Ex Brummie

If the flue is tight in the deckhead collar, then that is probably what has caused the damage. It should be loose enough to allow for expansion. It has sealed/rusted itself in the collar, all the stress will be on the firebox. DMR beat me to it.

As far as I'm aware, the only valuation an insurance company will accept is from an accredited surveyor. ..... but of course, you would need to pay for that.

some years back, I was turning off the North Stratford ont the Worcs B'ham towards Birmingham. There was some canoe event, apparently a time trial. I signalled my intentions and started to turn. As it is a tight turn, I went into reverse part way through the turn to straighten up. At this point, I lost all sight of the bridge arch, and unbeknown to me the stewards released another boat, "as it was his time". I knew nothing of this until the stewards shouted to me. I slowed to point out the blind cpot, and also the lack of emergency braking and was admonished for holding up the next competitor. All users need to be aware of others and the limitations of powered craft. Canoeists and paddle boarders (particularly on the Thames and other rivers) seem to have the same attitude of cyclists on roads, towpaths and footpaths where they expect consoderation without any thought for other users.

Generally you have been given the correct advice, but as a cruiser meeting a narrowboat, be prepared to move a little further as playing 'chicken' will hurt you more than 15 ton or so of narrowboat, and you could meet someone who looks at you in that 'superior' way. Just concentrate on maintaining your speed and a 2-3 feet from bank distance.

Setscrews,surely?o

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C1SM4YW3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 I use one of these, rechargeable from USB and provides an arc that apart from lighting gas hobs and ovens, it is enough to light candles, fire lighters and paper under kindling. It also gives a state of charge indication.

Instruction for hirers is never going to be particularly ffective. Imagine you've just driven countless miles, unpacked everything from the car, looked wondrously at the boat and can't wait to get away. Then some bored old fart presents you with a checklist and inventory, stresses the penalty for damage, and particularly about not clogging up the toilet, and finally you get away. In this instance you've had the benefit of lovely sunny weather and probably a couple of tinctures and you have expected someone else to have done their job. It's not just hirers who are so inattentive. I recall waiting behind a boat and butty at Aynho Weir lock , Captain Cargo, who used to play at working boaters complete with bowlers and neckerchieves and spent a lot of time telling anecdotes to passers by. The motor was above the lock, with the butty in it. After 15 mins I tied up and went to investigate and lend a hand to the 3 already on what I knew was a heavy gate. As I passed the bottom gate, the paddle was still raised, so I pointed it out to them. The response from one of them was "oh, who'd ever be a boatman?" 'not you at that rate' I replied. The stony stare was still there at Nell bridge.

That unfortuneately is most unlikely if the situation with DVLA and driving tests is anything to go by. We may have to go down the @dogless route, and book a year early to ensure we get a certificate in time.😇 ( I realise that the usual response elsewhere would raise an eyebrow or two on here)

Not really, but they were less risk averse and had a sense of adventure/achievement that few have now.

The situation will only get worse. I recently received a communication from the Council that informed me my query had been passed to the 'Maintains Survivor'. Having recalled the conversation I had previously had with an operator whose spoken english left a little to be desired, I can understand the AI misinterpretation of Maintenance Supervisor. A bit like the subtitles on the TV.

Given that kitchens tend to be damp and have wet floors, then good kitchen units can be adapted and will give good service, especially as they will be installed on feet with an upstand. Replacing upstands is not a big deal, but you could always use a marine ply and paint it.

Why , when reading the responses to posts like this, am I reminded of the Irishman (add your own nationality) who , when askeed for directions started his reply with..... 'If I were you, I wouln't start from here'.🙃

For an area that is routinely replaced every 2-3 years, then if your option works aesthetically, I would carry on with it.

No criticsm intended. I agree about neat work. There was a prolific poster with your name, who lived in Finland but had a boat over here. Unfortunately Covid put too many obstacles in his way and the boat was sold. He also was very particular about doing work, particularly maintenance and changed his oil to the minute to the amusement of some of the forum. Welcome to the forum.

Hi Naughty Fox, Are you Ross reborn or someone totally different. If the latter, you have some big (controversial ) shoes to fill.🤫

Could you not reinforce the 'interference fit ' with some high temperature silicone or similar beneath the O ring?

But if it relied on a 'tight fit' O ring, there would not need to be too much thread to retain a screwed fitting to handle the job, and we are assuming that the casing is flat enough to allow the modification. As alresdy said, more pictures will help.

Which was my thought. Whilst the op states it would not be under stress, as he's looking for a lumpy water boat, there may be more than he is considering.

It is the yard at Stretton which as far as I know is still in the family of Keith Ball who always had a penchant for the unusual, much of which appeared by trailer. He was well into Joshers, with a personalised registration plate on his Range Rover that featured the style. He also had a great interest in Dutch craft, from a family heritage connection, and he started to import small narrowbeam steel boats, about 30ft , in kit form. Only one or two were completed, and whilst they were a nice looking craft, were really little more use than a day boat or a quirky single berth option.

On the subject of tasting, I'm always amused to see TV police detectives dip into a bag of white powder and confirm it as cocaine. It begs the question as to how much they consume illegally.