Strads

being one on the RN engine owners that had a double "vintage" pump that was over engineered, accept for grease feeds and the small one "hidden" and thimble sized at one discreet point on the yolk eventually failed on me - ignorance... with a bang... so now have fitted a smal electric pump that "works" pending engineering a new pump that is mechanically/belt driven.. RN are reaonably robust and up for the job, but the price of "engineered bits for it are eye wwatering".. re ownsership: suggest a read here - http://www.russellnewbery.co.uk/engines.html Club ownership just topped 250, but like many not sure re its long term future. They did look at selling to suitable folks last year, and I dont now why there was no progress. But the key directors are either ageing/retired on have had serious health issues which they are focussing on - rightly so, leaving a void re engine production. The neewsletter has recently stated that they may have produced the last DM3 having no more engine blocks, cranks, cams available, so any more would be probably eye watering in price and completely specially commisioned... still they have a reasonable range of parts at the "works" so not dire..

Or Tony B on here runs "training" courses - check his site out for details on the general bits and pieces... question, did you get the boat surveyed? or test drive? seems a snag list might be a good idea and then order re priority / cost etc have fun though.... my beer and popcorn are on order..

Ummh burgers and onions for me please.... and two gallons of fine ale..and ssssstraw....please will put in the diary and see what happens!

Best give it @ 15-20 years to get the remaining bits all connected back up to Newtown.. now my coat was by the popcorn sellers stand a minute ago!

would reccommend some foot work to view potential sites and chat with those in residence on the options/contacts to gain access, if private this will be the best approach to identifying sites and recognising whether they are suitable re location, for things like parking, journey time, facilities, etc price will be one of the last points generally.. but friends and conatcts also may help also google map the area to check out the "look" of places

From some onethat also has a oil fired heritage stove that i fill 2 twice a year, pump out that last 6-8 weeks at atime, and water tank that last 2-3 weeks with 2 x daily showers,,, and also a northwich trader, I also dont miss the weekly lump and and dump... etc etc.. I also have that warm inner glow of a well thought out boat.... all are welcome to their opinions on what is "best" for them... I know what I prefer, Oh and i no longer buy fuel but have @20 plus days cruising a year..

Presume thats tongue in Ar%e !!

Hi I have a DM3 with a RN hydraulic drive gear box - both @75 years old but reconditioned @ 6 years. Happy to share details on experiences / issues. I converted the fuel system with the filters from RN @ 2 years ago to enable the engine to run on used engine oil etc. I have had no major issues with the engine, either starting or in running it. Happy to discuss the details further if required. In October last year the water pump through a wobbly due to my not realising that it had a secret grease thimble, and after 3 years without grease it went bang - big time replaced for now with an electric pump while I figure out the new pulleys water a pully driven jansco pump i have from RN... any want to know more/share notes give me a pm cheers john

Damm not enough time and i dont have a real working boat.. over to Mr Fincher to blade in quickly!!

At least we didnt get any one from the rspb....

Ally. supprised you dont leave the invertor on 24/7 - ? if you turn on/off dosnt that throw it more? (from a non elek non techy perspective) I say that as i have mine on 24/7.. perhaps checking the small print on current power etc might also throw some light on it(invertor etc)

Each year I go, I meet more cwf folks plus all the older ones i know, but still miss out on so many.. still its an excuse to go back again .. Ah well Boxmoor and Crick for next weekend then!! probably means more beers and stuff (again!!) see that we just sneaked in a few glances of Lincoln... Waiting to see more of the TOW and dave's swan dive !! plus the lock in and coal boat shuffle!!

Jeanette - I think youve missed the point that we are mmore cool (!) than to brag that we WILL be consuming too much ale and living in the bar when open or darkish. or playing at tuc of war verses the Tugs, clover et all - just have to tow victoria backwards again !! hopefully meet a few folks and connect names to faces and boats!

dont worry the meths for sale in france smells of vanila.. and is clear we used to buy 5 lites at a time for our Trangia stoves before we converted them to gaz.. work a treat at high camp and elsewhere..

vinegar... try pouring some in the loo bowl occasioanlly.. not sure re strength and how long it lasts verse the scale, but keeps the "front" end looking good and must work in the tank in the same way - to a degree... you can try lemon juice but whilst a better smell bloody expensive!

Thats very true dek's.. some of us will be there!! moored right by it too! so may see you there and as others have said beer in the beer tent too (maybe!!) cheers

K - we are going the opposite way - getting rid of the beast as we bought the boat with it on board and really dont use it - even on a shore line etc.. each to their own needs

Having erh read through a bunch of comments , quite a few polarised, you can see the factions lining up to justify their position. I have owned/lived in 5 houses since leaving home - accross the UK - none had gas to the property. I have become accustomed to cooking on electric hobs or aga/heritage stoves that are oil fired. Are these perfect - no not quite, but then again nor are "most" of the gas stoves, the majority of us have probably never known, as in lived with the alternatives for a year or 3 to make serious comparisons.. ----- I have a gas free boat - we use a heritage Uno or coal fired stove in the boatmans,,, heritage does take @ 10 mins to get warm and start cooking - but when down we close it down if not required - the radiant heat drys the towels nicely. being on a 7 day variable timer we get the showers hot etc .. yes its warm whilst on but never unbearable... more like NICE.. Our friends get their kettle boiled quicker when out, but in boating terms I can wait 5 mins most fo the time,,, so I can see the merit of both systems... both have their pluses and minuses... and costs.

Tried emailing the manufactuers in germany for parts stockist in the UK?

Alan, firstly congratulations on buying an older boat with an engine with "character", secondly the new engine roon work out sound like a new fitnes and russian roulete in one.. (just joking), much more about learning to live with the beast!! possibly a modest investment in a new battery might help once you get a chance to fully check her and the alternator/controller out. cheers john

Thats being a tadge generous in describing it.. very odd assymetric design.. not that clever looking on/in the water - looks a handfull in the wind, but each to own preferences