Horace42

We live in a democratic free society which is highly regulated by laws. Within which codes-of-practice have evolved which are observed as matter of common sense and courtesy, in terms of rights and obligations, if you want a hassle free life as you go about your daily business/leisure. Occasionally you fall foul of the law through ignorance or forgetfulness or inattention (and maybe outright defiance) , where there are penalties that can be imposed by others empowered to use fiscal force. (fines etc) and/or physical force where the latter physical force is extremely limited and only permitted for use by certain people (the police, eg) in extreme circumstances - anyone else thinking of using physical force would have to obtain a Court order. - which in reality would never be given - . . My point being, If you are failing to observe the rules, terms and conditions of contracts, etc, etc, but not breaking the law, there is not much anybody can do about - other than use tactics of a fiscal nature - where in reality it often ceases to be a choice for you because the financial implications become onerous simply because others will become party to the solution where the cost of their services (voluntary or forced) lead to all sorts of additional costs - that in turn you can be made to pay enforced by a Court order.. So you make up your own mind what to do. Comply, or pay up today for an easy life, or cruise without a license - see what happens - and wait for someone to take action (CRT eg in this case) - then pay up. Or ignore it again - and so on. In reality, if CRT take you on, as they must if it is a point of principle with far reaching consequences, the likelihood of you losing increases, the bill for failure gets bigger, the time to act gets shorter. Eventually you could end up in Contempt of Court - and soon in prison. Meanwhile CRT have to comply with the same laws - and prove it in Court. There's a lot of mileage in this.

I do not know if this is a 'modern' alternator, so to say with any certainty I would need a circuit diagram of the alternator or control circuit in question. But if you say there would be no voltage if the sensor wire was broken - then we are looking for a high resistance in the sensor wire somewhere (corroded joint at the battery maybe). Where there is a possibility that the sensor wire might follow a devious route via the ignition switch and charging light circuit. It is difficult to say if this is the reason for failure here - but it is so easy to check out - just to make sure it is not the problem. There is no need to get involved in tracing cable routes and harnesses, or use complex voltmeter testing, because an easy way to tell is to take a separate length of small bore wire and connect it between the alternator sensor terminal and the battery terminal. This will by-pass all the existing wiring and bad joints - which if the cause - the battery voltage will drop to the correct level. If it does not, then at least you have eliminated it as a possibility and narrowed it down to a problem with the regulator - which might be a 'stand-alone' device or built-in the 'alternator'.

Isn't this a case for CRT to take over from EA. Don't waste time with EA. Tell CRT. Tell IWA. Tell your MP. Tell everybody - like here! But with the case in point, what do you do today. What would happen if you took your boat out without a license. Have the EA got an army of inspectors out catching license dodgers (but why? when they can't even process those queuing up to pay). And if a lock keeper refused passage what could they actually do if you defied them. What if you went in when the gates were opened for other boats. At the worst your would get into a heated argument (with plenty of witnesses). At best, they would take your details and report you. They have no powers to physically prevent safe passage. Refusing to open the gates is not going to endear them to other boaters. I appreciate you might be held up if you were the only boat and the lock-keeper refuses to open the gates, but in practical terms, unless they study you with binoculars from a distance or warned by phone/radio from previous locks, they will not know you do not have a license until you are in the lock itself - whereby you politely explain that you are not displaying a license due to 'incompetence' at the EA license office - no doubt you would be allowed to pass. But I must admit, if like me, you are law-abiding; you don't want hassle, then it is a worry - but it won;t stop me doing what I think is right.

