adam1uk

When I phoned the book a couple of years ago, I got the impression that the 72 hour notice thing was to give you time to make other plans, if it turned out they didn't want to let you down on the day you wanted to go! We turned right out of Pomona Lock but couldn't go far up the Irwell because of massive bridge works. It was still worth going and having a look though.

You'll have to phone and ask. It seems they'll only do it when it suits them -- so not even every weekday.

I would say that a cruiser has access to the deck from the side — so between the cabin and whatever rail/dodger arrangement goes round 5e back of the stern deck. A semi-cruiser would have access at the stern, like a semi-trad would. So I would say this is more semi-cruiser than cruiser (although with the swim deck off the back it doesn’t really lend itself to existing labels).

Surely you check the T&Cs before paying, not after. If you pay without knowing whether a refund would be due, there's not really much you can do about it.

It always was pretty hard to contact them, but I’ve heard recently that it’s worse. Someone told me the owner had gone awol, and even the harbourmasters had no means to replenish diesel supplies etc.

That sounds high to me. Admittedly it was five or six years ago, but we paid £500 for the name and location on both sides plus number in a panel; diamonds on the bow flashes, cratch board and roof; scroll on each side; CRT number on both sides.

I don’t think you are reading it correctly. If you pay in full online, you get the 2.5% prompt payment discount, and the 2.5% online discount — so the same 5% as before. If you switch to monthly direct debit you only get the 2.5% online discount.

And at post 32 the OP said

No, it was established a couple of pages ago that the retailer was not Narrowboats Ltd.

Tim Tyler and Jonathan Wilson are brothers-in-law -- and Mike Christian is a made up name.

The only time I’ve ever heard rattling was when it had worked loose. But I always tighten it with a few taps with the lump hammer, so that doesn’t happen very often.

Mine has water above the plate. Why would it matter?

The width of your boat makes very little difference when your fender catches on something, pings off, and then sometime later gets caught on the cill so the lock gate won't shut.

So basically, while thanking people for their comments, you’re going to ignore them.

It really doesn’t.