Mad Harold

It does look ok. Petrol engines are between 150-200 psi,I guess a diesel will be double that. If it works ok,please let us know.

Just replaced my flexi exhaust tubing {the spiral type} and am wondering is it usual to soak the insulating bandage before fitting? My thinking is that it will expand a little and shrink when running the engine,giving a nice tight fit. Thanks, T

The part about leaving rusting steel undisturbed is interesting. Does that mean you should not scrape off the rust before blacking? and simply pressure wash or steam clean?

160 litres when full will weigh about 350lb 158kilos,so it won't move around too much.My tank is bedded on carpet and the sides are in contact with the hull,and even when half full or less,I can't move it. I think you need to check the dimensions of the tank when it is full and compare these measurements with your available space.It may transpire that you may ,like me have to settle for a smaller tank.

The only company I've seen advertising custom tanks is Duratank. Perhaps an "off the peg"bladder tank would fit the space you have.There is one in my boat,and it folds enough to fit the bow space when empty,and on filling it expands to fill the available space.It's not very big though,it only holds 23 gallons.

Worst case is ,a full hull overplate at £180 per foot.If the survey is correct then,steam cleaning or grit blasting,rust pits spot welded,and blacking.However,if you haven't commissioned the survey yourself,be wary.It might be correct,but on the other hand,it may not be worth the paper it's written on. When buying a used boat,you are swimming in shark infested waters. [I do speak from bitter experience]

The inside looks very nice,but there is a question mark over the hull. Personally I would offer £10K,and if not accepted,I would look elsewhere. There is going to be considerable expense having the work done on the hull,lift out/dry docking fees,labour costs of £45-48 per hour plus materials.You will probably only bring it up to it's market value,which I think for a 30 year old Springer in reasonable condition would be about £15K

"Popsie"is a 30ft narrowboat built 1978 by Hesford Marine of Lymm Cheshire.According to my recent survey,the original steel thickness was 6,5,3,and has had the uxter or counter [not sure what it's called,but the horizontal plate above the prop] overplated at some time. I have not come across another Hesford Marine boat,and although Hesford Marine are still in business,they don't build boats anymore, and when I phoned to ask for any information about my boat, was told that the business had changed hands since 1978, and they had no records of the business that far back. I would like to know how Hesford Marine boats were/are regarded. Quality,budget or in the middle.it seems to have withstood the years pretty well,by either being built of quality steel,or by being well looked after by previous owners. I would be grateful for any information that anyone has on Hesford Marine boats. Thanks in advance.

My old Norman 20 used just under 1 litre per hour at canal speeds. Yamaha four stroke 9.9 hp.

I too bought my boat without a survey,for the same reason as you.[Missing out because there was someone else willing to buy without a survey] The nearest dry dock was not available for seven weeks so I took the risk and bought.When I had it surveyed,it was found to be satisfactory for comprehensive insurance cover.[Not a brilliant survey report,but generally ok] My only regret is not being a member of CNF before buying,because I would have been much better informed about the ins and outs of buying a boat thanks to the vast amount of information generously contributed by members. Please keep us informed of your progress,it could be useful to others in er the same boat. Best of luck.

There are posts on this site.{or it may have been Thunderboat} discussing housing benefit for people who livaboard.It appears that if you qualify some or all mooring fees are paid.

But it is about the boating. You can travel around and go places in a campervan,but it will not be enjoyable with crowded roads and driving through busy towns is my idea of hell. A boat is different in that it is much slower,rarely in a traffic hold up,and you may travel all day without meeting another boat. Living aboard is not much cheaper long term than renting a flat,although I have heard of some people CCing on a shoestring budget. Your burial shroud wont come with pockets,{ although I don't know about Scottish ones} so flog your flat for whatever you can get,and move on. If what you say is true about property prices in your neck of the woods,then if boating doesn't suit you,buy your flat back for less than you sold it for.

If you google Rightmove,there are at the moment eleven houses and flats for sale between 40 and 50k in Huddersfield.There are still lots of back to back houses here and usually sell quite cheaply. [Yeah, yeah, I know,who wants to live in Huddersfield] I've lived here 40 odd years and like it. The Huddersfield Broad and Narrow run through the town and there are plenty of good pubs and eating places.

I like the sensuous curve of the bow. It looks reminiscent of a Viking longboat prow.Looks better than two steel sheets welded together to form a vee.I also like the "stick on" rivets,anyone know where I can buy a packet? they would make my old tub look like a genuine old tub.

Lovely ship. Wouldn't be very practical on the Huddersfield Narrow though,

I would love to build my own boat but,I don't have the knowledge,the skill,or the courage.You're a braver man than me,Ludy. Perhaps listening to the music of Anton Dvorak with the volume turned up,while you work will help and also cover the noise of hammering and sawing. Suggest his Slavonic Dances.

Many thanks Alan. Thats just what I'm looking for.OK, I'll call it by it's correct name.A windlass. PS. Could you tell me what that bent bollard thing very close to lock gates is called.?They always seem to be bent the wrong way for tying to.

Does anyone know if there is a special belt /holster for holding a lock handle.? At the moment I am using a length of rope tied around my waist with a reef knot,and a small loop with a reef knot for the lock handle.As I sail solo,it is necessary to have hands free for lock ladders and crossing lock gates.The length of rope works,but I think I must look like a vagrant. I will be grateful for any information and where to buy one. [if there is such a piece of kit] Thanks in advance.

Lots of advice here for you,but you will find like me,your own way of doing things.I always sail solo because my family have no interest in boating,and I haven't found anyone daft enough to sail with me. Here's my contribution: pick a calm day for your first trip,stock up with plenty of grub and lots of stuff to drink,[you're going to lose a lot of sweat!],Don't plan on going to a specific place,just cruise the cut.Don't put yourself under pressure to get somewhere. When you start to get tired,moor up and rest. I find after about fifteen locks,I start making mistakes and getting clumsy,you will find your own limits. Best of luck.

The water pump on my boat does not have an accumulator.I think it is a Sureflow,and it does operate for a couple of seconds every now and then.Sometimes it operates every few minutes,and other times every few hours.I have checked very thoroughly for leaks but can find none.I assume that the pressure is dropping for some reason [probably muck in the pump] cleaning the pump is on the "to do" list.There is a switch on the control panel for the pump,and it is switched off at night.

Yes,I know. Just being flippant because I have a fortnight's leave and am getting quite bored looking at all the stop notices,and wondering where to cruise in the next two weeks.Am in Huddersfield and I think I could get to Leeds and possibly Skipton.Going the other way on the Calder I think I could get as far as Sowerby Bridge. I could also just have a fortnight's holiday on the boat at it's mooring. Where's this torrential rain we've been promised? Decisions,decisions.

Couldn't find this word in my dictionary,but it sounds like someone has had their virginity restored by refenestration.

Only stoned three times?Perhaps you need to visit more pubs! Seriously though,incidents described by Oarfish are thankfully rare.[ I came through Anal Street solo on midday with no problems] A boater I know keeps a competition catapult and a supply of marbles handy for incidents described here,but it is not advisable.