johnnie1uk

Thanks for your replies, I will check out the model number against the manual and change the oil so that I know it is correct.

Thanks, I am not with the boat at the moment, but its the standard Vetus gearbox, from the manual either Hurth or PRM.

Hi all I have started having the problem of the boat dropping out of gear, it only happens going ahead, astern has no problem, and happens more when the engine has not warmed up fully, at low revs it will drop in and out until warmed up, if I gradually build the revs it is fine. even when warm if I go from neutral to give a blast of power, sometimes it does not kick into gear. Theres nothing in the prop. Vetus 4.14 32 HP engine, I dont know what make of gearbox. Any ideas please?

Yes thanks. got that wrong.

Hi My son is on the River Soar and needs to have a tow from just above Sileby Mill lock to LR Richards moorings, Syston, can anyone help please?

We have CC'd with a car for nearly 4 years, we have kept a log of moorings with safe parking close by and bus services between the moorings, we have a concession card for the buses so leave the car for a longish period sometimes then have a day on the bus. Also use the bike in certain cases. Its worked for us all over the system. Its great having the transport in the case of emergency, for shopping, getting boat parts etc.

You can do it in the water, wrap some clingfilm round the prop shaft where it goes into the boat. First prepare your new packing though. so that it is ready to put in. When I last did it I didn't even get a cupfull of water come through.

If you go up the Ashby Canal to Bridge 17 (Coventry Road bridge) there is loads of off road parking on the Marina side of bridge or KFC car park, Many buses to Hinckley or Nuneaton, an easy location for car hire to find.

The Reply Many thanks for your enquiry. I'm afraid that this will not be permitted. To moor on the designated winter mooring space, you will need to purchase a winter mooring permit. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further assistance.

Ive replied "If the unallocated visitor mooring for winter mooring is full and the adjacent allocated winter moorings have obviously vacant space for mooring, is it possible to use these moorings as a 14 day mooring?" awaiting a reply from C&RT

I emailed C&RT to clarify that obviously vacant winter moorings can be used as 14 day moorings This is the reply I just recieved "On selected visitor moorings designated as winter moorings approximately 50% of the visitor mooring site is allocated to winter moorings so that those boaters who prefer to cruise throughout the winter are still able to use the mooring. We will endeavour to sign where all the winter moorings start and end so that continuous cruisers can see the vacant spaces."

We went up in the summer and noticed how friendly people are, also had to clear the prop a few times, we were advised not to stop around Ilkeston but couldn't see any problem going through. we had heard of problems with yobos in the school holidays. The lock gates were in poor condition but the C&RT workers there reckoned that the financial allocation for the canal only let them do essential repairs.

So if a £6.50 a metre winter mooring is located in the middle of nowhere, does that mean that as a CC'er you can't moor on it even if there is room there!

Anyone seen Dusty?

I'm Looking for a fuel boat for diesel between Napton and Banbury in the next couple of weeks.

Reverse layout with a cruiser stern works well for us, wouldn't have it any other way, the bow area, is so small anyway its not that beneficial.

before we go back to the boat, so that the boat fridge doesn't have to freeze them because they are already frozen.

If we are away from the boat for a few days we freeze the iceblocks in a land freezer, iceblocks until frozen are unfrozen

We have found that by putting prefrozen iceblocks in the fridge icebox it keeps the fridge cold without using a lot of power, this is great if you are not cruising or charging your batteries for long periods everyday.

The pilotage fee from Sharpness to Portishead is now £200

I have a 2KW champion inverter generator http://www.generators-direct.co.uk/camping-and-caravan/champion-72301i-inverter-petrol-generator which has an onboard cigarette lighter socket with connection wire and 2 crocodile clips to connect to the battery. Although you could use a car battery charger and just plug it into your genny.

When we were on the Wendover arm earlier this year the water was crystal clear, it was freaky to be able to see the bottom under the boat.

Even after the boat goes back in the water I would stay on the boat for a few days to make sure there is not a another leak somewhere that nobody knows about. Did you have a bilge pump? Or did it run the battery flat

Thanks for your replies.