frahkn

Really? Are you sure?

Indeed, it isn't about me at all, it's about my dog. Running free it can avoid nasty dogs, idiot humans (e.g. cyclists who ring their bells at her) etc. I have poor balance as a result of a stroke and don't want to risk a jerking lead in such circumstances. Zetti will be 8 next month and since she was a puppy, has never jumped up on anyone. She will either ignore you completely or - if she considers you a potential source of food, will sit down and attempt to stare you into providing it. I have every sympathy with those who are nervous around dogs, whatever the cause, but it is not my fault.

Our dog is rarely on a lead but is always under control, in my view proper control is better than a lead in most cases. Come to that, I don't recall having any problem controlling my child when I had one.

Mine is just over 12,000 hours, assuming it is original to the boat. Could it really have lost its oil due to the loose plug? I'd love to think that all is now well but struggle to believe this.

OK, I'm back. This morning I checked the oil level and it was fine. There was no 'graunching' at all today, I find it harder to explain this than the original problem, any suggestions?

No, I have the manual for the gearbox, it was with the dipstick screwed in, don't panic (about that aspect at least).

Right, looked at it in the calmer light of today. Went to dip the oil and the filler bolt was loose, there was no oil showing on the dip-stick. Filled it to the upper of the two marks. I should say (in mitigation of my shoddy maintenance) that although there is an engine room, the gearbox is awkward to access as it's partially under a partition. With the oil replaced the 'graunching' improved in that it does not happen when going into reverse and only about 50% of the time when going into forward. On closer examination (I was a bit het-up yesterday) the movement is fairly limited and the engine does move with the gearbox. I am hopeful that it will get me home before anything actually falls apart.

No, it's a standard layout as far as I can see, but I thought that perhaps there were additional supports for the gearbox. Photos will have to wait for the morning.

First, thanks for the responses. I'll try to deal with the various points. Have not checked the oil level but will in the morning. I am trying to minimise my gear changes as much as possible. I'll try starting it in gear tomorrow. The engine is in an engine room about 16 feet forward of the prop. The engine and the shaft mounts seem to be ok, all bolts are tight but there is some forward/backward play in the drive shaft. I don't know if this is a new factor because I haven't needed to check before. The gearbox, but not the engine moves a bit as gear is selected, again I do not know if this is new as I can't normally see it.

Any help on this?

Today my PRM 260, which is fitted to a Beta 43, started making a nasty 'graunching' noise on engagement. It sounds fine when running in gear. The noise is only at the moment of going into gear. It doesn't happen every time and happens more when engaging forward than when going into reverse. Can anyone suggest a cause and guess whether it might get me to my home mooring (20 miles and 12 locks)? Thanks,

Going up the Bratch yesterday I got something on my prop while hovering below the bottom lock. Managed to get up but could not then remove the offending item because it included a steel strip. RCR got it off this morning (thanks Jake) and it turned out to be a CaRT banner. The locky said he wasn't missing one.

Thanks very much, I think I'll leave it until tomorrow, stop in Kinver tonight.

Thank you for such an accurate reply. I genuinely doubt if it could be improved. Not a lot of help to me but that wasn't the point, was it?

Could anyone local tell me how the stoppage following the fire at Kidderminster is getting on? CaRT have said nothing since Friday as far as I know. Thanks.

It may be the time of night but the above does not make a lot of sense to me.

I prefer the Navigation over the Wharf and either rather than the Boot. However I wouldn't describe the Wharf as "awful", it's a reasonable pub, the food is over-priced but not bad and the beer is no worse than several in the area.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is true. On your original question, if you have not got an appetite for potential confrontation then your only alternatives (put up or move) have already been explained to you. Do you have a problem with comprehension? Possibly due to a lack of IQ?

Alas Bruce is no longer with us. RIP.

I would try Alvecote, give them a ring and ask for Lawrence.