Nev

Salty, If I could be so organized. I will use my blog as a halfway house log, the hour counter isn't really a necessity but for 20 quid I'll have a reminder, Thanks for the response, Take care Nev

Hi, Thanks for the responses. yes the old one is a rolling wheel type. The previous owner looked after the boat well so i have to assume he did not think it worth replacing. I have taken Chris's advice and brought the digital one - just need to find a place to install it, Nev

Hi, Since we have had our boat the mechanical engine hour counter has not worked. Question is repair or replace? This one is on EBAY The electrical ones must be simple to install - wire to the engine/alternator. Any advice on how the mechanical ones work. I suspect the mechanical one does not work due to mechanical failure - any advice on how I can check this? TIA Nev Waterlily blog

Hi, We went down the 'ownerships' shared ownership route as part of our journey into full boat ownership. Holiday boats - ownerships - own 45 footer for the mooring - present 50 foot boat. We benefitted as we took advantage of spare or cancelled weeks in the ownerships scheme. we could do that because our jobs allowed short notice breaks. There ar emany types of shared ownerships as stated above - the ownerships one means you actually own part of the boat, which was better as you knew your boat after a couple of trips. Specific to Ownerships...... Be careful on future works even at 1/12 of the total cost it can add up over and above the maintainence funds. Also check where the boat has been moored before to get an idea of the areas you may not see for some while. Biggest gripe for us was the extra 25% we had to pay for the special share (school holiday share) meaning we got first option of the holidays, we paid extra to use the canals at the busiest time - we knew this before we signed up of course..... Finally as you own the baot you cannot walk away - ownerships did /do have a share buy back scheme but at a cost. We sold our share on quite quickly, they are good at seeling their shares on. All in all a good way to get 3 weeks afloat, cheaper than hiring and the first rung on the ownership ladder... as above PM me of you have any specific questions Our boat name was Sylph Nev

For those who have not seen it or missed bits (ME) the BBC have a very useful way of downloading the last 7 days of telly...... BBC iplayer Nev

Only caught the break and the second half - it is on my sky plus for next week. I find it interesting that there are no adverts during the break - only previews of other telly - narrowboaters are obviously not seen as target consumers......what does that say about us?? Nev

Had the opportunity for a couple of days on our boat this weekend. We stopped at Fradley to water up before mooring back at our home moorings. As my wife lifted the hosepipe case, out jumped the first stowaway, who jumped straight into the cut, and then managed to find a hole in the wharf wall. On further inspection stowaway no2 was still holding firm in the hose case.........much banging of the hose case and prodding with a small stick eventually persuaded stowaway number two out who followed no1 into the cut - this time swiming away from the boat across the cut. When he/she got to the other side the steep sides meant a holding position on the side of the canl was the best he/she could achieve. So I was dispatched with landing net over to the other sire of the cut to complete the rescue and introduce the 2nd stowaway to the Fradley nature reserve. On further inspection of the bow my stored groundbait and various plastic bags (for the chimney and for wood off cuts) had been eaten away. It appears mr and mrs mouse had set up home for the winter in my nice dry bow complete with cratch cover and food supply. Groundbait is now stowed in the engine bay. (I hope the two stowaways got dried off before the night set in.....) Never occured to me that the wildlife would join us on the boat. Nev

Snipped from the Ownerships forum....... I have some disastrous news to report regarding Oasis Too, one of the boats in the OwnerShips scheme. She has been stranded for the past 4 weeks or so on the river Avon at Pershore, Worcs., during which time the river has been un-navigable. During this time OwnerShips (Dave Taylor) have been visiting her regularly. Last Tuesday Dave reported that the ropes were securely tied to 2 pylons, with 6 feet of each above water level. Over the weekend, the water level had risen very quickly up and beyond these pylons and Oasis Too had set off into the flood, dragging her anchor. At 10.00 this morning, Dave found her afloat, perched on a rail marking a walkway that crosses the now submerged weir in Pershore. As I write I understand that the water levels are beginning to recede and the vessel is falling over. We are looking at all possibilities but both OwnerShips and the relevant authorities have reluctantly taken the view that Oasis Too is now likely to be lost. The owners of the boat have been informed - I am relieved to report that no one has been hurt in this unfortunate incident. We have just left the Ownerships fold as we have our own boat - stranded wrong side of the Braunston stoppage, I feel for the owners, as I know they will have taken pride in the boat so there are twelve owners lost a boat .. Nev

