fatmanblue
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Posts posted by fatmanblue
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At its very simplest, white indexed plates were issued from 1992 onwards. So anything on black plates is 1991 or earlier. Presuming that the plates are original, of course.
Going back, engines were often older than the boats they were installed in. Probably the reverse these days.
9 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:Registration number 75828 was issued in 1998 so that is the youngest (35 years) that the boat could be, but, as has been explained it could be 5, 10 or 50 years older than that as if had been used on Non-BW / C&RT waterways it would only be BW / C&RT registered when it moved onto their waterways.
1998 is 25 years ago, or I've slipped through a time warp...?
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Cleared around 2pm today
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Tree down right across the canal between Caunsall and Whittington, been down at least 24 hours.
Tree surgeons now here and it should be passable by lunchtime. Plenty of boats backed up.
Neither this or the Wolverley tree appeared to show in CRT notices ... I would have made different plans if they had.
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Open again. Very comprehensive job done by the tree surgeons today. Luckily the temporary track to Wolverley Court Lock was still in place so they could bring their kit in that way (too big to fit under the bridge at Wolverley Lock).
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Will not be re-opening today. Monday lunchtime maybe.
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Tree down right across the canal between Wolverley Court and Wolverley. CRT notified.
At Falling Sands the river is very high, pouring into the canal (passable though, or at least it was earlier today).
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My SR3 had a gauze filter, looked bigger than this one though.
Maybe the cap had an unfortunate part number '710’? 🤗
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Yes, that's the inlet manifold .. it may have had a mesh air filter that is sprayed with oil to trap dust etc.
Definitely not where you want to pour oil.
What Tony said - loosen the injectors and turn the engine over to clear the cylinders. At least it will pour into the sump, and you have hand start to turn it over easily.
Or someone wiser than me may be able to advise on the possibility of clearing the oil using the decompressor levers.
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Certainly Bevere and Holt were sharing a lockkeeper when we came up last week (Monday).
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I would speak to the lockkeeper at Gloucester. They will advise.
When the tide comes in, it goes up the West Parting quicker than the East (navigable) Parting. So the tide can flow into the East Parting both upstream and downstream ... at the same time.
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8 minutes ago, David Mack said:
⁸What happened to the proposal to replace the bridge keepers with a phone app for boaters to open the bridges?
Good question. I asked CRT this during the consultation about reduced opening hours this year. Whilst they replied to me at least twice, this question was ignored.
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Bridges should show red by default during opening hours, then flashing red when the bridge keeper knows you are there, then green for go.
I have noticed recently that Rea and Sellars (two of the higher ones, don't need to swing for narrowboats generally) appear to be unmanned this season, so may not show lights at all. I've not seen this information communicated anywhere, so it does cause confusion.
Generally the bridge keepers are pretty alert and they will usually keep in contact with each other so they know who is coming. If they don't see you, sound your horn. If they still don't see you, ring them (I have all the bridge tel numbers saved as contacts). I find it rare to have to use the horn and very very rare to have to ring. The latter is usually only needed when you have just left a mooring and so the keeper does not know you are coming.
Note that Sandfield is remotely operated from Fretherne. Off season, Cambridge is operated from Patch (but the keeper has to drive or cycle between them, so you must ring).
Rare to encounter a grumpy bridge keeper - most are very cheerful and friendly - but it does happen sometimes...
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I've had a Vetus one for twenty years with no issues. A tiny bit of silicone grease added once a year. No drips, lovely dry bilge. I would definitelyhave another.
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Is the paint still available? Many thanks
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I'd suspect a failed regulator in this case, particularly if it is more than a few years old.
Obviously the system needs checking for leaks too.
An instance where a bubble tester would be very useful.
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You should be able to moor in the docks - and a fine place to moor it is too - although for some time last year mooring in the docks was not permitted due to silt build-up.
Give the lock-keeper at Gloucester a call a few days before to check that there are no high tides that you need to arrange your timings around.
On voyage, the lock-keeper at Upper Lode will inform Gloucester that you are en route. Call Gloucester Lock when approaching the parting to update, and he/she will probably advise you to call them again when going under the Westgate Bridges, so they can get the lock gates open. If it doesn't work out that way for some reason and the gates are closed, hang on to the quay wall with the stern rope until the lock is ready.
If the docks are full (unlikely) there are some visitor moorings south of Llanthony Bridge (east side, a bit noisy) or past the lightship on the west side.
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On the Vetus question, I re-engined my boat twenty years ago and 'did the rounds' of the engine marinisers at the time.
What struck me was how neat and compact the Vetus marinisation was. Obviously on some boats (e.g. cruiser sterns) this makes little difference, but when an engine is boxed under the back step on a trad stern boat, it does. And having all the service items on one side is handy too.
Yes, some spare parts are expensive ... but filters and belts (and glow plugs, if you ever need them - I haven't) are generic enough and you don't need to buy the Vetus ones. The only other thing I've needed is a moulded hose and I recall that being reasonably priced (for the genuine part) compared to a similar item on a car.
