John Hartley

Very nearly Thirty years ago myself and two friends built our first narrow boat from scratch. Although not a welder I was an engineer with an ability to weld. So were the other two guys. From the photographs presented it seams to me that the work is of excellent quality from someone who cares about the finished job. Also from the replies to the many questions it is someone with a deep knowledge of what he does. Should I ever need to have my boat over-plated I would not hesitate to let him do it. I have never used his services nor had any sort of contact with him other than what I have seen of his work. Just keep on doing it. Boats need guys like you.

I used to work for a hose manufacturer producing hoses for the rail industry. If they arrived without end covers send them back, ask for your money to be returned and go to a reputable supplier who will fit end covers as a matter of course. If the supplier says they are ok to use tell him without covers they are unfit for purpose. Do not try to clean them before returning them. If he offers to replace them mark them in an unobtrusive way so you may recognize them should he send them back with end caps. John

I am unsure if this is the correct place for this but if not .....what the h---l. All aboard NB Hawthorn would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a good New Year. We thank you all for your good humor and boundless enthusiasm for all things canal. Keep doing what your doing for the next year entertaining, informing and being generally good eggs. Thank you all NB Hawthorne, Clayworth wharf, Chesterfield canal.

Mine has its filter in the supply line. Any small filter housing will suffice Regards John

Ignorance rears its ugly head ?. I thought you could not retro fit gas instant water heaters. Only replace like for like with them. Or did I dream that one?

I agree that during the turn much less drag. But under normal operation going forward the mechanism will produce more drag. Most of the time your sailing the rudder is at or near straight ahead producing more drag than is saved during a maneuver. J Johnh

Several things come to mind. With the use of my bow thruster and standard rudder I can travel sideways without to much trouble. There is then the consideration of extra drag cause by the extra articulation. Not a lot but over the life of the boat could add up to a considerable amount of extra fuel. If the OP is considering alterations to make his boat more maneuverable then perhaps he should consider a Kort Knozzle. That would help going forward and also in reverse.

A series of small interconnecting holes drilled inside the circumference required and a very good half round file, lots of time and energy saves buying a hole cutter. Either a cheap or expensive one. It also helps with a diet if your on one. Lots of calories burnt.?

Does the Yard have any heavy machinery in its yard. Cranes etc. If one has given it touch on the heavy side and bent the shaft that would explain its none movement. Rust/paint is unlikely to defeat a long scaffold pole.

I have just finished mine with Andrews two pack epoxy coal tar black. It has been two pack since new so no need to shot blast. Its good stuff easy to use but better when the steel is warm. Having purchased the boat in January last year I wanted to make sure all was well underwater. The previous coats were still in excellent condition below the waterline. Three 2.5 ltr tins did two complete coats above and below the waterline, with enough left to do two more coats below the water line, and about a quarter of a tin left. Mine is 47ft. Andrews service was very good with the delivery three days after order. I have no connection to them only as a satisfied customer. I did the work myself using one tin per day waiting until the steal was as warm as possible. It makes a real difference. I used a lot of cheap very stiff paintbrushes probably three per tin. Make sure when you mix the two parts you are going to use it all. After six hours or so its getting very thick in the bottom of the tin. I am very satisfied with the result. Good luck Johnh

There is a flue baffle inside the stove Jan just below the chimney. And I am usually very careful with my knob.

Check the knob is screwed in which brings the movable baffle plate back into contact with the grill. If its not it then lets in too much air. hence melting paintwork. I have used all types of smokeless fuel including some that is 25 years old and also logs. With smokeless and a very small air gap it stays in for 12 hours, but before I go to sleep I let it burn up for 5 mins just to make sure there are enough hot coals. I have found mine to be economical easy to use and warm enough on a 47 ft boat.

Lovely stove, mine is very efficient on tick over. I fill twice a day and it stays lit 24 hours. The sliding air vent at the bottom suffers from the knob coming loose, this makes the vent not close properly resulting in too much draft. The vent looks like it is shut but is not. Just tighten it but not too much as then you will not be able to operate correctly.

Just found the original paint spec quote, Undercoat two pack polyamide cured epoxy/zinc phosphate resistant steal primer. Top coat for bottom plates two pack epoxy polamide/coal tar pitch black. Which means little or nothing to me. HELP lol

It appears my boat has two pack anti-fouling, two questions. 1, Can I cover with plain bitchumastic. 2, If I stick with two pack can I mix with two pack from different companies. I have no idea which two pack was used previously and the marina advises I cant pain over with two pack from a different manufacturer. Any help or information would be most welcome.

Great location, lovely people, excellent facilities but do not let the Trent put you off. Treat it with respect take advice and you will be rewarded by an excellent trip.

An absolutely terrific set of prints. Thank you for the link

Kiddsgrove must have a lot of it then

I know. I can only plead bad eyesight lol

Why would you purchase a second hand CO alarm. I do not understand that. Just reread OPs post, my mistake sorry

Trip to the tip Aunty Wainwright. I dont believe you said that. The last TV we rescued from the cut and you sold that one. LOL

On my first boat we fitted an Aldi gas boiler for hot water and central heating. It absolutely ate gas to the tune of a 13 kg bottle roughly every ten days. A little less in summer, but not much. The fridge was also gas so that did not help. Now I have diesel fired heating and hot water. Much cheaper. Merry Christmas all

I recently purchased one of theirs second hand, from the original owner. Built in 2000 and owner fit out. Its an excellent shell very well put together. I think they also did the paintwork, which is ready for re-painting. Not bad after 17 years. I cannot comment on currant workmanship but mine is excellent. Based here on the Chesterfield canal our way out is via the tidal Trent which she handles very very well. I am very satisfied John