tosher

Don't think it will be a problem to overstay. I pass through Nantwich regularly and many boats overstay for weeks on end and i'm sure they all can't have some kind of emergency.

Are there not any thrust bearings to worry about?

I bent our original prop of unknown parentage so replaced it with a Crowther and the difference in the thickness of material was considerable. The Crowther was much more robust and solid and was much heavier than the original. Crowthers repaired and balanced the bent prop and it looked just like brand new when they had finished and it cost £90. (17 x 12)

Well chaps thanks again for your invaluable contribution, it seems I have being doing the calcs all wrong. I have been using the balance blade as a percentage of the rudder blade (and NOT the whole blade) to calculate the balance ratio. What a numpty! So starting again using the few measurements I have I calculate that my balance blade is about 23% of the whole blade and to reduce that to 20% I will need to add about 70 sq. ins. to the rudder blade and leave the balance blade as is it is now. If I square off the trailing edge of the rudder + add a 1.5 inch strip to the base of it that should do the trick and will also cover the point that Rose Narrowboats made about some prop wash missing the rudder. When the boat comes out of the water next month I will do some proper measuring, take some pics and post the results. Many thanks again for all your help. tosher.

Thank you all for the helpfull suggestions and advice and having concidered them all I have decided to carry out the following mods. Cut 1 inch off the leading edge of the balance blade and weld on an extension to the trailing edge of the rudder blade to make it sguare, not angled forward as it is at present. This will reduce the balance ratio from 31% to 22%. If I find this has not reduced it enough I can easily grind some more off the balance blade at the next blacking. Below is a picture off my over balanced rudder at it's last blacking. I do have a little bit of tiller "wobble" at the moment and wondered how cutting 1 inch off the leading edge will affect this (reduce it I hope) as it will increase the distance from the prop to the balance blade from 11 to 12 inches???

Thanks for your comment Dave, I just thought that reducing from 33% to 20% might be a little ambitious for the first attempt.

Having read all the threads on rudder balance I'm sure the rudder on my 57 foot boat is over balanced. If the tiller is released at canal cruising speed the rudder immediately swings fully over and the boat is in the bank in about 15 seconds and only 100% concentration will keep it on a straight course. Having done all the measurements I calculate the balance to be about 33% at present. In an effort to improve the steering I want to reduce the balance to approx 25% when out for blacking next month. This will involve either (1) cutting 1.5 inches off the leading edge of the balance blade or (2) adding 3.5 inches to the trailing edge of the rudder blade to give the required 25%. Could anyone advise which is the best option to take ?????? Thanks.

When it comes to ANY issue involving safety, be it equipment or your actions, just ask yourself the following question --- If there were to be an accident and some one lost their life what would you tell the Coroner !!!!!!!!

Thanks for all the useful tips and advice given it is very helpful and duly noted. . Reading the posts regarding tidal waves, lack of moorings, river clogged up with weed, VHF radio, regulations and by laws I have changed my plans. I have decided to go over Niagra Falls in a barrel, much more simple and far cheaper.

Hi all, we are planning a trip next month from Trent Lock up to Torksey then on to Lincoln and Boston. Any advice on the best charts to use on the Trent and any other tips in general would be very much appreciated. Many thanks.

Yes was working two weeks ago, I think it was Mon, Wed, Fri 10am to midday and 2pm to 4 pm but I think they will respond to a call out almost anytime. Still £10 for a pump out.

£6 per night a month ago. 48 hrs max stay.

I would question the surveyors knowledge of such things. Correctly used and maintained they work fine.

I was advised that if you have a baseball bat make sure you have a ball and a glove as well, say you use it for recreation and are going to practice later.

Thanks pearley.

Could I just ask what the situation is regarding pumping out holding tanks and emptying cassettes while moored in salthouse dock. Can it be done? There were no facilities at all last time I was down there.

Thanks Steve (Eeyore) for the info on removing pulley to change alternator belts, it was exactly as you described. Job now done and new belts fitted. I was amazed how badly cracked and perished the old one was and still working, it looked as though it should have broken long ago. Many thanks again for your help. tosher.

Just done a routine check around my engine and noticed that the smaller of the two alternator drive belts is disintegrating and needs changing asap. Looking into how to do the job - there is one narrow belt (the damaged one) for the small alternator and one wide belt (which is ok) for the large alternator. To remove the old damaged narrow belt and fit the new one it has to be passed over and behind the large outer pulley. There does not appear to be enough room between the back of the large pulley and the engine block for this to happen to allow the smaller belt to locate on the inner pulley. Does the larger pulley have to be removed for this to happen, if so how ??????????? I would be very grateful for any info on changing this belt from anyone who has done it before. Thanks.

I to am from Yorkshire and say what I mean - my Elecsol's are in their 7th year of service and have performed flawlessly. I've looked after them and they've looked after me.

Hi all. Just wondering if it's a good idea to use "Redex" in a modern diesel engine. I have been told that modern fuels, especially supermarket fuels, have a high Biofuel content and this and can cause engine problems. Using the occasional dose of "Redex" can counteract this. Any of you engine experts know if there is any truth in this???

I once had trouble with my bow thruster motor slowing down after a few seconds, the classic signs of a dying battery. I had it drop tested which showed it was fine but I didn't believe it so I bought a new battery. Guess what happened when I fitted the new battery -- just the same. The lesson that a drop test is a pretty good way of testing batteries cost me £80.