LEO

'Japonica' was moored at the Cowroast, the owner met a sad end on the boat and it was 'for sale' in 1987. Leo.

If you don't know much about the price of boats, why pass comment? Leo So why comment. Leo

Alan, Thanks for the idea, I am sure that KK will respond to this, hopefully people will visit the arm, as the work carried out to date is excellent. 'Bantering' facilities and libations? are planned for the afternoon, hopefully a great time will be had by all. Breasting up - feel free, before or after the event, please PM me. Hopefully the waether will be excellent and you will be able to come by boat. Leo.

Even to my novice, but interested eye this situation looked dangerous, and the rope slipping through the rotting wood on the gate looked as if things weren't going to plan. Thought the video was interesting but would have been better if both gates opened. Perhaps it should be re-filmed to make it perfect. Leo

I find that my Kabola uses about 0.8/0.9 of a gallon (4.46litres) per day on a low setting, last filled up with diesel (17/01/09) @ 64ppl heater cost £2.80 pday over a 14 day period. Only spare needed was a new thermo coupling, (broken due to over vigourous cleaning, replacement cost about £9.00) over a 3 year period. Space/water and radiator heating helped by 'Eco' fan Clean out about once very 21 days and regular use of cleaning tablets from Lockgate stoves following re-lighting helps. Filter change once a year - very reliable but a little susceptible to down draughts at times. Leo

Hi, Sorry to hear of your problems, especially those with the Kabola. these are normally reliable units. Give it a good clean and hoover out, (take care not to damage the thermo-coupling) and change the inline filter if necessary and follow the lighting instructions and they light and work well, burning continuously for days before another clean out is needed (about 14/21 days with mine). Do remember to turn the fuel 'jet' cleaner several times once a day I tend to agree with others and their views on preventative maintenance - without that it can be a steep learning curve. It is easy to test the boat without leaving the berth, run it in gear but moored up for a while. Leo.

Hi, Check it is sealing properly - good joint between top of 'steel plate' and upper section of chimney. Beaing in mind the use of the fires and the problems over combustion I clean any deposits off as soon as they developed. It seems any fire will cause some problems - especially when they are set to run slowly / at a low heat setting - I get tar spots on the roof from the Kabola I use, these seem to dry and are easily broken off. The deposits from Slow burning stoves are very acidic - you should see the state of chimney stack bricks, both within and outside of domestic dwelling roofs - soft as butter after exposure to flue gases for a few years, not so much of a problem in houses now with the introduction and use of other types of fuel. Low heat/return temperature settings on hot water/central heating boilers also cause lots of problems with acid build up. Hope this helps.. Leo.

Hi, They are similar to the design for sale in Cowroast and that I have seen fitted, but the one shown is finished in an 'off white' bare metal colour. Leo

Hi, I saw some in the Cowroast Chandlery, advatages they help overcome down draughts, which tend to blow oil-fires such as the Kabola out. They look a bit 'naff' and I normally get aay with the conventional flue on my stove. Have not seen any fitted to solid fuel stoves. Leo.

Sorry for any confusion. It could be that you have a filter - Jabso do an inline filter, but the one's I have encountered (I normally disgard the Jabsco one as it it too difficult to drain) have a small, clear bowl which enables one to see if there is a build up of crud, to drain it you normally turn off isolating valves either side of the filter, unscrew it, clean it and re-fit the bowl carefully. this should then restore a good supply/flow to the pump. I cannot state the need to carefully re-tighten this clear bowl enough - they split easily and then deposit the contents of the water tank in the bilge. This is where my refernce to flooring and carpet tiles in another posting comes in useful - as from personal experience I found there was a lot of water to clear up if the clear bowl splits. If there is no filter, it often helps to get the old 'tulips' round the inlet pipe to the pump and blow hard. ATB Leo

I cheerfully agree with you, but it was too much trouble to take it all up, hence the mats. I am not sure I like any kind of fitted covering as it causes problems when you want to get to the underfloor area. The previous boat had the best idea, a 'Strammit' type board with good access points to the underfloor void, covered with carpet tiles. These lasted me almost 20 years and still looked good when the boat was sold. Leo.

Hi, Previous boat, carpet tiles - excellent, can be wet brushed clean. Replacement boat, Cabin, Galley, Bathroom all walk through, Wood strip laminate, overlaid with hardwearing non slip rugs from Dunelm, which are inturn overlaid with rugs (colour coded) brought back from various holidays in Greece. These are washable. This top layer is taken up if we have a party on board or on a trip with the lads. Engine room/Boatman's - fitted door matting from Homebase - neat, hardwearing, but needs a lot of initial hoovering. Leo.

Hi, I got a good one form UBC - a rectangular sheet of flexible steel (v.thin) this was rolled into a tube, part inserted in the flue, allowed to unravel and then the chimney fitted over this. Worked a treat. Take care not to block the flue too much though. Leo. PS. Perhaps Phylis could become the new STIG now his identity has been revealed?.

Hi Alan, Having read your original post and from my experiences it does sounds as if the pump is struggling, unable to get a good supply of water and pehaps the blockage is at the joint between tank and pipework. I had to resort to blowing down the pipe to clear this. I was amazed at the 'crud' the filter stopped, especially after re-filling following a winter drain down. (Ally Tank/15mm pipe). Best of luck. Leo.

Hi, Might be worth checking that any inline filters between the pump and the tank are not blocked with 'crud'. Leo

Hi, Tring station is close to the canal and about 1.25 miles from Bulbourne, if that is any help. Leo.

Hi, Looks a great restoration project, no-one has mentioned the engine and it's need for the leaded stuff. Something with a bit of charater when it's finished. I run a 1971 car - great, wonderfully uncomplicated - it even has a manual choke! Ford Sierras as company cars - luxury! try the BMC Marina - the worst designed/finished car around - the company gave me 5 to risk life and limb in. Happy memeories of Milk rounds in a Bedford van - excellent vehicles. Leo.

KK, Sounds fun - count me in. Grand Junction now very good, had a good Sunday Lunch there last weekend. Mooring warden should be ok (he/they have problems counting to 14 normally), can offer 'breasting up' at Cowroast for a boat less than 50ft if anyone has problems, before of after event. WC emptying facilities at Cowroast or Marsworth, Pumpout at Cowroast (closed Sundays). If visiting (especially by boat) try and make it up the Wendover Arm, well worth a visit. Hope the weather is good. Leo.

Hi, A real shame,but it was ruined years ago when it,like many other pubs, concentrated on selling food and allowing children in. Who wants to buy a pint of say, cider, for £3 when you can buy nearly 4 pints of the same product at Sainsbury's for £2.80. Greedy pub chain owners and the high rents they charge are the final nail. Had some happy times in there. Leo

Hi, Intrepid raft racers train for 'raft racing' on the Tring Summit. Crew of 4 (men & Women) on a twin hulled job, held together by ally poles. Has steering, goes well. Drums about 5 gall. capacity with fashioned bow. they are kept at The Grand Junction Arms (now under new management), Normally train?race an a Sunday am. The scullers from Berko School also make interesting watching, again on the GU summit. They all appear to be licensed and are grateful when you show consideration when they pass you. Not sure of the fisherpersons' thoughts though. Leo

Hi, This happens at Cowroast quite frequently (the pumping from the deep aquifers also helps) and it is amazing what can be fished out - someone beat me to a brass windlass a couple of years ago. It was fairly clear this morning, between the lock and the marina entrance. Leo.