If I was buying a boat I would judge the engine on suitability and condition rather than who marinised it (although would be tempted to avoid modern stuff that has been marinised in very limited numbers).
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Go for Llangollen. If you get vaguely reasonable weather it will be a fantastic trip. Autumn boating is beautiful.
Worth remembering that the Llangollen canal has a flow. The return trip will be slightly quicker than going upstream. Chris Clegg's map suggests over 2 hours quicker and I find it more reliable than Canalplan for timings.
As this is 'out of season', and if your time allows, how about speaking to the boatyard and enquiring about the possibility of an extra day?
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Head torch.
Jubilee clips.
PTFE tape.
Electrical contact cleaning spray.
Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure.
Spanners / sockets that fit your engine mounts and shaft couplings.
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Any heavy loads applied?
What happens if you disconnect the shore power?
I'd be checking battery voltages (disconnected from the charger) for failing/failed cells. The charger may partially or fully mask this, boiling the other cells in the process.
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If it floods on the Avon (gauge in red), stop and moor - on a flood safe mooring (high riding posts) if at all possible, and sit it out.
On the Severn, they probably won't let you on the river if there is a significant risk of floods.
It is wise to have an alternative plan, but weather has been settled recently and I reckon you'll be fine.
Avon locks are not like Thames locks, you have to do the work yourself. Just so you know.
66' is a big boat, there'll be many times when you'll need to keep a sharp lookout and be quick on the tiller on the Avon. Evesham lock (as mentioned by others), exiting Pilgrim and entering Nafford spring to mind. Conversely, I've found the longer the boat, the easier it is to deal with the diamond lock at Wyre. Lots of locks on the Avon ring, be sure to take turns at the tiller and lock-wheeling.
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I've not used this 'inside' but Kinver Canopies did a refurb on my 15 year old canopy earlier this year. It was absolutely covered with lichen and algae and, after trying pressure washing etc. I thought it was beyond redemption. Not so. Miraculously, it now looks like new, so this algae zapper really works. It's a long cratch cover (10ft +) so saved me lot of money. Highly recommended. No connection etc., other than as a satisfied customer.
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Lancaster Canal at Crooklands, run by the Lancaster Canal Trust. Great trip, starts a couple/few miles north of the head of navigation at Tewitfield.
Well worth spending some time exploring the upper reaches on foot too, particularly the tunnel and around Sedgwick.
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You'll get lots of advice here and I'm sure you'll have a great trip.
I think easiest to do the ring clockwise, as I find the locks on the Avon much easier going downstream.
My main tips would be watch the opening hours on the Avon lock (Tewkesbury) and particularly the Diglis lock on the Severn at Worcester. You do not want to arrive after it has closed for the day. The only decent mooring spot between Tewkesbury and Worcester is at Upton, which is a lovely spot to moor but usually the 'proper' moorings (upstream of the bridge) are full and mooring on the wall sometimes requires a bit of ingenuity. Watch the river levels too, the Severn builds slowly but the Avon can rise dramatically quickly. There are simple red-amber-green gauges at each lock.
Good moorings on the Avon at Stratford, Harvington, Offenham, Evesham (though can be noisy), Pershore, Tewkesbury. Also at most locks but as others have said they are often on lock islands or otherwise remote. Talking of remote, lots of the ring is. Stock up on food. Obviously good shops in the towns. On the Stratford, Lowsonford (Fleur de Lys), Preston Bagot (Crab Mill), Wilmcote are good stopping points. Lapworth nice too, there's decent mooring near The Boot.
EDIT - Bevere lock is closed so you can't do the Droitwich Canal from the Severn. Not sure whether it is easier to do the extra bit on the Severn and the Droitwich or to go straight up the W&B. Probably easier to do the latter but the former is perhaps nicer. If you do the Droitwich, moorings are very scarce indeed. After passing Hawford there's not really anything until Netherwich basin in Droitwich.
The locks on the South Stratford are awkwardly spaced out, I always find a bicycle really useful on this stretch (Lapworth - Preston Bagot). By contrast the Lapworth flight on the North Stratford is one of the easiest sets of locks on the system. Finally, I'd avoid mooring in the Kings Norton area. Get along the Stratford a fair way before stopping (e.g. the drawbridge at Shirley).
Also - Avon above Stratford, I've done it many times and never found it particularly easy to turn (60ft). Obviously no trouble at all in a 40 footer.
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Boat survey finding
in New to Boating?
Posted
It certainly shouldn't fail BSS if it is a private boat. A marine surveyor probably won't like it, as you have found out.
My boat has a skin fitting that is basically on the waterline when underway. Never been an issue for BSS (6 BSS and 3 different testers) and never been an issue whilst cruising. I have just moved it though, I've never liked the idea of the possibility of it catching on something and shearing off.