The Grumpy Triker

Thanks Alan....I know you have the membrane in an attic roof space but wasn't sure what happened with steel....do you stick the membrane to the steel or just have it wedged between the Just taken down the polystyrene in the roof (same as yours only 25mm and not all over) and realised there are no battens in the middle.....large thin sheeting x 2 in an overlapping was just stuck to the above and wedged between two side battens for good measure. There are a couple of cross beams but not what I expected. This could be fun now

Being a bit dim on this front, the vapour barrier goes steel side or room side of the insulation? not heard of thinsulate before..?...am assuming it bends with the roof shape?....what is it that people don't like about it? Was going rockwool way as didn't think the block insulation would bend enough...hence why I'm calling on the knowledge of the Cutting Crew Many thanks for such a prompt response

Hi all, Hopefully a quick question, although judging by other threads on the topic it may not be. I'm replacing the internal ceiling (sorry can't remember the proper name for one on a boat) & the old packing foam style insulation in the boat as it is all a bit tatty and I have a few leaks.....plus when I get the stove installed I think it would be wise not to burn the inside. I think I have to use rockwool as celotex doesn't look like it will bend with the roof shape but either way.....Do I need to prime the inside of the steel before putting in the insulation?and is it worth putting a thin layer of insulation over the wooden battens before putting in the new ceiling? (I don't have the option of spray foam or anything like that for now.) Lovely snow scene outside here....not much to do except for keep ripping the boat apart

Sorry folks been offline for a day or two - many thanks for all on the above Hadn't considered carpet tiles but a good option for removal and cleaning/replacement, big thick underlay is a must it seems, especially as found big gaps around the flooring to wall boards. The only concern is I also have some bouncy boarding areas, it seems that the edging to the floor boards were not always matched up to the support beams, so it has some flexible edges....bouncy not sponges thankfully, so do not appear to be rotting, unlike the boarding on the inside of the bow. Cheers again all, will take a look around later today.

Is a good thought - cheers David....the current vinyl flooring is a tad cold, even for me. My problem with rugs is that I'm a clumsy old sod and could guarantee I'd go Arse over.... my aimwas to buy a carpet that I didn't mind replacing every year or two....is only me on the boat and if I buy a nice dark speckled colour then things shouldn't show after a good clean....or so I hope Forgot to say that I use the rear of the boat to go in and out so the bow will only suffer curry, lager, milk, cereal, ......etc. spills

Hi all, Following a bereavement and a change in circumstance am now keen to resolve the new lounge layout starting with the floor. The current flooring whilst great in summer is blooming cold underfoot and I suspect (like most of the finishing) the bouncy element comes from a big gap in the flooring as this runs in a consistent line along the boat. I want to put carpeting in the lounge area but does anyone recommend or warn against any specific type of underlay? I may have to re-lay some boarding underneath to close some gaps but don't want to lay some underlay and find it attracts moisture to damage the carpet from underside. Will be a cheap thick and replaceable cost on the carpet but equally a soggy floor from will be worse than a cold one....having said that my heTing is still not working properly as yet so the condensation is worse is my head than it will be. Hope all are well.

I can't reverse straight for more than 5' ....a mile or more!....that is some skill. Give me 10yrs and I may try it

I've only had my boat since August following some work identified by the survey and have a bit of sympathy for the OP as they appear to be genuine. There is so much to think about in those early days, and despite planning things get missed, I had additional work done in Nantwich in Oct and was on a run south to the Severn when the fuel pump went so that could have put me at the mercy of the winter closures despite having read through them....I probably have a bit more time to kill than the OP as I did read through everything but only just remembered to check with the C&RT site despite it being on my things to do list, so can imagine people missing it in their first 6 months. Have to say, people talk about turning round on the cut after a lock closure but a lot of people may not get that option given no winding hole. Also understand the suspicion on here as one boater actually admitted to doing it after a few beers in a pub one evening, and would not be surprised by any hard stance from C&RT. Good luck to you OP, and to everyone else out on the cut....maybe a milder winter this year!?...let's hope for a 'not-too-wet' one, unless it refers to a drink or two. A winter of work to make the boat my own but looking forward to getting out and about next summer. After a breakdown, split from wife and health issues am enjoying my new life, despite having to work still, and can't wait for early days of spring....although that does mean boat repainting time so lots of scrubbing back of existing stuff and sanding down but looking forward to it.

You have tidal and non-tidal south of Tewkesbury......and to be honest you are allowed to call it what you like, as am I. So long as place names qualify the situation then everyone will understand. History is always changing and our understanding of it also, too many people tend to focus on a specific writing or view of history in order to justify their position as opposed to enjoying it and moving on.....all a bit like religion really, too many people become hung up on a specific focus, telling people they're wrong because it doesn't fit with their own view of life or ideology speaks for itself I think. ......not saying that you were down this path, but people don't have to agree on names for everything. Tolerance in an intolerant World is in itself a self gratifying thing......or you can just turn your back and get on with life.....equally self gratifying at times.

Nice bit of history but I guess the relevant term here is 'was navigable' - as I wasn't around in those days, and to clarify my own terminology, I would refer to the Upper Severn as being the navigable non-tidal section above where the tidal and 'Lower' Non-Tidal river sections meet. I guess that's the beauty of the modern world, always changing I hope that clarifies my view of the River Severn today.

