down the north

I agree to the general, these are bad news, its a solution to a bad idea!! Trad sterns were developed to suite a commercial need where access to engine controls and steering go hand in hand,slick rope throwing to speed up a boats passage, all these are compromised by ugly ( even if they are gold plated) seats on a traditional counter,, if you want comfort, get a boat builder to create a social design where safety is not compromised, ie, wheelhouse, open stern deck,engine to rear so youre not breathing diesel fumes all day. Unfortunately we seem to think that the trad stern is the ONLY stern design available to a boatbuilder about to build your 'dream' boat,,,how wrong and naive can that design process be ! cheers, Martin

Thanks for all your thoughts on this, firstly grease will generally not penetrate a spindle bearing ; thats why theres a countersunk oil hole on the top of each bearing housing ! ( come on ), The comment ( if everyone did this we would be in a fine mess) strange, as no one would think of oiling paddlegear if it went up and down easily, I certainly wouldnt ! Chain saw oil with tackifiers , has been used by CART as an experiment , but they found it washed off easily with rain. Pollution, well 3 or 4 drops of oil in the water is not going to kill anything ! the BCN years ago was swimming in oil that covered boat sides at water line, and there were still anglers about so in our over concious environmental friendly world we live in, lubricating paddlegear as it has always done is just not going to cause eco meltdown,,, and we all know it !! If paddlegear is too stiff to use, I will oil it !

Hi All, well the 'season' is nearly upon us,and we'll be struggling to lift the paddles that haven't had oil on them for months !!! as indeed I did last week on Bosley locks. So, the remedy, dont moan, do something about it to assist CART in their much publicised campaign of ' getting involved' All of Bosley I oiled top and bottom, whilst locking through and still traversed the flight in an hour and ten mins. Get an oil can, oil from the waste disposal sites and lube the spindle bearings, generally from both sides as most oil holes are gunged up. The CART policy is; if it aint on the computer system to be oiled , then it wont be. Oiling or rather emulsified bio friendly spray greasing is only scheduled for two times a year. Greasing of course will not easily get into the spindle bearings, and chain saw oil can be bad as it washes off easily, ( depends on type) so I'd guess a mineral sae 60/ 70/ 90 gear oil will do fine,,, if every 10th boat did a little as they pass through, we'd all have easy to operate lockgear and less likelyhood of paddles being left half up. I'll carry on doing my bit, until the prohibition notices go up on the balance beams !! cheers.

I've read all this and these are my thoughts, correct, theres no limit on navigation at night, excepting certain navigations providing the vessel has navigation lights,,port and starboard to identify edges of the vessel, a small white light midships visible ideally 360 degrees, a stern light, and a tunnel light. Comments about glare are obvious so on mine I have a 100 watt wide beam light that is completely dimmable,and would be dimmed or turned off in a tunnel,, then the small white and red and green take over,, thats what happens in Belgium and Holland. Spots or searchlights are only used where absolutely necessary. so its all about getting kitted out correctly, the licence says have navigation lights, great , no problem, its just common sense, however as commented not all have or think they need nav lights, or realise that a spotlight in a tunnel is bad news,,,, hence my 100 Watter to encourage oncoming boats to turn off close up !!! cheers all, martin

Hi , the vid of Ilford being strapped by me was good, not seen it before but the jist of it is to help the gate a bit, let the rope slip round the post as it goes, if you dont, the butty can come to an abrupt stop too early, so conservation of energy is needed in this operation. Once the gate is half way round, I lock the rope giving a direct pull by the butty and this then controls the butty when the gate is shut. As pointed out elsewhere, a pull in line with the boat is pointless and will do nothing, but motor boats that have fenders pointing skyward are not strapping customers, as the strap gets hooked on the fenders , being attached to the opposite dolly. Another problem can be the fender eyes,that hook up the strap, so then we look at the strap size, make it big, inch and a quarter soft poly or nylon. theres so many things that have to be just right for a polished performance, cheers, Martin

Well, after being a non boat owner for 21 years, I'm almost ready to polish the rust off those cooke windlasses, so could I find fees and an application form on CART's website,,,,, NO, a call to Leeds asking where on the website these 'useful downloads' are, failed to find them, so they're in the post, however today these forms are available, dated at the bottom "issue date 2 july 2012", ! So well done Leeds for acting so promptly, either from my or someone elses enquiry Martin

I will always start my HA2 with the cold start lever pulled, this is the small round knob on the side of the timing casing, that you lift then pull the speeder rod out to give full fuel on starting. If the rod will come out against the speeder spring action, than as soon as it starts, it will drop back to tick over speed as the governor takes control. assume you're doing this already!! hope its sorted soon, but other comments taken on board re overheating, fuel air leaks etc.

