Mad Harold

There are people on here with transdrives,Naughty Cal I think and may be able to advise. There is a manual online for Enfield transdrives,but don't know what make yours is. My tub is outboard powered and it locks itself down in reverse but hangs loose in fwd.There are 3 shallow water tilt up positions and the hand book says not to use reverse in a shallow water tilt up position. I notice that you have chained your transdrive up into a shallow water position. Could this be why it kicks up in reverse?

A sharp Stanley knife will soon fix that! Then have a canvas zip up panel sewn in. An umbrella mount on the tiller is useful too,or you could be like me and in bad weather put the kettle on and light the stove and switch the telly on and callit a day.

With all the flak Peterboat is taking about electric boating I don't think he can be blamed if he trots off to Thunderboat,where he can get higher class criticism.

Nicely done.You're boating needs seem to be well catered for with the electric set up.We may all have a similar drive in time. Lack of boats? I don't know,but around here W.Yorks. they seem to come in waves.Some days no boats moving,and others,loads.Perhaps there is a jungle telegraph that doesn't include us,and the message goes out, (let's all go for a cruise,) and everyone says "yeah,good idea"

A Highbridge would be a good choice,but don't come up for sale very often.I am on my second Norman,and though good solid old boats unless you get the bigger models (the 27 or 32) you may find them a bit small. A diesel grp boat will have in most cases a transom drive.These are quite troublesome and expensive to service and repair. Heating on a petrol powered grp boat is usually a room sealed diesel or gas blown air heater, (Webasto,Eberspacher,or Propex) Osmosis is rare,but if spotted early is easily repaired.

Yes,these are pessimistic (safer) figures,at canal speeds (3-4mph) my old 10hp Yamaha used to burn about 1ltr per hour.At higher power settings,the fuel consumption used to increase dramaticaly. A rough rule of thumb (from my flying days) was, 5 gall per hour per 100hp produced.

A20hp four stroke will probably burn a gallon per hour at full power.At say 2/3rds power about 3 litres per hour. There is a legal maximum amount of petrol that can be carried not only for your own safety,but petrol carried above the legal amount will endanger a wider area if the worst happens. Not trying to be clever,but suggest you recruit a more experienced boater to accompany you on your first trip on the Trent.

My new (to me) boat has no cooking facilities.It has a gas locker,but no piping. I am thinking it would be simpler and probably cheaper to fit a two burner meths stove,but searching the web I am getting confused. Some are advertised as alcohol stoves (the type that seem most suitable for a boat) and others as methylated spirit stoves which look more suitable for camping. I know meths is generally available in DIY stores,but alcohol,I don't know. My question is,do alcohol stoves run on meths? I assume that alcohol will be available in chandleries and camping stores?

Recently sold my boat(1978 Hesford Marine) in good nick,no overplating,BMC engine, and I reluctantly accepted £12000. The main reason for it not attracting better offers was stated by a couple of viewers, was the age. A 41 year old boat (unless it's a historic one) is unlikely to command a high price. I agree with a couple of posters that this boat is only worth £10-12k. Many boats are advertised for prices well above their worth,in the hope that a newbie naive person will come along and buy it(sadly they frequently do).I know,I was one,but in the words of an old jazz song "I's done got wise". I recommend studying past posts on this forum on the subject of boat buying,there have been a lot! and after a time I am sure you will get a better feel for what you are about to embark on.

Have thought of this,but dismissed it as alot of work for little gain.It won't reduce the draught but will get rid of the outdrive,and although I have never had a boat with one,word on the street is they are troublesome.Have a look at a Freeman, or a Creighton or any boat on blocks that has shaft drive,to give you some ideas. My idea(which I dismissed as impractical) was to cut a strip about a foot wide and mould a tunnel for the prop in the stern.The prop would spin in the tunnel through a normal stern gland and be almost like jet drive.The prop depth would be much reduced. Next time you see an old geezer in a pub with his pint staring into space,it could be me dreaming up impractical ideas for his boat. By the way,regarding changing perspex for glass,put a straight edge across one of your front windows because I don't know about the Norman 32,but the Norman 20s front windows have a slight twist so making perspex necessary.

This for the water ingress,but the overheating sounds like further investigation is needed,as it could be one of a number of things.

Ah,but can you sing "Scotland The Brave" in Polish?

In a different life I was involved with aeroplanes and the aluminium ones were painted with etch primer.This was a greenish yellow colour and mixed with a clear liquid which was the acid.It actually ate into the metal slightly and was permanent. I hav'nt seen it used on anything other than aircraft, but an other poster says it'used on buses.

It's a pity that this has happened to Whaley Bridge.It's one of my favourite stopping places,a first rate chippy,The Friary,and an excellent pub,The Goyt.Also the Peak Forest is a lovely stretch of canal.

It is ASPLEY. There is a place somewhere else called Apsley. This mix up happens quite often.

I agree with Tony Brooks. It sounds like too weak a mixture. Once had a problem with a Yamaha outboard stalling when engaging fwd.All the advice from several people was to increase tickover speed which I had already done,but it engaged fwd with a "thud" and stalled. The cure was to set the tickover to the book figure (900rpm if I remember correctly) it then engaged fwd smoothly without stalling.

Aspley have loads in stock. Was in today They are very dear £18! Saw a hireboat steering with the tiller stump.He used the tiller arm on the C&H locks and knackered it!

You are the rudest person I have seen on this forum and Thunderboat too! People on here have years of experience and knowledge of boating matters and generously share their knowledge. I don't believe for one moment you have been boating for 15 years.Maybe living on a hulk for that time,and then starting the engine to find problems.It is not possible to be boating for that length of time and remain totally ignorant of a few mechanical basics. Now please bugger off.

Best of luck Lad. You're a braver man than me!

Just bought a little cruiser,and although it's got a new engine I had it trailered home.The trip would have been on the Trent,and never having "done"it and on a strange unproven boat I had it transported by Alan Pease.He is based in Goole e Yorks. Booked through Shiply the cost from Sileby Mill to Huddersfield was £275 including Shiply's £50 and slipping charge was £20 and £25. He arrived at the arranged time and retrieved ,transported and slipped it in most efficiently using his own trailer. It may be cheaper to contact him direct rather than go through Shiply. His number is 01405 768435.

My guess is ill fitting glass pane possibly with some "burrs" on the edge. Different rates of expansion (metal and glass) caused it. The same thing causes boat windows to leak after a time.Metal expands more than glass so after hundreds or even thousands of cycles the seal says "enough"

Peterboat,I find your posts about electric boating very informative and interesting. You seem to be taking a bit of flak from some members, but I for one (I am sure others too) hope that you keep us informed of progress with your crusade. Nil Illigitemum Carburundum.

Had to. Marple flight was closed. Peak Forest,Macclesfield,T&M,Bridgewater,Rochdale,Ashton,and HNC.

With a few reservations,I enjoyed the prog.I think progs like this and Tim and Pru help to promote interest in canals and boating with the public,and this I think is a good thing. Used to watch Rosie and Jim with my kids and enjoyed that too. I could sing you the Rosie and Jim song if you like.?