uncle nick

Wow, it’s getting on a bit but pretty certain it’s not that old! 😀 I did Tony. When we first went to look at the boat prior to buying it. The lack of reliability using the CaRT number to date it was mentioned then also. NB Esk believes it’s a Wakefield boat. Boats, built at Thornes Wharf but I haven’t been able to find anything more about them either

That’s brilliant Tony, I owe you a beer! 👍

Thanks for the very helpful, detailed info, I’ll be sure to pass it on. I’ve got a manual for the 1800 which I believe can be used for pump settings but I haven’t found any working links to a 1500 manual yet. I do have the service notes though. So far the head is off to be skimmed, valves and injectors checked. Also planning to check and decarbon the glow plugs and mounting holes. Anything else you’d advise at this stage? Thanks for the reply and info. I’d seen that page when searching but completely missed the 48G reference as I was concentrating on RN. Well spotted! Do you think the actual year matters much for ordering parts?

Thanks for the reply Tony. I’ve no proof on the age of the engine, or the boat for that matter, so it could be that old. However, from asking on here for help identifying the age or builder, it was suggested the CaRT number (519542) could be 1992. I’m just the spanner passer, rather than the engineer doing the work. What should we be looking for regarding the injector pump drive?

Hello to all, my 1500 engine wasn’t sounding too healthy so started stripping it down today.

If CRT could sell that on the open market, it would help the them fix a few locks! 😀

I used to work quite near to the Tees Barrage and white water course. It seemed to be well used by locals out for a walk, picnic and kayakers on the course. Hopefully more locals will write to their mp as the rubbish bins are threatened! https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/mp-calls-rethink-canals-rivers-27575794

I’m pretty sure you knew what I meant. If you want to be pedantic, ‘tho’ is not exactly accurate, perfect English either!

I agree 100% in principle but I’d say it’s hard to differentiate 100% in practice, eg paddle boards directly use the water, so should contribute to canal maintenance. Even a legitimate 100% constant cruiser needs to use the tow path to access shops etc. Nothing in life is ever straightforward! https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network Not including Scotland.

That’s exactly what I was asking, thank you!

Thank you. That doesn’t seem very much for 2000 miles of canal network. I was wondering if it was feasible for the money from licence fees to be spent on maintenance and the rest to be publicly funded.

Sorry but I’m not sure why you posted this; it doesn’t answer my original post, or add anything to me trying to clarify what I meant. If you wanted to try and make a point, why quote my post? Posting on a forum is rarely rocket science, or very few people would be allowed!

Insurance isn’t really essential, it’s only essential if I want to use it on public roads. If I only use it on private land, off-road there’s no legal responsibility for insurance. But I get your point and agree for a road bike. I was just wondering if there was a way to separate maintaining the waterways from the whole ‘canal experience’?

Towpaths are part of the navigable system. Fishing is an activity in the main available only to those who are members of clubs which lease fishing rights, so an activity which has its own income and costs, just like boating. So neither would, on your logic, be funded by the taxpayer. Spending on bug hotels is peanuts in the bigger picture. Yes I appreciate completely that the ‘other stuff’ is an integral part of what makes the canal system an enjoyable place to use, and part of the appeal for me. All I meant was, to try and separate essential maintenance costs from total running costs. To better try and explain what I mean; I also have a 1950’s motorbike, essential costs are petrol, oil and replacing any bits that break (or fall off and are lost), ‘other stuff’ is insurance, bike leathers, club membership etc.

Does anyone know, or is it even calculated and published, what percentage of total funding CaRT spend on actual maintenance /improvement of the navigable system (eg lock maintenance) compared to tow paths, fishing stuff, bug hotels? Since the ‘other stuff’ is of benefit to all of society, surely it should be 100% government funded via taxation, be it income tax, VAT or whatever. Leaving the CaRT to concentrate on maintaining the actual waterways. Or am I being to simplistic?

Found it, many thanks 👍 Got it, many thanks 👍

Thanks, that’s brilliant! I worked on ships for 10 years and can really relate to number 8. Where do I find part 1?

Thanks again to all for your helpful replies. As I suspected, the closest places are fully booked for the summer season; Kerridge until December and Furness until April next year! Looks like we’ll have to wait a little longer to get it done.

Hi, thanks for those, I’m planning to ring both for quotes and available dates. Have you used either yourself?

Hi all, well I’m now the excited owner of the project boat mentioned in my other thread on identifying the year and builder! First job is blacking and new anodes, so now I’m looking for recommendations for a dry dock near Marple on the Macclesfield Canal. I’ve had a Google and will be ringing around tomorrow to try and get time frames but a personal recommendation is always the best. Thanks.

Wow, that’s fantastic to hear, thank you NB Esk! On our way to see it now. 🤞 Well she’s afloat!

Thanks, that would be brilliant! 👍