agg221
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Posts posted by agg221
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2 hours ago, Ray T said:
Springy, thank you. It gives me an excuse to model Adder, perhaps?
Cowburn and Cowper had some metal tanker boats but AIUI these boats had long tanks in the holds which carried carbon disulphide for Courtaulds.
You could model Trent 5?
https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/2476/trent-5
Alec
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22 minutes ago, jonesthenuke said:
A regular visit to The Crow locks on the BCNS provides a nice coating of oily tar on the surface of the Hull (though probably dissolves any bitumen blacking at the same time). One of the most polluted sections of canal that we have been to.
If you have a particularly deep draft then you can pick up a prop-full of saris whilst making the turn onto The Crow. This gives the opportunity dredge up extra tar and coat both your boat and your arm simultaneously.
Alec
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If you can get a flake off then HMG Coatings can match it, in a paint type of your choice (HMG are the manufacturers of Craftmaster for example).
If you do go down this route, I have always found HMG (South) in Andover to be far more helpful than headquarters in Manchester. I have bought a fair amount of paint from them over the years and they have always been happy to sort things out for me, even on small orders.
Alec -
1 hour ago, Allan(nb Albert) said:
The links are both in the article and the FOI request and, I think, here. To save searching -
DJS Research 'independent' report provided to CaRT's Board of Trustees (but claimed not to exist) -DJS Research report made public (after removal of slides 23,24,25, and 34) -
You will have difficulty using pdf comparison programs. I compared by converting both files to text (one requires stuffing through an OCR program). Then I wrote some code to get the text in the correct order, identify start of each slide and remove slide numbers.
***** Edited to add - Just realised that you might have meant that you intend to compare manually rather than via software ...
Thank you.
Yes, you are correct - I did intend to compare them manually, which I have now done.
I found that the content of the slides up to and including 22 is essentially identical but the formatting is different.
I also found that beyond slide 22 the slides were not simply removed. Slides 23 and 24 in the public version of the report are not present in the other version.
I could not find the word 'final' present in either version.
I therefore conclude that this is not redaction of a report but rather revision, since slides are substituted rather than redacted and other formatting issues are addressed. I also conclude that it is not possible to infer from the available evidence that the original report should be considered a 'previous report', since it could reasonably be considered to be an earlier version of the same report.
As such, I cannot see any definitive evidence that CRT has failed to comply with the freedom of information request.
Alec
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11 hours ago, Allan(nb Albert) said:
Whilst it might be fun to bait other forum members it might be more instructive to read what CRT tried to hide in the DJS consultatation report.
I would be really interested to do so. I would like to put the two reports side by side and compare them right through from front cover to back cover. Please could you point me at links to both reports?
Thanks
Alec -
22 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:
This one ?
That’s the one!
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3 hours ago, David Mack said:
I'm not seeing the picture.
Does it now work?
Alec
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Out at Easter heading for The Port when the wooden end of a friend's tiller snapped off. On the way back whilst heading up Adderley I ran across a snapped off handle in the grass on the towpath by the lock. Now the one in the grass was faded but not rotten, and was significantly longer than the one that needed replacing, so a bit of time on the lathe yesterday resulted in:
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Right, I think we have the answer - you have a 1/4" OD pipe. That means a 6mm olive will not go on but you cannot crush an 8mm olive enough to seal.
Does a 6mm olive go straight through the hole in the nut?
If no, sand down the outside of the pipe enough that the olive will go on. 1mm wall thickness will still be enough. You can then fit the olive over the pipe and crush it up as normal using the nut.
If yes, second choice is to find a washer that you can drop inside the nut. If you are very lucky you will find one with a 6mm hole, but assuming you have a drill this can be addressed if the hole is too small.
Alternative choice is to wrap a load of tape around the outside of the pipe. PTFE tape has been suggested but I would go for electrical insulation tape as it will stay in place better. It won't hold up for long and may leak a bit, but it should give you a week or two with luck. Put on enough that the 8mm olive only just slides over it. Make sure you fit the nut first, then the tape, then the olive and crush it up. It may take a few goes to get this right, but it won't damage the pipe, only the tape.
Alec
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10 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:
This still fails to answer the question of how you got the nut off the pipe with the olive in place - that should be impossible. Conclusion, wrong nut, an idiot has drilled the centre of the nut out, somehow the centre of the nut has broken away, but no signs of it on the pipe.
