FloatyMcBoaty

Thank you all for your helpful replies. Are there any good resources or online videos that will give me a better idea on how to carry out the work that you've suggested above?

Sorry! Pictures attached. There's nothing around the prop shaft that we can see. Checked out the weed hatch earlier. We have been going fairly quick all day. I've dropped the speed back a bit now and the smoke has eased off a bit.

Hey all, Quick question, I'm currently cruising on the Thames and the Lister Engine on my 40ft narrowboat seems a little smokier than normal. We've been doing a fair speed all day (after resolving a dead battery issue) but now this is worrying me! If I lift the stern hatch the smoke seems to be coming out of the two boxes (?) with the little levers on the top of the engine. I know nothing about engines. (please see pictures) We added about 5 litres of normal (non red) diesel earlier to the existing red diesel just for reference as we did think we'd run out before we realised our previous issue was a battery issue. Is this normal? We're leaving quite the trail of smoke. Thanks!

Thank you all very much for your input - you're not wrong, it suddenly all feels a bit overwhelming! I'm not deterred and will be making part of the trip this weekend based on your feedback. Just to clarify a few things: I have will have a crew - yes inexperienced, but hardy and positive like myself! I have lifejackets Questions, questions and more questions! I think there is an anchor on the boat (I'm just getting this checked as I'm not near the boat). If not, would this suffice? Do I need both warp and chain and if so what length is recommended (i've never used an anchor before). Should it be attached to the bow - I'm reading conflicting information online? I think I will undertake just the first part of the trip this weekend, get a feel for the boat and stop before I get to the Thames. It sounds like it makes sense to do the Thames in one go as I don't want to run out of time before I reach the Grand Union, especially if there is no where to moor without paying through the nose. Is there plenty of space to moor freely around Reading just before the Thames? The whole tide situation is confusing me a little. On Saturdays and Sundays in June it looks as if the Brentford lock is only available for a few hours in the morning through to the afternoon. If the high tide doesn't correspond with these times does it mean you have to wait until the next day or will the high tide usually correspond? I'm going to speak to the lock master if possible to get a better understanding. DMR - why do you suggest avoiding a spring tide? Thanks again for all your help.

Thank you both for the very detailed replies. I'm going to read through everything you've written in more detail tomorrow morning (and then inevitably return with more questions).

Title is a little bit dramatic, really it shouldn't be ? I'm planning on moving my new narrowboat from Thatcham (near Monkey Marsh Lock) on the River Kennet all the way up to Uxbridge. I've been advised that this route is fairly straight forward and have mapped it out on canalplan.org.uk. I plan on getting as far as possible over 3 days (Saturday to Monday). I was told that I should think of it in 2 sections - getting from the Kennet to Teddington, then on the canal system to Uxbridge. It was also mentioned that I might need to consider tide levels. This is my first proper journey, so I'm a little apprehensive. Can anyone offer any advice for a smooth passage on the waterways? Do I need to book a slot at any locks or anything like that? Thank you!

Thank you for the advice, Dave. I'll check in with them tomorrow.

Hey all, just to update, I tried to call Ham Basin today but was never able to get through. I then called Aldermaston. The lady I spoke to was...well...maybe I caught her on a bad day, but she was pretty short with me. Perhaps it's because she could sense that I'm a newbie, but she didn't seem to have time to answer my questions. She basically said that they would crane the boat out for around £460, then it would be up to me to find my own surveyor, if work needed doing like welding they wouldn't be able to help so I'd have to find my own welder and then they'd black the boat for £8.50ish per foot and service the engine for about £160. Repacking the stern gland was extra but she couldn't tell me how much. And all of this had to be completed within a week as they strictly won't keep the boat out for more than that time. Does this all sound normal? It's sounds like a logistical nightmare to find tradespeople to carry out work if needed and get the hull blacked all in 1 week. The impression the lady on the phone gave me was that they wouldn't be very accommodating or helpful, so I think I may look elsewhere! I'll try Ham Basin again tomorrow.

Good idea. I'll give them a try. I'd like to paint it myself if possible (feel like it would be an experience). Just to be sure, is the Ham Basin and Newbury Boat Yard the same place? This one... http://www.newburyboatco.co.uk/ ?

Ah understood. I'm not in a huge rush, it's just the logistics for me getting to the boat and what not. Really I can only do weekends. The test drive went well. Everything seemed good to me - no smoke or odd noises and we were on the boat for quite a while. All being well I'll be taking receipt of the boat on Saturday! It is moored just outside the Ham Basin. Perhaps I'll give them a call tomorrow to see if he can offer any advice. Fingers crossed he's not too miserable, it's all a bit nerve racking at this point! Thanks for your help.

Thanks for both the replies. I've had a look into the dry dock at Greenham Island. It doesn't say anything about hull blacking, but I'll give them a call tomorrow. I think that Aldermaston Wharf seems more promising. They seem to cover everything. They do, however, seem a bit on the pricey side (I really have very little experience in all of this so I might be mistaken). Does anyone have any experience using their services? Is it wise to use their boat surveyor (if they have one) or should I arrange my own?

So, I've finally found a narrowboat that I really like! It's 40ft and moored in Newbury on the River Kennet not a million miles away from B&Q. There are a few issues with her that I want to be addressed straight away if the transaction goes through. The boat hasn't been blacked in 3 years, so that needs doing. I'd also get a full survey at the same time. The sale is 'urgent' so there isn't time to get a full survey conducted before, but this is very much reflected in the price. There's also a considerable amount of water in the engine bay (to be fair, I did view her the morning after a night of monsoon rain and the engine bay covers are not exactly water tight...). As such I imagine the stern gland needs repacking and the engine one may need a service. I want to slowly move the boat towards London, so can anyone recommend a boat yard or marina where I can carry out the necessary works? I see there are a couple of marinas close by (Ham Manor, Greenham Lock), but are these able to take a boat out of the water to black, etc? As a side note, I'm seeing her again this afternoon and taking her for a test drive. If there's anything else I should look out for please do tell! Any advice is appreciated! Thanks all.

Thank you all for your input - very useful. I'm not going to bother looking at her this time, it doesn't sound worth the risk! I must admit I'm finding boats that meet my budget and spec very few and far between. Nevermind, let the hunt continue!

Hi there, I'm on the hunt for a narrowboat which I plan to continually cruise and live on. Over the past few months I've been a quietly digesting a tonne of information from these forums and other resources online. I finally have a question to post, so hopefully you might be able to help. I've seen a boat online which looks pretty tidy, but it states that the top is wood and the roof fibreglass. I've seen quite a lot of negative press around GRP. Should this ring alarm bells? If I go and view her is there anything I should look out for? She's also just been repainted externally - should that also ring alarm bells? This is the boat in question. Would really appreciate your advice! Thanks in advance.