[Brass - to varnish or not to varnish?]

Incralac is the stuff you need

[Recipes for sawdust into logs]

Sawdust will burn very well as it is provided it has a good air supply from above

[An odd plant !]

Globe artichokes I think. Cover crop for pheasants.

[Paraffin]

2 hours ago, Gardner said:

Brake cleaner. The beauty of this is that it destroys oil/grease, dries very quickly without the need to wash off with water.

 

[Paraffin]

Brake cleaner

[Red is not dead, - yet]

Once a tank has contained red diesel, it will show up on any test for years, despite the tank having contained white only.

[Balancing a coin on your Gardner.]

I think it all relies on the correct fitting of the engine. Until recently, I had a Gardner 2L2 & a pound coin balanced on the rocker covers would remain perfectly still throughout the entire Rev range, but the boat I had prior to this was fitted with a Kelvin J2 & you wouldn’t have balanced a can of coke on that. I know they were different engines, but one was fitted well, the other wasn’t. 

[Belt/holster for lock handle]

Look on e bay under ' windlass sling'.  There are loads of them

[Insurance]

GJW every time. Been with this company for years & the one claim I had was dealt with immediately with no fuss or quibble.

[Tunnel light]

Some lights lately are far too powerful & coupled with bad alignment this makes it difficult to say the least for opposing craft. I find a reasonable beam projected up to the roof sufficient plus I have a small magnetic inspection type lamp which just illuminates the starboard wall.

 

[North Stratford]

Has anyone recent cruising knowledge of the North Stratford between Lapworth & Birmingham. I understand that it may have been recently dredged. My boat is quite deep draughted, & the last time I did it I found this stretch to be very shallow with constant prop fouling. Any info for this year's planned cruises would be helpful.

[Kelvin stay bar]

I owned a boat some years ago with a J2 installation complete with tie bar. The engine vibrated quite significantly to the extent that it had a habit of fracturing the rear engine mount which was made of cast steel. I think the tie bar had been some sort of attempt to eliminate the vibration, but the whole problem was a very poor initial installation. I now know from my present boat that with a correctly installed vintage engine, no vibration whatsoever should be present.

[INSURANCE]

Been with GJW for years. Had a substantial claim many years ago with absolutely no quibble pay out. Speak as you find but they are the only one for me.

[J2 Stater motor]

I have experienced the same problem with the starter fitted to a Gardner but same motor.  Essentially you must get the motor checked out first but also I have discovered that the starter battery must be in tip top condition in order to provide maximum power to the motor. Once engaged a less that perfect battery will turn the engine over and even start it, but full power is definitely  needed to propel the armature forward sufficiently to engage. I wouldn't entertain fitting a steel pinion or you risk damaging the ring gear. Whilst the bronze pinion are expensive and difficult to source, they are far cheaper that replacing ring gear. Hope this is of some use.

 

[Aluminium Gangplank]

Try looking for aluminium motor cycle loading ramps. The one I've got folds in half so making it easy to store & it wasn't that expensive

[Leighton Buzzard moorings]

Perhaps no the best idea to intimate on a national forum that you are about to leave your boat anywhere for a rest days!

 

[Boat canopy zip, tips, help appreciated.]

Any form of silicone polish rubbed on both parts of the zip will do the tricky 

[Starter pinion]

Hi Crowley. Yes helix on one end & mine is 13 tooth

Sorry Crossley not crowley

[Starter pinion]

Richard. I consider £195 plus vat to be expensive when wood auto list it as £33. Only problem being wood auto are out of stock at this time

[Starter pinion]

Tony I didn't try Sir Nibble because in my incompetence was unable to locate the member.

i have e mailed Paul Redshaw awaiting feedback

[Starter pinion]

I require a replacement pinion for the starter motor on my engine. This motor is. CAV model BS5. The pinion is part no. 5549-306D is of bronze  & clockwise rotation with 13 teeth. I have located two auto electrical companies who list this item but both are out of stock at this time.

Gardner spares list it but are extremely expensive

Any new contacts would be appreciated.

 

 

[Starter motor]

Thanks John 4647 that is exactly the one required. Wood auto unfortunately out of stock at the moment but having the correct part number is very useful

[Starter motor]

Yes this starter is fitted to a Gardner engine. Where are the motors you know about please?

[Starter motor]

I have an CAV axial starter motor fitted to my engine but I am having trouble due to the pinion being badly worn. I believe the model to be a 

BS5.  The current pinion is made of brass/bronze and is approx 4" long and has 13 teeth. Has anyone out there got a spare for sale or can point me in the direction of someone who has ?

 

 

 

[Narrowboat Insurance]

The cheapest might not be the best. Been with GJW for years & the one claim I had some years ago was dealt with quickly with no fuss, so I stick with what I know.