Derek R.

I have watched numerous videos of late (YT) of folk 'cruising' the cut, with selfies galore, and historic detail in the minimum. Roof gardens vie for dominance with solar panels, or a hotchpotch of clutter. Boating practices such as were commonplace amongst those who once 'worked' boats - absent, to the point of switching off completely - which I did. As to Braunston parades - spare me! One horror that was head and shoulders above many, was a young man cruising from the end of the present navigation on the Wendover arm, to Marsworth. He mentioned there was a pump house, but of its history? Nothing. On seeing a stream entering from the right - 'a stream entering here'. On Heygates Mill - 'A factory, 'Heygates' mill'. Of history, or Bushell's boatbuilding - nothing. Cruise accomplished at a fast tickover in the entirety, until Maffers junction loomed, when 'Better stop here'. This young man probably went to a college somewhere, or even university . . . or possibly not. Another showed Mother steering with grown Son locking down the Aylesbury arm. Smart boat bedecked with potted plants, interesting comments, but of history? Nothing. It's been over thirty years since I went that way, had a mooring in the basin for a while and I was shocked by the new-build housing that has sprung up. How fast some things disappear. Birmingham and Sherborne wharf is another example. I won't be going back. But I have the books and many photographs. Grumpy old man syndrom rules - OK! It seems the modern day boater seeks a new world afloat, but has little interest in history, or the working practices that made movement - 'efficient'. I think 'Cruising the Cut' series has its adherents, but the only one I recall which had a semblance of real detail, was when he interviewed Jules Fuels on a coal run. I got afloat at beyond the 'tail end' of the ever present remains of industry, decaying in the main, but had the good fortune to have met a handful of old boys and women who passed on tips and hints. It was nice while it lasted.

For less than a tenner, book; stories; history and detailed maps: https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=&tn=dockland illustrated historical survey&cm_sp=plped-_-1-_-search

Plus, there's commission on the sale to both buyer and seller! Must be worth 2p? Comes with free dust . . . And what price this bespoke work of art . . . (splutter . . pfft . . )

'JESTER' - nearly got that much right! Makes identification of the "coal barge" open to offers.

Is this the remains of 'JOKER' that was tied above Fishery lock for some time?

Canal Junction have it at £10.99 plus £3.95 postage (within the UK). Highest price advertised was $615.63c (US) £469.15 GBP. Our water can was painted by John Hill, and I have a copy of Stem to Stern. Neither are going anywhere.

@wanderinglotus I have just read through the 'other' thread (not having read that before my previous comment). That's a nice lot of info. Then I read: " As far as I know, it's never had overplating & the thinnest points are only 2mm thinner than what it was built with (most only being 1mm)... which is really not bad for a 60 year life! " What was the original thickness of steel then? If it was 6mm (quarter inch, and what TYCHO and many others were made of) and it is now say - 4mm, I would consider that acceptable. Anything less than 3mm becomes border line. If the remaining steel is 2mm or less - walk away. As an aside: TYCHO was overplated internally in the bow section in 1942, the date she was cut down from 70', and all the overplating was rivetted in - quite a job! Also, around the forefoot of the 5' ram that replaced the original stem post, there was/is a cement wash, similar but in a far smaller amount, to that which PLUTO has hown. Rock solid, no damp. After I sold her, the bottom got shot blasted, and more than 20 holes were blown through in the hull bottom. Corrosion from both above and abrasive wear and corrosion from beneath.

It will be appreciated by most of the commenters on this forum that you are seeking information. I have looked at all the comments made so far, and specifically the one made by Alan Fincher, and I cannot see how you might have taken umbridge over anything he has stated. You are seeking information, and you have been given information. But information will inevitable be laced with opinion. Take what opinion suits, ignore what doesn't. But please - they are 'opinions', they may vary but they are not worth "blocking". Some may become valuable later on, do not set boundaries that cannot be moved. Where has it been stated that there is, or was any question of the vessel you are contemplating is, or isn't an Ice-boat? Unless it has been 'removed', I do not see it. Then you made the statement that you are 22yrs of age. Well, now you will have something in the form of 'age discrimination' to level at me, if indeed you are feeling 'hurt' by the comments of one who is more than three times your age and who has been living on and lurking around the waterways since 1979, and in many respects I still consider myself a novice. There are others who write here who are far more knowledgable in wider areas than I. Many of us grew up in an age when ears got boxed, and backsides got kicked, we took knocks and just got on with life. If we got offended, we either gave as good as we got, or put it down to 'experience'. Reacting and commenting in the way you have over Alans' contribution or anyone elses, will guarantee folk will clam up. Can you afford that? In addition; you are seeking to improve upon an "asset". Please be assured, no boat is an asset. It is something that (when afloat) sits in the water making a 'hole' in the water, into which you, your family, your friends, and maybe some finance company/bank will pour money into - and that 'hole' in the water will not reduce in size - it will stay the same size. You will be poorer financially, though you will be richer in the experience gained and with the people you will meet along the way. It is a general maxim that any 'restoration' of a vessel or vehicle, will cost far more than any monetary 'value', which itself will be at the mercy of the market at any given time. Boating is a lifestyle. Start it and live it and there will be one of two outcomes: You stick with it - or you leave it. I left it, and having left it, cannot return. Make the right choice, only you can decide which is 'right' for you.

