mingus

OK. I'm hoping this is just my paranoia, and don't laugh but..... The prow of my beloved home appears to be lowering since I last filled up the water tank. Am I right to assume that, provided the stern is still lower than the prow, any water that gets in anywhere will drain to the stern and be visible sloshing round in the engine bay? I've never actually lifted the plywood floor but I've always assumed it's just concrete underneath - if this is the case how does water drain from front to rear - or doesn't it? Are the bilges anywhere at the bottom of the boat or are they at the stern?? I only have pumps in the stern so if the prow fills with water and my boat goes from / through _ to \ I assume I either rip up the floor and start bailing like a madman or. . . . . . . sink. Lovely, friendly, and reassuring replies preferred. T

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll go with 4 while I have a choice and fall back to 3, pretty much inevitably if 4 is refused given the engine compression readings. Let's pray for a mild winter...

OK, I'm hoping my first post to the forum isn't so contentious that I start a fist fight but,,,,,,, I've been cruising the system for about six months now, I bought a lovely - but somewhat lacking in TLC - 57' trad stern called Martha in April and I've been up to Weedon on the GU, learnt loads, freaked out totally in a tunnel and generally had a good summer painting decks, learning skills and pottering about but now WINTER is fast approaching. I'm on waiting lists (have been for 5 months) but don't yet have a mooring and my lovely Martha is going to need some work doing - so far I've just fitted new fuel lines, filters and oil to a Lister Petter that is in serious need of a serious overhaul. In essence my question is "how do I maintain a cruise whilst rebuilding a 40 year old engine?" It's not that I actually want to stop moving about or to renege on my promise to constantly explore but, in the absence of a horse, sending a cylinder head off for valve grinding and re-seating isn't possible if I have to move every 2 weeks and neither (in approx 3 months time) is becoming an ice breaker with an engine that's probably pushing out about 12HP flat out. How does the "constant cruiser" maintain their boat when engineering companies have a 28 day turnaround? Is there a winter armistice when the cut is frozen? If all else fails I guess I just sit tight and pay the daily overstayers fine because I have no choice but it does seem wrong - I'm not going to stop moving because of an unexpected problem if I can stop somewhere out of the way to prevent it happening but there doesn't seem to be any provision for this in the licence. Am I missing something or are we CC ers supposed to de-materialize or pay exorbitant fees for others to do the work just 'cause they can do it in their private yards?