noddyboater

It's a minefield isn't it? We slow cooked our dinner yesterday in the 150 yr old range, fueled by a few lumps of coal and some ash logs. The alternative was the electric oven (our 2nd in 6 yrs, hardly good for the environment), but our local power stations are run on imported gas and coal.

I loaded the grate with Columbian doubles and dozed off last night, after laughing heartily at your ramblings about looking after the planet for my non existent grandchildren. Imagine my horror when I awoke to this.. Is it the face of the devil himself? Or one of Ian's escaped emojis?!

Was that also when the welding rod/body filler ratio changed?

Unfortunately if the OP pops up to Mercia Marina for a look at new boats that's exactly what they've got to offer. Clones of the same design, wide and narrow. Continue to the used boats pontoon and they might find something with a more pleasing shape.

While I was moored in J.Wilsons yard in Sheffield a boat fitter bought a shell and completed it on the hard standing. Once finished and painted "Hand built by (whatever his name was)" was added by the signwriter. Misleading to say the least.

They use "prefabricated" shells. Like many others I'm sure, but a mention of where they come from would be good.

Finding out whose shells they use and having a look at one in bare metal might be a starting point. I admit that I get confused by boat fitting out companies calling themselves "Boat builders".

Not as yet, but quick sale needed. P.m. me if interested.

Wear on the outside I believe.

Butty "Phoebe" for sale. 69', Steel hull, timber fore and back cabins, back cabin fully fitted. Built in 1979 by Nigel Jackson, used for maintenance work on the Macclesfield. Requires work to chine areas, priced accordingly at 6k.

One variable that isn't easy to change is the hull shape, which is just as important as cc's or BHP. You can have a Kelvin K4 with 16 litres and 80 bhp, but coupled to a poor hull design you're going nowhere fast. Short rear swims are common, and need to be avoided. Unfortunately many builders who were fitting vintage engines in the 80's - 2000's were still using them, not all, but several well known builders certainly did. You might not notice so much on shallow canals but it makes a huge difference on a river.

That's a relief, I heard it was unavailable now. I used it originally after grit blasting, back in '99 I think. It's had another 2 coats since but could get treated this year I suppose! I'd guess the shape of the bow has a lot to do with how much paint is lost breaking ice, and how quickly you hit it.

Not been my experience, having broken ice several times thick enough to walk on the only damage has been across the flat of the stem post. It does a great job of scraping the greenery off but the epoxy has been untouched. I always used Dacrylate but I don't think it's available anymore.

You weren't too far from the forecast snow last night. It was settling on the M18 near Maltby at 10.30, but nothing heading down the A1.

Says the man with an 8 litre twin.. It was in a 45 footer I believe, so a bit overpowered even though it's a little un.

Yes, a rare beast indeed.

I quite like the "lovely Russell Newbury 3 cylinder engine" in it..

Something modern replaced it I heard, they didn't want to bother trying to sell it. A good source of parts for someone with a twin I'd guess.

A 4 cylinder Dorman with box had been taken out of a boat and slung in the scrap skip. It was in running condition apparently. It's down at the boatyard at hillmorton, next to the Oak pub.

And you certainly won't get onto it at this time of the year from Napton.

Just to add it should be said that scrotes are becoming nocturnal in some areas, there were actually 3 under the bridge at 5.30 the next morning, and had been a couple before light at Atherstone the day before.

That's often the case, but if keeping moving involves a flight of locks in the dark, single handed through a dodgy area I'd rather not. On the last moving favour I did for instance I'd happily done Curdworth in the dark, but made an effort the day after to be at the Black Country museum moorings by 6pm.

I love a good long day on my own boat, and often plan trips around them. It's different if you're moving someone else's, not as relaxing I suppose. Planning ahead to not get caught out in a dodgy spot for the night for example, seems more important when it's not your boat. Even a short stop for something essential can set you back, worse still having a crawling cretin pull out in front of you.. You do get to cruise the dawn and dusk though, which makes up for everything.

I've just moved a boat from the South Oxford up to the T&M, as a favour of course because it's not my job. If it was my job however I certainly wouldn't call it a "good number" especially at this time of year. Dodging stoppages, an hour or two in the dark at each end of the day, added to that I had a boat with no water, gas or electric the first night, and then needed the fuel filter cleaning every couple of hours due to shite in the tank. The solitude wouldn't suit some people either, 12 hours at the tiller with often nothing more than a nod or Hello to a passing rambler. Luckily that's why pubs were invented.

We probably recently met then as we've just had a week in Alton Station, owned by the Landmark trust. I can't think of anything worse than the line being turned into a road. Have you ever found the Cricketers Arms at Oakamoor open? We didn't.