Aargh!....forgot that bit in the rain....will get him to Show me Tuesday as your info was of big value....I feel that knowing where that is will be a biggie in future ....many thanks again mross Nope - not on the tank, the tank had to be emptied due to the Welding just outside it on the hull. ...but again a good shout.

OK folks, RCR guy just left, spot on service I have to say, even though he's been tearing around all day. - No extra filter just the primary and secondary - Fuel came out clear as day, nothing in there except pure clean diesel....no water, nothing - Tested it with a secondary field pump after replicating my issue after just 3-5 minutes of runtime, checked lines and nothing coming through - test pump work like a dream. - switched back to boat pump and awaited it to stall again....nothing!....worked like a dream, but not safe enough to go on the river so having an enforced holiday in Tewkesbury until Tuesday probably. thanks again to all for their help, greatly appreciated. Time for a beer or two to drown my sorrows

Many thanks for that Ace....and Laurie ...much appreciated .....engine not fully stalled as yet but been close to it so far.

Cheers for that Not got a fuel tank dipstick yet mind

How on earth do you check for that? This would be one of my biggest fears but also unsure how it would have got there as it has been all but full for all 3 weeks and never refuelled in anything but dry conditions. The boat had been sat for quite some time prior to me picking it up but again, it has taken 3 weeks to materialise, just seems at odds with the performance to date. Thanks for the comments again though, all worth considering.

Very True should have confirmed that they would flush it through or a full clean for me....they 'may' have done it but not sure and didn't explicitly ask. Having said that, it has taken over three weeks to show itself so strange in that sense...unless a slow build up. RCR on the way...will watch closely and going to book their annual free inspection plus add a full service for asap. thanks again for the ideas ...all good learning.

It was a hire boat previously and no idea how to check for water but the tank was drained on purchase so that I could get two steps welded near the stern while it was out for blacking and the guy is a well trusted sort so if any water then it can only be since and it has been close to full all the time since then. will get some of that stuff to add in now just in case.....I know it divides opinion but better safe than sorry for the future I guess.

Many thanks again to all - will keep you posted tomorrow, better go and get some food before early night

Cheers Bizzard Fuel taps in and excess drain are both ok but will have to hunt for this little burger of a filter - new one for me so all good learnings

Cheers Nick - makes me feel better about phoning them. Have to book my free service so will get my confidence back by knowing what I'm looking at on the engine .....will check this secondary filter if I can find it, I like to try, makes me feel better....provided I don't screw it up nice to know I'm not alone

Excellent - many thanks again mross ...sorry to be a numpty so advice greatly appreciated. A few beers tonight and I'll get checking tomorrow morning. An external air breather filter would make more sense as fuel has been bought from 4 different suppliers and topped up to the top each time so just doesn't feel right....even though it is now I've said that. Am used to tracing issues back through in another realm but fuel filter just seemed strange given so recently serviced. A good excuse for a day off tomorrow

I don't but Gut fell tells me that the current issue isn't consistent with the previous issue and certainly not with the conditions of the river, ....most importantly, after shifting to nuetral the prop kept turning freely but the engine was spluttering in nuetral, but only when left to calm down did the engine settle again.

Cheers mross Used to do this stuff on cars and motorbikes in the 80s but totally loss confidence since computers took over. BTW - If fuel filler cap off does make a difference,what does this mean?

OK thank you - I'm in the bracket of 'A little knowledge is a dangerous thing'- I also had the answer "It's obviously something round the prop or shaft!" - been down the weedhatch so often to no avail that I'm like an F1 tyre changer with the hatch now My confusion on this is that it keeps clearing and given a clean filter less than 130hrs of cruising time I thought ....hoped it would still be clean.

Hi folks, Apologies for yet another post but on the way down the Severn I have had an engine issue. Isuzu 34bhp on a 59' nb. On the canals from Nantwich to Kidderminster we had a few moment of sudden power loss, which I put down to leaves in the prop, went to Neutral, blast in reverse or two, back to neutrL and then pull away again....apart from a couple of locks full of leaves and debris after the storm this worked well..... .....sadly this continued with more regular frequency after Kidderminster and more worryingly down on my way down the Severn. The problem manifests itself in a noticeable loss of power, a much louder exhaust beat and even if I push full throttle it adds nothing. I put it into nuetral and the engine splutters for a while and then after a few moments it settles and regains normal revs on idle, at this point I can then add power and of we go again for between 2 and 4 miles....although it has been with increasing regularity and longer recovery times. Engine really shakes on its mountings when recovering then it settles. Engine had a full service (supposedly and I have no reason to disbelieve) before I picked it up, I use the stern greaser twice daily and more on longer runs. Oil in engine and gearbox checked & topped up as required (gearbox oil did get lower than I would like but still within guide marks. Fuel in abundance, air filter clean as can be, not checked fuel filter as yet....but before I do that my worry was around the lack of response to the throttle. On the basis that it is air or fuel, I guess it is now fuel but wondered if anyone had experienced this before I call out an engineer...Not sure if RCR would respond given that I am not stuck and can move in some fashion....not far from Gloucester but holed up awaiting the Spring Tide and the winds tomorrow afternoon so last leg Sunday I guess.