AlexK91

Thanks for that....I think I was being to specific in my search

It is a Danforth anchor I have... And does probably weigh about 15-20kg. Ok don't think I've got that much rope and chain. (reckon I've got half of that just what came with the bkat) Would that be 30metres all together or split between rope and chain?

Hello everyone Sorry if this has been asked before (but can't find where) I'm planning a trip from Brentford to Teddington then up to Weybridge to go down the Way Navigation. I'm in a 36ft narrowboat I have an anchor and a small amount of rope and chain. But just wondering how much I would need just to be safe. (Don't want something to happen and not be prepared) Thanks in advance

Thanks for the advice..yeah I made sure I had help the first two days as thought prep and first coat are probably the most important things. Got scrapers and wire brush to get any stuff off that pressure washer doesnt.

Thanks...I got some paint brushes cheap on eBay large ones think thier for emulsion. Ok awesome so should manage a coat in a couple hours alone then. That's a good idea with cling film thanks. Yes I been told about that I'll definitely remember to do that. Not two man operation as such. Only one person uses it but been told it takes its toll on you quickly as it's rather powerful. So handy to have someone to take over if needed.

Brilliant. Ok I'm much happier now I've never done anything like this before and suddenly thought is this actually doable.

I've been told the one there is really powerful and needs two people as really tiring. Thanks

Hi All Just wondering has anyone tackled blacking by themselves. I have a 36ft narrowboat. And it's first time in blAcking it but only going to have help for the first two days. Pressure washing and first coat. Has anyone done it by themselves before. And do you think a week would be enough. Thanks

Hi Everyone I been looking at Information for D.I.Y Blacking but come up with different options everywhere I look. I need to get my Blacking done this year and am probably going to Uxbridge boat centre to do it myself as recommended by a few people who have just had theirs done. But I was wonder for a 36ft narrowboat. How much bitumen would I need and what's the best way of going about it? How many coats is best? Should I do the bottom or just the sides? Is it worth using a primer? Any Advice would be very welcome. Thanks

Well now bots stable and floating properly again it's got the correct amount of gap between water and top of weed hatch as in what looks like8inches or so. When people use excercise ,acts etc do you cut it to size of the weed hatch (not he lid that clamps down onto it) and then put the weed hatch on top and clamp it down or do you cut it to size of the actually removable weed hatch plate.

To those of you who haven't seen my other post. I found the problem my boat had basically begun sinking.I give there is a leak from the waste water shower pump. And over the course of five weeks it has filled the cabin bilge of my boat to the brim. Which made it sit much lower. I drilled a large hole in the floor under one of the beds to be able to insert a bilge pump and now majority of the water has been pumped out the boat is sitting at correct level again. Checked the weed hatch today and the water level is at is normal height again and I'm no longer listing. Thank you to you all for advice its prove invaluable and has more or less saved my boat from sinking. And with help from people on my marina where I'm moored we've got it sorted.just need to locate the source of the leak now and rectify it.

I don't much mind paddle boarders or canoeists I do that myself on the canals. But am always on the listen and look out for boats or other water traffic to make sure I'm not going to get in there way. And if I am I'll move out there way. Don't know if this will sound really stupid but Maybe they should say to people on paddle boards it's a bit like walking down the road. Cars on the left but walk on right. On canals boats in the right but paddle on the left so you've got a chance of seeing them coming towards you instead of just listening.

Ah I see ok I have one bilge pump that came with boat to replace an old one which is screwed to a metal plate so if I j ST out new one on that and sit it in bottom it should be ok then.

That's a good idea like the sound of magenta save drilling any more holes anywhere once I get down there thag may be how I do it. On that question I wonder if magnets would work for attaching a bilge pump into the engine bilge as need to fit a new one.

Only had my narrowboat for two months so far. (And what a two months its been) Bought her down the grand union from rugby to the Paddington arm. Hopefully this year will do some trios to camden and maybe up the river lee. And also onto the way navigation if I can make time for it.

I'm seeing the whale gulpers vary in price massively are they all much different or is it just how powerful they are? Seen some that are £85 all they way to £350

Luckily a lot of stuff is fsilry accessible in my boat. I have a lid I can take off next to the water tank to check the pump the batteries are in the engine area with just a simple wooden box lid over them so very easy to get to. After looking around to the left of the shower cubicle under the sink there is a panel that can be removed and I'm hoping removing that will let me see the pump and where the water from shower goes. Lots of people even people around me have said that the noise it makes is probably a box with a pump and a gulper will be better so will check and if so will be replacing which will hopefully be a better option.

