Eldog
-
Posts
57 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Blogs
Store
Posts posted by Eldog
-
-
9 hours ago, TheBiscuits said:
The EE network is regarded as the best for coverage on the canals, but is quite expensive (for comparable package deals) compared to Three, the second best coverage on the canals.
Your "best" coverage depends on the signal where you keep/moor your boat - if you can't get a Three signal, you might get an EE signal, or vice versa.
I just use Three, and if I can't get a signal I keep moving until I can. Other people have both EE and Three SIMs and switch between them depending on where they are moored.
If you are intending to move around the network, I would recommend getting a Three SIM and consider getting an EE SIM if you can't get a signal where you want one. Other people will no doubt recommend doing it the other way round!
Plusnet uses the EE network and is about half the price
-
Something wrong with the camera - they look pink to me.
-
Boiling water from tank for tea and coffee; bottled for cold drinks - this option not available but I believe quite common from folk I've met.
-
A look at the URL (address) will often help eliminate fake sites.
-
21 hours ago, Chewbacka said:
I didn’t sign it because it basically says that boating diesel will increase in tax by 30p per litre and we don’t want to pay. Had it briefly stated why this is unfair then I would, but it just sounds like rich hobby boaters wanting to pay less tax on their hobby. So I hope it doesn’t get enough signatures to trigger a debate, because it could turn public opinion against and then when it needs sensible discussion it will be more difficult to get a sensible result.
I rather take exception that all leisure cruisers are rich; suggest you seek medical assistance to get that chip on your shoulder removed. By the way I've signed, mainly because it's grossly unfair on the live-aboard population who I believe in the main get on with us leisure bods.
-
17 hours ago, Onionman said:
For various reasons we ended up short of time so we bobbed across the aqueduct, did a quick 180 turn in the oodles of space at the other end, went back across and moored short of the Aqueduct Inn then took a taxi into Llangollen - I seem to recall it was about seven or eight quid each way.
All rather tough on me, a man abjectly terrified of heights. I had to cross by foot twice before I did it onthe boat. I'm so bothered by heights that I (genuinely) went into a cold sweat when I stumbled onto this on TV one evening. I could no more do that than I could lift Mount Everest:It amused me when Jones the Boat stated the etiquette for crossing was only to proceed if the Aqueduct was clear when he is famous for crossing regardless.
-
Just finished this years extended cruise and have encountered numerous Volockies on our travels and must say overall IMHO they provide an excellent service.
I respect boaters preference for doing the locks themselves but on flights such as Watford and Foxton, the Vlockies are essential to keep the whole process moving along efficiently, particularly with their assistance to solo boaters.
Incoming...
-
2
-
-
Slightly off topic, but nearly got taken out by two quad bikes whilst walking underneath the low bridge at the Middlewich Junction a few days ago. Two guys each with a kid perched on the front and needless to say - no helmets. Does anyone know the legallity of that?
-
3 minutes ago, Ray T said:
Late and unaware - as usual!
-
Now official, as of 5 Jun Crick Marina and presumably Cropredy now part of the Castle Group.
-
On 15/02/2019 at 19:27, Alan de Enfield said:
How far down the Trent do you plan on going ?
If going downstream of Nottingham then it is beneficial.
For me 'compulsory'
Legally - 'optional'
Not only is it a safety device (that if you have problems and end up stick on a bank as the tide goes out you can inform the lockies - even arrange for one of the tugs to 'pull you off')
It is just 'very convenient' as you can call the lockies up and tell them "15 minutes out can I lock up/down when convenient". It can take 20 minutes to cycle the lock so the lockie can tell you to hurry up as he is cycling for another boat, slow down because he has another boat going the opposite way, or 'no problem the gates will be open, come in on the green light'.
If you are planning to go in the next few weeks (before the locks are manned for 'the season') then you'll need to learn how to operate the locks.
Regarding the lifejacket you say "going to get one" - are you single handed ?
You will find the Trent locks very difficult if you are single handed.
The Locks are 'enormous' and you need to use your ropes on the sliders (built into the lock walls) to keep the boat secure during the lock operation.
Rivers are not just 'big canals'.
Cromwell Lock on the Trent
About 5 NBs wide x 'several' boats long.
You have.
VHF is compulsory (legal requirement) on the Trent below Gainsborough
Apologies for bringing this up again but am currently planning a summer cruise down the Soar and Trent to join the Stainforth and Keadby Canal at Keadby. Lots of advice and anecdotes on here regarding requirement for VHF and navigation lights so decided to ask Associated British Ports direct and asked:
" I'm currently planning a trip in a 57ft narrowboat down the River Trent from Cromwell Lock northward to exit the Trent at Keadby. I've searched the internet but can't find any definitive information regarding VHF and navigation lights. I will only be transiting in daylight and would be grateful if you could let me know if there is any requirement/exemption for radio and lights for this single journey."
Their reply:
If you follow the link below it will take you to the page on our Humber.com website which give you all of the necessary answers you are looking for.
http://humber.com/Yachting_and_Leisure/Pleasure_Craft_Navigation/
It doesn't seem to state a specific legal requirement for VHF merely which channels are being monitored. Nor does it require navigation lights. Nevertheless to air on the side of prudence I will probably get a hand held anyway.
Would be interested if anyone is considering that route around end of June to buddy up. Also any advice about how easy/hard pleasant/unpleasant the Stainforth and Keadby Canal much appreciated.
