hscott

I offer much thanks for that fact!!!!!!

Thank you both so much for your advice so far - much appreciated! I'd really love to do it - I estimate it would take 2-3 weeks to do it well, working every day - maybe this is an over-estimation, but I hope not an under-estimation! For a 56' boat, does anyone have any idea how much paint would be required? Sorry for the plethora of questions! As a weekend-only boater, am looking forward SO much to time in the summer to just be on the boat!!

Hi there - thank you for your quick response!!! There are areas that are flaky - namely the roof and handrails (which are solid and attached to the roof...) What would you reccommend with these bits?

Hello Wonder for any advice/pearls of wisdom/words of warning. We own a 12 year old ex-hire cruiser stern nb, 56' long. Bits of rust have recently started to become more visible than they were last year (to be expected!) and we're wanting to re-paint. It looks as though this boat (as I imagine is the case with many hire boats) has been re=painted with coat on top of coat to keep it looking good, without getting stripped down. We can't really afford the cost of professional preparation/painting, and being honest I love a challenge and would consider doing it myself (I am aware that TIME would be needed and that would be no problem as I have a long summer holiday this year) however I need advice/info before attempting to go down this route. What would anyone suggest? Is it necessary to strip ALL the paint off (if so, HOW would be the best way to go about this...) or just sand down the rusty bits, deal with the rust, build up the gaps and paint over the top of everything. Help! Many thanks,

HI there Grateful for any thoughts on what could be the matter with our boat... Running the engine all afternoon (3hours) as we have done on many previous occasions (boat was stationary). All of a sudden, we heard what sounded like a surge of power, and then a reduction of power, a surge again and then the engine cut out. We tried to re-start, but the engine although it was trying, it wouldn't turn over and ignite properly. Any ideas?

Hello! Anyone have any good contacts for supply of stern covers? Many thanks in advance for your time if you can help!

Was Mike Heywood not connected with Evans & Son at some point? Apologies if I'm stating the obvious...

Update for anyone who'd like it.... Engine totally serviced yesterday, and full inspection done - fortunately, she's been given a clean bill of health and everything seems in good working order - we've been incredibly lucky. Seems the stern gland doesn't need re-packing either, and the electrics haven't been damaged (Although I know that any problems may arise in 12mths), however the engineer seemed to think it's as sound as it can be given the near miss we've had. THank you all for your advice - what a week this has been - just about coming back down to earth and thanking our lucky stars that we found it when we did...

Thanks for that - we've taken advice from RCR who have been absolutely superb throughout, and we're having the starter motor (which ironically was brand new in August last year....) reconditioned, and the engine thoroughly serviced and looked at and dried out as much as we can. It's obviously a major priority for us this week...keep realising just how fortunate we've been....

Cheers, yeah - we've got an engineer coming tomorrow to change the oil until it's back to normal - we've been so lucky, we're not taking any chances so are being meticulous not to overlook anything....

Hello! T H A N K Y O U for the aqua vac suggestion! WEnt to ScrewFix (THANKYOU!!) in Burton on Trent today and it worked an absolute wonder!!! Having the engine looked at tomorrow for oil change, gearbox oil change and overhaul - seems we've been incredibly lucky that the damage isn't a lot worse...two convector heaters, the central heating on full pelt and a de-humidifier, and we have a floating sauna which is starting to dry out already....back out early tomorrow to continue. Thank you all for your kind suggestions and support!

Hello and thank you to everyone for your speedy and helpful replies - really really appreciate it. To answer a few things, RCR haven't fixed the problem yet, although we have ceased the leak and have been advised not to turn the engine over until we've got an engineer to fix the problem - this is in hand, as is the oil and gearbox oil change, starter motor repair and general service and repair of engine (and cleaning up of engine area...) It's not a springer hull, it's an Evans and Son hull fitted out by a family-run hire firm which we bought in 2006 - only 10 years old and in excellent condition with a good survey report. There is one hatch in the very rear cabin which allows access to the hull, however it's only on one side (as I said before) - no idea if there's anything obstructing the whole of the hull draining to this side, that's our main concern - think we might need to create further hatches to check. We have removed all the curtains, the mattresses and anything else that might retain moisture - spending the next few days with heaters and de-humidifier in the affected area, and trying to get hold of the aquavac thing this morning...we've also emptied the water tank as we're in the process of winterising too, so that's more or less empty. Thanks for all your advices - really really grateful....

Hello Discovered on New YEar's Eve that our boat has suffered a leaky stern gland which has resulted in the engine becoming submerged, and water leaking into the boat trhough the gap near teh pipe leading to the calorifier. Water had also been coming through the exhaust pipe which added to the volume inside the boat. The wonderful people at RCR came to our aid and helped us get the water out of the inside of the boat, and then the engine, and miraculously, the engine started - we were amazed and very very grateful for this major bonus.... However, our big concern is that there is water lying inside the hull which although we have drained by using a battery operated pump, there still lies about an inch of water on the side that is visible, and goodness knows what down the middle and other side of the hull. We've only had this boat (cruiser stern) for just over a year, and so aren't fully familiar with its layout, so are unsure about what exactly lies beneath the floorboards. Does anyone at all have any experience of floodings of this sort, and in particular of draining/drying out hulls? How on earth do we manage it? THank you to anyone who can help us...

Hi there We did the Caldon last month, stopped at Milton (beyond the Foxley pub and the moorings marked on the Pearson canal companion - the other side of the bridge at Milton) the first night; at Consall Forge (dining at the Black Lion at night - beware, no mobile phone reception!); decided to turn at Consall as we were warned how shallow and narrow the canal was to the entrance to Froghall Tunnel and we decided we'd just appreciate the scenery at Consall! We stopped at the Boat Inn in Cheddleton for a lunchtime pint and then at Denford for dinner - the Holly Bush - excellent food. Sadly, we didn't make it down the Leek Branch, but another time. We moored safely on Saturday night outside the Toby Carvery at Festival Park - although I know of people who have had trouble here. We have moored the other side of the road bridge twice, although I think I preferred the CCTV on offer at the Carvery! Hope your trip is good - very jealous, would love to still be out!

Thank you to all - Sandpiper is now topped up with anti-freeze, drained of water and about to get a serious dose of brasso and wax from me! Thanks again for advice and help