Theo

I don't know that lock. Are the gate paddles on the top gate? If they are on the top gate you can wait until the levels are more equal. Provided that there are top ground paddles, that is. (I am sure that chickens and eggs pertain here but never mind. There might be readers who are novices!)

An altogether wonderful program and much to be recommended! Nick

I think that the psychology goes a little bit deeper than merely saving money. I enjoy the challenge and that makes me try things that are a bit more difficult than I have done before. Presumably your man did not know how to read a circuit diagram, though, and that is rather scary! Nick

We have, as far as I can tell!, decided to black Theodora right up to the gunwales using whatever we will use to balck the bottom. The flat bit of the gunwales where you walk might be a problem. What sort of black paint should I use for that? Nick

I have just decided to delete the message that I had typed out. I thought that it might give offence. It was about navigation lights. Aren't I good and self restrained.

Oh! If only I could get m physics A level students to discuss the subject with such enthusiasm! Nick

Is it an electronic timer or a thermal one? The one in our bathroom at home is the thermal type and has give at least fifteen years of reliable service. It's not adjustable, though. Nick Edit punctuation.

Is there any problem if spray foam is use in contact with expanded polystyrene? It's just that there are a few gaps where I have removed some panelling beside where the pump out was. Nick

The thing about this forum is that there is always plenty of good advice about! Nick

I am going to the Newark Jumble sale next week so I will have a look out for one there to replace that which is smashed! See you there, Malcolm! Nick

Hm... It looks as if I need a Fluke and a cheapo! Nick Thanks everyone. Edit to add thanks

It's the thermoelectric effect and I would think that they use a thermopile. (Lots of units connected in series) Nick No one has mentioned a stirling engine yet. NIck

Topping idea!!

One very useful and very cheap bit of test equipment: 40' length of black multistrand test lead fitted with a 4mm plug at each end and a croc clip for each end too. Ditto Red 1 12v bulb with test leads attached in some way. (I soldered mine on) also 4mm plugs and croc clips. The plugs plug into the croc clips that I have. They are just little ones. I have but this lot together because there are going to be times when I am going to have to test the continuity of a wire that starts at the fuse board and ends in a light fitting way along the boat. Nick Edit for typo

Alternatively you could fit two sockets, one connected to the shore and one to the inverter. the boat circuit connects via a plug to either of these. No possible chance of connecting to them at the same time. I have seen it done with the big blue commando plugs/sockets but I don't see why you sould not do it with 13A stuff as long as you can be sure that you are not going to overload them. Nick

They're a crabby lot there too! Nick

I think that I know the winding hole that you mean. It will soon be full of trees if they don't do something about it. Just up a couple of locks from Kilby Bridge there is a winding hole which is rather shallow. I just, with about 2" to spare, managed to turn Theodora around. There is a poignant reminder of a previous attempt. A length of boat pole, brightly painted, sticking up from the reeds. I suppose that the user of this pole tried to lever the bow of the boat around. Nick

By the time that we found Theodora a previous viewer had dropped the cratch on to the lamp and had smashed it. We used an Ikea table lamp held up by my mate, Steve, to go thought Crick Tunnel. Quite good enough. I think that a good system would be two fog lamps angled well out so that you get the sides of the tunnel really well illuminated. (And don't forget to leave the cabin lights on too!) Nick

The lady who answers the phone at Watford is always most helpful and kind. Nick

I am more than happy to be a little exclusive in that the common herd does not notice the canals and I do! Seriously, though, I am not a great lover of the rash of signage that is blighting our roads and I thought that I discovered the first signs (sorry about the pun) of it while we were bringing Theodora home. The winding holes on the GU (Leicester section) are marked with rather nasty signs and I would not like to think that we were going to be afflicted with more of them. Can we not recognise a winding hole for what it is without the use of some sort of logo. NIck

I did a double take on the small cruiser. At first glance the landing stage looks like a miniature narrowboat sunk into the mud! Nick

Theodora is like everyone's boat, the boat of our dreams! What really attracted us was her rather graceful lines and the 12' long hold at the bow. This is covered only by cloths and so will make the most wonderful sitting out area or extra sleeping space. The next unusual feature is the fact that the engine is mounted back to front. There is a belt drive to the prop shaft which then runs under the engine. Most odd and the only reason that I can think of for its being like that is to decouple the engine from the prop shaft to reduce vibration and overcome alignment problems. If anyone else knows a reason do add a comment. Theodora is 60' long so there is plenty of room for living and the hold space mentioned above. Her engine is under the steering position just as in a cruiser stern but the stern actually looks a bit like a rather elongated traditional. The tiller bar is a bit unusual in that it is angled as it comes off the gooseneck. This means that you cannot use it without the tiller pin inserted, not that you would want to anyway.

What arrangement did you use to allow it to rotate, John? Nick