PaulG

Thanks Tony.

My word, doesn't time fly... 4 years on I've finally got round to buying the bits that I need. Before I do the install, there are a few things that the engine gurus might be able to comment on. The remote filter mount will be significantly higher up than the mount point on the engine. If possible, I don't intend to mount it any higher than the valve covers. I'm assuming that I will need to fit a brand of filter that has a built-in anti-drainback valve? Ideally I'd like to mount the filter in a vertical position (i.e hanging down from the mount) as it seems to me to involve less oil spillage when changing filters. Of course, the mount on the engine is horizontal, so is the change in orientation likely to cause any issues? Lastly, it should be possible to fit a longer/bigger filter than the current one (Coopers Z121 or similar). Good idea or not? As always, any help or advice is much appreciated...

Usual "climate change" hype to describe effects of weather. Historical extreme highs and lows of the Rhine: River Situation From To Rhine Low water 1947-10-01 1947-11-20 Rhine High water 1993-12-01 1994-01-15 Rhine Low water 1971-09-04 1971-11-30 Rhine Low water 2003-07-02 2003-09-02

Thanks very much for the replies, Guys!

Any recommendations for somebody to make a double-skin chimney for my boat? Off-the-shelf ones don't fit properly, as the flue comes up at an angle, so the exit is off centre in the deck collar. Boat is in Tewkesbury marina. Thanks Paul

Travelled the Severn from Tewkesbury to Worcester and back over the Bank Holiday weekend, and saw quite a few. I was lucky enough to see one dive down from an overhanging branch and return with a fish in it's beak.

Increasing the concentration of antifreeze will raise the boiling point of the coolant...

I recommend spray-on starch. Very effective at reducing buzzing. Larger flies just glide out of the window.

Is it not the case that a stove on a boat qualifies as a "portable furnace" (or similar), and is not subject to the Clean Air Act?

However, the Lower Avon Navigation Trust by-laws *used* to define the river as a narrow channel, and specifically required small sailing craft to keep clear of power driven vessels. Whether this is still the case since the amalgamation of the two Trusts is difficult to know as the link to the by laws on the ANT website doesn't work.

It always has been... ;-)

The old "rule of thumb" for 2-stroke outboards was a pint per horsepower per hour. Does depend on whether you are pottering or hooning around, and also the type of hull it is driving. Maybe 4-stroke outboards are a bit more efficient these days as well. I've also heard of a litre per 10 HP per hour being used as another way of estimating consumption.

The club that you passed was Avon Sailing Club. You probably noticed that is was on the Severn. To find Severn Sailing Club, you need to look on the Avon. When you meet sailing dinghies with a narrowboat, it's best to ignore the colregs and take a pragmatic approach. Firstly, if they are racing, collisions with narrowboats do nothing to improve speed, and can damage the dinghy. Secondly, a sailing dinghy is several levels of magnitude more manoeuvrable than a narrrowboat. By zig-zagging around, you are actually making it harder for the dinghy sailors, not easier. By far the best approach is to move over as far as possible to the right, and just motor though slowly at a constant speed.

Thanks for your input guys!

I'm going to replace my ancient steel cratch as (apart from being ugly) has pretty much rusted away in places. I'd like the new one to be a wood construction, but I'm not sure what type of wood. Anyone able to advise on the pro's and con's of different wood types? Also, anyone have any experience with International's Woodskin varnish? Good, bad, or are better products available? Info here Thanks in advance...

I've seen turtles (or terrapins) in the Warwickshire Avon and the Staffs & Worcs. Supposed to be some in the Glos & Sharpness as well, but I've not seen one yet

There is also a story going around about a farmer living near the Droitwich antennas being prosecuted by the BBC for stealing power. Can't find any authoritative sources, so I think this is probably an urban (rural?) legend...

I've got a 55 footer with a 27hp. That's rubbish in reverse as well... Don't waste your money on an Axiom prop. Snake oil, IMO.

IHMO yes. When I sailed dinghies I did a few "rudderless" races. You steer by heeling the boat one way or the other. A list to port would cause the boat to steer to starboard, and vice versa.

However, for every "Richard Head", there are many more who read the sound advice given by yourself and others and learn something from it.