Good morning to you. Yes, it sounds like a voltage control problem and probably the regulator as you say, but it could be something as simple as a poor connection on the sensor terminal. It depends on the make/type of alternator. They all have some sort of regulator with a sensor terminal that is connected to measure the output voltage. Some, like in cars, where the battery is only a few inches away they connect internally (inside the alternator) where volts drop in the short power cable is negligible - so it makes little difference overall), whereas for boats, where the batteries could be a long way from the engine, where the volts drop could be quite high (especially if passing through a blocking diode), you need the correct voltage at the battery, so they have an external sensor wire that connects to the far end of the power cable at the battery terminal to make sure the voltage is high enough to charge. The fact that your batteries get hot is a clear sign that the alternator is working. But with a loose/broken sensor wire, there is no feedback and the output voltage goes up unregulated - but relatively easy to check out the external cable and joints - and fix - and it must be fixed - because if you change the alternator (because of an assumed internal regulator fault) - the new one might not solve the problem. Good luck.

What part do you want. Alternator,? Regulator?. Both? Are you sure this is the problem. High voltage you say. Is there a high charging current as well? Are the batteries getting warn/hot by overcharging? Could be bad connection in the wiring. Loose terminal. Corrosion. Have you checked this out?

I hope there is some sort of local vicinity feature built-in so that only boats at the bridge can use it. Otherwise you might get some comedians opening the bridge from home just for fun' How about a £10 charge every time you ring the number - installed at locks as well - then you can be charged to use the lock - even if you have to work it yourself. How about detectors at mileposts. Charged as you cruise.

This sort of statement touches a sensitive nerve. Forgive the pun, but it winds me up! If the canal is wide enough to wind within CRT waters, safely and with due care, and without entering the marina, without landing or touching their bank, then you have every right to turn there - regardless of what CRT says - and especially in defiance of a NO TURNING sign - if there is one. Having said that, if the canal is only wide because of the entrance to the marina, meaning you need to enter the 'private' water of the marina to wind safely, then it is understandable why there might be a NO TURNING sign - in which case it is downright bad manners to wind there. And if boats do turn there without permission - then it is understandable why there might be a NO TURNING sign. I support the logic that entrances to marinas should permit 'public' use for winding as part of their CRT commercial license - where the fees charged to the marina recognise the value of the winding hole provided - that saves CRT have to provide one themselves. It keeps coming back to a properly thought out CRT policy - a code-of-practice that we understand and we all benefit from.

It's the same principle as an MOT for a car. Caveat emptor. Mine is due later this year. It is surprising how fast four years go by.

Congratulations to those who petitioned CRT to get the winding hole officially recognised - and sign posted accordingly. But what precedence does this set for dealing with CRT regarding their map for other winding holes - that are not winding holes - where everybody knows they are not winding holes - but use them anyway (in spite of No-Turning signs?) - because it is obvious here is room to wind a boat - if you follow what I mean. This discussion has been prompted by CRT requests for info about winding holes - but as we can see - there are 'legal' things to resolve before giving 'official' status on a 'official' map to winding holes that are not 'official' - the likely result being to dodge the issue and leave them out. What we need (is someone keen and able) to produce a 'WikiWindingHole' map - with or without CRT help.

Do you know if the leak is due to a split seam? or is that a guess? If it is a split seam, what caused it? Rust (corrosion) weakness and water pressure? Have you burst the tank by attaching a filling hose without an overflow facility. Assuming a split seam, what length is it - ie a single spot or a whole side.- horizontal or vertical? Personally I cringe at the idea of in-situ welding. But to start with, you mentioned a sealant. Can you get to all corners of the tank to apply sealant? A sealant on the seams might work temporarily - providing the butting plates do not flex - ie, pushed apart by water pressure when filled. Initial use of a sealant can establish if the idea works.Then you need to look at a way to make it permanent. I had a leak in my steel tank - rusted through in a number of pinprick holes - so a I made a reinforcing plate that was held in place by nuts and bolts through the tank walls compressing a rubber seal. That worked a treat until the rust broke through in other places. In the end I lined it with a flexible plastic tank.

Hereby is the basic problem facing CRT. If the canal is wide enough for a boat to wind in CRT waters it should be shown on the CRT map, that by rights would deny the owner any authority to ban turning. CRT needs to get it's act together for all or sakes.

