Mark R

Thats a pretty substantial fender compared to mine! The image helps me work out where I need to place it. Thanks to everyone who commented. first thing I'll be doing is making sure I add a sacrificial link during installation!

Thanks MtB, think I'll fit what has been left and replace it with something a little more substantial if it looks a bit weedy/useless.

Thanks both, really appreciate your input! Assumed it'd be the foremost part of the bow (learned a new word there MtB), stupidly I didn't measure chain thickness but assuming it's around 4mm, does that sound about right? It looks to be galvanised chain, do people remove this to the last link on the fender and relace it with stainless steel or just add to it using the same material? I'm assuming there is nothing better than a D shackle to make the connector?

Morning guys, Just bought a new boat and it came with a U Bow fender (not attached to the boat). My questions are, is this the best type of fender for a narrowboat bow? The chains are rather small, obviously these can be extended using chain and a D shackle, why is it fenders I’ve seen come with short lengths of chain? Finally, if I do attach this fender, where on the bow should it actually sit? There don’t seem to be many pictures on line and I haven’t seen any boats locally with them fitted. Mark

I can't say I'll be abnywhere other than on the canal system where the bank height might vary slightly but the gunnel will still be protected.

Thanks for the replies, It's likely that the rope will remain as a fixed length, I don't believe I'll want to shorten it. It will go over the hand rail, I didn't realise you could splice ropes yourself. Maybe that'd be an option.

Hi everyone, Could any of you recommend the best knot to tie rope fenders to the eye of a fender hook like the one picture? Mark

In terms of making a key for the lock I'd not even know which blank to start with?

Cheers Tony, I'll do that, I'd have thought they needed the key but I can always try.

Morning all, does anyone know whwere is could pick up the key as shown in the image below? It relates to the lock as found at https://www.aquafax.co.uk/products/ag-rim-lock-with-striker-brass-left-inside-n-76020 I'm trying to avoid paying for. hole new lock. If any of you have the ame lock and would be willing to get a few cut I'd be more than happy to make it worth your while! Mark

Thanks all, Much appreciated, it had run out so I had one carried out on the same day!

Morning all, I wondered if there is anyway to check whether there is a way of checking whether a boat safety certificate has expired. A previous survey suggests it's still valid for a year, but I've just noticed that it's expired when I look at my boat details on the CRT. The certificate number is BSSER 381454/19 if that gives anything away? Mark

Thanks Beer!

As ever Tony, appreciate your advice!

Cheers Beer, I assume you only top up with the same amount of oil that you took out? I actually only got 2.5 litres of oil out, no more pumps out.