rustynewbery

Don't know about Webasto or Mikuni but "Ebers" were not meant for thermostatic control of their operation. The constant start up and shutdown cycles are the main cause of failure due to coking up - and don't do much for the batteries either. My system was installed with a thermostatically controlled valve in the main radiator/finrad circuit, while another circuit feeds the calorifier and bathroom radiator and is always "on". Sensors on the heat exchanger body are used to control the air blower and this cycles the unit between high and low speed. It also had a standard Alde room thermostat which did control the main power to the unit - that was made redundant several years ago. Since the demise of the older "red diesel", I have found that the unit runs a lot cleaner and the last time I serviced it there was hardly any carbon build up. Another cause of failure to start can be bad connections on the fuse panel in the Eber control box. Older models only had fuses held on spring lugs prone to corrosion. Most of the circuitry inside that box is superfluous since it holds all manner of relays and fuses to do with vehicle installations.

They are closed right over the half term holidays, scuppering any chance of a decent cruise for many. Probably academic given the new restrictions but shameful that they knew about the problem over a year ago and did nothing until the cill totally failed. Same as not fixing lock paddles and when the other one goes t*ts up - stoppage. A couple of years ago at Broadmoor lock near Cropredy, a top ground paddle was out for over a year but when the other one also failed, they only repaired ONE OF THEM! Bonkers.

From the south, there's mooring with armco above Allens lock after br203. Try to Google Earth it if you can and go Satellite view. I use this a lot when checking for stopping places.

WOT! And you a Yorkshireman

Castle was sold by Dave Dare to what is Away4Awhile in Brum. It was converted into a restaurant trip boat with a lot of expensive catering kit installed. Rose was teamed up with butty Karna Taka, operated by Hanna and John as Bywater Boats.[Hanna's dad Steve still operates a horse drawn trip boat on the Montgomery Canal] Then they had a new motor boat Kerala and Rose retired to where she is now on the K&A. Hanna and John sold the pair on as their family was growing by 2 youngsters.

I've just got back to our mooring at Cropredy and the "new hole" has been puddled and stanchions are in for the pre-manufactured pontoons to go on. None of your plonk plonk pile driving though, they brought in a proper steel piling machine that vibrates them in. Word has it that all the pontoons will be 70ft and a "select few" will be platinum moorings with wider pontoons, landscaping, bespoke BBQ pits and dedicated parking slots - just what the floating cottage brigade will love. All for an additional 15% above standard rates. Given the prevailing winds here, plus the fact that the link to/from the existing north pond will only be 8ft wide, it will no doubt provide for hours of endless fun as said 70 footers try to come through and turn left to access the cut! Scuttlebut has it that Castle may actually be interested in Brinklow. Any uptake on that?

When on the Coventry, we have liked to stop between br33 and 34. Last week, another boater moored up and told me that there were instances of theft from boats including bikes and solar panels. The footpath from br33 up towards Hartshill has also been blocked by the farmer. Anyone had any adverse experiences long this stretch of cut?

Quite remarkable given the north Oxford doesn't have a wide beam profile. Even CRT admit that but say it is not POLICY to prevent the buggers going to and from. I'm not sure about special permission, no-one at CRT objected to the plans which I assume was the nod through. It's tight enough through Willoughby cutting when passing narrowboats.

Sadly we're in the age of entitlement where "me me me" is all that matters to many and the consequences of peoples' actions do not even come into it. Back in April there was renewed optimism that coming through the pandemic would make us more aware of our infallibilities and care for our fellow beings. Add this to the ever increasing list of U turns. But long before any of this, the waterways have slowly declined in etiquette over the years, though there are some of us who strive to uphold the old ways. Long may that continue.

Not too far from Pen y Fan last time I looked

I crossed the Oxford summit yesterday and it is not short of water; maybe 2 inches off weir but not enough to cause a problem. Not normally prone to boating this in August but even with a 2 hour wait at Marston Doles being No.10 in the queue, the flight only took 2 hours to clear. The Braunston pound is around 1 brick below normal though. Too windy to try today!

We were No.8 in the queue going up Claydon yesterday, but the usual trip time from Cropredy Marina to Fenny of 3 hrs ended up as 4 so not bad overall. And despite what CRT are saying, the summit is OK, must be all this rain!

Assuming you are coming up from Bancroft basin the southern Stratford locks can be a pain in the rear. At Maidenhead road lock, the bottom gate has a cranked balance beam and needs a lot of strength to get moving to close. Wilmcote flight has gates that swing open and lock 14 is narrower than the rest so you will get stuck with fenders down [bad practice IMHO, should only be down when mooring up or between narrowboats in broad locks.] I know of at least one Barry Hawkins narrowboat that won't fit.

Horizon Suggest you put "Boat Syndicate" in the search and plough through some of the 3010 posts, though not all are relevant. Having been a previous shared owner with OwnerShips [1990-2000], I think it would be a mammoth project, not without a degree of stress along the way. I hope you find a group of like minded boaters to fulfil your aspiration. Have you though of helping to crew working boats like Atlas and Mallus on the BCN? Good luck and stay safe

That is a very neat Eber installation. Some builders forget/omit ducting the air inlet away from the exhaust, which can fry the ECU, at £300 a pop, not a good idea!

Isis Lock is also called Louse Lock. Max winding on the canal is 55ft [Water Nav]. I have gone through, under the railway and faced upstream to Port Meadow, then let the flow take you backwards then turn back under the railway. Since the EA put the barrage dolphins across the flow to Hythe bridge to stop mooring where the new apartments overlook the stream, CRT suggest putting the stem into a notch on the lock landing and letting the flow turn you as you hold the stem rope. The dolphins and wire are still in play though.

And you'll have to give up the pig place?

2 days notice required for Ellesmere Port swing bridge. Operated by the council tel no 07920 530982 [in 2014, when we crossed to Liverpool]. You will not get under the bridge when the lock is full! No way the ship lock, it hasn't operated for years and is owned by the council. It leaks like a sieve and is the cause of the loss of water in the bottom pool. Marsh Lock, for passage onto the Manchester Ship Canal, must be booked 48hrs ahead and is available Monday – Friday 8.00am – 4.30pm. Please phone 0303 040 4040 for details. (All relevant paperwork for passage on the Manchester Ship Canal must be in place prior to booking)

Perhaps it was that they only moored for the signed 48hrs visitor moorings......

No pumpout at Ellesmere Port and the Elsan is a challenge to find. Tattenhall Marina has all services

2-ply works for me. Leesan advice was - put a couple of [clean] sheets in a kitchen bowl with water; swirl around with a wooden spoon or the like and if it disintegrates then its good for the pan! I've unblocked a vacuum generator a few times too many to not abide by the advice

You are right about the non-marine exhaust, but I bought an ex vehicle[Ford OEM] model as a spare for my boat and the operating voltage is the same at 12v [though of course there are 24v versions] and the software is no different except there is no option for the diagnostic feed to the remote controller. P.F.Jones in Manchester are good for spares and servicing kits