I said before, I am happy they will do a good job, and they can't take more than a day over it as we would never get our fat puppy up the ladder while the boat is out.

If my fiance or I were any good at painting or we could afford to have it re sprayed, I would personally choose that option coz I am a bit olde worlde, I still love our boat how she is. Coz It ment I could have her in my wedding colour scheme

Well it actually shows through the effect of the paint underneath, so it still looks painted to the untrained eye. Just extra shiney. Much easier to clean as well. I like that bit! (It workes very well to touch up scratches on bikes as well)

It definately does look good. Although I was a little off topic (sorry) because the flowers etc would not look good in vinal but lettering, and other designs and main colouring all look fab. The lasting longer comment. The material is gaurenteed by the companies that sell it to last 10 years. (this is assuming it is on a shop front or a its used as a vehicle graphic) I am well aware that it is unlikely to last that long on Thalia, but its not going to fade in the time it is on there. I doubt if it is to everyones taste. But I love it.

That was quite technical for me. If I describe it my way please excus me. The leak is coming from where the pipe (Shaft I think) is going out the back of the boat toward the propella. We thought to start with it was from or because of the greasa. We thought we had fixed it before by doing the tap on that up as tight as we could. This initially seemed to stop the leak. Talking to the marina guys more they seem to think it is because we had a rope caught around the propella and this has worked the shaft loose. ( Please correct any of my comments to canal lingo then I will learn it all soon .) After all this has all been fixed ( I think I am submitting) and my bank emptied, I think I will get a book and buy a box of tools, and a crane to get the boat out the water and learn how to fix stuff myself ( oh and learn all the correct terms so I don't talk rubbish to you all) Thank-you for all your advise. I have questioned the price they gave us and it does include any parts, and getting the boat out the water, so I am a little happier.

We discovered a leak in the engin room. Thought we had fixed it ourselves. Apears not. When taking it to our local lads, they have discovered we have a loose Stern Tube that needs fixing. (possibly a cracked pop shaft) Including an engin service they have quoted us for £510 inc vat, thats hoping that the pop shaft is not cracked if it is it will be more but they won't tell me how much more that would be. Does anyone have any advice for us. (please don't ask me anything to technical and I am a beginner) Does that price sound about right.

Go to www.mobilesignmaker.com They will come to you and will do most designs in most colours etc. and will do the work in vinal. Which ok is not as traditional, but looks great and will last a lot longer that paint. We have our boat wrapped in the stuff. Call us crazy but it does look good. you can telephone as well 07745381964 ask for Simon or Neil PS They also have an expert painter who works for them and he does all the flowery things, he paints milk churns with the castle and rose designs on