Hi, I have just received the surveyors report on a NB I have an offer on. The report has brought up some issues I have some concerns on so I thought I would seek the opinions of the great and the good. (Excuse me if these questions are basic!!) The surveyor has identified the gas installation as being below std for the BSC (the BSC runs out in 2008 nov) Mainly clipping of pipes and poor access etc but his comment is that is may be cheaper to reinstall the gas system than remedial works. Extracts from the report…. Two gas cylinders are installed, not secured although provision exists. The pigtail hoses are recent and in good apparent condition. An auto-change regulator is fitted. Gas piping within the gas locker is poorly clipped generally, in particular the feed to the starboard side. A large main is fitted on the port side to supply the hob and oven. A 1/4” main is fitted to starboard for the catalytic heater and fridge. Within the cabin much of the piping is hidden, but where visible clipping is poor, being inadequate in quantity, e.g. adjacent to compression unions, and using weak plastic nail-fastened electrical clips. Connections to the hob and oven are particularly poor, with excess unions, a lack of clipping and no valves. Given the evidence found, for example above the catalytic heater, I have little confidence that the hidden areas of gas pipe are suitably clipped. The gas fridge appears poorly connected and the isolating valve and associated connections are not readily accessible. No specific test point was seen. No isolating valves were seen for the hob and oven. He has also identified the cabin plate welds have not penetrated fully and there are one or two lines that show as little faint lines of rust running from the roof down to the windows and then from the windows down to the gunwales. It sound bad but it is only very faint (I missed in on my three visits to the boat) I am just concerned how bad this might get - would they weld from both sides of just the outside in? (The cabin plate is reported as 3mm btw) He has also reported that the top bends at the bow are in 4mm plate rather then the 6mm that the rest of the boat hull is. This is the above the water bow section as I understand. The base plate is 10mm and still in good condition as is the hull generally, just the 4mm top sections on the bow that I had a slight concern about. A Morso Squirrel solid fuel stove is fitted but shows cracking across the rear edge of the top panel. As far as I can see this is above the back boiler so any problems would show themselves as water leaks rather than fumes from the fire. Any comments or observations on this one? The boat is a 38k boat that I have offered 36k on which has been accepted. Any best guesses for remedial work for the complete gas installation? Also the stove - what would be a price for a new Morso Squirrel stove with back boiler plus installation?) Any comments or observations welcome, this boat buying is a difficult game isn’t it? Take care Nev

Jill/Daniel, Many thanks for your replies. Jill especially for the depth of the response - I have found it very useful in my considerations. My observations of the shell and the fit out and the comments made and read, would confirm the builld quality is good (and the boat has seemingly been well looked after) I will of course get a survey if I take it further, for peace of mind and bargaining power..... Thanks again Nev

I am interested in a boat that is advertised as having been built by Delph Marine. Anyone any comments or observations on this builder - would they have build from scratch or did/do they buy in shells. Are they a regarded builder? The boat is a 1992 and looks well build with steel reported as 8/6/3 Any comments gratefully received, Nev

I have been reading with interest the closure of the linier moorings in favour of marina moorings. See http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayN...e=sidebarsearch I have only recently got my mooring at fradley and would be 'quite upset' to loose it in favour of such a new development. My suggestion is that when a linier mooring is given up it is not offered out - this can't be happening as we would have heard that B/W were closing waiting lists - or did I miss that bit? Nev My edit...from waterscape see below. I'm getting confused between linier moorings being auctioned off and linier moorings being 'removed' - common theme - linier moorings under pressure? Current waiting lists will be put on hold In anticipation of the trial starting BW’s long term mooring waiting lists are now closed to any new applicants. Anyone interested in a BW long term mooring vacancy (and who is not already on a BW long term mooring waiting list) can register now to receive more information when it becomes available. They can register online by visiting www.waterscape.com/bwmooringtenders or those interested in the postal option can write providing their name and address to: BW Mooring Tenders, British Waterways, Willow Grange, Church Road, Watford, WD17 4QA.

Help..... please?? I have/had a leaking pump (from the joint as described above) I purchased a kit for the pump and after fitting the pump runs but does not pump water?? (it was pumping before I disconnected it and swapped the service kit parts. I know its a big ask but any ideas on what could be the issue. I have re assembed 3 times. I disconnected the water feed and ran the pump but could not feel any 'pull' -how much should I feel if sucking air? I have the pump back at home to play with - if I can rig up a 12v supply. Any advice appreciated as I am keen to get out on the boat a do some cruising. Take care Nev

To complete the thread....... thanks to Pete I got a good priced new heater and it was fitted at Streethay - the price of a new gas water heater fitted (are you sitting down......) £670, so that was my electrical work kitty gone west then ! Nev

Hi, The LCD tv would not get all the channels my sky subscription gives me, plus my boat is limitted in its power. My boating is 'limited' so I would not expect to come to the attention of T mobile (I hope) I'll give it a thorough try out over Easter as the boat yard have just phoned and told me my boat water heater has been replaced :-) Nev

Thanks for the replies. It seems no one has actually got or used this type of technology for their boats. The benefit to me is I do not have much in the way of 'power' aboard so using a laptop with its batters and low power requirements is beneficial. This option also allows me all my very expensive sky subscription while on the boat. I have a t mobile contract with webnwalk plus that has a fair use policy - they are happy to allow upto 3gb per month. From checking the slingbox uses about 70mb per hour so there is a good scope - even if this is higher I have spoken to user who have the same set up tmobiile and web and walk plus and have used it on 3g for long periods while out on the road and not been contacted by tmobile (the acceptable use policy states they will contact the user and dvise their use it too much - so no big bill) I have bitten the bullet and brought one and it is fantastic on my home lan - it works very well over 3g as well - so I'll keep you posted, Nev

