MaryP
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Posts posted by MaryP
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On 27/09/2022 at 15:07, IanD said:
I know the subject of anchors is a contentious one and what is the best choice has been argued to death, but I have a different question...
For those boating regularly on the canal/river network -- meaning, including rivers which are commonly (but occasionally, for a particular boater) travelled on like the Trent and Ribble Link and Avon and Severn, but not tidal waters/estuaries or mooring up in them -- how many boaters on CWDF have ever had to actually deploy an anchor in an emergency on a river like these, for example due to loss of power?
My suspicion is that even though many (most? all?) boats which occasionally venture out onto such rivers have them on board, actually deploying them in anger is an extremely rare occurrence. Certainly on the hire boats I've been on which have had them onboard (because of possible routes onto rivers) there has never been any instruction or training about how to use them, which suggests that they're there as an insurance/box-ticking exercise not because they're ever expected to be used -- or indeed, useful, since a lot of them (small Danforths, short chain, short rope) would probably be about as much use as a chocolate teapot.
I'll pre-empt Alan insisting that a high-performance anchor/chain/warp is *absolutely* essential because a narrowboat once went over a weir (or one saved him when moored off a lee shore in a gale...) by saying I'm looking for experiences of boaters who've had to deploy one themselves, and why, and where... 😉
The only time my engine cut out, was on the Thames near Sunbury Lock. Luckily, we were close enough to entering the lock, that we had enough momentum to get to the landing stage. It was only then we realised that I had locked my bike to the anchor chain when we were moored overnight, so it didn't get pinched.
If we had deployed the anchor, we would have had to have deployed my bike with it!!!!!
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On 29/10/2022 at 18:15, ditchcrawler said:
Cant remember the last time I used my plank, probably on the K&A
Yes, me too!
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Not too bad today, but still low. Able to move keeping near the middle as far as possible....
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On 01/07/2022 at 13:26, Arthur Marshall said:
As fuel costs must have been included in their original charges, is it really going to cost an extra fiftenn quid per callout? Although as some may involve seveal visits I suppose it well could. I'd be surprised if fuel ever drops below £1.60 though.
I got this in an email... quite clear
To this end we are notifying all customers that we will be applying a 'Fuel Levy of £15' on all callouts from the 15th July 22. A callout being where an engineer travels to you to undertake a repair.
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14 minutes ago, Stilllearning said:
Also long lines for when mooring up, as having walked your long plank, it’s handy to have the lines in your hands especially when it’s windy. My personal preference is to make my lines fast on the boat, and thus the need for long
lines. The canal is often a shallow saucer shape in profile, so a deep boat has to moor several feet out. I bought a much longer plank when I had a boat on the canal. The comment about a hole in the end of the plank is correct, but it can also be used to put a line through, so that when you almost inevitably make a bog of the first attempt at dropping your plank from boat to bank, you don’t lose control of the plank.
I agree. I think long lines are good when single handing! Especially in places like those huge locks on the Severn, but I find them useful everywhere. Yes, mine are always attached.
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Just to add, that the rule on the Thames is to turn your engine off in locks and tie both ends. I can recommend this, as I fell in Sunbury Lock, and if I had been single handing, and the prop had been moving, I might not be here typing this! I now do this in every lock!
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I've done that, but my boat is only 23'.....
The lower Grand Union towards the Thames isn't a great place for mooring, unless it's changed greatly in the past 6 years. The basin at Brentford is fine, and you're near shops there.
Lots of places to moor on the Thames, but often time limited. If you have time, go down the Wey Navigation and the Basingstoke Canals. Well worth it, but mooring is not quite as easy, and again time limited.
Loads of places to stop on K&A, but be sure you have a gangplank, or be prepared to jump! Many folks down there have a hole in their plank so they can pin it in place, as it's hard to get close into the side. I went all the way to the Bristol Floating Harbour. It's such a great canal for Kingfishers!
Have a great trip!
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18 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:
I know they can lift in and out, but can they lift off a lorry?
I don't know that for sure. Their crane could get high enough I think, having seen it in action, but perhaps their yard might be a bit tight in space for manoeuvring a lorry.
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On 28/03/2022 at 18:30, ditchcrawler said:
If the North Oxford is not to far away then Dunchurch Pools have just bought a new lift, Lime Farm also have a lift.
And Armada / Falls Bridge Wharf.
