Guzziman

thankyou for that, you learn something everyday. I enjoy the programme it's good to see someone with so much enthusiasm and he rides a bike, good luck Guy Guzziman

what's a greeny? Guzziman

Laurence, brilliant bit of information and history, thanks for taking the time, and thanks to everyone else for their hints and tips. when I put this on the forum I didn't realise there was no "written" info with the stove, just thought we hadn't got it. Think what we have now is about as good as anyone could wish for, hope everybody finds it as useful as I have. Now can't wait for some time off in a cold spell on the boat. Guzziman (Kevin)

I'll try again, didn't put a reply in on the last one! whooops, So, was that you, I read it all and went back to read it again. Thanks, Guzziman p.s. I was on Scrapheap challenge once! does that count for anything?

If anyone has a Premier range and could pass on any hints and tips on lighting, running, cooking with a back cabin range we would much appreciate any advice you have to offer. We have a Premier but haven't even shown it a match yet, now the weather is changing we would like to put it into action, don't know if it likes wood or coal or how much to put in it. Any advice what so ever, even if it's don't sit on it when it's hot! Look forward to hearing from you, regards, Guzziman

has he recent science finder just come out of uni? he he Guzziman

have a look on SM Hudson Boatbuilders website, thers a section on their that shows a little bit of signwriting and painting, quite nice actually. regards, Guzziman

thin leather probably best (seen these in garden centres) but cotton work gloves would be ok or just put up with the wear and tear on the old pinkies, hope this helps. Regards, Guzziman

with you all the way, they should at least wait for a signal or "ask", we've come across too many of this kind recently, next ones are in for a blasting! Guzziman p.s. this weekend someone tried to open the gate with the boat in the way - he had no idea what was in the lock and looked at me blank when I said "don't open the gate the boat is in the way" whilst I held the gate from opening, it really is like looking at and talking to (thick) brick walls. Yes I do feel strongly about this! like your last line. Guzziman

I collected my SM Hudson boat on the 5th June this year, yes the yard is a little quieter - not supprising in this climate, and yes I believe they have had lay off's over the last 6 - 8 months and Steve would be the first to tell you that, the "Big" advert is an annual occurance before his open days (has been the 3 years I've known him) I would suggest that rumours like this are quickly put to rest as they do no one any good, not good for Steve's company and no good for people who have boats in build with him at the moment. In my dealings with SM Hudson boatbuilders I have found them to be as straight as the day is long, informative and a company who prides itself in delivering first class quality from the sheet steel laid in the yard through to the finished product leaving their basin. I am a little sad that I don't have to pay them visits anymore. Maybe I'll vist them at their open day in 2010, maybe more people should visit them at this years open day! anyone that does will be in for a very pleasant experience and if you are looking for a boatbuilder then look very closely at their quality, it opened our eyes. By the way, it was hazardous Kevin and he has been long gone and I believe it was nothing to do with Steve. Guzziman

Quite agree, we had a boat owner open a paddle in a broad lock which threw our seventy footer across the lock into the wall without a second look he was a complete idiot (I hope he is reading this!) never ever operate a lock for someone else without having the decency to wait for the signal to carry on, next time I will loose my cool and let rip, these people wind me up beyond belief... sorry but I do feel very strongly about this, maybe they want the bill for the damage. He probably thought he was some sort of professional with his windlass holster and all - can't say what I thought he was!!!! Guzziman

Lee, we find that opening the paddle on the same side as the boat keeps it to the lock wall, we just had a very annoying "heplful boater" open the oppsite paddle before we could do anything and believe me it whacked the boat across the lock (front end) so don't be affraid of telling people to leave it to you. most experienced people are intelligent enough to ask if you are ready before they do anything - but watch out for the "plonker"! Guzziman

Correct, and you don't need degrees to make your own mind up!