Bancroft basin is a lovely place to moor. We have been lucky on the few occasions we have visited Stratford-on-Avon. There are a few towpath moorings just before the (very) low bridge at the entrance to the basin. You need a short stay license to go an the Avon. There is an office at the basin that sells them. I don't know about mooring licenses, or about how busy it gets during the river festival. The memorable thing to us was the large number of pleasure craft (of all sorts) on the Avon, none of which seemed to know anything about 'right-of-way' river codes. Not that it mattered much to us. My basic boating mantra is "if you are not sure go slow" Good luck.

Out of curiosity, what would CRT do about it ? My cynical view is they would drop it in a pending tray "Oh dear, what a shame". But in CRT defence, a more pragmatic view, is what can they do about it? - other than have a clear code of practice on the issue. The anglers know the rules (or soon will) because any boat wanting to turn there will cause temporary hassle. In the formal scheme of things this is reason for an official CRT sign. to say boats have right of way if wanting to turn. There is no need for a No Fishing sign, which is akin to No Turning - both somewhat officious. To deny an angler a nice spot to fish on a permanent basis just in case an occasional random boat might want to turn there is not a practical use of the waterway.

To some extent I think this is true, but you must have a cruising license, for which you need a mooring license. And if CRT refused one, you you would not get a cruising license, and then you would not be allowed to moor anywhere on CRT water. You could of course moor in a private marina, which enables you to obtain a cruising license, and then you moor on your own land anyway. CRT pocket the fees. I don't think CRT could stop you - and why should they!

From the angle I approach the problem, it does not matter who owns the land. If there is room to turn in CRT waters, safely and with due care, then a no-turning sign not properly authorised by CRT can be ignored.

This is a good example of a genuine reason for the sign, and a good reason why CRT needs to clarify the situation on the map, and no doubt authorise an official sign for such purposes. If the land really is private there is nothing to stop the owner erecting a barrier - a rope or chain to keep boats out - as some do - but again I say that if there is room to turn without encroaching on the private property (within the waters owned by CRT), then there is no justification to say no turning - and if there is a sign then boaters are free to ignore it I don't mean this in a hostile way. It can be done with courtesy. The boater much take great care not to cause damage. CRT need to let us know what to do.

Athy has touched on a point that is the basis of my approach to CRT about navigation rights for boaters using winding holes. As general principle a cruising license, where subject to safety and due care, we are entitled to use all the water and CRT facilities for our enjoyment. The object of identifying all the winding holes to enter them on a map and list is admirable and will serve a useful purpose when complete, and who best to ask than boaters themselves, made easier now by an 'official' form that can be up-dated as required. However, there is a basic problem looming, because although we call them winding holes (is this Wind - as in breeze or gales, or Wine -ding?) most boaters simply want to know if the canal is wide enough to turn regardless of what it is called. Here's the problem, a number of places wide enough to turn have had notices put up to say NO TURNING. And whilst there might be I good reasons for this (in the eyes of the person putting up the sign) I would argue that they have no authority whatsoever to say no turning. I have no objection to signs saying no landing, or no entry, or private, or whatever, but no turning has no authority at all - and can be ignored. In fact CRT advised me on this point some time ago when I first raised it with them, that for signs to be 'official' they will be identified as such by appropriate wording - and the CRT logo. CRT therefore need to clarify their position on this because many of the winding holes likely to be identified on the new map are likely to be unofficial (the official ones they know about) (and with clever legal argument forced to be excluded from the map) - which defeats the whole point of having a map. Either way, boaters will need to be advised what to do if they want to turn their boat at no turning winding holes.

