Timleech

The one I mentioned above, the real problem was that the starter battery was 8 years old and had suddenly decided it wasn't going to play any more. However, the RCR guy had decided that the starter was at fault and had part-way removed it before giving up. I decided the best bet was to finish removing the starter and check it over anyway, it was less than perfect but would very likely have done a few more years. With all the trouble removing, safest bet was to fit new (not at Beta prices, though!). Tim

On some Betas it's an absolute nightmare. You need three arms, double jointed sockets with extensions about 3' long and a huge amount of patience. I don't know whether or not this applies to yours. I only know this because a boat was abandoned here by RCR when their fitter couldn't manage the job, he went away & never came back, & I was asked to sort it out. Tim

You need something for those holesaws which will run slowly for long periods. Dedicated slow speed drills are expensive, so I'd look for a drill with two-speed gearbox and slow range of a few hundred rpm. Edit - this would do the job http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Stanley-Type-122-Electric-Drill-/181734224537 Further edit - make sure you get one with a side handle. That old stanley has a socket on top for screwing in a piece of pipe as an extra handle. Tim

I totally disagree with the last part. I reckon the Thames above Oxford is far and away the best part. Yes the blind bends are not exactly relaxing, especially as we with 3'6" draught needed to avoid the insides of the bends and boats coming the other way were often cutting the corners. Pointless relying on sound signals and expecting them to understand & pass on the 'wrong' side, which would have been easier for all. Tim

So... Does the whole drum stop when going astern? I reckon it must. Tim

I'll hazard a guess that someone at CRT has decided that display of licence should no longer be mandatory, and issued an edict to that effect, without realising that it's a legal requirement. Tim

Many Hurth models can have the rotation reversed, it does involve dismantling the box but AIUI no new parts. Tim

'er indoors says more likely Jim rather than Flo. Tim

The little BUKH engines tend to be direct cooled, but the 2G105 that I fitted certainly has a heat exchanger. Tim

No, I don't think so. I knew about Roger's, and the one which I fitted into the Thos Clayton 'gas' boat 'TAY', it's the one in King Arthur of which I was unaware. Roger may know of others? Tim

No clamp needed, just a wedge. Standard kit. Main thing is that you are happy, I was simply trying to describe how it could be done if desired. Tim

You use a scrap bit of plate as a bridge across the angle, welded to the uxter plate either side, and then a steel wedge between bridge and angle. May have been a mixed blessing in your case, because the angle and plate will each deform to meet the other & you will still have a (reduced) hollowness to the plate which may collect water. Tim

I couldn't ask anyone to support item 4 at present. Tim

There must be at least three of them in the country, in narrow boats - I thought there were only two! Basically a tractor engine, none the worse for that, see:- http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/005/7/7/5774-bukh-302-engine.html Here are a couple of clips of 302 tractors, but I think they both have the older engine. https://youtu.be/g3COojTgLeM https://youtu.be/Zth66-DWWKQ Tim

There's one within the Leeds City station concourse, handy for the Basin. Absolutely heaving on a Saturday night, though. Tim