dave moore

I can’t help but you may not know that Laurence died several years ago now, hence the website vacancy.

My first hire boat experience was with Graham Palmer and his friend Howard, he hired one of the wooden fleet from Ernie Thomas at Calf Heath, an ex working boat hull with a square stern. Soon after I spent a few weeks with Lady Helen, a Gas St based hire boat, skippering it for a film crew. They were making a film about our canals, the trip was from Stoke Bruerne to the Anderton Lift. I never saw the finished film, if ever it saw the light of day. That was 1967.

Absolutely, James.

You may find that engineering or blue bricks have been used for ballast, they are superior to normal brick in that they are impervious to water, an advantage in a bilge.

I’m afraid that these are the new normal for many. I’ve seen a good few in use by volunteer lock keepers. What can be done, I don’t know….

As has been said, pictures are needed. The whole windlass thing has been on my mind for some time, there seems to be a dearth of anything decent available these days. Admittedly, I’m a dyed in the wool traditionalist with a few proper taper headed ones, mostly acquired years ago, a couple of historics more years than I care to remember. A while back, a Facebook post and photo showed wear to the corners of a paddle spindle, the poster laying the blame on the modern parallel plate things with laser cut holes. These only give minimal contact with the spindle and I think would easily slip. Curious, I looked online and found only those and some aluminium headed ones available from chandleries. The aluminium headed one seemed to have a couple of holes without a taper, again making for a poor fit. Both types seem to be in common use by boaters and volunteers alike. The exception if you can source one are the Dunton windlass, a very different kettle of fish. I find it disheartening in this day and age that this situation persists, an idea shared by my fellow old timers. I suspect that the cost of a decent forged or cast windlass with a proper tapered shank and handle set at less than 90 degrees would put many boaters off buying one. A shame. What think you?

I remember it well. Who forgot to close the injector drains? I fitted an hour meter to ours to help tell running hours for an oil change. I’ve heard good things about Tom.

If it’s only 300 hours since the rebuild, I wouldn’t have thought too much would need doing if it runs sweet and clean. Good luck with it. Lovely motors!

I’ve been to Worcester today, with time to spare I went to Diglis Basin for a look around. A depressing mix of CRT restrictive signage along the approach to the first of the two locks to the river, some awful fat boats designed by those with little, if any, boating experience. A couple of boats lifted my spirits, the Pollock tug Swallow and Roger Hatchard’s lovely “ Lead Us”, a Northwich inspired short narrow boat. Boatless for the last 5 years, I’m not altogether sorry.

I know. I helped you down Delph this morning. I would hope that most readers have a decent knowledge of what is where, Brum is some way away down the main line for me. I know the extension well, close to home.

As a local, I think that Gosty is the dialect pronunciation of Gorsty. Gorsty Hill Road which runs from Blackheath towards Coombeswood and Hawne Basin, is spelt with the R.

If that is your boat I saw yesterday moored above the Merry Hill Centre on the Dudley canal, you are not in Birmingham. This is the Black Country for sure!

When we adopted our cat from Cats Protection we were advised to keep her indoors for at least a month. I sealed the existing cat flap with mount card and gaffer tape. A couple of weeks later she landed on our bed cold and damp. I went downstairs to discover the card hanging by a thread, she had worked out the barrier and clawed the tape away! Perhaps we’ve been lucky but in more than 5 years we have only had 2 birds taken. We keep feeders next to our patio, quite often the birds feed with the cat close by, unconcerned, on the furniture.

Just out of interest, when we started our J3 on petrol, I was advised by one of the Gardner family that the old fashioned 4 star was preferable to unleaded, having a higher octane rating. It made starting easier, though we converted to thermostart soon afterwards. I’m aware of the stale petrol issue.

I’ve had contact with the OP and shared information. Job done!

I used to do it too.....

Thanks for that. I drove past early afternoon and saw several appliances, all busy. The 16 were busy too, in both directions, I’ve no idea whether the blaze impacted.

An aesthetically superior solution. If only I had a pillar drill.....👍

It could be an idea to it a small Jubilee clip on the shank. If it goes in then a magnet should recover it. Just a thought.

Lovely!!

Ray, I can’t be certain but I recall the name as one of Malcolm Braine’s Boats. Graham Edgson took over in 86 so it would have been built beforehand. I’ll try and contact his son Ian who has t his archives, he may be able to shed more light. Dave Ive just heard from Ian and yes, it is a Braine boat, 62’ and BMC powered. He has a file in the archives if you need any more detail.

Ray, I can’t be certain but I recall the name as one of Malcolm Braine’s Boats. Graham Edgson took over in 86 so it would have been built beforehand. I’ll try and contact his son Ian who has t his archives, he may be able to shed more light. Dave

I know the seller. Years ago he asked me about valuing a water can a family member had painted. I told him how long it would take me and he responded “ It took about a week “ I assume that that included drying time etc. I’m afraid that the Black Country Metalworks cans are a poor substitute for the real thing, the ones I’ve worked on are put together abroad by folk who have no knowledge of originals. Why a company based in Oswestry claims a West Midland origin, I’ve no idea.

Exactly the crap I had in mind. And look at the price!

No longer a boat owner, I have little need to visit chandleries these days. I’ve followed the windlass thread with interest and occasional revulsion and thought then that I’d look to see what is available from a couple of chandlers. My searches turned up disappointment in droves. The wretched open welded monstrosity was readily available ( I can only endorse Tracy’s comments on that one ) along with double eyed aluminium things which didn’t seem to have a tapered socket. Other than Duntons there doesn’t seem to be anything decent to buy. The only exception I know of is one made by Simon Wain at Brinklow Boat Services, which would be a one off custom made proper job. A friend acquired one recently and was delighted with it…..I’m guessing it wasn’t cheap but a decent windlass is a joy to use….