Guest

[I can actually quite enjoy being mansplained to when I'm learning but it helps if people mansplain right. Environmentally dubious was what I said... As in 'requires regulation / careful management not to be harmful'. If I'd wanted to say 'bad' I'd have said it 8-)]

I don't use palm oil containing products either. Not even the 'sustainable' ones. I appreciate that the majority of the population would consider that too much effort. But then most people would consider custom sky lights too much effort so perhaps we're not that different Edited to add: the vulnerable list is for things which could become endangered if not heavily regulated. Regulation adds cost. So, erm, still applies.

I was asking questions of ppl who like to consider themselves experts... Strikes me that that is precisely the kind if way one may gain knowledge?

Well that is about the most middle class corruption scandal imaginable... Cash (rhubarb jam) for information on the retiree's playground. Seriously though, not a remotely balanced or inclusive approach to engaging with the network's users Edited to add: but the website is now up again, thanks for asking

CRT website with all the statements seems to be down... save me reading a load of waffle or disenfranchise me in an important election?!? Edited to add: should the site revive I'd definitely be in favour of a candidate suggesting the kind of transparency @doratheexplorer mentions. Telling your mates about it in a canal side pub is one thing... but in 2020 some form of regular published updates wouldn't go amiss...

Isn't it better to avoid mahogany now it is on the CITES lists etc? Feels like one ought to be paying a lot for something that environmentally dubious... Agree the rest sounds expensive. Although presumably one could aim for semi-standard double glazed houdini window cannibalisation for some cost saving?

So, basically a really, really expensive sky light? (I think someone said the materials would cost over a grand, but I'm not sure how?!?) Agree about portholes being miserable (I mean, why in 2020?!? I'd rather take my chances with boat security/heating than be (or even just feel) trapped inside). All the living spaces in my port-holed boat have hatches/doors, including a lovely picture window thing which slots in in place of the doors so you can be cosy but see out. My houdini sky light (star-gazing window?) has two interchangeable internal acrylic(?) covers (black for sleeping, clear for daytime). Both are pretty effective at preventing condensation issues. They just slide into a sort of three-sided picture frame on the ceiling around the window. Nicely dry fortunately. My engine room pigeon box does occasionally have a drip below it from condensation and/or the fact it is basically permanently open but nothing too bad. Have seen good results with that Captain Tolley stuff in other areas though.

For three and a half grand I'd be wanting it to include the therapy to help me reevaluate my lifestyle choices. Why would one want one of these? What do they achieve? There is a little metal box on one of mine (helpful ingress point for the shore power cable!) but I'm not sure I'd really miss it?

Ah, see mine is long enough to reach to the skin fittings so no issue with coming back! Worst case scenario would involve magnet fishing I suppose but youd have to really try to need that!

Coming soon to a (controversially dimensioned) canal near your... The NarrowCat. Double hulled NB, perhaps with nice pretend grass, and a paddling pool, on the deck between them!

Nah, for that you want one of those springy things. Like this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bathroom-Hand-Turbo-Pipe-Snake-Spring-Sink-Drain-Cleaner-1.6M-5.2-Ft/46044439 (But more UK based)

Actually chucking rubbish on canal/towpath/urban street/green belt/wherever is clearly out of order. And we're buying a litter grabbing thingy to get stuff out of our basin (boat hook doesn't work for everything). But someone just (not) maintaining their own appropriately licensed moored and cruised boat to different standards than my own is fine. There are button gardens on moorings costing 16k/yr near me. And, whilst I don't care to have one on my boats, I don't find other peoples in the least annoying. Similarly large collections of found 'objet' on other peoples roofs. Mine are very clear - one life ring, one boat pole and a hose between the two of them. But I rather enjoy more characterful ones!

Could get a nice little tent for each one to match the dog box(?) tent ;-)

I didn't. I was aware of the solar vents (I looked at swapping some mushrooms for some on one boat). The majority of narrowboats have mushrooms though.

There are def some painted ones... Even found a BW one with painted stem and shiny head. Fail to beleive Roland has never previously had the joy of commenting censuriously on other people's mushrooms. Alan has no mushroom!

I don't find the cleanliness or 'wild gardeness' of anyone else's boat makes a difference to my enjoyment of mine. Similarly the maintenance of the cars I park near on the street. I rather like the mixed nature of the canals near me. But then I chose (despite having previously lived in less mixed environments and having the funds not to do so) to live in a fairly, erm, 'vibrant' land setting. If you're the kind of person who in a land residence is upset by the neighbours lawn care standards it is probably best to stay in a nice marina with entry criteria. Being annoyed by license violations I have a wee bit more sympathy for...

So, coal store/toolshed/spare parts hoard/... :-) I do know one boat where they really do use it for eating but it has a permanently set up (albeit removable) table and they don't CC or liveaboard so have fewer storage requirements. And it is lovely. I have a feeling not that common though.

Hard to say. This one has two shiny ones though. And, to be fair, here is is next to a boat with a painted one https://hnbc.org.uk/boats/manchuria

Total faff. And not that water-tight when done (look at the size of those eyelets!). So, if it were mine, I wouldn't bother. And, if were going to have a cratch cover I wasn't going to bother to do up then one with a zip (working or otherwise) would be easier to source. Depends what you're going to use it for... for storing a bike you don't ride/a few bags of coal and usually (dis)embarking another route it would be fine. For daily use, less so. Presumably you wouldn't be thinking of having to unlace and relace from the outside (even more faffy unless you make the lace external, in which case it will be horribly soggy when you get back) when you leave the boat?

I'm glad someone did that joke. I resisted using it about Roland's pitted one, but, well, wd have been a shame to waste it.

When you get back suggest you post a photo (OF THE MUSHROOM VENTS) so we can all admire the paintwork im sure you maintain diligently and those more aged than me can help you identify what the flip metal they are made of...

Yes, but we can't go letting actual historical fact go getting in the way of a bunch of old prejudiced whingers having a good time bitching at those they perceive as being different to themselves. Similarly we can talk of 'the life' and 'boating' as though those forced into either by economics in days gone by were somehow more inherently dedicated to them than those forced into them by economics today. When we all secretly want such realities cleared from the cut in favour of retired people diddling around with brasses and muttering about how superior they are.

Have you no respect for tradition?!? I think I've just decided that boats without (occupants who know wtf) brass mushroom vents (are) are definitely not what the canals were built for. Suggest you remove your craft to hard standing in shame forthwith until the matter has been rectified.

Ah, was unaware of the forum rearrangement. But I do see what you mean about the trolling. I was having a difficult day when I replied to this thread and needed some lighter distraction. Is a shame how rotten they are being with some of the (even) newer members but people are only people wherever one finds them...