MrsM

Thanks for the advice. I did try Danish oiling my current piles but I think they are a bit too weathered to be saved. Poles not piles 😂 I wouldn't put Danish Oil anywhere near those!

Thanks all. I hadn't thought of getting 2 boat hooks but it's a great idea and a short one will be very handy. My 2 ash poles are looking even more wizened than my face after a summer steering in the sunshine 😆 As the boat is being painted next month I thought it would be nice to replace my old ones. I'm very very tempted to paint them in stripes to match the boat.

Looking to replace these. Any recommendations?

That just makes it all the more of a puzzle! 😆

We have a Tecma macerator loo with the pump out tank under the bed (reverse layout). As suggested here we add cheap biological washing liquid to the tank. I also keep a very dilute mix in a spray bottle next to the loo. After each use we give the pan a spray with this watery mix. No issues with odours at all and it keeps everything nice and clean. I'm hoping this won't affect any seals etc in the long-term but time will tell.

I agree that the boat Naughty Cal found looks better. Regarding large purchases through eBay - you are not automatically committed to pay once goods are priced above a certain level. I forget what this amount is. The Duck is a great place to look for boats but that doesn't mean I would rule out any in eBay if I was looking. Over the years we have bought and sold several caravans, a VW Camper and a large 6 berth motorhome all through eBay and all extremely easy and straightforward transactions.

I love the arched windows on either side of the bow doors. Don't think I've seen those before.

Me too

I could be wrong but this might be a reasonable punt for someone. Long overdue blacking but depending on where it's been/how much use it has had it might be ok. London white and no loo but both easily remedied. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334524945321?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=O07TaBhgS9q&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=_pUp27oIR9u&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

"Curiouser and curiouser!"

Thought you had bought a 59' boat. What happens if the 12 inches the surveyor doesn't look at is the bit full of holes? 😆

Quick reminder that the Watford and Foxton Staircases are on restricted hours. We arrived at the bottom of Watford at 2:15pm and were warned we might not get through. We have just passed through the top lock at 4pm so it was tight! Boats need to check in with the lock-keeper on arrival and be in the system by 3:15. Apparently not all hire companies are passing this info on to customers, which could impact scheduling. This info is posted on balance beams, notice boards etc but I didn't get an email alert about it.

If you are mooring at Sawley you will get a credit with Aquavista when you sign the contract - £250 for leisure users, £500 for residential. Might be worth signing now and using the credit to go towards your lifejackets. The marina sold crewsavers when we took out our contract and posted the order to us. I haven't checked that they still do this but it's worth having a look as you are going to be a customer.

Tricky because we didn't know which direction the owner was travelling. So pleased he got it back as it was a treasured item,

Have you just come through Banbury?

I was spouting any old rubbish 😆(Though I am short and stout)

Walking stick left on upper balance beam on Sunday morning (before 11am). It now hanging from the life ring by the lock sign. Hope it finds its owner. Owner has been found - reunion imminent.

I'm Assaming that was a pun

True, but having spent the last 25 years touring the UK in a campervan I have been astonished at the amazing industrial heritage that is still visible from the waterways - and ONLY from the waterways or towpath. We have spent the last 3 years seeing parts of Britain from our boat that we would never have seen from the road. Much of it is derilict and probably beyond economic repair but it's bloody fab nevertheless.

Crazy isn't it!

We are passing through The Pig Place and Cropredy in the next few days heading north (great timing!) and I'm aware there is likely to be a fair gathering of good folk from this place. I don't know any of you in person but I kind of feel I do a bit virtually - god knows I've spent enough hours reading and enjoying your advice, debates, ramblings and bickerings 😀 I don't post very often but it's fair to say that 99% of what I've learnt about narrowboats and the inland waterways has been from here. Just wanted to say that I'll be raising a glass to you all as we pass. Hope you have a fantastic time and would love to buy you a pint if our paths cross in the future (not all several thousand though - I'm not a Sunak!) Cheers and much respect - or should that be 'Peace and Love' for a folk festival? Marianne (NB Aventine)

You will get lots of useful feedback soon but my initial thought is that you are not easily going to be able to buy a narrowboat that will meet all the stringent professional rental criteria for £30k.

We used hexaboard and sealed the edges with several layers of black exterior paint. We also bonded rubber sheeting to the underneath. This has made a big difference in cutting down noise and vibration from the engine hole. We've noticed a slight increase in engine heat as we've made the hole a bit less leaky, but still well within tolerance.

Sorry about that - I meant to comment on the proposed new Chair of CRT, not in this thread. (Multi-tasking failure). Hope your leak repair is holding up ok Jo. X

Sure: he was furious about the amounts of unrepaired water leaks and the sewage pollution into our waterways. All while water bosses are paid millions and the regulatory body does little. It was refreshing to hear someone speak clearly and frankly.