monkeyhanger

Just cycled past the water point 4.00pm this afternoon. The tap is missing again.

All the best Chris. Have a great day. Hope to see you and Lise at CC. Jack

Well spotted --I've obviously been giving it poo much thought recently!

Is anyone able to give me the name of a firm which makes plastic holding tanks for pump out toilets, please? The tank on my boat, which is 20 rears old, has developed a hole in one of the welds, which although repairable at this stage, will need to be removed soon. I need to compare costs for either installing a new tank, or to go the cassette route.I then need to factor in the earache I will get from my wife as she insists on a "china bowl"

He's not in Wenlock Basin, but he's still around and still living on his boat(s). His health, unfortunately, is a bit up and down these days. He's a great guy, very knowledgeable and the most helpful person you could ever hope to meet.

Mine seem to be OK, but it's worth speaking to Tony Redshaw first if you are undecided.

I need a JP cylinder head, preferably good second hand. Does anyone have any recommendations as to where I might find one, please? Jack

Does anyone know where I might buy a decent second hand JP cylinder head, please? One of mine is badly cracked. Jack

Some people just like the sound of their own voices, it seems. As I was exiting Common Moor lock on the southern GU, I was screamed at by a woman moored on the lock mooring to "slow down". She was preparing food in her kitchen, my boat had barely exited the lock gates. I was so amazed that I couldn't think of an appropriate reply. I just smiled at her, which seemed to upset her more, unfortunately.

I've used International and Johnstone's garage floor paint on my decks and gunwales and they're both OK. Nothing to choose between them really apart from the price. They need recoating every other year where it's worn thin, but that's to be expected I suppose.It tends to give a satin finish however-is that what you'd want on your cabin? It would work on the roof, though.

Well done, you've made a good choice there. I've had my Allen for over 20 years and loved every minute of it. Yours will hold its value too, more so than the other boat.

Allen boats are extremely sturdily built (some may say over-engineered), have traditional lines and handle well.The company was a family concern dating back to (at least) the 1940s. Their boats have an excellent reputation. Bear in mind that Allens only built shells, and many of their boats were fitted out by their owners. You won't do much better if you want a solid boat from a reputable builder. Do you have any photos or a link, please?

Speak to the people who painted your boat- I'm sure they would know. Craftmaster will advise about the use of their polish.

Thanks very much to all who took the time to reply. Looks like I'll be sticking with 30 grade. Jack

I suspect that the horizontal bit around the rudder stock will be a piece of thick rubber. It would be there to stop water shooting up the rudder tube and getting the steerer's feet wet. It's probably slipped down the stock an inch or two. The hole in the rudder blade is so you can attach a rope should you need to remove the rudder for maintenance. Unbolt the ram's head, pull the rudder blade up and out of where it seats in the skeg, allow it to fall free under the boat then fish it out with the rope. Saves on drydocking. Simple and easy!

BW have already done that at some of the bridge holes on the Regents in Hackney. Must have cost an absolute fortune!

It runs at 20 lbs, idles about 12-15lbs from what I recall. Don't normally notice on idle, I'm usually working the locks!

I have a JP2 in my narrow boat, and it's coming up to end of season oil change time. I've always used sae 30 grade oil, but, while checking oil prices, I came across some sae 40 grade oil which is designed for "summer use and will help quieten engines" or words to that effect. My engine is always very quiet on start up, but as it warms up, gets a bit noisier. I was wondering if I would be likely to encounter problems if I filled with 40 weight oil this time. Would it possibly harm the engine in any way? The engine was rebuilt by me 20 years ago, with new bearings, etc. and has not had a great deal of use since then, so should be in good condition internally. I would anticipate it being more difficult to turn over when cold, but I don't use the boat in the winter(I'm embarrassed to admit) so that would not be a problem. Any thoughts and opinions would be much appreciated. Jack

I have a main tank of over 100 gallons and a day tank of 7. In 21 years of owning my boat I have not had a diesel related problem- until this year. On two separate occasions my engine, a JP2, began to run roughly, then, after running OK for a while,then roughly again, cut out altogether. After cleaning and changing fuel filters the engine ran as it should, until, after a few hours, cutting out again. After the second time it cut out I dosed the tanks with Marine 16, and since then (touch wood) no problems. I can certainly vouch for Marine 16. Buy it from their website. Excellent service.

I've tried phoning today, as I need to return to my mooring on the Regents canal next week. As mentioned previously,the reply is an answerphone message. My boat is in the Midlands at the moment, so I can't say exactly when I'll be back. Will there be a 24hour blockage at Little Venice, with people checking that I've made the appropriate arrangements to pass through? Or will I just sail through unchallenged? What happens with the waterbuses that go backwards and forwards through the area? Do they book 7 days in advance? Any information would be useful- I've got a flight booked!

There's a nice one of his boats at Frays Wharf, Cowley. No name on it at the moment but IIRC it's called "Cipres den Haag" or something similar. It was built early 90s with josher-esque lines.

I assume you mean "steers"

Try to visit Staithes, just north of Whitby, if you can. Wonderful place. Also, if you get to Hartlepool, watch out for the locals- they're not too keen on strangers, especially the French.