mopatopper

You did them all in a year!? - thats great and much more dedicated than my weak effort! I guess I have done around 50 ish - just try to stay near one or two when away on business. Which were your favorites? Mopatopper.

Thank You Cat. Having now had a little think I have actually done the Malt Shovel & the Cheshire Midland (what a rubbish memory!) Could you please tell me a little more about the possible mooring at The Vine? Why the offside? Mopatopper.

Hello All. We are planning a little trip down the Bridgewater to Manchester in the next few days. I am one of these sad people trying to do all of Sam Smiths pubs in the UK, so my questions are the following: How far is the walk & is there good moorings near to The Vine @ Dunham Massey? What are the moorings like (safe or not etc) in Altringham & how far is it to the two Sam Smiths in the Town? Thanks. Mopatopper.

My boat needs re-painting and as I see it I have 2 options. (of course I will price both options, but any experience here will be gratefully received!) Option 1: Price a couple of boatyards who will have experience of painting boats (hopefully) make a good job and use the correct product. Option 2: I have access to mobile crane and trucks with flat trailers, so I essence I could get my boat lifted, loaded onto a trailer and moved by road to where I need for virtually nothing. I also have good relationships with commercial vehicle body builders / painters. The question is, will the commercial paint and application methods used on Lorries and trucks be suitable for painting a narrow boat? Thanks.

Hi We are thinking of a trip from Audlem to Barton Under Needwood. As you know, there are two ways of doing this, which way is: 1) more interesting? 2) quicker? Regards Mopatopper

Red diesel is 46p per litre (+vat) wholesale today. - Marinas will be paying around that price if they order a fresh delivery but I guess they will not put the prices down if they have expensive stock around them!

I am after buying one - where on-line sells them? I do not want to make one, as I'm not the making things sort of person! Ideally i would like one of the type I have seen on many boats with the elasticated type sheet on the top. Regards, Mopatopper.

I actually meant now - my business uses around 2000 gallons of "red" desiel a week which we get charged 17.5% vat on - this is for use in plant etc.. when we buy fuel for heating or energy, normally "kerosene" then the lesser vat rate applies.

Hello, I think I am right in thinking 5% vat would only apply if you are using fuel for heating - if it is for propultion 17.5% vat will apply.

I quite agree with the points - any survey is only as good as the person carring out the action! In my line of business (a certain type of industrial construction) there are many so called "experts" who make me laugh with their lack of knowledge of the "real" world we work in. I guess what I am trying to say is that a certificate or qualification does not always do what it says on the tin! That said, there must be some sort of insurance or guarentee that what a surveyer tells you is true?? - Does he not have to adhere to a code of conduct of any sort? Mopatopper.

Thank you very much for the quick replies! It is a Piper hull, but I forget the name of the fitter. I guess what you say makes alot of sense - why scrimp for a few hundred pounds when spending that sort of money!

Hello, I am searching for a newish 57 foot narrowboat under 2-3 years old. Is there a need to get a survey done on a boat of this age? One I have seen has 400 ish hours on the clock. This will be my first Narrowboat. Thanks!