Liam

JJ's ?

Well, we're leaving in the morning! I can't berluddy wait, I've had a week off work especially for the occasion. Looking forward to cruising a stretch of canal I've never done before. The route we've planned to follow is Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry, Brum & Fazeley, T&M, and then finally back home onto the Bridgewater. Give me a wave if you see us passing or see you when I get back.

I was in Llangollen 2 weeks ago weighing up the white water rafting. As usual, I ended up on the cut, and it's exactly as it was when I visited a few years earlier. The trip boat is still operating across the aquaduct and there's still horse drawn trip boats going up and down, but as mooring goes for pleasure boats - it's very poor. A shame really, as it's a lovely peice of cut in a nice part of the country.

Have you lot read any of the "Working Waterways Series" ?? such as Anderton for Orders, Hold on a Minute etc. Very good books...

How long have you been building for?

With Emily Anne being steam powered, and the need to swing a big prop - what does she draw?

Do you drive about at 4mph?

I've cruised most of the norths canals, and one or two rivers and have never had any problems. The boat goes where I want it to go.

Yep, I go it alone.

I don't wish to offend anyone here, and if I do, I'm sorry, but I still think having a bow thruster fitted is an excuse for shoddy helmsmanship.

Well, the state of my boat I'd definately do it - use the tunnel walls to scrape off all the rust and old paint Only kidding, that's the best way to damage the boat and the tunnel. Anyway, I like the challenge of navigating tunnels to much

My perfect boat... 59 foot! not bad.. I thought it'd end up at about 150ft

I recall seeing an article about a SS boat in one of the monthly mags - can't remember anymore than that - sorry, been asleep since Re rusting - There's aluminium and fibreglass boats knocking about too aswell.

I think it's worth checking ebay.co.uk - what you want is always available.

I suppose this is because the engine uses most of the diesel, and has to return only a small amount.

Here's a pic of the engine waiting to go back in, prior to some welding work!

You lot actually drive whilst going through tunnels? Get the pointed end in, get some revs on and go down and enjoy a brew LOL

Only where our towpaths are in good nick! And no David, that wasn't me lol.

I've been on President numerous times, aswell as the often forgotten Kildare. I really don't see anything special about it - It's a boat that failed in the time of carrying due to the restricted hold size- it couldn't carry enough cargo...also the need for many crew members put a big black mark on it. The draught didn't help either - and the time spent in getting up steam in the mornin. All of 2 mins to start a National or similiar - A quick spin on the handle and you're away

if anyone brings ether or easy start near my engine, i'd chuck em in the cut! I have a tin of those fag ends which are used to start the engine - not sure about where you can get em from though. I looked for the paper filter in the web - couldn't find it anywhere! Are you familar with the oil reservoir which sits on the rocker cover? Really need some info... I'm missing this, and the copper pipes which drop oil onto the valves and stuff. At the moment, I've had to tape up the hole incase grit and muck gets into the head.

Funny you should say that actually.. A good friend of mine had a look at my engine when it was still in the boat, and he thought it was the big end that had gone - don't ask me, I can only drive 'em After getting the engine out of the boat and giving it a good coat of looking at, we found the problem - Shattered piston, with half of it sitting in the sump!! Anyway, we now have replaced the piston, oh, and the snapped push rod and I now have one lovely little thumper again. The engine seems to be fine, but I'm now awaiting for my friend to carry out some welding as the engine's only had two bearers to sit on, instead of the four. They were bolted to the engine but weren't fixed to the hull in anyway. I'm getting there - only a full repaint and a fit out to be done now LOL. Don't ya just love boating..

Excellent ! Thanks very much Dan