JollyWonker
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Blown gasket and 1 mile and a flight from a marina
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Tony, get a life. The world is bigger than your keyboard. I'm sure you won't but try to be your online-self in the real world and gauge the response. My one hour (cumulative) interaction on this page in the last day has given me more grief than I've had in a longer period than I care to remember. You can enjoy your plastic throne dude, just don't push people down to elevate yourself because many will let you do it. -
Blown gasket and 1 mile and a flight from a marina
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Agh, bloody email notifications! Unsubscribed now but tricky to resist your response. Dig deep and scroll-up. Was this an outburst from a child or a retort to a series of thinly-veiled disrespectful tangents? There's nothing to accept; and if you think professionally knowing lots about a boat is a badge of honour within the wider discipline of Engineering you need to dip your toe into a bigger fish bowl to find some perspective. Respect isn't earned or demanded, it can only be lost and it didn't take you and a few of your follow keyboard warriors to lose mine in record time. But well done, you've carved a sense of authority for yourself; just wish others didn't hold you in such regard and reverence because it's undeserved. Jollywonker out. -
Blown gasket and 1 mile and a flight from a marina
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Well said - I can't appreciate what you've said because this wouldn't happen in my life but if you say that's how it is I'll certainly understand. Don't think this is for me. Just a passing thought - it only seems to be a few, not the platfrom. Thanks again. -
Blown gasket and 1 mile and a flight from a marina
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Thanks so much @Mike Todd for the offer!! Its massively appreciated but with work, toddler and dogs I think the best we could possibly hope for is midday Wednesday. Thank you though, so much. Biggest thing is now we need to get her safe as she's more isolated than I would like, just because life has got in the way over the past few months. i'll be putting calls into mechanics first thing tomorrow with the hope of finding one who doesn't operate on canal-time and but if I can't get somebody out in a couple of days pulling her up will likely be the quicker option. To most of the posters here, thanks again and if you happen to pass there'll be more booze on board than you can shark a stick at -
Blown gasket and 1 mile and a flight from a marina
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Thanks Captain - I didn’t intend to be blunt and I do appreciate the advice. Learning credentials or questioning authority on gaskets wasn’t on my mind but suffice to say I was there when the work was undertaken and I’m confident the fault is as reported. We’re going up to stay on her on Tuesday with a truck load of beer to pray to the boating gods for a generous passer! Thanks again guys -
Blown gasket and 1 mile and a flight from a marina
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
RIghto, not going to defend my post. I'm a chartered Engineer and not stupid by any stretch, although ironically deal with almost every discipline other than engines until we picked her up in the summer. A mechanic based in the local marina spent a few hours getting her going, gave his findings and I'm happy with the diagnosis. The confusion, I think is because I want her craned out for blacking, so perhaps I lead the conversation into a direction where towing was a sensible solution. I'll call the mechanics Monday, and around others to check availability. Thanks for all the advice. -
Blown gasket and 1 mile and a flight from a marina
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Thanks for all the advice guys. In response to some of the questions - Its a BMC 1.8. it originally drew water from the tank but bleeding didn't fix things for long (twice in a few weeks). Called a mechanic from the marina who was super helpful, changed the fuel filter and got her running but air is drawing in around the head gasket. I know it an be done in the water but for some reason towing her to get crained out was suggested but I'll call again on Monday and maybe check availability of others who'll take it out in the water. Don't think its the hugest job if no peripheral damage and I could take to CB for skimming etc. -
Blown gasket and 1 mile and a flight from a marina
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Hey guys - thanks for replying. I was intentionally vague because I’m not with her and didn’t want to draw attention to it if needed - looking to get to the marina on Wharf lane, which has a dry dock. We also need other blacking and some upgrades and the mechanics who checked it out have suggested I get it to them So you think the best option is wait by the boat and hitchhike? Cash, cuddles and beer are in abundance and happy to pay -
Heys guys - I was hoping I could ask for some advice or perhaps somebody might be in a position to help us if you’re in the area. We have a 70ft narrow boat with a blown head gasket about 1m from the Stratford-upon-Avon canal kings wood junction. We need to get to dry dock, which is about half hour tow (no locks) before a flight of locks which I’ve been told are pretty close so I could pull it through with some effort! I‘m more than happy to pay whatever it takes (plus imagine the boat karma!) for either a tow to the bottom of the flight, support from a fellow boater to get it all the way or finding a professional boat-moving service of sorts. The tow would maybe an hour, and i’m guessing a full day for the full move. Im quite desperate to do this asap..any support or advice you could offer would be massively appreciated. Thanks!
