cuthound

How about asking CRT to mention it in at least one of their weekly newsletters https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/newsletter? That way it will reach every boater who has registered to receive the newletter.

Well said. Without standards there would be chaos in fields where the end user has little or no knowledge to make safe decisions.

Mike the Bunnyboiler Man? ?

I found the same, much easier to keep a hound contained on a semi-trad. Also we hired a cruiser stern with our first rescue dog for her first boat trip. She hated being forced to lie on the boards directly over the engine. Next time we hired a semi-trad and she was much happier sitting on the seat over the gas lockers.

I have used Chris Williams for a BSS inspection, but have no experience of him as a surveyor.. He was thorough.

Yes a semi-trad has the gas locker at the back, so the cover forms a seat for two people. Our old dog always used to sit there on our semi-trad share boats, so we called it the "cuthound seat". Here Mrs Hound and Buster demonstrate the seating on a semi-trad. https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/soOcCZ3Rj5c58ZIE5J5Mr4wAKn4FOmpRKFEcA8rS0tz

The only problem with rings for hirers, especially first time hirers, is the way the hire companies optimistically market them. For example they "sell" the Four Counties Ring as a weeks hire, which it is if you dont mind cruising for 9 hours a day. Many first time hirers slip behind schedule without realising it, because the half way point isnt clearly defined, and they haven't bothered to plan properly, just taking the hire companies word for it. As Dora says, they then feel compelled to press on regardless to the finish which can lead to a fractious relationships for those on board, rather than a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

Great news, looks like it has been identified just in time.

The 4 Counties Ring offers a wide variety of scenery, from rural to urban, plus a tunnel (Harecastle) and several picturesque flights of locks. Best done over 10-14 days rather than a week, unless you like long days. 14 days allows diversion onto the very pretty Caldon Canal or the busy, but ultimately spectacular Llangollen Canal.

Surely the Beta base engine is a Kubota more usually fitted to plant equipment such as diggers? Why would they design a larger sump for the odd engine thst is converted for marine use?

Exactly, the detergents are part of the performance additives. That is why a modern plant diesel such as a Beta 43 (Kubota base sngine) witb a large sump running on 15w50 CC spec oil still has visibly clean oil after a couple of hundred hours running, whereas a modern car has visibly dirty oil minutes after an oil change.

Not sure if this applies to boat engines, but when the diesel engines for standby generators are specified for extended running between oil changes, they come with several oil filters and often a REN regulator to keep the oil level in the sump topped up from a lube oil tank. https://www.cumminsfiltration.com/south-pacific/ren-fluid-level-management-products

I wasn't told about or charged for oil disposal last year. Yes most modern engines use 5 litres or less. The popular Beta 43 can be supplied with an optional larger sump which holds 9 litres. It is common on plant equipment because it reduces the chance of equipment running out of oil if the oil level isn't checked often enough.

It relates to purely automotive use. Car engines are much more highly stressed than leisure boat engines, and thus the high performance additives in modern car engine oils can cause problems for modern boat diesels running a low speed on light loads. For this reason many engine marinisers (Beta, Vetus etc) specify lower specification oils, such as CC, CD etc.

Just looked at RCR's webpage, and yes this year they do mention the additional cost of more oil. I don't think they did last year. Also last year it was £130 including old oil disposal, so £15 more this year if you want them to dispose of your old oil.

Interesting. I'm in the same general area as you, and last year had them service my engine because I was recovering from a broken leg and found it too uncomfortable to squeeze down into the engine hole. I called them in mid-January and they came a few days later. The only issues I had was an unmentioned surcharge (£10 IIRC) as my engine (Beta 43) took 9 litres of oil and their quoted price is for a maximum of 5 litres, and they won't change the gearbox oil or clean my WASP filter unless it had previously agreed at the time of booking the service.

Good luck for Tuesday. Hope all goes well for you.

My boat has epoxy blacking and moors online on the popular Warwickshire ring. In 5 winters it has suffered zero damage from ice, either from passing boats, or when I cruised through fairly thick ice last year. As the ice got thicker I decided to turn at the first winding hole (about a mile from home) and return home. Took about a 15 point turn instead of the usual 3 point turn.