Tim Lewis

Thank you to all those who gave encouragement/constructive advise. We eventually decided, to get the boat moving, to install a new R & D split coupling. Alas as with anything connected with Fulbourne even this was a trial. On measuring up we found that we have a metric (45mm) prop shaft with an imperial keyway. This meant that we could not get an 'off the shelf coupling' We bought a 1 3/4" coupling which had to be bored out to 45mm (about 20 thou).This was not easy as being a split coupling it moved about on the lathe, we had to shim the spilt and tighten the bolts to make it stable. We also had to rely on accurate measuring of the flange holes, Ideally we would have removed the coupling on the back of the gearbox so that we could line the two parts in the workshop, alas it is held on with a 2" nut for which we did not have the spanner to take it off with! As you can see from the pictures the coupling doesn't look very original so we have obtained a pice of 6" diameter steel which we intend to machine down to a more authentic looking part - another job! Have uploaded a few pictures of the installation at: http://www.pbase.com/timlewis/mending_boat Tim

At least three friends of mine have or have had boats named after favourite aunts who left them the money to buy their boats! Tim

Picture of River Lea with the 2012 Olympic stadium rising in the background. Tim

With all respect a site that is still displaying prices from 2001 is not going to be a lot of use in these days of drastically fluctuating prices! Tim

As you may be aware WRG are curreently restoring the Barge lock on the Droitwich Canal which is in Vines Park in the centre of Droitwich. I remember workiing on (in) this lock many years ago and although I knew that Droitwich was historically a salt mining town I still wondered why the water in the canal was salty. It was then explained that that due to the historical salt extraction that the High Street had subsided to a level below the natural water level and thus the area is permanently pumped to keep the water level low. The outlet for this pumping was/is to the canal! Tim

Tony was replying to Starman who has already stated that his boat is 44' Tim

Eventually looked up my photo from Bradley workshop, it was taken in November 1982 Tim

And an ex member of Mikron Tim

We have insured with Michael Stimpson (Now Towergate Mardon) for over twenty years and the two claims we have made were paid up with the minimum of fuss. As wit all insurance it is worth checking the small print, we had to claify points prior to agreeing to he latest terms. Tim

If you go with the tide (The only sensible way to do it!) you only need enough power to steer with. We rarely travel much over tickover when travelling the most interesting bit (Wapping to Lambeth Bridge) to get as much out of the trip as possible. At 44' you do not need VHF (13.7m is the 'qulifying length - download the PLA regulations from here) but it would be sensible to inform the PLA by mobile when you are about to leave Limehouse and to make sure that you have all the emergency numbers to hand. There certainly can be a lot of traffic but this adds to the journey, it shouldn't put you off. SPCC, BW and the IWA all produce guides on navigating this stretch of the tidal Thames. Once past Westminster bridge you will see very little other traffic. Take heed of the precautions and most of all have a great trip. Tim

We carry a short aluminium pole as we found a useful trick when really stuck at the stern in jamming the pole between the bank and the boat at approx the engine room then pulling the bow into the bank. This gives a massive leverage which will normally pull the back off (at which point the aluminium pole falls in the water!). Tim Would note that aluminium scaffold poles, having to have thicker metal than the equivalent steel ones to achieve the same strength, are not that light. Tim

They dont float and can't be picked up with a magnet (Speaks from experience) THINKS - the one we have doesn't have end caps - not sure if it would float if it did. Tim

Off topic but a few years ago a couple of lads decided to steal my car aerial. What they didn't know was that my neighbour was in a witness protection programme and that the cars parked behind and in front of mine were full of policemen, they were arrested within 30 seconds of committing the crime - oh how we laughed! Tim

Not done it myself but can't think of a reason for not doing it but not sure where you would moor. Worth checking with the EA as they used to do an offer where for £10 you could go through Teddington Lock and moor up anywhere between there and the next lock and go out again the next day - handy for visiting Hampton Court. Have a feeling that it might have been a winter only offer but you could ring Teddington Lock on 020 8940 8723 to find out. You should also check your tides and lock opening hours, Brentford Thames lock is only usable 2 hours either side of High Tide. The opening hours of Thames lock can be downloaded from: http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-river...and-union-canal as can a useful river guide. Tim

We use bannister rail, has the advantage of being very cheap and having a flat section which helps it stop rolling off the roof!. We used ours to push off our 28 ton boat for ten years before we finally broke it and even then we managed to repair it. Tim

I believe that there are new editions of Nicholsons guides cue out next year. Greg Chapmans site has not been updated in years. Tim

Fulbourne was built 7 foot and a half inch wide and has travelled most of the narrow system. The only place we definately cannot go is the Huddersfield narrow canal and if I remenber rightly the narrow section of the Chesterfield canal. Tim

Thanks for the offer, we do actually have the capability to make one but thought that there may be an original out there to save us the time and (some of) the expense. Tim Thanks for the information, unfortunately (for the spare that is) the incident occured in the middle of nowhere, well near Wolverley, on the Staffs & Worcs !! Tim The incident was the second recent one, the first shattered the metallastic coupling, as is designed to happen, and may well have weakended the gearbox coupling. The second one left the new metallastic coupling intact, possibly because it was so new, and did the damage seen in the photos. Tim

We seem to have broken the coupling at the back of our gearbox and are desperately looking for a replacement, some pictures at: http://www.pbase.com/timlewis/broken_bit The gearbox is a Brunton on a National DM2 engine The diameter of the shaft is an inch and threequarters and the locating bolt holes are three and a quarter inch centres. Any help in locating one would be appreciated otherwise we are going to have to make one! Tim

When boating in narrow locks I make the deliberate decission to leave the bow fender on because I do not want to damage gates whwn entering the lock or during filling (and before the holier than thou posters say that they have never hit a lock gate in there lives I would point out that I am not a professional boatman and stopping a 71'6" 28 ton boat in a 72'6" lock can be an art - or is to me at least) I would also note that the chain on the fender has a weak link which will snap before any damage is caused. Tim

We have run Fulbourne this way for the last twenty plus years in that we have a permanent mooring but between April and November we cruise the system normally leaving the boat unattended on towpath moorings. We have an advantage in that we have a number of shareholders that tend to boat together and can arrange car shuffles etc. I suspect that this would not be so easy with a family but with planning it should be possible. Re security you should be OK but you could be unlucky. We have been damaged/set adrift a couple of times but accept this as part of the risk, neither occasions cost us much. You can of course leave the boat in a marina/boatyard but this will add to your costs. Being a member of an AWCC affiliated boat club can get you free reciprocal temporary moorings. Have you looked at shared ownership schemes such as Ownerships, I believe that some syndicates do handovers away from their main base and some change their home base every year or so. Just my two pennyworth Tim

Most cills are less than 6 feet from the top of the lock! With the depth of the skeg in the water it had normally passed the cill in the first few seconds of the boat descending so there is really no reason to extend the line down as when your head is below coping stone level you are normally well past the danger point. Many cills do have sloping boards or the cill itself is sloped but the design of many other cills make it impracticable. Have been involved in/seen a few incidents where boats have caught of the cill but the boats have always slid off eventually, its a scary experience though which makes it doubly important that someone stays on the side of the lock at least until the danger point is passed. Tim

This was one of the better ones, many of them were just cable tied to the railings, I guessed that they were all temporary signs until the 'proper' ones are fixed. And whilst I'm whinging about signs my other complaint wearing my photographers hat is why they have to put big signs up at good photographic spots, this one at the Bratch completely ruins the shot! Tim

From the Staffs & Worcs last weekend: Tim