ELdog
-
Hi All
Would be grateful for some advice. We have a Thetford Spinflo Midi Mk3 buit in oven. When using the grill, the flame suddenly reduced to about half making grill virtually useless. A google search suggests blocked jets but I can't find anything about how to access them for cleaning/replacement. Has anyone experience of this.
Ta
Eldog
-
4 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said:
If they are jacking it in maybe the Midland Chandlers knockers will realise they have been wrong and give it a rest.
But I doubt it.
I've never knocked MChandlers but Di and cohorts at Bottom Lock provided the type of service that only independent traders are willing to.
-
1 hour ago, blackrose said:
Is that a 12v freezer? I can't imagine running a freezer from batteries without the engine or a charger running. It must be very efficient (when it's working properly).
Not efficient; slightly more drain on batteries than the fridge but someone in the relationship need ever ending supply of ice cream.
-
Concur - Used Daventry Refigeration last year for a Shoreline Freezer overhaul. Had to leave it with them for a week so Dad could get round to doing to it; must say he doesn't look 80! Anyway all still working well over a year later.
-
Just taken my mushrooms off and as said before there was considerably more rust and pitting hidden underneath than on the rim. I've rubbed down and treated with Vactan (good stuff) and another primer coat although I'm not sure the last coat was really necessary.
I'm top coating next week but am unsure whether to fill the pitting with filler or just let the paint fill the holes - any thoughts?
-
Bloomin Heck - that was quick! Thanks
I realise now that my original post was a bit vague - somewhat like the author.
The plan is to head northwards from the Braunston area for about a month/6 weeks and then head back south.
12 minutes ago, BruceinSanity said:Pulmo Bailly is good for congestion http://www.pulmobailly.co.uk/
If you keep your boat in a marina in one of the most popular bits of the narrow system, you're going to have to live with it being busy in the summer.
Actually were in Crick on the Leicester Line which was selected for being within striking distance of Dorset. Going north on the Leicester Line seems to be reasonably quiet but we've already explored it a few times.
1 hour ago, Naughty Cal said:Does it really matter if you hit a bit of congestion?
I wasn't so much worried about the congestion but more availability of suitable mooring - bloke needs to be able to go t'pub in evening.
-
In the process of planning our May to Oct on the canal but a little concerned that some bits may become overly busy mid summer. Does anyone have any suggestions for either quieter locations or hot spots to avoid during July/August, or should I pack up and go home! Currently the boat is based around Braunston.
Thanks
-
I would try a round trip, comprising the GU Leicester line to Watford Locks and on to Norton Junction, GU to Braunston, North Oxford to Hawkesbury Junction, Coventry Canal to Fradley, Trent & Mersey to Shardlow, River Trentham to River Soar, through Loughborough & Leicester, up Foxton Locks and back to Crick.
Your first locks will be volunteer operated, there are tunnels, easy rivers (if not in flood conditions) and a nice mix of countryside and town canals.
A very relaxed pace for 3-4 weeks, and doable in 2 if needs must.
Edited for spillung.
Thanks cuthound - I'd half considered a similar track to that but thought we should avoid rivers on our first outing - or am I being overly wimpy?
-
Just bought our first boat which is now sitting around Crick. Planning a three or four week trip around April/May but not knowing too much about the locality, am in dilemma with the multitude of options. Perhaps I should just spin a coin when I get to a junction and see where we end up! - unless someone has a brill suggestion.
-
Hi All
Update - had the survey last week and the hull was fine and there was only light pitting - less than 1mm, so with a huge sigh of relief the purchase is progressing apace.
We're both hugely excited about becoming owners of our first boat and then getting out and about on the water but I suspect I'm going to need a fairly fat wallet over the next few months!
Thanks for everyone's help and advice
-
Hi All
After looking at a number of other boats, this one still came to the top of the pack so after a lot of deliberation and a bit of negotiation I had an offer on the Colecraft accepted today. I'll let you know how the survey goes and hopefully will be adding a boat name into my profile in about a month (or so!)
Thanks again for all the advice.
-
Hi All
Absolutely amazed by he speed and quality of the replies - thanks - in answer to a couple of Qs
Has the boat been connected to a shoreline line (mains electricity) whilst in the marina?
Does it have an inverter?
If the answer is no to both questions, then the hull is unlikely to have suffered corrosion from stray electrical currents. It may however have suffered corrosion around the watwrline from not being blacked.
Probably connected; cannot tell for how long. No inverter on the boat.
Don't know but probably not.Was it epoxy blacked?
No - without upsetting the mods; this boat seems to be a different offering to that at Whilton!Is this boat with Whilton Boat Sales ?
Finally (thank goodness I hear); The general blacking around the waterline seems ok with no apparent pitting or flaking (if that means anything!). The inside and exterior paintwork seems really good; essentially it seems quite tidy apart from this hull integrity concern,
Incidentally the other candidate is a younger East West construction with a 12 mm hull albeit not with same character as the Colecraft.
-
Hi All
Just about to buy our first boat and are quite taken with a 1996 Colecraft trad. Just a little worried that it hasn't been blacked since 2011 and has spent most of its life in a marine without a galvanic isolator. Before We commit to a deposit and survey, do those out there with undoubtedly more knowledge than me think we should walk away. I should also add that overall the boat looks quite reasonable and up together.
Grateful for any advice
Boats to view
in General Boating
Posted
If you decide to visit Whilton I suggest you also put aside time to visit ABNB just up the road at Crick as well as Rugby boats as previously mentioned. You will find very different approaches to the art of boat selling!