Phoenix_V

From what I have seen £500 is reasonable. Try and do a cat c boat (over 12 m) where it is mandatory for an independent body to be involved and you are looking at £2500 and up hence my argument that whilst it is A GOOD THING for Ally to get his cat D boats independently done, make it mandatory and we will all be ripped off by the inspectors as well as the BSI

The only problem with this is that as soon as you hand a monopoly on a plate to someone they take the p**s with charges Look at the difference between surveyors and notified body charges for cat c (mandatory over 12m) and cat d (non mandatory) not that much difference between the 2 but costs I have seen are about 5 fold higher for cat c than d.

I thought they still leaked, that pound was at least 12" down 10 days ago

Yes but who would make any money doing that. public or university libraries are your friend if you want to read the standards and do it all yourself otherwise there is one organization which (for several hundred pounds) provide a computer programme/guide, the name escapes me but they advertise and have been mentioned on here

IWA seem to be doing a fine job of running the Chelmer and Blackwater on rather less money than BW would - or does anyone know different?

You may well be right, I could live with no membership if that were achieved - but at the moment the charity appears to be neither "beholden to the efficient running and sustainable future of the waterways" - nor focused on it's stakeholders - how do we get there.

No, someone has to set up the initial constitution and I presume it will be the government, all we can do is seek to influence. As a matter of interest I looked up the Avon Navigation Trust. They appear to be a reasonably lean and efficient organisation with a simple one man one vote membership if that works (unless someone knows different)why not copy though I still feel guaranteed seats for each interest in the manner of Northern Ireland power sharing is more likely to be fairer My link "Membership You can support the work of the Trust by becoming a member. Members do not need to become involved, but they can attend the Annual General Meeting, ask questions or comment on how the river is run, nominate new members and trustees, and vote. In return the Trust sends a regular bulletin to keep members up to date with the latest information about the Navigation, and related news and events."

DEFRA, presumably, after consultation, at the end of the day government are elected to govern but in a democracy only after consulting and listening - how else?

IMHO 1 seat each for elected reps of fishermen, cyclists and walkers, nature conservation, historical interests,trade and about 6/7 for boating interests would be about right but I am sure others will argue different.

Clearly there needs to be a balance between factional interests but boaters are under represented and one boat one vote appears quite reasonable in the context of the boating interest

I pay a fee to use my boat. In that context quite enough means I pay what I am asked to. I expect that fee to cover my membership not to have to make a further "donation" if i want a vote. The level of that fee clearly does not cover the cost of maintaining the waterways. But we are told that there are 6 million visitors and other benefits accruing to the nation from our waterways so it is only reasonable for the government to top it up. Canada is often held up as an example of a lean state that does not do subsidy but I have been on their waterways and they are much much better kept than here

I dont think we disagree, there is the possibility of membership though no firm proposal, lobbying for membership with voting rights may be effective and is certainly not negative. I give quite enough to waterways through my license fee however and have no intention of making further donations in order to acquire a say

From BW website FAQ "How will the new charity be run? A new council of representatives will be established – bringing in a range of interests such as boaters, anglers, heritage, environment, local authorities etc – with oversight over a Board of Trustees with the responsibility for the running of the organisation and for the appointment and oversight of directors. At a local area, waterway partnerships will be set up to give local people and groups a greater role in the running of waterways." I dont see anything about membership there, I am happy to be corrected if I am wrong though please let me see your link

The National Trust is a membership based organisation, there seems to be little reason for the NWT not to be.

or maybe they just want it set up properly, the IWA have made a no of constructive suggestions which are not so far apart from the critics on this forum, imho the initial funding is inadequate, the management top heavy (and overpaid) and members representation lacking.

We use 2 old boats with gas fridges. One is not flued, the other has a flue extension to bring the output out of the cabin side rather than the hull (about 40cm) Neither has given any problem or caused the CO alarm to sound. 15 and 20 years use respectively. Having said that our new boat is electric. Dont supose it will last as long though.

As far as I know he will build what you tell him to, unlike many, a friend has a very nice cruiser stern which doesnt look remotely like a working boat even a pastiche

Arrived an hour ago, took the last space 30' only, one boat has left, several have come looked and gone again.

That's all true, but if the 2 pack is sound why recoat at all just touch up the scratches. If it starts to look untidy above the waterline then a coat of bitumen might tidy it up cosmetically with the 2 pack remaining underneath to do the real work, I've tried this Jotun Pioneer topcoat above the waterline on my new boat to cover up various epoxy paint touch ups which dont match where we have been welding etc, it is supposed to stick to the old epoxy better than more epoxy (or at least less preparation) and is easy to touch up as it dissolves itself and doesnt require sanding, quick drying too. However it's too soon to report on how it's working.

from BW lea bridge 2.45m, kings weir 2.33 and there are lower ones further up

Ours did too, and they seemed such a bargain at the time bought it after some discussion about them on cwdf 2 or 3 years ago. About to charging a low but smallish battery when it went. So possibly dont like uncharged batteries, but would have thought it's protection devices should have cut in (or is that out?) I've tried plugging it in again and it just gives off a worrying smell of burning. Havent opened it up yet but may do so now Perhaps there is a generic fault if others have had this too may be worth a call to B and D?

I suspect he is required to sell diesel by his landlords lea Valley Park but doesnt want to. He doesnt have a hire fleet any more but there are still 2 diesel day boats so if there was anything wrong with the fuel he would sort it out fairly quickly

Temporary licence terms and conditions for the olympics quitely slipped onto their web site BW new terms No refund for boaters affected and no mention of transit arrangements

The proposed closure of the River is causing considerable upset for local boaters many of whom make their annual trip off the River in July and it is not helped by the couldnt care less attitude of Sarah Emmings the BW "Olympics Delivery manager" what delivery.

We moor on the Lee I have no plans to go elsewhere because i cant as they intend closing the river. So i think I have every right to feel unhappy. Didnt get any tickets either.