pearley

Look at 'The First Mate Guides'

Moored at Castlefields at present. First time I've come down the Rochdale 9 since 1980. I agree that I never felt threatened at any time, then or now but the locks didn't seem any different from 27 years ago. Other than the original Rochdale Canal on Dale Street there is nothing much of note at the Picaddilly area of the canal. The new housing and offices seem to have rendered it a bit sterile. The basins on the Museum side of Castlefield at present full of boats evicted from elsewhere whilst building work goes on. Have visited the Lowry several times in the past and will do so again next week. Always a good exhibition and its free. Manchester Art Gallery is also free and from this weekend is having an exhibition of art that hasn't been on show for 150 years. This coming week is also Manchester Food and Drink Festival. I like Manchester. Good public transport from the cheap and quick Metrolink to the free shuttle buses that circle the city centre. We are here for a week so have plenty of exploring to do.

All BW rubbish disposal sites have notices asking you not to leave waste oil, batteries, etc. As responsible people, where do you get rid of your old oil and filters? Has anyone asked Halfrauds to take it back under EU waste directives?

We bought a folding bike from one of the sellers at Crick after a quick ride around the show ground. A complete waste of money. We then bought a Brompton. It folds down smaller than any of the others - if you look at the Canal Boat article, all the others seem to have the saddle left loose - and fits nicely on top of the washing machine when not in use. Yes it only has 3 gears but that's never been a problem on the towpath as it doesn't really have any hills and I can happily cucle off a mile or 2 to get a paper.We bought a folding bike from one of the sellers at Crick after a quick ride around the show ground. A complete waste of money. We then bought a Brompton. It folds down smaller than any of the others - if you look at the Canal Boat article, all the others seem to have the saddle left loose - and fits nicely on top of the washing machine when not in use. Yes it only has 3 gears but that's never been a problem on the towpath as it doesn't really have any hills and I can happily cucle off a mile or 2 to get a paper.

Thanks for the replies. I would have bought genuine Beta parts if I could but mail order is not really an option when you are a CCer. A second phone call to Beta elicited the info that the base engine is a Kubota V1903. Searching on the net I found that the Kubota part number is 70000-74035. This lead me to Fleetguard LF3706, Fram PH3589 and Crossland 2275. Kate Boats in Warwick directed me to Lucas Service and they ordered me 2. The service is done and I've now got a spare filter for next time. All I now have to do is get rid of 7 litres of old oil.

Our vacuflush system is under the bed and we don't find it noisy.

I've found that out. It was only grudgingly that Beta told be it was based on a Kubota V1903. They suggested I went to Foxton Boat Services. I am at Fenny Compton!

I have a Beta 43 engine but am having difficulty getting an oil filter. I know the Beta and Kubota part numbers but every boat yard I have tried is unable to cross reference them. Anybody the Fram/Coopers/Crossland/Purolater number?

Can anyone give me an alternative part number for the oil filter fitted to a Beta 43. The chandlery in Banbury has had all its catalogues destroyed in the flooding.

I am surprised about Mastervolt given that the background of Kevin Wadsworth. Certainly Vetus are happy with keel cooling.

I recall many years ago when I was a Philips Car Audio dealer, their demo display van came with a MASE generator and I was staggered by how quite it was. 'Joanie M' has a Vetus gen set built-in. Whilst you can hear it inside, mainly due to mechanical transmission through the hull I think, you can't hear it outside.

If it is good ale you are after then in Wolverhampton it has to be The Great Western and in Birmingham, The Prince of Wales.

We've had an Ownerships share for the past 7 years after hiring for over 20 years. At £6000 plus the annual costs of around £900, it is the best thing we've done. A guarantee of 3 weeks a year plus as many others as you can fit in. If you like winter cruising, that can be quite a lot. Yes, there is some debate on mooring sites, but it is usually a sort of North/South divide. The Southerners don't like traipsing up the M1/M6. As it is, most mooring locations are well North of the M25. For myself, living in Southampton, I am happy to go anywhere. And yes, it is a majority decision. We have just sold our share for £3000 as we have bought our own boat, so my total costs for 7 years are £9300. I estimate we have had 26 weeks cruising. 15 years ago we were paying Alvechurch over £1000 for a week on a 6 berth boat.

The one I've bought for Joanie M is the same as that shown in Garys post. I figure that the average thief will assume it is for my phone. If you have a window or porthole at the rear then use a stick-on one. It is inside so can't be got at.

Joanie M is built with 2 tanks. A conventional one across the back for the engine. A belly tank across the width of the hull for the generator and heating.

A striking off notice is requested when a company has ceased trading but is not in liquidation. If all debts are paid, especially VAT, NI, PAYE and Corporation Tax, then a company can apply to Companies House to be struck off.

A few years since we were last there but the moorings at Museum Gardens were council owned with no restrictions.

On the boat we at present have a share in, we have a Dirt Devil. It is small and it is bagless. Its downside is that it is not very powerful. We are soon to become continuous cruisers and want a fairly powerful cleaner - about 1800 watts - that is also small enough to store easily. The Electrolux we have at home is probably too big. Any suggestions?

Perhaps us narrowboaters should put signs in the window saying we are happy for cruisers to moor alongside?

For Petter parts, information, manuals, parts lists, etc try Keith Ott, 80 Hobb Lane Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 6LL.