SUIGENERIS

That Colvic looked a real bargain on ebay, and the quality of the woodwork seemed excellent. I was tempted but with both an offshore cruiser and a narrowboat already could never have got away with it with the wife! Good cruising. Cheers. Mick

Hi. talk to Little Chimney Company. Butty Boat Molly. On the canals and makes almost anything in stainless. www.littlechimneycompany co uk.

There is a long throw Dunton Windlass in Apsley Lock, courtesy of my wife last year. I really miss it as they are certainly the best. May I sugggest you attach a steel jubilee clip to it so it is retrievable with a magnet. I learnt that by experience!

It,s a real shame that there really is little liklihood of the restoration of the Inclined Plane at Foxton, despite all the excellent work by the volunteers and trust members. If it had been possible then there might have been a prospect of the Watford Locks being rebuilt to a broader guage, which would have given the required link for wider GRP cruiser type boats to travel from the Southern Canals up to the Northern network without the need to tackle the Norfolk coast. But as a narrowboater who loves the Leicester Summit, and who has seen just how vulnerable the bridges and infrastructure are, I am somewhat saddened at the prospect of it becoming a wide beam resort.

Hi Rdb. Have look at the first post in this thread by Peterson. In photo 2 and 3 you will see the priming pots circled in red. And in photo 3 look on the top of the crankcase and there is a ring spanner laid on it, beside it is a brass button and a turnbuckle. This is the decompressor. Push the button down and the turnbuckle will lock it down. On mine the stop lever works on the throttle/ governor arm that connects to the injection pump. Hope that helps.

Thanks MtB for your valuable endorsement of my engine choice. The 2 VTH in Sui Generis is coupled to a hydraulic BRB engineering marine gearbox and at only 100 cu in. capacity is working just sufficiently hard to keep from glazing cylinders and runs virtually without any exhaust smoke. And of course its pretty light and a beautiful bit of Great British engineering too. Just love it. Well done Casp. for sticking with a Ruston!! Cheers. Mick

Have a look at Nick Thorpe Boartbuilding. He has a website. Built ours and we are really pleased with it and all other owners we have met up with appear also well satisfied. Cheers. Mick

Have a look at Nick Thorpe Boatbuilding on the web. He is a brilliant long established builder who is pleased to incorporate owners personal requirements. But he's always busy so you have to book up a year or thereabouts ahead. But it was worth the wait when he built ours!. Cheers. Mick

Have a look at Protective Textiles, They have a website. Made a brilliant job of our cover at excellent price, half what others quoted, and made out of Top Gun which is supposed to be the best material. And done within weeks!

Maldon, Burnham, both nice towns, and good pubs alongside , but you have to keep an eye on the tides as it mostly dries out at low water. Probably practical especially if using havengore creek, then the roach and crouch for an overnight before cutting inside the sands to bradwell and the blackwater. Much depends on the weather as all are shallow waters and get a bit of short sea chop, but a great trip. Have kept a boat on the crouch and the blackwater at various times.

There are some great circular magnets on ebay which are already drilled for a bolt. Using long screws through those holes and into broomsticks is the easy option. Cheers. Mick

Hi Darren. Just up at Harthill at mo. Off up the Ashby for a few weeks then heading back to Braunston. Will give you a look when we come past, Will text you when nearer. Cheers. Mick

Talk to Protective Textiles, Kingston On Thames. Our experience was brilliant products made at great prices. Just sent them a scale drawing and it was made using a material called Top Gun in two or three weeks. Fitted exactly! And it is still good as new. They have been at it for years apparently. There is a website. Cheers. Mick

Hi Darren. I bought mine from trinity marine, (they have a website) of course they open inwards and are fixed from inside so then I bought the plain brass surrounds (chromed in my case) from midland chandlers, which were the exact correct size when mounted on the outside. Still of course get the problem that because of the cant of the cabin sides the porthole retains some rainwater that comes in when they are opened. They are cast aluminium with toughened glass and seal excellently. If you're any where up Braunston/ Coventry way give me a call and come and have a look. Cheers. Mick

Best to buy a copy of "Through Europe at 4 Knots". Very entertaining but does show just what is achieveable on a small budget and with determination and an adventurous spirit. Recommended reading. Cheers. Mick