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6 hours ago, IanD said:
The moorings at the end of the Welford Arm are nice (assuming you can find a spot!), and the pub there is friendly, has very good beer and possibly the best fish and chips I've ever had in a pub -- on a par with the best chippie in Whitby, to put it in context 😉
That Ian, is a high bar! Whitby fish and chips are amazing!
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Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the help and advice. The lathe has a new home!
Mary
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On 12/03/2022 at 17:30, DHutch said:
Great work. Looks in good nick.
I've moved the thread to boat building and maintenance, as the forsale area requires you to login to view it. So those on the model engineering FB page should be able to see it.
Thanks
Thanks so much for your help. I need it to go to a good home, but can't just give it away.......
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23 hours ago, Victor Vectis said:
The two covers on the floor fit over the changewheels and the countershaft drive. Looks like the original motor on the floor too but that Dewhurst drum switch behind the tailstock looks a tad dodgy.
Looks like it has had a new motor, for a variable speed drive perhaps?
I have no clue. I didn't know the lathe was there until Bill had died, and I started clearing the house.
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Here are photos of the lathe. I think my cousin must have been servicing it. He loved taking stuff apart and putting it back together! I will be going to the house again at the weekend, so will get photos of any tools. He was also a great cyclist, competing in his younger days, so there are some other tools too!
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Thanks. Please spread the word. It's not something I would ever use. I know that he loved it!
Still can't figure out how to reduce the picture sizes to post on here though....
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Hi Everyone,
My cousin was a tool maker, and unfortunately has passed away. I am his executor, and am very keen to sell his Myford 10 lathe, and so I'm hoping someone on the forum will be interested. I will add pictures of the actual lathe, but here is a link that Myford sent me, so you can see their info about the model.
http://www.lathes.co.uk/myfordml10/
The lathe is attached to a Black and Decker workmate, which will be included. There are some tools, which I'll list separately, as I have no pictures at the moment of the tools. The lathe is still in his house in Birmingham B10. Collection would be ideal, although I would be happy to deliver within reason, although I would need help to get it into my car. It's very heavy!!!
I will add photos of the lathe soon. I need to reduce them as they are too large. Please PM me with your number, and I will give you a call. Thanks!
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We became grounded a few times, even in our Springer which copes with just about any depth of water. Grounded to the point that we had to ask for help from passing cyclists, use ropes to pull and push to free the boat. That kind of thing. We were the first boat in one year after the winter, so many of the pounds were very low, but so were the several above, so not a matter of just running down some water. The Warden was very helpful. He had to follow us around anyway to "tickle" the locks to seal them. Fascinating to watch. He raised sediment up the lock gates to fill gaps, in much the same way as the old boaters used ash.
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We loved both, although the Basingstoke was harder work due to the low water levels. Worth the effort though!
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I used to visit there every summer with my lovely Uncle who passed away this year. Very happy memories with him, and cycling it with my kids. Beautiful area!
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Tom Keeling is surveying my boat in August. I've been very impressed with my dealings with him so far.
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On 21/04/2021 at 10:11, Nightwatch said:
Didn’t know about the Varneys lock incident. Thought it may have been Cropredy lock. Hire boat ascending the lock. Mum onboard went into astern to counter forward movement. Tiller knocked her overboard. We know what happened next. Absolutely terrifying for the family working the lock. Any accident is just that, an accident. A slip of thought, distraction, whatever.
Yes I remember this one and thought it was Cropredy Lock, as I was moored just above it at the time, and they had lots of activity at that lock, when I arrived back the following day. Horrible for the family. I've never allowed my daughter to sit on the stern rail since then. The boat the family were on did have those little seats on the corners of the stern rail, as I was moored next to it at Braunston some weeks later.
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17 hours ago, The Happy Nomad said:
Not just me then. Ive just reported it and will delete it when the mods deal with it.
Same here.
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4 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said:
I have never had a refusal from Craftinsure but they will want a hull survey @30 years. I think their rates are very fair.
Thanks. I had a full hull survey 7 years ago, but am willing to get another to get insurance. I need to get the blacking done this year, so can get both done at the same time hopefully. My insurance with Saga isn't ending until the autumn, but I thought I'd better get a head start on the situation.
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I just tried Newton Crum, and they don't insure 32 year old Springers. Any one got a Springer insured who can recommend their insurers please?
Mary
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Where’s this to?
in General Boating
Posted
"Where's this to" to me is Welsh -Cardiff.