Ok, so its about as far removed from 1954 engines and shower pumps as you can get but I do like a bit of technology -even on the cut! Slingbox is a bit of kit that connects to your home tv (sky etc) and allows you to view it over the internet. I have not a telly or on my boat but I do have a decent laptop with a 3g phone for browsing while on the boat. My question is has anyone by chance used or is using a slingbox to get tv on their boat? My query is about getting it via the 3g phone or data card, how successful and have you fallen foul of any bandwidth limits? The technology seems ideal as it allows full control over your skybox so you get sat tv on your boat and better still onto a decent laptop you can take advantage of the battery charge they hold? Any comments or experience? Apologies to those who genuinely get on the cut to get away from technology. Nev

Hi, You can get day and week licenses from the EA for yourself so you are covered when grandson comes on board. For a fiver might as well get him a year one. Get down the tackle shops - they will give you good advice. Personally I always use a whip (small pole) it is very simple to set up and stow away. It does not have a reel and the ones I use just attached a pole float (a float already tied up and weighted on a winder which is basically a plastic frame to wind the hook and line around) You can get a few of these specifically for the canal which is a small hook and light line. For ease of use bread is my preference, does not smell and is available all along the cut. A pint of maggots will last best part of the week at the moment. I roll the bread into a very tight ball (best use fresh bread as it rolls better and stays on the hook) to the size of a small ball bearing also use some bread balls as scatter bait. Simple cheap and catches fish. Mainly Roach, some Bream small Chub and gudgeon. Maggots will catch all the same but you may get Perch (I have caught Perch on bread before.) Good luck Nev

As ever, excellent informed advice, thank you. I did keep a close eye on the front fender dragging or getting snagged on the lock gate - the gates at Fradley are pretty good and have good plates for the fender to slide up against. I think on reflection and for full control I will tie up - this will allow me to get in and out of the lock by the ladders without the boat still moving (albeit slowly). Next challenge is swing and lift bridges.... a trip to the Caldon is planned. Take care and enjoy that extra hour.... Nev

Bazza, Thanks for the info. I would not kill anything I caught so the info you supplied is very useful and welcome. For info for others reading this thread I have copied the EA info on the closed season - just need to remember to get a new rod license... Nev The Environment Agency is reminding Midlands anglers that the 2007 close season starts today (15 March) and that, by the time it ends in June, they will need to have bought a new rod licence. The close season lasts from 15 March to 15 June inclusive each year. Its purpose is to protect fish during the breeding season. It applies to all rivers, streams and drains in England & Wales, but does not apply to most still-waters. There are exceptions to this rule. They can be found in local angling byelaws which can be obtained from local Environment Agency offices by calling 08708 506 506. From Saturday 16 June, anglers will be able to fish for coarse fish again in rivers and other waters where the close season applies, but they still need to have a valid rod licence and the consent of the landowner. If anglers plan to fish through the close season on still-waters and canals they will need to purchase a new licence on 1 April as their old one expires on 31 March.

I took my boat down to Streethay yesterday on my own from Fradley - not a big issue for all you seasoned single handed boaters I know, but for me the first time I have been out on a boat on my own without my lovely wife..... I quite enjoyed the challenge and it gave me confidence that so long as you take your time and are aware of what is happening around you it is quite easy. Only question is - even being gentle on the top paddles filling the locks the boat still came forward very quickly in the lock, giving the top gate a bump. I did try on one lock leaving the boat in tickover forward so the front fender was up against the gate which seemed better - is this accepted good practice or should a rope be used to secure the boat? I would definitely use the in gear technique for going down to avoid the cill? Any advice guidance appreciated, Nev

Hi all, I was on my boat yesterday and got talking to a fisherman who was fishing with a lure for pike, perch or Zander. He told me he had caught a couple of decent Zander recently and was taken to task by another angler when he returned them to the canal. The other angler's issue was that Zander were not a native fish and should be removed allowing the perch and pike to recover.... I'm not sure I would kill any fish I took from the river or canal - but wondered if this was true about Zander? Nev PS Am I correct in thinking I can still fish the canal in the 'closed season'?

Pete, Thanks for the reply. The leak is on a bend at the top of the heater. There are two pipes that come out of the top near where the pipes are heated. It is the back pipe - I suppose I could (should) take it off the wall and have a go at it - or take it to a man at work who might make a better job than me..... but there again it appeals to have a reliable new one and that price seems very good. So a repair that may fail again or a new shiny heater..... ???? Nev

Well I tried a repair but to not avail. On closed inspection it as been repaired before so after failing in my attempt to seal the hole with some solder I phoned Ray at Streethay. He quoted circa 300 plus fitting if he could not get me a second hand direct replacement. I think I will opt for a new heater as apart from the engine it is the next (and only) significant mechanical part within the boat. Just go to pay for it……. Nev

Sarah, Thanks for responding. On reflection the leak seemed to be a small split in one of the pipes that were feeding into the burner (I was going to put heat exchanger but this terminology could be wrong.) So I will drain it down and have a go at a repair with some heat, flux and solder - nothing ventured nothing gained, worst I can do it set fire to the boat (I hope I don't regret typing that). Nev