colinblake

Just like to say a big THANK YOU to all who suggested lighting stoves using upside down method eg, Layer of fuel, fire lighters, kindling. Tried it for first time last week, worked a treat and was almost smokeless. Thanks again.

I am fairly new to this site, but have been a boater for many years, and admit I am still learning. When I log in and go into the different forums I am always impressed with the questions asked and answers given, and long may this continue. However, amongst all the good there seems to be a growing number of whingers who do not make constructive comments, but seem to wallow in criticising other people and their boats, because in their bigoted opinion unless you have the right hull with the right engine making the right noise, and no false rivets, and no bow thruster, etc, etc, then your not a real boater. For what its worth I don't care a jot what other people have got, and it would not cross my mind to criticise anyone else's boat, or anything else for that matter. As boaters we all enjoy our waterways and rivers,and I feel privileged to be able to enjoy our living monument to the industrial revolution.So lets all enjoy it, and live and let live.

I had a BD3 fitted to my boat as I had come to that age when dissappearing down an engine hole was not the fun it used to be.I would have loved a real vintage engine but felt I did not have the knowledge or expertise to maintain one properly. However, in 5 years the BD3 has never missed a beat, and servicing in an engine room has been a breeze. I recently replaced the standard silencer with a Tony Redshaw adjustable one. This has a removable end cap to allow you to tune the exhaust note to suit yourself.I fitted mine with no extra sound deadening and it has transformed the BD3s exhaust note.

Many years ago I remember seeing, and I am sure it was on Waterworld someone who had developed a remote cntrol system for steering and use of throttle on a narrowboat for a disabled person. Now I am no engineer but it would seem to me that a remote controlled throttle, forget the steering bit, would be a boon for single handed boating through locks, especially for those of us getting on in years. I would be interested if any of our members have looked into this before? I would imagine the biggest drawback with this sort of thing would be cost.

I would like to express my sadness at hearing of Steve's untimely death, and pass on my condolances to his wife Dianne and his daughters. I all too briefly knew Steve and Dianne, when he was building my narrowboat Nereus some 4 years ago. His help and advice during this time was brilliant, as was the standard of workmanship I saw on my numerous visits to Glascote, during the build. Steve was a genuine nice man, good bloke, and a real professional, his boats will be a lasting tribute to him.