Hi Tony, I think this has been answered above. The OP took the photograph to show an 8mm olive in place on the pipe, having trimmed back the end and slid the olive on. This was not compressed on, so before attempting re-fitting the olive could be slid back off again, the nut put in place and the olive re-fitted and compressed. However, having had several attempts at this and failed to get a seal, he is asking for more thoughts before trimming off yet another piece of an ever-shortening length of pipe.
@MrBadger to confirm that the above is the correct interpretation.
Alec
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6 minutes ago, MrBadger said:
Tried this repeatedly but something seems amiss with the crushing the olive onto the pipe. I can do the nut up with the 8mm on the 6mm won't go on at all. I can't find. 7mm for sale anywhere 😭
Can you post a close-up photograph of the offending bits. What I really want to see is exactly what size everything is relative to one another, ie by just how much the 6mm won't go on, and just how loose the 8mm is. I have an idea what the problem may be, but would rather confirm it from a photo if possible than send you on another wild goose chase.
Alec
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I've met a few people from the forum who have introduced themselves, usually when passing through locks. The problem is that the noise level on the boat is much higher than on the towpath, even immediately adjacent to it, so people assume I can hear them but unfortunately I can't!
Alec
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1 hour ago, matty40s said:
Pretty sure I saw Baltic over last weekend between Campbell Park and Stoke Bruerne.
I cant be any more accurate than that unfortunately.
Thanks - that would put it a bit further north than this video from last September which I think is near Cassiobury Park.
Alec
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A very old thread, but worth updating,
I think the whereabouts of Oates is now fairly well known. After being sold in 2018 it has had the cabin replaced and we have it on the Shropshire Union. It still has its Kelvin J2.
The question is though, what is the update on Baltic? I believe it has now come off the K&A and I have heard reports of it being on the southern GU and the Shropshire Union, but I haven't seen it on the latter. Does anyone know who now has it and where it is?
Cheers
Alec
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How far are you from a chandlery?
If it is only a few hours and the stern gland is not dripping excessively then I wouldn't worry about it and would just travel. It won't do it any harm to have a little less grease than ideal for a brief time.
Alec
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2 minutes ago, BEngo said:
8mm (or equivalent imperial) copper tube.
5/16", although I am currently finding 8mm soft copper much easier to get hold of than 5/16". If you do go with copper, make sure it is described as 'soft' or 'fully annealed' as it can then be bent to shape in awkward spaces with nothing more than fingers.
Alec
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13 minutes ago, Augustamay60 said:
I assume that any hydraulic pump that works at the same pressure as the motor and can take the RPM would work it doesn’t need to be a specific one for a boat ?
Correct. A constant displacement type such as ditchcrawler has needs to be reasonably matched to the power of the engine whereas a variable displacement type does not. The pump on ours would stall the engine at full displacement - it is rated for 60hp and we only have a 22hp engine.
RPM can be a problem with vintage engines but I don't think you will have an issue there.
In case it isn't clear - protection by the relief valve is true of pretty much all types and designs of hydraulic system.
We also have rod and wheel control - I will at some point make that wheel and wheel as it will be easier to take advantage of the variable pump setting and is correct for a Kelvin.
Alec
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We have a hydraulic drive on a Kelvin J2. It was installed in around 2003 and is the original assembly. We have owned it for 3yrs and so far no particular issues. The system was supplied complete by ARS who are still in business and I have found to be both knowledgeable and helpful. There is a definite sound from the motor but not excessive. Two points that spring to mind. Firstly, ours is a swash plate (variable displacement) type which is an excellent option if more expensive. It gives you infinitely variable control on the pump pressure which means that the system does not have to be perfectly matched at all points - just set end stops for maximum forward and reverse pressure. Secondly, the pump and motor on ours are way oversized for the engine - this does not cause any problem but according to ARS means we should have a very long lifetime out of it. We changed the oil and filter this winter for the first time - checking the filter for bits of metal (none found) and checking the rubber hoses for signs of bulging are all that is needed by way of routine maintenance - and were pleasantly surprised at how cheap the oil is. We switched from 32 to 46 oil on the recommendation of ARS and it has given us slightly better power transfer on long runs at high speed. Another advantage, having an engine in an engine room forward of the back cabin, is full floor to ceiling height throughout.