Taking the label at face value 50Hz refers to mains frequency. Typical mains voltage is 230volts AC. When running at 0.55 amps uses 126 watts which at 71% efficiency = 90 watts of cooling. 126 watts continuously for 24 hours is 3.02kwh which if your label is correct means the motor only runs one tenth of the time - which sounds about right. But you say it is 12volts. In which case the above label does not apply - can you find a label on the motor body - that would help - but at 90 watts means you draw 7.5 amps - which is a lot. Or worse if actually using 126 watts means the current will increase to 10.5 amps. A pure guess on my part but have you got a 230v fridge where an 12v/230v inverter has been fitted inside. That might explain the anomaly. 10.5amps makes sense - and will hammer your batteries because an inverter still consumes power when delivering zero output. My 12v fridge uses 3 amps when the motor is running. It uses nothing when the motor is not running - as is usual at night. The drain on the battery is hardly noticeable. It is the TV and Free-sat receiver/ recorder that consumes the power. One useful tip to save battery power is to fit LED lamps instead of halogen. Another battery saving power trick is to the run the engine when using the microwave oven (assuming it is not an anti-social nuisance).

Thanks to David L for the low down on the legalities - it is nice to know someone is keeping an eye on these things for all our sakes. In my own case I would say Ihave 100% confidence in my own ability to handle a narrowboat on canals but little knowledge of handling 'passengers' - which to my mind becomes quite important if they are young people with minds of their own. But generally speaking you usually find someone in the party knows what to do. It's a question of getting organised - meaning one captain at a time. Good luck to Cotswoldman on the trip. Sounds fun!

Probably because we are not experts. What is a qualified person? - what is MGN and MSN ? - my private boat has to have a qualified person in charge to comply with the insurance policy - but no mention of certificates etc. Who polices the waterways to check on these things - isn't it something Norbury boats would require for insurance purposes before allowing their boats out on hire - you seem to have opened a can of worms - if this is the Law - is it a criminal offence to steer a boat as a volunteer skipper (and one per oat?) - to my mind it has gone from a damned good idea - why bother! I sincerely hope Cotswoldman has got his act together - which seems likely because it is a repeat of a previous successful trip. This is not hire boat or passenger boat trip in the normal commercial sense - where do we really stand on all this - it is out of curiosity I ask the question for my own education

Any shower tray will flood if not pumped out. Run the pump when showering or have a handy switch. I fitted a shower with a large tray for elbow room as much as anythig. I could not find a tray large enough amongst shower suppliers so I bought a large drip tray (the sort of thing garages use under cars for oil changes). It was made of tough durable plastic that I cut and trimmed to floor level.. And quite cheap compared to proper shower trays (which as well as being expensive, did not lend themselves to being cut and trimmed). Here's a link for ideas. http://www.hartleige.com/product/plastic-drip-trays

Personally I think the Hatherton canal link needs to be given priority and opened asap, and in fact essential, to support any idea to make the area attractive to visitors. It is hard work and time consuming to get there at the moment (from anywhere on the system) and makes a short trip impossible. It invites descriptions of trips to BCN as a 'challenge'. It rules out hire boat companies recommending it as a holiday destination.

Obvious when you know - thanks. I should have mentioned the prime reason to upgrade my phone was the need to remote view a CCTV system to protect our house. We were victims of an attempted burglary a short while ago so we intend to install CCTV that can record outside movements that also has a facility for remote viewing by mobile phone. That sounds like we need tethering then.

I am a novice at all this. I have managed with a basic T-Mobile phone for years but I might need to get a phone that connects me to the Internet for browsing and emails and TV when cruising (not by phone directly but used to find local wifi spots or satellites) . I am on the toe of the learning curve and alright with wifi but not basic terms like THREE means or what AYCE means or what 'tethering' means, but I can guess and it seems important to know otherwise my ignorance could lock me into an expensive mistake for two years if I get it wrong. Can you help please.

Thanks Joseph. Just the job. I shall be going to Gailey tomorrow (by car) and will call in the shop to see if they have a copy of the book. I hope some pics of the wharf house and BWB buildings turn up as well.