andy b

Many thanks. Will pass on the info

Just how big are we talking. Where did you buy it from?

Hi all My neighbour has a liveaboard with 4 110ah batterybank, he has decided to splash out on either the Air-x or rutland 913 wind turbine, mounting will be on land next to the narrowboat, vibration and noise not a problem. Which is best option? Many thanks

Think I gave slightly wrong impression about the size of the 'chips'. Im talking 5p size (they throw big stones sometimes). Ive got Farecla from the original paint job, will try the 'proper'method as Phil suggests. If a jobs worth doin.........Many thanks to all

Hi All Its touch up time (well nearly). Kids have thrown stones at our NB resulting in a couple of chips which have started to rust (only just spotted em). My question is, how do I touch up 7 coats of paint and get a good finish, 7 coats is quite deep (in paint thicknesses). Any ideas welcome. Many thanks

Thanks for the replies. Will wait 6 weeks as phil suggests. Many thanks! By the way Phil, will be keeping an eye on your advise in the magazine.

I want to use Farecla compound on my new paintwork. The instructions say to make sure that the paint is fully "cured". How long is this? Im using International Toplac.

Hi John, What sort of roller did you use, foam or wool. I tried the wool but seemed to get very fine small fibres on the finish. Dont know if I should use them straight from the packet or clean them first. Tried the foam one tonight, thought someone had stolen half my paint, they dont half soak it up! Found it a little harder to judge the amount of paint I was applying.

Hi John. Tried the Donegal green but didnt like it! Quite settled with the Blue now. The International seems much easier to work with. Have used roller then top to bottom brush as suggested by phil, works a treat. Just need to get used to amount of paint I can apply without it running. Many thanks Andy

Hi Phil. Thanks for the interest. Have been using Blakes enamel, was having problems keeping the paint flowing, even using owtree oil "Brush lines". A link on forum said this can happen with blakes. Tried to find supplier of your paint but im north of preston! (on Lancaster). Decided to try "International". Its a vast improvement. Trouble is theres only one shade of green, tried it, didnt like it, boat now turning Blue. Do I do anything after glossing, (sealing,buffing etc) or do I leave well alone. Many thanks Andy

Im in the process of painting my narrowboat. Used roller and brush finish as advised. The finish is not as high gloss as I wanted. Is there a usual process of "buffing" up after painting.

The Lancaster, apart from having no locks (unless you choose to do the glasson branch) has only one swing bridge. Wonderful countryside scenery, views over morecambe bay, many little towns, and Lancaster itself. Arlen boat hire at the start of the canal at preston. Hidden jem (dont tell too many people)

We are on the Lancaster and "unwelcoming" is certainly not a word used here. A new marina is being built at Tewitfield as we speak (next to the locks). Barton Grange are building one at Garstang (near Preston), and there is another at planning stage at Cottam ( 1 mile from Preston). Sailed up to Tewitfield at easter, walked the locks, cant wait for the connection.

I have seen several different types of fixed stools that consist of a piece of steel pipe/tube bolted to the outside of the narrowboat with an "S" bend, the seat is bolted to the top. The "S" bend allows the seat to swivel out of the way when not required. I am trying to do something similar but have decided to fix the tube/pipe to the top of the deck, I am having difficulty finding a "Socket and tube to match". So far all the ones I have found have too much "play" in them. PS Tube will need to be bent in an "S". Any ideas!

I found a company that builds to order, Single door and frame in silver cost about £130 a year or so ago. Let me know if your still after one and I will try to find the details.

We have a family of mink at the bottom of the garden on the Lancaster, near preston. I believe lots were released some years ago.

Were up on the Lancaster. Only signs I know of are on the M6. Not sure thats a good place for pics either. Bit of a ride up here anyway.

Most narrowboats also reverse into the staircase when leaving the Lancaster, turning in the basin at the bottom is extremely difficult, BW should have made the basin larger during construction.

We got up to Tewitfield and caught a bus to Kendal. It was a nice experience walking down the filled in canal under the bridges where the water once was. We hope one day to retrace our steps in the boat!

I read the posts with interest and a little smile. As we live on the Lancaster next to the Ribble Link we get to talk to many people who have just made the crossing, there is the odd tale of the narrowboat working hard to complete the crossing but most complete the journey without too much trouble. We have spoken to the BW guys at the staircase and they said that no one has had any major trouble since the link opened. Last season was our first year of narrowboating and we decided to gain experience on the Lancaster before trying the link. Even tried out our six locks down to Glasson Dock. Yes, we only have six and if you dont go to Glasson there are none. (but we do have one swing bridge) Unfortunately now we are ready to spread our wings we have to cross the link, and every time we wish to explore the rest of the system we must cross the link twice. In a year or two I will be able to relate details of the crossing. Slightly off topic but we have three weeks in the summer (there and back) and are looking for a round trip thats not too strenuous, (not used to all those locks you see). Any recommendations would be appreciated. The Lancaster is a beautiful canal and I would recommend everyone to try it if they get the chance.

Hi Steve. Sorry to seem so flippant, Your data backed up the information already received. I suppose all our circumstances are a little bit different. The JUST DO IT option was more a notion of saying life is short and if you really want to do something then sometimes you must throw caution to the wind! To live a dream, for however long has its own rewards..... My own circumstances would have built in backups, the worst scenario being a return to life on land. As I said I would be trying early retirement (50 or so) so working if necessary is an option. The information I requested is for my use, how other people use the information is up to them. If your 10% scenario came to pass then I think a great many CCers may get into difficulty, I appreciate the warning but if the figure is more like 5% then maybe people who see your figure and decide not to JUST DO IT will miss out on THEIR dream By the way, I have lived through mortgage interest rates of 15%, now thats something to worry about for all those with large houses on large mortgages. . A return to rates like that would make life as a CCer seem like a dream.

I see that Anhar is being very realistic, but I kinda like the JUST DO IT option. I suppose lifes short and surely if you didnt GIVE IT A GO you may always regret it. Thanks for all the posts. It will be 5or 6 years before we take the plunge,I will monitor price increases and see if the 10% rise materialises. Meanwhile, as I go to work every day, I just cant wait to be a CCer

Thanks for all the replies. There is certainly much to consider. Obviously the best option is to maintain a house and cruise for eight months or so. Financially it would certainly stretch the budget. To retire Quite early (50 or so) to enjoy life on the cut whilst still well able to meet the demands of CC obviously reduces the build up of finances, (pension etc). I suppose you have to get the balance right. I suppose its Saturday and theres always the Lottery I assume all replies so far are not from permanent live aboards....some input from these would be greatly appreciated.

My Wife and I are thinking of retiring early, selling the house and cruising for 8-9 months per year, marina for the rest. We have only had a narrowboat for 1 year (short breaks) and would like to get some idea of the total cost of income required for living afloat. The live aboard will be 58ft. A friend of mine and his wife have an income of around £14,000 and say that they live comfortably off this amount. (Everything is included, mooring, maintenance, housekeeping, occasional pub meals, etc) Any advice would be helpfull!

Found the red label on gearbox, it specifies ATF. Many thanks to all.