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Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Thanks again, this has been amazing - more info than I could have hoped for. Two days still it all starts.. can’t wait. -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Perfect. Makes sense - it’ll be fine. Thanks loads for this -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
You’ve all been super helpful, thanks so much for taking the time to help. It’s reassuring that these issues aren’t as widespread as I thought and it’s put my mind at ease. Just looking forward to our fist cruise next week -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
I can leave my house for a few days or a week but it’s normally only a matter of hours. Perhaps I am coming across as paranoid. (Almost) worst case I lose a window and some mess is made. As long as whoever breaks in isn’t a total dick and smashes it all up I can deal with that. Ah, that’s a super good point!! Need to get on that first thing. You’re awesome. -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
I’m not paranoid. Do you own a home which you’ve left unlocked for going on a year? I know my village and the calculated risk. Everybody on our street has a shotgun (in the tweed-wearing sense) but I’ve not collected our boat yet so I can’t calculate the risk, hence the reason I’ve asked for support from those in the know. My mistake on the plates, I was thinking of Ali as i can powder coat them to blend in and you couldn’t tell it wasn’t steel you get the grinder out..and in that case it’s too late anyway as the sides are 4mm. and I’m not talking about a ‘bat-phone’ here..it’s a means of me knowing what’s going on for piece of mind and having the opportunity to address the situation, albeit remotely. yeah, nice one. Thanks for that. -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Nope. Just had it done March so all should be well. A secondary main switch would be no different than a radiator value or cooker isolator switch and tantamount to one of the 6 or 8 trips you’d have in a fuze box. It’s just another isolation switch, makes itnsafer if anything. Also viewed quite a few boats with recent BSS and the electric setups are mental (including ours) -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Nope. Boat was checked March so should be peachy. In terms of a secondary ‘master’ you could consider a radiator-valve or cooker isolator in the same vein. Or it’s tantamount to say the 6 or 8 trip switches for your DC circuits. We’ve viewed quite a few boats with recent BSS and (from an electronic Engineer) most are laughable (including ours!) -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
No problem, just put in a secondary ‘master switch’. If the second is open or on) and there’s an issue the relevant people can switch it off. If the secondary is closed (or off) then there’ll be no power and no problems. Sure the BSSwould be fine with that. -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
True, but somebody telling you your being watched would certainly make me scarper. My baby monitor tells my watch every time there’s a movement or sound and I can see and talk to her wherever I am in the world. Theres gotta be something similar for boats..or if not I’ll just buy a few more nanitCams! -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
All brilliant points. I’m not overly paranoid. I live in a village and my back door has been open for months (lost my key) but it’s good to know break-ins aren’t rife on the waterways, not to saying doesn’t happen. I thought moored boats would have been an ideal target for squatting..easy to scope, all mod-cons and often isolated. We will keep moorings our target, just be good for feel reassured when it’s not possible -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Thanks, that is super reassuring. I’ll order the CCTV stuff just as a precaution tonight in time for our maiden voyage and hold fire on the plates until I get a better feel of what we’re dealing with, which means I don’t need to go into work tomorrow! -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Robm - In terms of the CCTV I’d have no option other than to alert the authorities that a break in is in progress and a 2-way intercom to warn the trespassers (that I have their photos and police are one their way) helps. Whether the police arrive in time to avoid damage or if they can be assed to walk up the tow path is out of my control, but for a few 100 it’s worth it. martyng..No I have not considered the weight of the plates but to hazard a guess I’d say c.3 or 4kg ea. So physically lifting isn’t an issue (mid 30’s and as a fiddle). Storing isn’t an issue - it’s a 70’ boat for me, partner and child with loads of storage so I think we’ll be fine..might need 30x300x250mm. If you’re point is regarding weight distribution then there’s bus windows on each side to balance and standing on the side didn’t sink her. And as mentioned, previous owner us done a bloody good job on the doors. totally agree mooring would be ideal but I have my own company which allows me to work remotely but if I get called in I need to go in - I won’t always be able to afford the time trying to find suitable mooring, unfortunately -
Boat security, advice would be hugely appreciated
JollyWonker replied to JollyWonker's topic in General Boating
Hi Arthur thanks for the super speedy response! Reassuring to know there’s so few thefts considering the number of boats but I’m not so worried about that. There’s plenty of parts I’ll be taken to make sure it doesn’t sail and the CCTV/GPS will help..what I am concerned about is somebody putting a window through to squat or to just have themselves a drunken boat party..and the damage done can be pretty swift. The doors at the bow end are metal and secure and the stern hatch is reinforced. So it just leaves the 7(!) bus Windows! If we can find temp morrings wherever we land then happy days - I’m just mindful that with our work commitments it might not always be that simple. In an ideal world, I’d like a back up. 7 steel plates would be easy to stow and maybe take half hour to fit. Then it would be an angle grinder job through the cabin and I doubt many would be up for that. -
Hiya folks We’re taking our first foray into boat life next week and we’re super excited. Our offer has been accepted on a lovely 70’ trad narrowboat just North of London and we’re trading for the keys on Tuesday. Just have a quick question if that’s OK. Our plan is to navigate the waterways of the UK half the month then return home, so essentially 2 weeks on 2 weeks off unless work permits otherwise (which could go either way). Permanent mooring, as far as I understand it is out of the question as we couldn’t go far enough before returning. So the first question would be how difficult would it be to find temp, secure mornings for the 2 weeks we’d be away from the boat in various locations. The follow-up would be on securing the bus Windows so we can leave her (with CCTV/ alarms) on the towpath with some piece of mind. Is there anything wrong with drilling M8 holes through the cabin sides, one on each side of every bus window? The plan is to secure 5mm steel plates over each window by bolting from inside the cabin into threaded holes on the rear of the plates. I’d use grommets to keep it water tight when we’re on the boat, I just want to double check on structural integrity or whether any other potential issues could crop up. Thanks loads! The comments, info and users on this forum went a huge way in making us take the plunge so I hope I can be of some help once I know more.