Ill have to start having a look around for the pumps then see if I can find where they are. They may be more visible than I think just got to find them. As I say learning as I go now.

In regards to the noise someone else asked me that I believe its a steady motor sound. Just check by pushing button and its a steady noise Oh don't worry I was too....luckily it hadn't been getting any worse the listing but I think that was because the bilge was full and no more water could actually get in. The people in my marina had been discussing it too apparently which is good to know that they've been looking out for me when I've been at work.

So I've finished pumping for tonight as water level got to low for the bilge pump to continue I've got a stick that I've marked the current waterline on as there's a small amount left. And can measure again in morning. Good news is my boat is no longer listing doors and drawers stay open and things don't go rolling about including me. I'm not sure what kind of pump my shower has as everything is sealed away behind panels etc so. May take so,e time to find the issue. I think a lot of the works for the shower is under the shower tray. I don't know if the leak is from water going from hot water tank to the taps and showier head or if it's when I push the button to pump water out from water tray as believe they are separae when I push it it does seem all the water gets pumped out from the utter on side of boat but will be trial and error like the suggestion of food dye though might have to give that a go...taking it that would work also for sinks as well one at s time to see if it's those that are leaking . Glad I've got the water out the boat sits really well now still very slight list but I know that's down to the waste tank as it's trim is how it is when there is some waste in there.

Right everyone there was a .much more major problem which is what mist of you said it was. A kind person in my marina was worried and had been discussing it so as I don't have a cabin bilge hatch he kindly drilled me a hole in the bottom of one of the under bed storage on side I'm listing. Low and behold a tonne of water poured out I'm now in the process of pumping out my cabin bilge which we suspect is full of water. It also looks like bath water as is slightly soapy so believe the water is coming from the shower when I'm pumping the water out from the shower tray. We've caught this luckily before anything drastic has happened. There is like some of you said probably at least a tonne of water to get rid of if not more. Thanks again for the advice. Now I have a hole I can easily make it bigger to great a better hatch and put a cover ion it so can keep an eye on this to find my exact cause of problem Here's a picture of my basic bilge pump set up getting rid of the water

Sorry I was so caught up trying to sort it before dsrk I haven't done any pictures. I think pumping out waste tank will probably finish the job off and get me all level and even again.

Yeah defiantley going to have a look at some ballast to try even me out and someone suggested that of if my pump out tank os making me list so much I might be better of with a thetford cassette toilet which I'm going to look it. When I'm at the marina I mostly use the toilets there unless its middle of night or chucking it down so might look onto that too.

Tried all my switches don't believe I have one...thabks for your help everyone. I've now sealed my weed hatch.the water level has seemed to go down a bit. And someone in my marina thinks its also something as simple as my fresh water tank at front of boat being empty as front is out of water a little higher than usual (going by the water marks) there was some water ing he bottom of a cupboard which I believe is basically my cabin bilge but not much that's now been sucked out. I'm also getting a pump out tomorrow as that's also causing me to list I believe. I think now I need to fill my water tank empty the waste and see how boat is sitting and that'll give me an idea if it correct or not. I can't see any water anywhere else in the boat or by the water tank. Thanks for all your help I'm very new to boating other than trips and holidays so it's a huge learning curve. Thought of learnt a lot and had asked lots of questions prior to getting a boat but nothing prepares you for owning one. Thanks everyone

My water tank is a plastic tank that sits at the front of the boat but probably a little set back as much as I can tell.. Its 3/4 on the left of the boat with the right 1/4 housing pipes and the water pump and tube to outside to fill up. My stern gland greaser is working fine turns out I'm just not turning it enough someone said to me turn it leave it a few mins and turn it again which I have done since last night and has stopped all dripping there. I can see no signs of leaking from my water tank nor any water in my cabin bilge in between then engine bilge and main cabin I have two cupboards that go all the way to the bottom and a gap underneath that looks like goes between the two. Then another wall almost like another bulkhead. There was some water here which has been removed now. We were underway as there was no leak when we set off. But then realised it was only leaking when you push the throttle a little further forwards and get more power at idle/slow speed there was no leak as soon as we spotted it we stopped and headed straight back to my mooring which was about 500m away. I had taken it out too the week prior to get diesel which is other side of marina and didn't notice anything then either. I usually check my bilge every other day or so...so until then nothing was out of the ordinary but as soon as we realised what the issue was we stopped until we could work out what could be done about it.