vicafloat

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Thanks for the information Tim. I do hope that it isn't serious because this is our main cruising route from Anderton Marina where we moor. I agree with others that the banks look to be in very poor condition all along that stretch Vic Moses

Generators are not the answer and cause as much distress to others as running engines for hours;in my opinion! Anyone living aboard should seriously consider a hefty bank of solar panels,not only are they silent, charge your batteries when nobody is aboard,but also extend the life of the batteries themselves;in my opinion!

You no longer have to breast up on MSC but it is recommended that you buddy up. The main requirements are a Sea Worthiness certificate and 15m ropes. We have travelled between Ellesmere Port and Liverpool (2013) and Ellesmere Port to Marsh lock (Weaver 2014) in parties organised by Mike Carter of the IWA Chester & Merseyside branch. Both were unforgettable experiences.

I know the site South of Anderton where the concrete banks have been raised due to subsidence. Not only is it a good place to moor and plenty of room,but to illustrate how much room there actually is a 57 foot boat can wind opposite the bench!

You should have asked me this morning Dave! There is definitely a water point at the old No3 and at Castlefields. On the Leigh branch we usually use the one in the centre of Worsley and there is water and pump out at Plank Lane lift bridge. Have fun!

CRT shaved some of the brickwork at the top of the lock last winter, and I believe this has helped. But as another OP has already mentioned,some people will insist on leaving fenders down;if they do they will get stuck!!

I voted in the "vaguely miffed" section although I really care more about those who pay no mooring fees but do not continuously cruise. The reason being that CRT do something about the former but ,in my opinion, are doing less and less about the latter

I am not so concerned about people not displaying licences because CRT do actively pursue those who do not pay the fee. What bothers me more are the increasing number of boats which are moored on the same spot on the towpath for weeks/months on end without CRT appearing to do anything about it!

We did the Wash crossing from Wisbech with Daryl in 2011,accompanied by 9 other boats,and the Insurance Company were ok about it. I can understand people's reluctance to do it but we did wait until the weather forecast was acceptable to Daryl (not to us) In the event the day was brilliant and the weather flat calm. 6 boats went through Black Sluice lock at the end of the trip and had a superb meal at the Wheatsheaf. The whole trip was organised by David Jarvis and most enjoyable. We may be fool-hardy but had the chance to go Ellesmere Port,MSC,Mersey into Liverpool docks this year,on a trip organised by Mike Carter of the IWA Chester branch. Again,the weather forecast dictated the day of travel and again the trip was brilliant. I am of the opinion that as long as you are accompanied by several other boats and take the advice of people who are experienced in this particular stretch of water,you reduce the risks of an incident,though not completely.

1) ok I admit that I look at NBW because I like the articles that Orph Maple writes,so there! 2) Without becoming too embroiled in the arguments I am not against Continuous Cruisers of the genuine variety and have several friends who abide by the spirit of the rules. However,I moor on a CRT on-line site where we have minimal facilities ie. water and rubbish disposal plus car park. Is it reasonable for several boats to moor on the opposite side of the canal, use our facilities sometimes for several months at a time,and pay no mooring fee. I think not and feel that because CRT seem only interested in licence fees and do little to police the system,we will end up with two distinct camps and confrontation on an increasingly nasty basis.

Sounds to me as if something is connected wrongly,assuming you have not touched any other part of the morse cable. Are you sure the throttle is connected ok?

Thanks Ray, I have now found a local fabricator in Warrington who will give me a price when I have taken the silencer to him. That is this weekend taken care of!

Sorry to disagree with those who feel the OP is being melodramatic. I passed this length a fortnight ago and the whole stretch is in a shocking state.I emailed David Baldacchino (CRT Manager for the canal) and he agreed that 1) he had received a number of complaints lately and 2) that he intended to cruise this length to see for himself! What concerned me most however, was the state of the banking all the way from the Dutton breach site to Saltersford tunnel.I don't think any of us wants to see another breach in this area,and if complaining loudly and often will bring an improvement I will continue to do it.

I have 550 amp hrs of domestic batteries and 90 amp starter battery,all charged by one 70amp alternator,which in theory would be working too hard all the time. In practice,the batteries are trickle charged by a 30 watt solar panel when we leave the boat,usually for 10 days at a time, and the bank is fully charged when we return. The batteries are now entering the 4th year of service and are Lucas sealed (but not gel) The main drain whilst we are on board is the 12volt fridge and the reason why I need such a large battery bank is to cope with the heater cycle for my Candy Aquamat washer. There is a down side to this of course,my alternator seems to last about 4 years before requiring re-conditioning;but I regard this as more acceptable than trying to fit a second alternator within a very restricted space. The whole system is controlled by a Smartbank and good quality relay. I agree with Tony that your batteries are probably sulphated and I would recommend a solar panel and regulator first,then new batteries if the charge from the solar panel does not improve matters. My little solar panel charges at 1.5amps on a good day and about 0.7amps on a dull day. I would advise buying at least 100 watts of solar power which would be ample in my experience as long as you do not live-aboard. I rarely run my engine just to charge batteries,cruising is much more enjoyable!

I need to replace the Silencer on my TS3 because the internals have corroded badly. Having been quoted around £250 for a genuine Lister part,I would be grateful for any help in sourcing a somewhat cheaper replacement

Just read that Upton town council have vetoed the proposal by Susie Mercer; quite made my day!

The experts say that you should always change the whole bank of domestic batteries,the theory being that any older batteries may have deteriorated to the extent that they drag any new ones down. The Smartgauge website has a great deal of good information,and to view prices look at Alpha batteries of Rochdale,they take on-line orders and deliver quickly (I am not connected with them,apart from being a satisfied customer!)

The stickers are issued to boaters attending the IWA National Festival,we used ours in 2007 at St Ives. I don't think they are intended for use all the time!!

Dave returned home this week and though weak and wobbly,is recovering well from the op. I hope to visit him Friday 8th March

We moor on the Shroppie and try to take advantage of the many visitor moorings provided by SUCS. Not only do they choose sites where you can moor alongside Armco,but also provide rings so that the dreaded pins are not required!

Went to see DoR today at Wythenshawe hospital. He is in pain,not surprising after surgeons remove bits of your lung, but he is in good spirits and looking forward to returning home next week sometime. Long term Dor may need chemo. as a mopping up exercise,but the operation is generally regarding as a success by the experts. Further posts as and when

Dor's operation was a success with no complications & he is now back on the ward. Biopsies have been taken to ascertain whether further treatment is necessary. Dor will remain in Wythenshawe until early next week at least.

Hi Folks, Dor did a post to tell regulars to the Forum that he had to visit Wythenshawe hospital. I count myself lucky to be a friend of Dave & his wife Chris,having moored at the same site for several years. I will supply updates on his progress until he is well enough to talk to the Forum again. Dave had a major operation on his lung Wednesday 27th Feb. and is now in recovery as of 10pm that night.I will let you all know how he gets on as soon as Chris gives me news

Hi Tony, Thanks for your advice;by fitting a relay as shown in your wiring diagram,and the resistor as shown by "by'eck! we now have a fully functioning system .The domestic alternator kicks in on start-up and the engine switches off as normal. Thanks to both of you for your expert advice from Ray Moore (NB: Carmel Marie) & Vic Moses (NB:Lyndsey Jane)