Mad Harold

Ah yes, but there is water and water. This is obviously high quality CRT water. 😜

Think he means Humber Barge. Being brought up in Hull, I used to see them ploughing up the Humber fully loaded with about a foot of freeboard.

A variation on this that my old man used to say. The boy stood on the burning deck, his back to the mast. He wouldn't move a single step ' till Oscar Wilde had passed. Now Oscar was a cunning chap, he threw the lad a plum, and when he bent to pick it up.............

I once met a bloke in a pub, who had a cousin, who's wife had a friend who swore that she had once seen water in the HNC. 🎃🐵🐸😜

Well the answer seems to be.. SHUT ALL THE NORTHERN CANALS. And leave all the southern ones. That's levelling up for you! I seem to remember that you once said that the HNC was one of your fave canals.😪

Yes, everything that should be loose and supple goes stiff, and things that should be tight and stiff, goes loose and floppy! Don"t think you are too old for boating untill you get hold of the towpath and can't let go! 😰

I don't know how much CRT spend on maintaining the navigation only, apart from bridges and other stuff, but the navigation only. The canals local to me are the ones with the most stoppages, The Huddersfield Narrow and Broad,The Calder and Hebble, The Rochdale, The Peak Forest, and The Macclesfield. These are surely among the most picturesque canals in the country and I guess the most expensive to maintain. Being a rather frugal Yorkshireman, I would still be prepared to pay a substantial increase in the licence fee if it was "Ringfenced" for maintainance of the navigation. Don't know if this would be practical,but if an increase in licence fee just goes 'into the pot' then things will not improve.

I agree with Barneyp about a fixer upper.A boat is far more difficult to "fettle" than a house and you will put far more money into it than you will be able to sell it for. If you enjoy DIY then that is a good enough reason for buying a project, but personally, I would rather pay extra for a boat with a current BSC and pretty much "ready for use" rather than a project.Even a ready to go boat will still need work,as the boat that needs nothing doing to it has yet to be built! Regarding mooring in the Manchester area, I have been through the Rochdale nine (AKA ' anal street) a couple of times with no problems, but I have heard that some people have had 'incidents'

I think Tracy (as in the words of an old jazz song) is "Tellin' it like it is man"

There are a couple of Dawncraft projects on Facebook at the moment, £400 and £600. Another couple in "ready to go" condition for £4500.There are others around a bit dearer, depends how well equipped they are. Dawncraft (apart from the Rover and Highbridge) are about the cheapest grp boats available and also Norman. Can't help with moorings as I have no knowledge of the Manchester area. If you buy a Dawncraft you will almost certainly have loads of ball ache fettling to do as with most grp boats that will most likely have been neglected prior to selling. Leaking windows, leaking air vents,leaking handrails, deck fittings, mooring cleats and the canopy. The two most expensive items to replace on a grp boat are the canopy (£1000-£1400) and the engine.(£2-3000) A heater is important if you are spending nights aboard, and the Dawncraft 32 is a centre cockpit, and will be a pain to heat both cabins,a better bet would be a single cabin boat. Best of luck with your search. There is actually a Facebook Dawncraft owner's forum. It may be worthwhile joining.

I agree totally. For me the joy of boating is cruising and looking at the scenery drifting past.For that, practically any boat will serve the purpose.On the boats I had, the overnight accomodation left something to be desired, and had I stayed away for more than a week I would have made the boat more comfortable.Much as I love boats, I don't want to live on one. When I first bought a boat on my first overnight stop out on the cut, I found it a bit scary.Wind moaning through the trees, a distant fox bark, pitch dark and scuffling against the hull (ducks) Wouldn't want it any other way now, when going off for a few days, but living full time on a boat, it's not for me.

Nice photo Alan.I can now put a face to a name .I generally try to imagine what posters on here look like, and generally picture grumpy old Gits or Bag Ladies.😜

I think there was one of these boats for sale on either e bay or Facebook recently Nottingham area if I remember correctly. It was a much darker colour than yours and was owned by a lady. I looked at the ad several times but thinking of the practicalities of me trying to maintain a wooden boat, I thought no. Apart from the fact that my local canals are the HNC, Hudd Broad, Calder and Hebble and Rochdale, I think I would soon have it wrecked cruising these waterways.

It is a lovely looking boat.For someone who likes these sort of boats,(wood) then this is the sort of boat they will like. What's it look like now? as these pictures are from 2014.

Could you put a label on your poo tank saying Diesel, and one on your fuel tank saying Sewage. Only you of course will know which is which. 😜

My wristwatch, a 13mm spanner which came with the toolkit on an MZ motorbike, marked DDR which I had for years, and the prop spacer on an outboard.

Best compromise is a leisure mooring where the management is a bit "Laisez Faire" I know one 'oop North' with leccy, pump out/Elsan,shower, waste disposal, diesel and coal and chandlery, plus several pubs within easy staggering distance.They also allow mail to be delivered. Don't want to compromise them,so if you PM me, I will tell you where it is.

Very commendable lad. Set us all an example and get your cheque to CRT in the post.

It's easy enough to join.Just put your details in the relative box and promise to be nice to everyone and join.

Got a similar story. Once bought a brand new Velocette Venom motorbike built entirely from new parts.Intended to get it on the road at some point, but in the meantime I kept it in my living room against the wall with a table largely hiding it. She was ok with it for a time, but eventually started giving me ear ache about it, culminating in "either that thing goes or I do" Stupidly I sold the bike, and the relationship with this female ended some time later. I have cursed myself ever since for being so weak.

Here's one for vintage engine enthusiasts. Thornycroft RA4 25HP Petrol/paraffin. Saw this on Facebook Abandoned Boats, unable to post a link, but it should be easy to find.

Yes, it's a right mouthful of exam answer rubbish. Isn't she a bit too bright to be standing on the towpath rattling a collecting tin?