Bengo makes some good points, though it ought to be pointed out that most reinforced bar used in bridges and buildings has of necessity to be sealed, i.e. 'buried' in concrete to eliminate all contact with air and water. Any partial exposure will incur corrosion. An open question with regard to ultrasonic measuring: Does a test against hull plating measure the thickness of the steel alone where concrete is present behind the steel? Or is it only capable of measuring the entire thickness - steel plus concrete?

If that's the 'arm' that leads off from the bottom of Ryders Green locks that led up to where Braithwaite & Kirk built boats, I recall there was some concern that the sediment was highly polluted and a reason for dissuading navigation or dredging. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The question will always be: What's going on between the concrete/cement and the steel it is bonded to after several decades of use? It might be obvious that the area where the concrete ends and where the steel is exposed to air and water, will be the point at which corrosion will be greatest. Also, what density of concrete was used when originally poured? If you cannot access the areas in question, then caution should be the watchword. There is an article here: https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/poured-concrete-for-ballast-in-a-sailing-hull-a-no-no.26410/ And many comments made thereon.

Nice little boat. As to 'back to original', just do what works for you. I'd stick with 'PENNYWISE'. It still has a connection with money!

Rolt's trilogy is excellent, especially 'Landscape with Canals'.

My eldest daughter and her partner are on holiday just outside York, and the medieval gatehouse which they are renting for two weeks, whilst advertising Wi-Fi available, has no Wi-Fi ! They complained to the proprietor that the advertised service was not available, to which she replied: - "Well, you could always go home then." But did offer a £100 reduction on the bill. Daughter and beau 'live' on their smart phones. He is in advertising building websites and creating copy, she dabbles in vintage clothing selling on Etsy etc. They visit us once a fortnight. Apart from the usual 'girl' talk between Mother and daughters, matey boy sits on the sofa engrossed in his laptop. He and I have absolutely nothing in common. The lack of conversation is therefore not missed. We do not begrudge their visits and they are made welcome. In turn they like coming to see us. Daughter has good conversations with me, but he - nada. Suits me fine, but he's always pleasant enough.

Survive without Wi-Fi ! - tell that to todays generations.

Interesting and sad. From dirty ditch to be hidden from sight, to millionaires playground (well, for a few). So much change, which was inevitable. Industrial ugliness to architectural ugliness, and a smattering of some seriously ugly floating craft and idiocy - Sharks? A 'humourous' tourist attraction? Roger missed out the coal taxes and the City of London marker posts, and the problems of frozen hydraulic cranes. Strange to see disjointed shadows of history. Ghosts receding into gaudiness. The end music summed it all up.

The Pathé News film I think Magnetman refers to:

I have eight others, but don;t know if CHRISTINA is amongst them. These were all taken in 1982.

Yes, I was just thinking that - Apologies to both . . .

Good Lord! Apologies to Sue . . .

No Sir. This is ADELINA taken in 1982: (On the Basingstoke canal).

Looks like Sue Cawson steering. Don't know the Gent.

I dug these out from the photo boxes. Taken in 1988.

ACHILLES is a very nice boat - through my eyes. The 'market' is controlled by what people can afford, and the prospects and speculation of what will happen in the future. With the world currently in a situation of instability, and I am not judging that by what is reported in the main stream media, but the alternative media, we are all experiencing uncertainty with rising prices across the board. As costs rise, cuts are made and the 'market' reflects this. As to 'rivet counters' . . . . one mans' meat etc.

There's a secluded cottage a mile from us which is called 'Bellhole Cottage'. The name comes from a time when the local Monks had bells cast in the vicinity of the cottage.