SteveE

Sorry - a bit slow getting back on this one, Dan. No I haven't experienced cavitation, which was why I was seeking a description of the signs of it. I think that if the swim is as well under the water as the uxter plate seems to be that cavitation is unlikely and the leaves thing might be right. We're on the boat this weekend so I can do a bit more checking. Cheers Steve

Hi Mike Yes, it's air cooled. The cooling air can go out of the engine room doors or the back doors and hatch of the trad stern. Hopefully some of it will go up my trouser legs this weekend!! The Engine room side doors are right next to the cooling fan intake. SteveE

Hi Mike The engine room is right at the back of the boat and there is no access through the bulkhead to the rest of the boat. We always cruise with the engine room doors open. The engine room can be a bit hot and fumey occasionally and, following Snibble's point, this would to some extent be relieved by the engine sucking the engine room air in and then blowing it out of the exhaust. SteveE

Is there any reason why the intake of the Petter engine of our boat could not be a filter on the intake instead of via a long ducting to the roof? I've taken notice of this: a) Why is the position of the engine vents important. To allow the engine a supply of cool air., which John Orentas posted ages ago. Thanks SteveE

Yeah - we had Willow at New Year a few years ago - brilliant. There's also Holly, of recent nicking fame, if you're less than 5' 8" for the back cabin and don't mind all your gear smelling of diesel. SteveE

Newbold Tunnel, GU SteveE

not very often, as I dont want to get it dirty Our boat gets us dirty!!! SteveE

You're describing exactly what happens, Snibble, and the problem has, after all, come on in Autumn. I was interested in John's ideas about air getting to the prop via the swim, rather than under the counter but DecaB is probably right - we haven't lightened the boat enough to cause that. The boat reputedly has a draught of only 2' and I haven't noticed other boaters with the same problem, which was why I was looking for another answer. We're cruising on through Fradley to Great Haywood this weekend so I'll take special notice. SteveE

Thanks for these. The prop's been reversed lots of times so leaves are unlikely. No mention of prop damage was mentioned in the out of water survey in May '07 (but the surveyer didn't record the prop size) and I don't think we've hit anything since then. The engine (Petter PD2) runs beautifully whatever and there's no unusual vibration. The rudder was clear when I had my hand under the boat last weekend. Ah well - might have to get the swimming cozzie on and have a better feel underneath! SteveE

Our old boat has been variable in its performance when under way recently. Sometimes it glides forward with only a ripple from the stern and other times there is a lot more churning of the water and the wash seems to come out sideways from the prop. Examination of the prop (by hanging over the side and waving an arm under the boat - no weed hatch!!) confirms that there is nothing fouling it. We have presumably lightened the boat by removing 4 shelves, an IKEA settee, 2 carpets, a wheely bin full of other assorted crap and about 40 gallons of water from the various bilges. I've looked at all the other threads about prop performance but what does the wash from a ventilating prop look like and is this what we've got? Thanks SteveE

I know this is a really silly question but why don't you build them facing the door? SteveE

No, no. Just get one to drive. Bikes are fine but it's the clothes and the risk of hospitalisation that puts me off them. Steve

Interesting collection. Bit 'folky' for me but LizzyJ will like "Boatload of Wine"! SteveE

Aahh - end of an era. I would get an old car if I were you, John, and you'll never be short of something to do. Join the AA or the RAC as well tho'. Regards Steve

Have you any pics of the boat? SteveE

I hope he saves them for us - we'll be there over new year if we can dodge the stoppages. We will want to booka passage to try and get up to Bosley in early Jan. If you've got your new CWDF stickers on the boat we'll give you a wave. SteveE

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder in these matters, Jim. We looked at an historic wooden boat with a Gardner 4LK in nice condition but, much to my other half's surprise, I didn't like it. Too much like a bus engine, wrong noise and far too big for a narrowboat. Cabin headroom of 5' 8" didn't help either!! Bought an old boat with a Petter PD2 instead - lovely! SteveE

Or going for a stroll with your pet pig dicky flu in porkers SteveE

Hi Martin Yes I'm here and am glad to welcome you to the forum. Thank you for the above information and I would love to see the photos you mention. If you look in the members' list here you'll be able to get my personal message details. I am sure you will find the forum interesting - there is fund of knowledge and experience here as well as humour and barminess. Best regards Steve

The history of H and S in this country suggests that this sort of thing is quite likely. Course the boat could sink while you're reading the notice! Boat driving license on its way????? SteveE

Mole grips are better - they don't slip off at the crucial moment. Used to do this for the kidswhen their milk teeth came loose - god knows why because then the bloody tooth fairy had to come!!! SteveE

This is desperately sad. For anyone who looks at the forum as obsessively as we do your boats get to be like old friends, Carl. Apart from the loss of one more wooden boat what does this say about English 'society'. SteveE