Overall, I'm not sure that I would buy a system if I didn't need to, but I do rather like having it there.
Alec
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On 03/04/2024 at 12:26, IanD said:
I did suggest the way to fix this -- which is also more redistributive -- is to also make the license fee a function of boat age, so those with shiny new expensive boats pay more and those with old cheap boats pay less.
I like this idea. So, with a 174 year old boat, how much per year is CRT going to pay me...?!?
Alec
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7 hours ago, Ken X said:
Second vote for the Corn Mill in Llangollen. As Ian says they don't give it away but we find the foods always good.
The Aquaduct Inn at Froncysylite is another we use. Last time we moored at Trefor basin and walked over the Ponty to it. The walk back in the dark was interesting 🙂 Particularly as it was January.
We often pop into the short Whitchurch arm overnight to shop and eat if timings are right for us.
Another vote for the Corn Mill and for a trip up the Whitchurch arm.
Alec
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Mooring - different canal edges call for different techniques. Mooring rings are easiest but where not present mooring to piling (metal uprights with a horizontal strip) is fairly easy. This uses either 'nappy pins' or 'goat chains' but if the boat is not equipped with either you can pass the rope behind the horizontal bar. Mooring at other places is by driving pins into the bank with a hammer. This is fine, but obviously does not work on hard paved towpaths.
Some comments based on a trip last October:
Ellesmere was a nice place to moor. The Swan was definitely the right choice of pub. If busy, there is piling to moor against further towards Llangollen so if mooring on the way up you can head past the last boat and stop at the first available opportunity.
Many people start relatively late (10am) and finish relatively early (4pm) but you have plenty of daylight so if timings permit it can be useful to pass Grindley Brook either before or after these times.
As has been mentioned, there is a short arm at Ellesemere with a supermarket (Tesco) at the end. If you need to nip in then going down the arm and having someone hold the boat against the side at the end is a good option if there is no mooring available.
There is another arm - the Prees Branch. It doesn't take very long to go up it and back and if you have the time I would recommend it for a sense of exploring the unknown. There is plenty of room to turn at the end.
If you find yourself with extra time, you can always go past Wrenbury and head on down as far towards the Shropshire Union as you have time for, then turn and come back.
Alec
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If you are not looking to live in the cheapest way possible, there are permanent liveaboard moorings west of London which are within the range of the underground network. Engineer's Wharf sometimes has moorings, as does Brentford. They are, perhaps surprisingly, not always full with a long waiting list because they are not central London and it is more expensive than shuffling around the towpath, but they do come with water, power and the security of being there legitimately without any need to move.
Alec-
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6 hours ago, Sue Taylor said:
Update we've now been moved to wootton Wawen to start our trip... So we'll definitely be attempting the Avon ring although there is now a boat stuck in a lock near Worcester and the severn could be flooded 🤦🏼♀️
OK, so assuming the river levels are OK you would be replicating our route of 1992. From memory, our moorings were:
Saturday - Stratford on Avon, on the river so no locks at the start of the next day.
Sunday - Fladbury, below the lock.
Monday - Upton on Severn.
Tuesday - Stoke Prior (having stopped for a bit in Worcester).
Wednesday - King's Norton junction (not the best place but it was tipping down with rain all the way up Tardebigge and by then we had had enough).
Thursday - Shirley Bridge No.8 (after a detour to Cadbury World and up to Gas Street Basin to wind).
Friday - Wootton Wawen having been struggling to find anywhere decent to moor for the past hour - dredging in the past 32 years may have significantly improved things, but at least the pub was nice!
Alec
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21 hours ago, beerbeerbeerbeerbeer said:
Absent visiting family,
Now back on board but travelling in opposite direction to you,
with a run into Brum for Friday.
I saw song of the waterways at Stratton Wharf the other week but didn’t spot Oats. 👍
It was Song I was on on Saturday - it was moored just down from you on Friday night. Song and Oates met up at Market Drayton and headed north together, mainly so that one can tow the other if (when?) an engine fails. Current evidence suggests that will be Oates, having only just got it going again in time after a magneto failure.
Alec
Specialist Surveyor for 1900 era Dutch barge. Serving Oxford
in History & Heritage
Posted
Not sure if Mike Carter works that far south, but if he does I would certainly recommend him for his experience of rivetted boats.
Alec