Mad Harold

I recently sold my narrowboat to two lads who are at Huddersfield Uni.A major plus point for them was the fact that the boat had a mooring already at Aspley Wharf. They seem quite happy with the boat in that they smile and say hello whenever I see them,rather than grabbing me by the lapels saying "about this boat you sold us" It does hurt a bit when it goes chugging past,but I don't liveaboard and my family have no interest in boating ,I only go off for odd weekends ,so the boat was wasted on me. Why would a medical student want to study 1970s music? Can't think of any,apart from that silly birdie song.

If he is ok with it follow your surveyor around (allowing him some room) and ask questions.They are generally knowledgable and affable types who are happy to answer any questions.

Just found some interesting info on the Highbridge 32. www.boat.la14.uk dawncraft history. Seems the Highbridge 32 started out as the 27ft Dawncraft Rover,and when Dawncraft first went into liquidation,(they did about three times,and rose from the ashes) one of their senior employees modified the design and sold it as the Highbridge Crusader independant of the Dawncraft company. What is also very interesting,is that Dawncraft advertised some of their boats as being outboard powered and also inboard powered but with the prop spinning in a tunnel within the hull. I would love to see how this was done.

Bloody Americanism! The correct (British) gesture, is index and middle finger,raised palm inwards making a "V"aimed at the person who is annoying you.

Information on the Highbridge Crusader is a little scanty on the web. Dawncraft did make a 30 footer which looks like the boat advertised,which was called the Dawncraft Rover. Could it be one of these? Anyway, it's far too dear in my opinion,I think about half the opening bid. Personally I wouldn't want it with a Z drive. (troublesome, expensive things) Done a little internet digging and found this boat for sale on another site at £17-500 ! I think someone is trying it on!

Is it newly fitted? Had a similar problem with my diesel hot air heater.Worked fine in the garage at home,but kept cutting out on the boat. Problem was voltage drop caused by too long and too thin wire. As BS has suggested try a direct connection to the battery.

I have a purpose made holster and handcuff key holder that attaches to my belt. You need both hands free for lock ladders and for crossing lock gates. The windlass does tend to bang into the cabin side when you are on the gunwale,unless you slide the belt around so that it hangs over your backside.

When I first got my boat (BMC 1500) a couple of old boaters commented that the BMC 1500 was a good engine,but may have done a quarter of a million miles in a taxi before it even saw a boat. Shouldn't listen to towpath myths.

The BMC 1500 is a reliable and durable engine.A more modern japanese based conversion may well be quieter and smoother,but I doubt it will be any more fuel efficient or reliable. It will be far easier and cheaper to replace your engine with the same. You could also look at having your present engine completely overhauled.It doesn't have to be done by a marine specialist,there are several outfits,on line who overhaul engines (usually for road vehicles) at reasonable prices. The BMC 1500 was used in many applications the one that comes most readily to mind was the black taxicab. The technology of this engine will be well known to most engine overhaulers. The BMC 1500 is a reliable and durable engine.A more modern japanese based conversion may well be quieter and smoother,but I doubt it will be any more fuel efficient or reliable. It will be far easier and cheaper to replace your engine with the same. You could also look at having your present engine completely overhauled.It doesn't have to be done by a marine specialist,there are several outfits,on line who overhaul engines (usually for road vehicles) at reasonable prices. The BMC 1500 was used in many applications the one that comes most readily to mind was the black taxicab. The technology of this engine will be well known to most engine overhaulers.

I think it would be a load of extra work and expense for very little gain. I'm sure you know that our grp cruisers can be all over the cut when it's windy due to light weight and shallow draught.From what I have seen of boats with bowthrusters,they are only of any use when reversing.

Agree.Keep the job simple.Flexi exhaust and a silencer that will fit the available space,and a hull fitting next to the exhaust outlet for the cooling water outlet,dispensing with the wet exhaust. It will be a fiddly awkward job looking at the engine hole photo.I did something similar on my last boat which had an equally tight engine hole,which involved lying on my stomach,hanging inverted in th engine hole,and gingerly standing on the engine bearers,being careful not to pull any wires or cables.It was a difficult job for me,and I am supposed to be able bodied😖 Wish you the best of luck,and hope you get everything sorted soon.

You name it,the HNC will have it in it!

If you can't make your own "proper"bread,then next time you are in "God's own county" visit The Handmade Bakery at lock 23E in Slaithwaite on the Huddersfield Narrow. Their selection of traditional breads are superb.

There is direct raw water cooled and indirect raw water cooled. Direct,canal water is pumped around the engine waterjacket. Indirect,the canal water is pumped through a heat exchanger and exits either through the exhaust or a hull fitting. The cooling water for the engine is on a seperate circuit and circulates through the heat exchanger and is sealed like a car system.Antifreeze is usually added to the sealed system so there is no need to drain the engine coolant in winter. You system looks to be the indirect raw water cooled type. It may be necessary to drain the heat exchanger if leaving the boat for any length of time in below zero temperatures.The heat exchanger will probably drain itself through the exhaust and it may be prudent to drain the raw water pump by temporarily removing the inlet hose. Be sure to turn the water inlet seacock off,because on some installations water can syphon to the pump.