RAB

Generally topping up / mixing small amounts of "equivalent" oils in small Diesel engines, that are regularly maintained shouldnt cause issues, as per the many years of experience in previous replies have stated. However don't believe comparable oils are all the same. So called equivalent oils vary more today than they ever have in the past and this can cause major issues in other types of machinery (e.g industrial gas turbines). One cause of this is that there use to be just a couple of sources of the base oil stock in the uk, that different manufactures use to use. Nowadays the base stock (or final product) comes from all over the world and the properties do vary slightly. Mixing oils changes the overall properties and can cause for example entrained contaminates to drop out, or increase/remove laquering, foaming, water holding capacity to change etc. It appears that Understanding modern oils is turning into a black art! Fortunately it doesn't really seem to affect small diesels, providing were sensible with what we do.

A question; If soundproofing the engine bay floor plates do you need to worry about increased engine bay temperature, or is it minimal due to the heat loss through the bottom and sides in contact with the water. Can't help thinking it will have an effect, but can't get a feel for how much?

Posted Today, 06:08 PM RAB, on 01 Aug 2016 - 6:06 PM, said: Are we really incapable of answering simple questions? No wonder so many posts go off topic and are the bane to most posters and browsers (in my opinion) Back to topic and actual question = 18 Are we not capable of reading the thread before posting? The answer is 21. (See post 16 ) Apologies all I'll find myself a suitable punishment for not realising the answer had been given...May go onto narrowboat world!!!!

Are we really incapable of answering simple questions? No wonder so many posts go off topic and are the bane to most posters and browsers (in my opinion) Back to topic and actual question = 18

Possibly controversial but just an idle thought really……. wouldn’t it be nice if there were more “unused arms” ( or new ones!) in certain areas, that could be used for long term mooring. Would reduce all those slow down signs!

It's hard to comprehend why anyone would, then again I give in on understanding why anyone would throw anything in the canal/undergrowth etc. Hats off to all those volunteers helping to clean up other people's mess. Well done.

Can I have a greenie, never had one before ?

3 - Nice name, especially if you intent putting those lock miles in. Enjoy the life, whatever name you choose

Just a thought but is it worth carrying some spare rope with you. Did part of this stretch last year (with crew) and if I remember correctly one or two of he bridges has a tendency to want to close by themselves. Another boat had smashed a window when the crew couldn't hold the bridge open, due to the wind.

Don't get me wrong. I hope this blame culture never comes to the cut. I was just wandering about peoples views.

Carrying on from an earlier thread ( Boat moored, boat hit. Started by bigcol, Today, 02:18 PM) I have a general question and I'm interested in peoples views; If you have had a bang or happen to be banged (behave!) is it recommended to keep a record of the event (i.e. Place, time, boat names, speed, event etc), or report the instance to someone else (CaRT ?). Or at least record as much as possible. In todays mad world of ambulance chasing solicitors and the compensation culture it wouldn't surprise me that months after an event someone claims for whiplash or that their pet Tiddels is now suffering from some strange stress disorder following a collision somewhere. It's common practice in a lot of areas to record everything , just in case. This in itself can often prove part/enough of a defence to mitigate any legal escalation As originally stated, just interested in peoples views/experiences

Even if all canals were dredged to their original depths the flow capability is miniscule compared to a river, especially if you still want to motor upstream in your narrowboat. Downstream could be fun though! Edited to add - Wouldn't any flow faster than 2 mph upset the "I'm moored your going too fast brigade" (Said tongue in cheek, before someone criticises me!)

Seems to me the vocal minority don't want any help at locks whereas the majority probably don't mind help - if there is a volunteer you always have a choice. I for one don't mind, it keeps the better half happy and less arguments about her doing all the work!

Perhaps CART did respond, they called the best available resource? Do we actually know the facts? Guess that wouldn't stop the doom and gloom brigade anyway !

Just compiling my dream list of things I'd want for my ideal purchase and was wondering what is the typical range of draft values for narrow boats and what would be recommended (if you had the choice when purchasing a boat!). I'm assuming it's not normally the highest priority spec item unless of course you frequent a particularly shallow canal (or have mooring depth issues). Of course the opposite is true if your very tall and want as much cabin height as possible!

Many thanks for the replies, very useful - great forum

Will be travelling on the L&L from Leeds and wanting to turn at Skipton (at the springs junction, think that's it's name!, it's the centre of Skipton). My map shows a water point very near by, but can't make out if it's literally on the junction or some distance further west. Can some kind could give me a distance (I assume it's on the towpath side?). Wondering if it's a reversible distance (Not good at reversing!) Many thanks

If moored for several days and no shoreline what's the best approach for charging the batteries? 1) Do you simply start the engine and leave it on "no throttle" idle? 2) Give it a few revs (assuming your not going to annoy the neighbours)? 3) One of the above but also put some load on, somehow (lights, or is fridge etc enough)? Not sure this is really necessary but seem to remember an AA chap telling me (after he had jumpstarted my car) to drive around for a bit with the lights on to help charge the batteries. Something about getting the "flux convertor" to kick in (I know it's not a flux convertor but I'm mechanical and can't remember the correct name!) Second question - how long do you recommend running the engine for (I do realise it's a bit like asking how long is a piece of string!), but just a typical number based on your experiences will do. Many thanks

Very basic question! I know that the water points at British Waterways jetties are free but on the various canal maps it often shows water points that appear to be at, or very near, marinas/boat yards. Are these British Waterways water points or are they the marinas/boat yards? If they are the marinas/boat yards are these free to all canal users as well? Many thanks in anticipation!