Lewis 53

Should have gone to specksavers

Take cover incoming !!!!!!!

We had a holiday booked with my mum and dad. Dad died of a heart attack about two months before we were due to go. Dad loved his canal holidays and as the day approached to depart we all decided we could not face going with out him. We called the company and explained our situation fully expecting to have to pay. No problem they said, let us know when you want to go and we will re-book you. And they were good to there word. So there are some good people out there....its just finding them, and guess what, we used them most years after that. Lewis

The volt meter on my Vetus control panel has failed (Its the one that has a combined engine instrument, RPM indicator, starter key, etc). Does any one know if it is possible to replace the meter or am I in to a new control panel? If any one has done this some top tips this would be very useful. Thanks in anticipation. Lewis.

Rampant......Rampant.........whats rampant?

Not sure if this is the right place for this as it might be a bit OT. We have the simple 1,2 BOTH and OFF selector. I manage the batteries by selecting 1 (starter batt) to start the engine and run it for 30 mins or so to top up the charge. Then select 2 (domestic batts) and leave it their for the rest of the day to charge the domestic battery bank. I have carried out this proceedure with no problems for many years. Is there a funamental flaw with this idea ? Lewis.

I have been following this thread with some interest as I have had a similar "issue" (ie lack of performance, running out of thrust when increasing engine rpm, difficult handling in strong winds), to deal with on a similar boat. It has been said before but I will say it again you need to get advice from an outfit that really knows about props. Eventually I went to Crowthers after following advice from this forum. They asked me a whole load of questions regarding engine type, gear box type, displacement hull length etc etc and gave me what has turned out to be the solution to all my problems. The main issue was the hurth gear box that I believed to be 2:1 from reading the boats documentation, turned out to be somthing completely different. You need to read the data plate attached to the box its self and pass on all that info. You also need to make sure that any increase in prop size dosn't result in the prop tip getting to close to the uxter plate ( lots of performance issues here !). The calculation they make should give you a prop that gives you "canal speed" at an rpm with an appropriate engine torque and ensure your alternator will still be charging the batteries. The boat now performs properly in all situations and Im well pleased. Lewis

Hi Jazz, Sorry you felt the need to appologise. There was no need to, I obviously didnt make myself clear. Just for the record the marina you describe is not the one that we are moored at. The point I was trying to make was that we decided what we wanted from a mooring location then found one that fitted what we wanted. If any one is unhappy with their location they should move on, life is too short to be unhappy. When we first got the boat the recommendation was to get a mooring before you got the boat as moorings were so difficult to come by and waiting lists were long. We were pleading with the "marina barons" for the privelidge of mooring at their marinas. Now in our area its the other way round so we are spoilt for choice....Good job to! Lewis.

We are also moor on "your" marina and endorse your comments completely. We chose it because it did not have a cafe, pub etc. A couple of hours cruising gets us to all the pubs, eating houses you could possibly need, and the folk on the marina are all helpfull and friendly. I guess its horses for courses. Lewis.

Chaps, Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. Just for the record it is an original Vetus electric pump and as usual you have given me all the info I need. The Vetus web site was carefully designed by the informantion prevention department......its a nightmare to find your way around !!! All your help much appreciated. Lewis.

Could some one tell me how to renew the filter that is part of the electric lift pump fitted to this sort of engine, or perhaps give me a clue as to where I can get a diagram of it. Ive tried google etc but with no success. Thanks in anticipation. Lewis

Hi Steve, We have just done this for my mum. Total cost including new will and £70.00 filing fee £325.00 and included 3 visits to the care home where mum is now resident. Took five weeks to organise and complete. LPA could become a very onerous resposibility, IMO get proper advice. Money well spent in my opinion. Good Luck. Hope mum has more good days than bad. Lewis.

I must be one of the few who think what I pay for use of the system is good value for money. With the present proposed increase I still think its good value. As I am on a fixed income eventually it will get to the point where I can not afford it and I will have to cut something else out or get off the water. This is a simple fact. However the law of diminishing returns will apply and increasing fees will result in decreasing boat numbers and eventually decreasing income. BW are not the only cause of the current "funding short fall" but are part of it. We all know where the real problem lies and we will all suffer for years to come.......... Remember "No more boom and bust". Just bust will do ?

Domestic control says we got them from Venetian Chandlers near Nantwich. They are genuine Morso and are recommended for use with coal etc for the reasons previously stated. Lewis.

We got a couple of these "coal savers" about 18 months ago. Our experiance is that they do save coal, you can keep the fire in all night and because of the funnel effect the majority of the ash goes into the pan making it easier to keep clean. We paid about £20 for two.

Noticed that a number of hire fleets do not have fenders or even attachments for fenders when asked why told that first they loose them and second to stop them getting caught in locks, bridges and other canal sticky out bits.

Not to worry we can be confident that not one politician will be injured or remotely inconvenianced in the making of these cuts. Presumably their pensions will be secure, golden handshakes, and for life jobs in europe will be ringfenced and totally unaffected. Rejoyce the future is safe in their hands. (CAUTION: Made in a factory that may contain nuts or nut related products).

We sighted an Otter whilst cruising about 1 mile south of Norbury in early July. It was definitely an Otter. Where I live Otter's are quite common. We had a "tame" one in the bay that used to come and beg fish and chips from the tourists. Unfortuanately "Elvis" died of old age recently and the town are thinking of errecting a memorial to him as he was such a character.

Love it. For ever more it will be thus!

To right they do.

Not seen this before. Brilliant!

Thats what we were told when we did it last year. Chief lock operative said they were those ba*t*rd paddles as opposed to plastic paddles.

Been through Brum on a number of occasions with no trouble what so ever. Lots of good nights in Gas Street. Enjoy it !

Im afraid so. Who says true lust dosnt last

I had a dream when I was a teenager. It involved Sara Jane out of Dr Who. Never really got over it.