Hi All, Interesting scenario here. Firstly the RCD will not trip unless an inbalance occure between outgoing phase and returning neutral, which means current will have to go somewhere else!!! ( person, or connection to hull, BUT this will only happen if theres the Neutral to earth connection preceeding the RCD,( so causing an inbalance in L & N currents in the event of a fault. So with a double insulated ( normally meaning plastic case and further isolation by means of a step up transformer or discrete inverter components to produce 230 V)then assuming no Neutral - earth connection, then to get a shock a person will need to contact both live and neutral simultaneously !!!! pretty unlikely. Without this link, then the RCD is doing nothing as previously stated and correct. To be honest I think I personally would go for the NO LINK option as I think making direct contact with both live and neutral ( neither being live or neutral in a double ins system) is pretty unlikely and less likely than a live contact with a linked earth- neutral. I would of course keep all Class 1 earthed appliances connected to hull, just for extra safety so all bonding to hull is achieved, just a few thoughts, any comments.

Hi all Kubola users, is there a download somewhere for tha E7 kubola ? that I can have a look at. I've checked Kuranda, but cant seem to find the exact E7 manual, thanks in anticipation, martin.

Cheers david, yes I had the 160 on Anne and it never failed, however would you rent your boat out to a cowboy tug 'steerer',,,,,,, i just wanted to be prepared however never actually had any trouble with it, as you say, bomb proof ,cheers, martin

many thanks for the tips, and info details,,,, just another question, if it were using 1 gallon, 4.55 litres a day, what KW do you recon it would be giving out ?? I'd guess about 1-2, does that sound right ?? Does anyone know what fuel consumption a E5 or E7 uses per day going flat out ?? thx martin

Hi Tim,,,,,,,, its actually BRAND new, never been on a boat , never used, straight out of the test shop at Coventry !!! I got it just in case i had a tug breakdown and needed one in a rapid fashion !! I'll check out new current prices and ponder on it, speak soon, thx, martin

Hi all, i've a spare 3:1 PRM 260, which was bought as a tug spare gearbox,,,, but I'll be selling the tug in the spring ( thrasher as used and abused by L & W ) so I'm on the lookout for an A1 unused 2:1 prm 260 as a direct exchange if theres anyone out there with one. The next boat is 2:1 hence my interest, failing that I'll probably sell it, so its got to go somehow,,, cheers martin

Hi All, does anyone know where I can get info on the kubola diesel heating stove for central heating ? Just looking for sources of info, suppliers, fuel consumption and flu type needed, thanks in advance, martin.

Hi Sarah,, Hmmmmm, think very carefully, would you be planning to boat 'empty' or converted under the cloths, or what ?? If empty, just borrow one for a couple of days and go up the Ashby, or round the Coventry. You'll need strong arms and plenty of nerve because steering these big boats, the forend is so much higher empty and youre scating the forend round bridges and other boats as standard. Then theres wind, just dont bother going anywhere unless you master the art of 'crabbing' down the cut, with power on, and thats including passing moored boats. Now to locking, forends useful for getting on the lockside at Bosley, going uphill, but thats about it, how are either of you going to get off a 6ft boat if you cant jump off the counter?? As regards cabin, be practical, forget a wooden one unless youre living in it full time, then theres the space issue, always gettin under each nothers feet,, regards the steelwork, Tim's right, a well welded patch is just a progression of history, and bumps and tears would be done like that in the 50's n 60's so why not now. Major work always looks better proper rivetted but the money !!! You'll probably never get it back on resale. Its a personal choice. If youre confident about the handling , then go for it, however the last thing you want, is to be seen as a boat owner who's taken on something that puts you out of your depth, no offence, just being realistic from experience ( took Elstree up the Caldon ) martin

Would look lovely with a few added strawberries to give it 'body'

Bill Atkins, I've just picked up this thread, and went to Billy's funeral at Audlem the week after the easter weekend. I knew Bill from working a trip boat on the caldon and he was one of a few BW men who would be prepared to take the likes of Acatia etc up the caldon to the summit. He was awarded a brass windlass by the polite society, for his dedicated help to boaters around wheelock where he was lengthsman for many years in addition to helping out other maintainence teams. Those present at his funeral reflected what is rapidly becoming a generation of boaters that 'go back a long way', and it surprised some family members that so many turned up to bade farewell to a friend. I dont wish to comment further about a personal family event that sadenned many, but I treasure along with many of you senior boaters the sense of fun and adventure that Bill had, and conveyed to those who were interested. He had from my experience a 'matter of fact' attitude to his boating upbringing, and was not in the least romantic about the 'old days'. Talking about longlining up Audlem, his comments were, ' you try it when theres only two of you, and the line freezes between the locks'. His was the real world, but it is the better to have heard about it, and the days when he had to move, rather than only when the sun shines. He's buried in the cemetary at Audlem, overlooking the way of life and canal he loved, 2 locks up the flight. If you stop, walk up and remember him, his family, his dad steering Mendip, and the skills and memories that are now lost to a new generation of boat persons, Martin

