Clodi

Yep I've got the lot. I've decided to stop-up for the day and Im checking/renewing all the connectors and the wires themselves working on the theory that if one failed they're probably all dodgy

Yesterday after many hours of trouble-free cruising the motor refused to stop, a quick investigation found one of the wires had parted company with it's crimped connector. I tried pocking the wire back in but didn't work so I stopped the engine manually. I've now put a nice new connector in place & cleaned all the other connectors including the push in plugs mounted on the engine. When I turn the key all the lights come on but nothing happens. I've checked the starter battery seems OK so I tried using a portable jump start battery, still nothing. Apart from cleaning/checking all the various plugs what else should I try?

Thanks, my plan i to get 3 coat on next year and try to top looking like a 'Crusty' boat.

Ysgyfarnog is still wearing her 'sailaway' coat of battleship grey. I know it looks pretty awful but I want to treat the odd surface rust spots on the roof etc & I have onboard a full tin of Hammerite red oxide and a similar Screwfix tin. Question is, assuming I treat and paint the rust spots are there any undercoat paints that don't like going over Red Oxide when I come to paint it properly next year?

When I was a lad i was always told to 'keep off the grass'

Makes you feel old though!

To be fair I'm not really too bothered about the width of locks. I'm actually disabled so any lock is a chore in itself which I have to manage. As I stated in my original post I'm not really up to date with the waterways in question I'm about to cover and value greatly the opinions of those 'in the know'. As the saying goes " Mann Trach, Un Gott Lacht" as long as get there in one piece I'll be happy, my kids think I'll be lucky to get there for Christmas

Thank You to everybody who has read and commented. I shall opt for this, hopefully less punishing route and pray the gods smile down on me, who knows I may be safely moored up 'Home' before we leave the EU .

On the K&A you may find problems not so much from NBs but other wide beam vessels. We lost a day due to a couple of fatties jammed against each other under a bridge

I'm just about to set off Friday from Stockton Top on the GU to our new (to us) home mooring on the Middlewich Branch of the 'Shroppie' namely Stoke Hall Lane moorings . Ysgyfarnog is a 57' narrowboat and I'll be mostly single-handed with a dodgy shoulder relying heavily on my trusty 'Go-windlass' ratchet lock key (works for me) I don't really know this area or the route but looking on canalplan.org I have a choice of the more direct route 94 miles, ¾ furlongs and 126 locks, around a week at 8 hours a day. Or 3 alternative routes with fewer locks. Alternative route 3 looks to be physically the easiest lockwise at only 66 locks but longer at 138 miles, ½ furlongs. Whilst alternative 3 will cost more in fuel and is around 10 days longer, time is not a particular problem only that the boat is unfitted so I'll be without the usual home comforts, however at least a woodburner is in place so the dog and I won't freeze. All observations and advice will be gratefully received. Also I don't really know what closures I should check for until I decide upon my route.

My boat has recently been craned in and out with a heritage stove midships and 6 Trojan 105's on the port side at the stern with no problems at all

Thank you everyone for your valued advice.

Trouble is hospital appt then taking youngest off to start uni in York, the only definite date I have is after York.

I'mnot sure of route yet, if I'm single handed I may take the longer route (less locks) up the North Oxford.

My boat is currently out of the water & it's going in at Stockton top Marina on Wednesday. Cumstances dictate that I'll have to something I've never done before and leave her unattended on the towpath side for a short while. First question does anyone know the area & is it pretty 'safe' to leave unattended or are there areas to avoid?. I'm travelling up to the Shroppie Middlewich Branch so going under the bridge where the fat-boat was stuck recently ( we have a narrow-boat btw) Second question using goat chain do you pad-lock to secure the vessel?

I've grown up on, in & around the upper-reaches of the Great Ouse and leisure cruisers have always had 'Sea-toilets' that simply pump directly overboard.

OK, I get the letting a bit of water out to get the gates closed,but surely if one's paying attention, the paddles can be quickly closed whilst the problem is rectified. I've seen lots of 'near misses' when the situation is caught in time and a bit of water slowly added to save the day.

It's not on a lot of NB owners list either. Not everyone has a ' Shiny Boat', lots of people get by with slapping on a couple of coats of B&Q's finest exterior

I think there may be an argument for Bridge height markers similar to the road system to be put in place.

The thread title is brilliant ?

Had You checked the oil, water, stern gland etc before you set off?. Now the new oil-light switch has been fitted does the oil-light stay off?. If she's still out of the water it may be a false economy not to get her bottom blacked.

We had a ski/wakeboard bar which doubled as a protection bar. I seem to recall the bar bolted onto the motors therefore lifted up when tilted. Bought it in a marina in France off the shelf so they can be found.

When you say 'in the bathroom' I take it you mean the interior walls & depending on what's there already any good quality bathroom pain will do the job.

I just purchased one as well.

I've use Hycote & similar on pick-up beds, Landrovers, Travel-Trucks even on wet-room floors inside Surf vans. It's really good stuff.