Pie Eater

Go to the Crick Boat Show on the next Bank Holiday week end or the IWA National Festival on August Bank Holiday week end and you should be able to look over a large number of boats. Steve

I would suggest you sail to Middlewich and back - 1 stop lock and 3 tunnels - turn the boat round just before you reach Middlewich big lock. If you arrive back at Preston Brook early you can then sail some of the lock free Bridgewater Canal. Note that you can only enter Preston Brook tunnel going towards Middlewich at half past the hour for 10 minutes and coming back to Preston Brook on the hour for 10 minutes. Saltersford tunnel is also timed - towards Middlewich is half past the hour for 20 minutes and coming back to Preston Brook is on the hour for 20 minutes. Dutton stop lock has a rise of a few inches. Steve

BW have just announced that the bridge will be closed 9.00am to 1.00pm tomorrow (wed 29.04.09) and again the day after from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Steve

When we moored on line (end of garden) at Crooke Marina in Wigan it took around 2-3 years from meeting one of BW's engineers on site to the work actually being done. If possible get support from other moorers and if you are members of a local boat club an official letter from them often helps. Also raise the matter at BW user group forums held twice a year. Steve

Brin Next time you go past have a look at the bitumen - last done June 2007. Also bring some overalls in June! Steve

A lot of our club members swear by Primocon followed by anti foul. I think that we will be removing all the bitumen and trying this method when we come out of the water in June. Steve

Brin As you have insider knowledge you are not allowed to add my boat to your count when you pass. The kids can claim it if they see it though. Steve

Sandra Our engine is a beta 1005 and we had the same problem when we got the boat. I don't know if any of the parts are the same as your engine but sometimes they are. Our original oil filter was FRAM PH 3917 and alternatives are COOPER Z920 or MAHLE OC 115 Our original fuel filter was FRAM P 4766 and an alternative is COOPER FSM 4027 Fan belt No 1 was BANDO RPF 2375 95x950Li and alternatives are HALFORDS HB 950a or SHARROCKS BL SPZ 950 Fan belt No 2 was OPTIBELT VB A1046Ld Li A10 and an alternative is MITSUBOSHI 13x1016Li A40 Steve

Anthony The only locks that have to be booked are at Frankton which are at the start of the Montgomery canal. The locks are only open for 2 hours daily from 12.00noon until 2.00pm. You must ring 01606 723800 before 10.00am to book a passage. As seven days is plenty of time for your trip I would suggest that you go on the Monty on your way back and allow for an overnight stop at the Queens Head moorings before returning. Try the search facilities on this site for info on maps and also google www.canalplan ac to plan your journey. As you have booked August you can make full use of the long days and sail to both ends of the canal with time to spare. Steve

MSC have confirmed today that the canal will be open again from Saturday 28th February 2009. It will be closed again from 22nd March to 4th April 2009 for annual maintenance of Barton Aqueduct. Steve

We are insured with Towergate Mardon. When we bought the boat in 1999 the insurance was £190.02p - since then it has gone down every year and it is now £127.99p. Steve

Following a request from the AWCC NW region Bridgewater licence holders can now cruise as far as the Liverpool Link for 14 days. (it used to be 7 days). Good news for anyone going - instead of stopping for 1 or 2 nights you now have more time to see the city. Steve

Anyone had a look at them? Steve

Just completed it Steve

We have been through a few times over the years, the Rochdale nine have always been hard work and as for rubbish in the canal I think it is the same in most towns. BW have this week drained the pound below lock 72 on the L&L Wigan flight and yes there is a shopping trolley in the very short pound despite the fact that there is no supermarket nearby. Also in the pound were a wheelbarrow & cycle and numerous large lumps of masonry, some of the largest directly in the lock mouth. I wonder if the items will be removed before refilling? Steve

Netto have bar stools on sale from Thursday 19th February at £12.99p each - I have not seen them and cannot vouch for the quality. Steve

We have moored at Piccadilly Village overnight on a number of occasions without any problems. Moor on the non towpath side as only the residents have a key to the gate. Steve

Our boat is a 40ft cruiser with a small well deck - we opted for no windows but went for 2 zips as it makes it easier when getting on and off the boat. Just roll the section up and clip it in place. Giles and Gill from Camberwell Covers made ours. Steve

Make a note that the Orwell Pub and Seven Stars pubs at Wigan Pier are now closed. The last canalside pub before Wigan is the Crooke Hall Inn near Crooke Marina. BW don't mind boats stopping overnight outside their office near Wigan dry dock. This area has CCTV and security patrols at night. Steve

We attended an ownerships day about 10 years ago before we decided to buy our own. One of the things that put us off was one of the share owners telling us the tale of his group arguing because some members wanted to splash out on having a special box made inside the boat to store the tiller and pin after use. Other members thought that the idea was a waste of money. Steve

Got mine the day they went on sale. Steve

We moored at Crooke Marina in 1999 when we first got our boat. The owners Roy and Yvonne had just bought the marina. Lots of work has been done since then and the marina has expanded. However due to the expense they have never got round to putting in electric. The boaters are friendly and always willing to help if you need it. ( same as most marinas I would imagine ) We moved on to the lock free Bridgewater Canal 4 years ago and joined Lymm Cruising Club. Steve

Crooke Marina on the Leeds & Liverpool canal in Wigan is a private marina were you do not have to pay for a BW licence. There is a stream which flows into the marina and then any excess water flows into the canal. Steve