I liked the humour thanks, I even like a little drinkies from time to time, I like Waterways World and Canal Boat magazines - read them from cover to cover! Thanks Ed's I also liked Crick show, it was our third visit, we bought lots of stuff and had a really good day. We even allowed our boatbuilder to show our boat and having listened to certain comments on this thread I wonder why! Well I will say why we did, we thought it would add to the numbers of other peoples pride and joys who also bothered to let their boats go to the show, to help make the event worth going to and at this point I would like to say thanks to all the other owners who let hundreds and hundreds of visitors walk through their property. In our present climate the boatbuilders and suppliers need as much support as they can get and even though the numbers were down a little this year I thought it was a brilliant day out for everyone. Guzziman

There's alot of water gone under the bridge since my last entry and I never did put any pics on the blog (sorry) like everyone else I don't know where all the time goes, shame we can't slow it down sometimes. Anyway, our boat, she's built and going to Crick show so if you are going down there, or up, depending where you are coming from, go and have a look at her if you like, she will be under SM Hudson's banner, she's called "Eleanor" and we can't wait to get her home. Let's hope the weather is good this year for everyone. regards, Guzziman

I think by now you have the info you were looking for, if you can make it take the family to the Crick boat show this year, 23rd May - 25th May inc. You will be able to see many builders and their wares including our boat "Eleanor" have a look round her, she's been displayed by S M Hudson - boatbuilders. There's lots of other things to do and see infact if the weather is good you won't have long enough. Best of luck with your dream, that's all ours was once. Best regards, Guzziman

Ah, so you have joined! hello from some people that live next door to your relatives in "Tinker Lane" we looked around your boat at Crick the year before last and thought it was a "really nice job" since then we have our own boat in build with S M Hudson, a little more traditional than your own but with a few tweeks here and there to put our own mark on it. I don't think we could have found anyone one more enthusiastic about their boat than you and David (or about your builder Cauldon) it was a pleasure to spend a little time with you and look round your wonderful boat. best regards, Guzziman

I wouldn't worry too much as long as you deal with it before the on set of real winter, late Dec, Jan and Feb, I'm confidently told that the canal water will keep most of the boat above freezing, suppose thats why someones tap froze once, coz it's quite high above the water line. if you have any coolant left check it's strength, if you have no fancy gear then touch it with your finger then taste it, if it tastes quite sweet then you still have a reasonable amount of antifreeze left in it. all the best, Guzziman

nothing like filling ya boots! Guzziman

I should go for one, when we used to hire it was marvellous to have one with a side hatch, as for looking out onto the water - brilliant! we used to feed ducks and swans from it, once late at night in the pouring rain and the only things to get wet were the swans and the bread.. excellent idea. Guzziman

I've seen the ones at Midland Chandlers and yes they look big, try SM Hudson Boatbuilders, the one's they use are somewhat smaller I believe (thats the engine room pigeon box) hope I'm not wrong. regards, Guzziman

I hope your new venture is "very" successful as we have a new 260 waiting to be used by us (boat not completed yet) and sometime in the future, many years I hope, we will need your parts/service back up. best of luck, regards, Guzziman

how often do they get stolen? not really quick get away items are they. Does everyone worry about what "might" happen? (me included) should we just get on with life and enjoy it, maybe things aren't really that bad.... Guzziman

Have a look at "canalplanac" on't internet it gives you where you can go, time, locks, etc and if you are over length then it tells you where, it's a brilliant site (lots of hard work put into it) but it's been down for a while recently because I think they are changing things around a bit, have a look any way and if it's working again don't think you can do better. most of the northern canals are 57' but are broad locks, i.e. can get a 62 footer through diagonally with care ( I stand to be corrected) Huddersfield narrow, including Standedge tunnel is full length through to Huddersfield itself where it changes to "broad" (57') Leeds/Liverpool (and it's a lovely area) is down at 62' diagonally with a squeeze or maybe even 60'! . canalplanac will tell you everything, top marks to the guy that has put it together it even has pictures along the chosen route. Best of luck what ever, we've changed our ideas from a 62' to a 70' thinking if we wanted to do the northern end we could hire, but thats easy for us we live at the northern end and can visit every weekend if we want. The Ripon canal (and Ripon) is beautiful, so is York, the trip across the Dales (Leeds/Liverpool) is breath taking, get the boat length you want and if necessary go look at the rest by car/hire boat. If you do go North then spend some time away from the canals, the rest of the scenery really is fantastic, get away from the usual tourist roads and you will find some unforgettable places, but don't tell anyone, you will spoil it for me! Guzziman