Windor Richard

Hello All I can report that it is possible to wind a 58' narrowboat on the river opposite the Punters pub. We tethered the bow to a bollard on the East Street moorings and with a bit of engine and the current let the stern drift round. When we were across the river we pulled the bow up river and the job was was done. I think 65' would be the limit. Cheers Windor Richard

Thanks everyone for your advice. As I was thinking of making this manoeuvre in August the river will probably be full of boats. I think going through Osney Lock, turning and coming back up is probably more sensible.

Is it possible to wind a 58 foot narrowboat on the river opposite the East Street moorings (which are just above Osney Lock)?

Once upon a time the Waterscape web site had a very useful section where a guide to a canal could be downloaded showing all sorts of useful stuff like 48 hour mooring and water points etc. It seems to have disappeared. Has CART killed it off for being helpful to boaters?

We had a wax filled thermostatic shower mixer on Windor. In the very cold winters of two years ago the wax froze, expanded and pushed the end off the mixer unit.

Don't forget the Cotswold Canals and all the other canals under restoration.

We are planning to cruise both Droitwich Canals in a couple of weeks. The Droitwich Canal guide does not mention Elsan disposal. Can anyone who has done the Droitwich adivise on what facilities there are?

Twice in 2010 we arrived at Gloucester Dock from Saul Junction and had to wait for about three hours as the tide had overtopped Llanthony weir and most of the Forest of Dean was being swept upstream on the flood. BW will not let boats lock in to the river until most of the Forest of Dean has returned from whence it came. I know that a tide greater than 8m at Sharpness will overtop Llanthony weir. What I do not know is how long after high tide at Sharpness Llanthony weir will be overtopped? Can anyone help?

I had this problem two years running. The problem is not the water freezing. The problem is the wax plug thingy which automatically controls the water temperature. This was on a Triton shower. My solution has been to get rid of the automatic temperature controlled mixer and replace it with a manual mixer. Its not so luxurious and the temperature of the water needs to be adjusted before diving in to the shower but it does survive the winter. Cheers Richard Attwood

Our 58' nd has a Beta 43. It is very quiet. Our boat builder - Colecraft, said a 38 would be ok for canals but as we have to chug up the Severn to go anywhere we should have a Beta 43. Highly recommended by me!

Thanks for all the suggestions. The film on the slip rings sounds plausible so we will give that a try first.

Thanks for the info so far. To answer questions raised. When the alternator stops charging an ammeter shows a discharge. Also the alternator is supplying just one battery bank.

My mate has a Beta engine fitted with a Leece Neville 8MR2070TA alternator and 8RG2043 regulator The problem is that the alternator charges until the batteries are up to full charge, then stops and as the battery goes back down the alternator will not cut back in until after the engine is restarted. Or it may be when everything has cooled down? Googling this alternator comes up with references to the alternator not self exciting correctly - is this something to do with problem? Hopefully someone out there has seen this problem before.

The bow and stern locker covers on Windor are made of black plywood patterned with hexagon shapes. What is it called? The bow locker covers are beginning to look a bit weather beaten. What is the best stuff to paint them with?

Many narrowboats have a transparent plastic sheet which fits in the open side hatch to let the sunshine in but keep the rain and undesirables out. What is the best material and thickness for this sheet and do boaters have any other useful suggestions.