SoJo

Don't forget Narrowcraft. 100+ boats in over 25 years. Must be doing something right!

Bernard Beardall use to trade as Triton Boatbuilders.Draw your own conclusions.

The Pirate Viscount was originally The Prospect of Birmingham built by NC in the late 80's. (Ask your Dad Sarah,you're too young to remember!)

Flight now reopened.

The engines without the valves seem to run cleaner and pick up better.Have tried to ask Barrus the question but all the tech guys are at the Southampton Boat Show if anyone is going.

There is a difference of opinion going around the marina in which I moor about the air filter housing on the 45hp Barrus Shire. There are two openings on the cylindriacl housing (one at the bottom of the removable cover and one at the back closest to the manifold) that would appear to allow air flow to the "dusty" side of the filter. However, these ports are fitted with rubber flapper valves that close on suction from within the housing. ie. When the engine is running. Now some people are taking one if not both of these valves out claiming that they are starving air-flow to their engine but surely these are fitted for a reason and working on a '"if it ain't broke, dont fix it" principle should they be leaving well alone???? I pose the question then: What are these valves? and are they required????

Sorry to say but Powermaster have definately ceased trading.The 50amp charger is well known to be the black sheep in their range.Save yourself the price of a new set of batteries and get a new charger.It'll save you in the long run.

It is a Springer,they built a few trad style boats without the ears on the bow.

I've been following the build of Narrowcrafts first Josher style boat based on Stafford.I think they've got it spot on.Looking forward to see it arrive at Alvecote in a month or so. http://www.narrowboatsalesltd.co.uk/cams1.php?id=8

Another thumbs up for Barrus after sales,Peter Taylor has always been very helpful on the phone and my better half wishes my engine would develop more problems....Bryndley the engineer makes her go weak at the knees!!

No I didn't think the price of Stafford was bad,especially as I had a guided tour to see for myself. BUT if you really want to see an overpriced boat http://www.bartonmarina.co.uk/p5_1_1.htm Scroll down to Springer at the bottom.Nearly £1000/ft for a 30 year old boat with a wooden top!!!

Based on the exsisting set having lasted 4 years so far at present prices it'll take 30 odd years to spend £2500.I don't think I'll be losing any sleep over it. Just trying to answer tomandsophies question.

Why would I want to spend £2500 fitting a 240V alternator on my engine when I have a perfectly good system now? £2500 buys alot of batteries.

Its an Ariston machine,and sorry I'm not clever enough to work out all the facts and figures to tell me whether it works or not I just put my faith in a boatbuilder who has been building for 20 years. They said the Titanic was unsinkable......in theory!

I have 4 115ah batteries and a 3KW pure sine wave inverter which will quite happily run my washing machine/condensing dryer for 2 full cycles.The peak load is around 180amps when the immersion heats the water which takes 15-20 mins,if you just cold wash I would expect a 1500watt inverter to do the job easily.

It looks like one of a fleet built by Colecraft for The Original Boat Co who ran them from somewhere on the Severn.They all had a low waistline with a high cabin. Certainly not a Rugby Boat.A friend of mine has a boat built by GT Boatbuilders complete with builders plate and the surveyor has it down as a Colecraft boat on the BSC.

Little demo vid of 2 boats both with Maxpower bowthrusters.The green one on the left has a 80kthrust model which is more than adequate for any narrowboat,the one on the right has the larger 100kg model which could shove a north sea ferry! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpOZNBKAvLY Both models available from Marine Mart in Nuneaton I believe.

Use a 12V fan from a computer,wired to any live when running.My Barrus Shire has a 12V feed next to the injection pump.

For anyone interested in the original subject,I noticed a sale has been agreed on Stafford.

Is this the state we've reached.I thought April fools day wasn't for another month!! People are going out and spending thousands of pounds on boats,then seeking advice on a forum about how to control the engine and steer it.Might it have been a good idea to ask for a demonstration from the seller. It worries me that people are allowed on the canal system possibly on a collision course with many of us on our pride and joy or crashing into the first lock they encounter and cause damage possibly closing the lock for days on end. I am reminded of a phrase my boss is fond of "Common sense ain't so common"

Shame,because Dominic is one of the best in the business.Your loss.

Kottingham came first,Rome a few years later.

Kottingham was fitted out by the late Chris Lloyd for Waterways World.

Narrowcraft require a 10% deposit with balance upon completion as well.I looked at Darren Aldridge but plumped for the former due to longer track record,I felt my money would be safe and so it proved to be!

Go back to Halfords and buy a cheap battery charger to tide you over could be a plan.