monkeyhanger

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.

The traditional finish for oak was, if my memory serves me correctly, raw linseed oil. It gives a soft sheen, enhances the colour of the wood a little, and could be waxed over if you're not satisfied with the finish.

And a HUGE thanks to you and the rest of the organising team for making it a great weekend!!!!!!! Jack

All the moorings in the basin have been managed since 1983 by CHUG (Canals in Hackney Users Group),which is a registered charity. The moorings are totally legal, with the consent of the local council( in fact,initially at the council's request) and rent paid (a great deal of it!)to the landlord. CHUG are NOT squatters!! The gentleman who complained does NOT have the right to a mooring there, but he is welcome to apply to CHUG for a mooring, should he wish, when he has a narrowboat. His application will be given due consideration. The gentleman was also made aware that the current situation is only temporary, while dredging takes place and new mooring pontoons are installed. As for noise pollution, this is something that all the basin dwellers have had to live with for several years while major building development has taken place. The property in which the complainant lives has been part of this development.

These two boats were regularly moored on the offside below Acton's lock on the Regent's canal in the late 1980s and early 1990s, often together. Jack.

I've read somewhere that it was originally moored there.

There was a wooden boat, called either "Jester" or "Joker" moored 400yds above Fishery lock. Seems to have been there for years, but I may have read on this forum that it may recently have moved

He's setting off for Ricky already!

Photo number 10 might just be "Harry", which, with a full length conversion, was moored in Kingsland Basin, Hackney for a number of years. When sold, the new owner sadly neglected to have a survey done, and shortly afterwards, after being drydocked for blacking, a rivet broke as the dock was being refilled. Remedial action was taken to prevent sinking, but the hull was found to be in a sorry state. Subsequently resold, the new owner had her taken to WFB (wrecking the 3 cylinder Dorman on the way due to lack of cooling water), where the hull was found to be in such a state that only the bow section was worth salvaging.A virtual rebuild and a new engine (a JP2)ensued. A sad story, but a nice looking boat now.

I can highly recommend Mick Betts. He lives on narrowboat "Agnes Blomfield" just below Cosgrove lock.If you go, please say Jack recommended him.

I have a JP2, and in that, the engine oil and gearbox oil are one and the same thing. If, by gearbox, you mean a reduction box (between the forward/reverse box and the propshaft), I'd recommend Hypoid 80 or 90 in that.