Hi Tam, nice shot of Nautilus & fazel, Is that jos with sprog on the back end of the motor??? I sent a few weeks on Fazel at ricky doing conversions for tripping on the K&A. was Roderick doing the locks ??? good times,

Roger, Liam, many thanks for the info and offer, I havent given up yet, I'll have to dig a little deeper. I'd certainly be interested to know who does the assessing of potental skippers ,who have been boating for 30 years. Obvious names come to mind, thanks martin

Well, common sense prevails,,, the way I've done it and will probably always do is to stick to the middle to about 3 boat lengths apart, move to the right about 4 ft from channel centre and pass hopefully about 12 to 18 inches apart,,,,, thats the way I've been taught to pass. Once up the caldon summit, I was on the trip boat, saw this old waterways 'hireboat' coming towards me,,,,,,,,, we both stuck to the middle till about a boat and a half away,,, I thought to myself, either this guy knows exactly what he's doing, or he's very brave. It was raining and as we passed inches away I started the usual passing banter with an expert, that lasted a hundred yards after we had passed, it was Bill Atkins with the Northwich inspection boat (water willow ) ? Another memorable 'parting of the waves'was on Elstree just below Meaford locks, and Malcolm Webster appeared heading south on FMC Mallard. With 3:1 and a 27 inch blade on Elstree, and who knows on mallard, we both 'kept it on' till the last minute, slid sideways 3ft 6 inches, and the sight was quite amazing. Both boats seemed to 'fall' into a trough caused by the pumping of water away from both boats, the usual turn to port, the revs were lowered all round to avoid grounding, and we passed with the satisfaction to all parties that we had 'done it right', each knowing that neither of us gave an inch to the other,,,, but none had put the other in any risk of serious grounding !! And of today, its very rare to have a 'webster pass' and usually sees the other boat stationary hundreds of yards away !! ah well, such is life. Martin Martin

Hi all, A long shot, but not currently owning a boat since 1981, ( Anne ) ( thats my street credibility bit over, but it doesnt mean I cant steer) ,,,, is there anyone out there whose got a 70 foot narrowboat, ( FMC, GU, LMS , TC ( Oldbury ) what have you ), that you'd fancy lending for a trip to Ellesmere Port this Easter. Either 1 way or return. Headlight , noisy exhaust, decent stern strapping dollies essential, and a working cabin range so I can get the Fray Bentos pies on the go.. I'll provide all red diesel that I use, and am mindful of treasured and 'delicate' engines , but prefer twin Listers ( they can take it ). Midlands based in Stafford, I'm not planning to start from the River Lee, but T&Mersey, SU, BCN, S&W, Just GU, Cov,, would be a good starting point. If you've a boat for sale, what better than a moving advert to assist, you can rest assured the can will be in the right place, thanks, Martin

[interesting this, I was based here 1978 to 84 on a trip boat, but seemed to spend more time on the railway looking for old mileposts, so never really thought about this 'trough' however if the canal did run there, then I suppose its fair to assume that there was a lock in front of the house. There might be the remains of an arch just down from the current canal bridge. Fantastic characters such as les Barber ( broad geordie) used to live there and would have known. With a dry sense of humour he always be up for a cuppa on the returning boat trip. The house almost seems to new to have been biult at a time when there might have been a lock in front of it, but any sensible builder wouldnt have put the main windows facing the abrupt hill only 30 ft away on the canal side. The toll office was the house at hazelhurst top lock with the observation window, so it's likely that there was a lock in front of the house, but the hazelhurst house was built when any re alignment happened,,,, then where did it join into the canal to Cheddleton and Leek ???? it would have to be one lock down ,,,, ish martin

I havent seen the video, however I'm sure Tam is right in what he sees, the moral of the story is to think, plan, practice, and get it right for the camera, because if its anything less than perfect, someones goin to spot it !! martin

re running water, I've watched 'old time served' BW staff, ( where are they all now ) ? and the only way I'd run water is to fill the lock, leave top gate SHUT, both top paddles UP, then about 1 bottom paddle UP to keep the lock water level at least half full. This stops the muck being dragged down the chamber and blocking the mitre arc described by the bottom gates. Martin