pearley

I ended up with a bit of magnetic tape (only for the thickness) stuck on each cassette where it contacts the switch. There are 2 types of latch. The grey one on the top that 'hooks' onto the cassette and the yellow or black plastic bit on the bottom, rear of the cassette that drops into the docking station. The latter type seemed to make a better job of holding the cassette.

Get down on your knees with cassette out and press the bottom right micro switch. Pump should run constantly. The put finger over hole in vacuum tit top centre and press switch again. Pump should run for a few seconds and stop. As the large pipe on mine went through 90° and was unsupported I made a bracket to stop any unwanted pressure on this seal. Packed with silicone grease and it was the only deal that never gave me trouble.

On a serious note why do so many boat builders insist on fitting the horn under the gunnel where the front cover can absorb half the sound. A few more feet of wire and put it where it can be heard.

I've used it a few times, the last being 2019. It's always been obstructed by moored boats. The only time it was awkward was when one was being painted but even then we managed.

River gauges say normal but river still closed.

I think the only reason prices are missing is due to steel and timber prices changing so quickly.

Go and have a look at Aintree Beetle. Yes they are built on a sort of production line but you get a Beta engine fitted by a Beta approved engineer, Victron electronics, the electrics fitted by an independent qualified electrician and you can visit your boat in build any time you like. Here's one moored behind us last year who had travelled down the Nene and across the tidal link at Salters Lode.

One way of fitting a curved surround is using strips of Karndean or similar vinyl flooring. On our previous boat I used strips to line under the Houdini hatches, the original oak had some water staining. On current boat I've used it to fill the gap in the roof vents between the top if the wooden liners and bottom of mushroom. It comes in many different widths and timber styles with a full size sample plank costing £9, it did a couple of years ago. Alternatively https://www.mdwoodtech.co.uk/

And don't forget Czerwiks for a great selection of cheeses, including Wensleydale Blue which is almost impossible to find here, though occasionally pre-packed.

What length? Hardwood or soft?

There are 3 different length pontoons at Hartford but all boats are charged per metre, with widebeams paying £1 a metre extra. The longest pontoons at 60ft are spaced about 30ft apart so plenty of room. Finger pontoons are 4ft wide with main ones wider. On the other hand fees are not cheap but seem to be average fir the Great Ouse. And our electric has gone down to 24p a unit and diesel to moorers is now at 98p litre.

If the OPs boat is a Collingwood then it would have 'eyebrows' welded over top edge of the hole. To weld a plate over would entail cutting these off. Another reason why not.

Ours at Hartford increases by 10.1% in all contracts renewed from 1 April, so from early June in our case. However, you may recall the court case with Tingdene and one of the floating home owners. Well, they have increased their rents by over 20% plus VAT which was previously included in the fee. Seems to me they are determined to get rid of the floating homes one way or another.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/walsall/2023/03/31/car-stricken-in-walsall-canal-after-driver-takes-wrong-turn-in-the-dark/

There are a number with no direct road access although, as you say, you could walk across to the other side of the river to see who is moored. Likewise there are a couple which can be observed from the road on the opposite bank using a pair of binoculars. I think the one called Old Mills on the island above Barford is the most remote followed by Fidwell Fen on the Cam. Many of the others just mean a long walk. It's probably because of this remoteness that there is not much overstaying on them. The only mooring where we encountered long term overstayers was Downham Market which had 3 boats which, according to the EA, had been there a few months. However, whether it will be worse this year with 5 EA moorings now closed due to various safety issues we shall see.

In the EA section of the latest GOBA news they mention District Enforcement to manage overstaying on those Visitor Moorings still usable* with the power to levy charges (not fines) I guess this is the same District Enforcement the EA tried to use on the Thames but then cancelled the contract. Why was the contract cancelled? And why do they think it will work on the Great Ouse, especially given how remote some of the Visitor Moorings are. Although I expect the by-laws governing the river are different to the Thames. *Currently 5 visitor moorings closed due to various safety issues.

We travelled from Sowerby Bridge down to Castleford some years ago at the end of November. Despite the gauge at Brighouse edging between green and amber one gate at Anchor Put was closed, the other swinging in the wind so pushed out way through. At Cooper's Bridge, both gates firmly closed despite still being between green and amber. A right bastard to open. High stone banking with a ladder on a concave curve, stream running trying to drag the stern out. Finally managed to get my wife off and secure the boat then struggle to get the gates open. Could only get to one paddle as the island side was blocked off to to be new house building. Once through I walked down the next river section to the next flood gates. They too swinging in the wind so resecured as best I could with the crap chain that CRT had. As I recall Peter Scott did a full report of the poor flood guages and gates in at the time. Sounds like nothing's changed.

How about a couple of pieces of dry decking. They will stand the bottles off the floor and allow air flow under them.

Fishing matches?

Ours has a sensor too. When we first got boat we carried on using the toilet until the light flashed to see how long. Got a bit worried after 2 weeks when nothing had happened, that being how long LeeSan said the tank should last. Didn't flash until after 3 weeks. Should say we have a vacuum toilet which only uses about 1/3 litre per flush and a second loo, cassette, into which we pee during the day.

No, blame me for having fat fingers, small keyboard and not proof reading before pressing Submit.

There are quite expensive boats at Denver Cruising Club. Could be an expensive insurance claim.

The river is now reopened. According to Facebook boat caught fire, no mention of arson, mooring ropes burnt through and boat drifted down catching the next boats in line. Was eventually fended off and drifted down beyond the boat club moorings before extinguished.

7 boats destroyed. River closed as boons deployed to trap oil, etc.