Hawksey

Just thought some of you might like to see this fantastic old film. https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-barging-through-london-1924-online

These guys do fully comp and no need for a survey. I've used them for the past 14 years on my 44 year old sailboat for that reason. https://edwardwilliam.com/

Think it's about time the BSS should include the compulsory fitting of gas, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms to boats fitted with gas/cookers/stoves/heaters...would save a lot more lives than some of the other 'regulations'

Update on 07/10/2015:Monday 12th October 2015 at 8 am Kier will set up crane, this will take approximately 3 hours, the bridge will be lifted off the canal and placed on the road. The bridge will be off for a minimum of 2 hours we will ensure all the boats can pass that are waiting. Kier will ensure that all craft looking to pass will be able to do so. The estimated time for repairs is 1-2 weeks pending findings. CRT have instructed contractors to work continuously on the repair. CRT staff and volunteers will be on site to assist craft through the bridge and lock 85 (Newbury town) during the period of the re-opening.

I've been told by CRT there is an estimate of two weeks until the repair can be done

Manual here: http://www.solarnisistemi.rs/pdf/punjaci/EPOW-KS10H-KS20H%20.pdf Work Mode 33 = Delay off after 13 hours (5 hour at full power) It turns the 'LOAD' connection on and off for lighting

My power saving tips: Been out for a cruise and fancy a cuppa or going to cook? Fill the kettle/pan from the hot tap, its half boiling already (assuming you have a engine heated calorifier) and saves lots of gas. Laptop/Phone? Just turn the screen brightness down, it can double the life of the battery. Turning off Wi-Fi/Bluetooth helps to if your not using them. Solar panels? 1: Fit an MPPT controller. 2: Wire the panels in series, upto the max voltage that your controller will take. They will start charging the batteries much earlier in the morning and go on charging later in the evening. Wiring from controller to panels can be thinner too.

Hmmmm...might be a good time to start marketing my 'anti-drift you've come away from the bank' alarm gadget thing...anyone interested? Only really useful when aboard, but can wake you before you disappear over that weir

Bilge keel, 3'3" Bukh 10 inboard 5 sails - 2 mains, lightweight genoa, heavy genoa, cruising shute Moored on the Norfolk Broads Needs a bit of a tidy up but nothing major, If I get £5000 I'll chuck in a hardly used honda 2hp 4 stroke outboard and 3 man wetline inflatable

My Tomahawk 25 is up for sale if you're interested? Its only been to sea once and that was its delivery trip when new 30 years ago

You can buy the licence from the lock keeper at the first manned lock you come to. Prices/details are here https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/420058/LIT_10050.pdf Might be worth filling out this form and handing it to the lock keeper to save time https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/391931/LIT_7452.pdf Reading to Oxford in a very long day is doable but the '1 day' licence is effectively 2 days as it expires at midnight on the day after purchase so why not take your time and enjoy the trip!

I had exactly the same problem - 45psi pump, 3 bar prv and a bilge of water. Fixed it by replacing the pump pressure switch for a lower rated one, 30psi I think, that I found at work. Very simple replacement, just unplug and re-plug two wires, job done. Might still have a few switches at work if you need one? They are made by Shurflo, standard size, left over from a bar fonts job we had.

I've got two center ropes, connected when needed to the centre point by carabiners, a long one 60', and a short one that I used most. The short one will not reach the prop, has a 12" loop on the end for dropping over bollards and a carabiner on the hoop for quickly hooking onto mooring rings.

A colleague of mine is looking for a 1, 2 or 3 week boat exchange. He is looking for use of a nice narrowboat in exchange for use of his sailing yacht in Barcelona, Spain. Narrowboat can be anywhere on the system and he is ok with paying any extra insurance necessary. His yacht is a Jeanneau Sun Magic 44, fully equipped for off-shore sailing, sleeps 8 in 4 cabins and is moored 10 minutes walk to the centre of Barcelona. You would need to be RYA qualified to offshore level to sail it (he is), but happy to let people just stay on her on her moorings and explore the city if not. All you would need to pay for is your flights (easy-jet to Barcelona can from about £15 each way) and food/drink. Dates of the exchange would not have to coincide. If anyone’s interested drop me a line.

Why not wait for another boat going your way and butty up with them? Wide locks on the K&A? (oh...unless you are a widebeam)

Thanks for the reply's and encouragment If the weather holds fair and no one fancys a trip i'll attempt doing it single handed tomorrow Thanks Phil

Anyone fancy a short cruise with lots of lock working? I’m at the top of the Lapworth flight, Stratford on Avon canal. Got rained out yesterday and now Gill, my partner, has had to return home for a few days. I’m a bit too green to attempt the locks single handed! Would be great to be at the bottom (in the GU link) for her return on Saturday, so we can continue the voyage to our new moorings in Newbury. Thanks Phil

Planning the trip from Birmingham to my new mooring in Newbury on the K&A and need an anchor for the Thames (Oxford>Reading) and probably the Kennet river sections. What would be a good size/weight for a 57’ steel narrowboat? Thanks! Phil

I glued it on with the recommend Bostik 2402. Seems to be holding up well so far (just over a year). .

I had the same problem. Got some 1mm Tufnol cut into 25mm strips and stuck to the existing steel runners on the boat and hatch. Slides much better now. http://www.directplasticsonline.co.uk/ .

One of those umbrella holders that fix to the tiller

I made up 4 x 10 inch computer fans (600 rpm I think). These plug into nearby 12v sockets and have a switch wired for suck/off/blow. They fit nicely into the port holes in the back cabin with the glass removed, the canal side ones sucking in cooler air, towpath side blowing it out. Keeps the bedroom cool at night, are quiet and doesn’t knacker the batteries. Seems to keep the insects away to! Phil