colinjw

Hi miller, When I first got my boat it was very tender...i.e. it rocked very easily. I have since found out with the toilet tanks (2) empty, the boat rocked very easily. With the toilet tanks full or nearly so, the boat is much more stable. Two years ago, I put an extra 1 tonne of steel ballast into the boat. Approx 600 kg. was placed almost exactly in the middle of the boat and the rest was split between underneath the seats in the lounge up at the pointed end. Because one toilet usually gets used more, the ballast in the lounge can be transferred from one side to the other to counteract any list every few day. This tonne of extra ballast increased the draft by about 3" at the most and with a cruising draft of 22" max it is no great problem with scraping the bottom. When I added the ballast I was able to bring the boat onto a more even keel instead of dragging its bum by about 6" (stern trim) and now the max trim is 3" by the stern. The moral of the story is that if you add weight low down, the boat is less tender....it works on the various ships I have been on for the past 35 years.

Earlier this year before I fitted the protector I managed to get a large hare caught in the prop giving no drive when in gear. Putting my hand down the weed hatch and feeling something furry and wet there put the s**ts up me. I couldn't even get the hare out with the boathook so I resorted to thick rubber gloves. p.s. GD...I have 2 warning notices close to the weed hatch to remind me of what lies beneath but yes you have to be careful because the edge is very sharp.

Certainly works for me although I have only had the protector on for a short while but so far so good. I will be going out at the weekend and going through Netherton Tunnel so that will more than double the use it has had. I will keep an eye on it and let you know. Colin

Hi bottle, I am quite sure that shopping trolleys can't bend and so get caught in the prop. I have had various experiences with cars and other large objects having been dumped in canals and the boats just run over them or come to an abrupt halt. At least with a trolley, it is so stiff that it should very easily be removed from the prop if one was unfortunate enough to encounter one.

I fitted a Prop Protector at my last dry dock and so far it certainly seems to work. On the way to the drydock, I had to stop a couple of times going up the Wolverhampton flight to clear bags and general cr*p plus 2 other stops for prop clearing. On the way back to Penkridge I checked the prop but nothing was found in there....no bags, weeds...nothing! As far as I am concerned they work and apart from anything else they are so easy to fit.

When I haven't run the engine much during the day, I turn my fridge off for the night with no ill effects. Any perishables are still cool in the morning and after all, only midnight feasters raid the fridge late on.

I appreciate what the previous 3 posts are saying but my mortgage is now paid off and I do have the cash to settle the loan if required. It just suits me at the moment to go down the road I am taking. As regards negative equity, my flat is worth £100k more than I paid for it so I can't see it falling that much. Colin

As a by the by regards financing a boat: I approached my bank and asked for a personal loan of £25k and the payments were £x per month which I thought was a bit steep. I then went to my building society and got a loan for £33k at over £100/month less and a year less to pay. The loan was put down as a home improvement loan (at the suggestion of them) and now I will have the loan paid of in 2 years instead of 3. Moral of the story is to shop around and find what is best for you. Colin

It is possible to get "Water Finding Paste" which can show if there is any water in a fuel tank. It is a paste which can be applied to a stick and then the stick is immersed in the fuel like a dipstick for about 30 seconds. When the stick is removed, the paste turns blue in the presence of water. The paste is obtainable from ebay. Colin p.s. The paste I have had experience with certainly works but I cannot vouch for the ebay stuff.

Hi Stuart, I saw that link in another forum I am in and the question asked is: "Do they use diesel-proof envelopes for delivery?" Getting 200 lts. through the post would be interesting to say the least. Colin

That's what I like to see, percussive persuasion used to solve a problem. The big secret is as to what size of hammer to use.

Very soon after getting my boat, I got Canal Planner/Logger and from my previous logs, I have averaged 1 lt/mile including lock work.

I saw that the boatyard at Gailey (no names but there is only one) on the Staffs & Worcs was 47 or 48p/lt on Tuesday when I passed.

It works out to be a 7 minute walk up then 3 down with the reverse coming back unless you are staggering in which case a sideways component must be added. Lol Webchem.....The pub is quite large but I wouldn't class as tacky. At least they do 2 for 1 on the main meals. Colin

Hi folks, Silly me! The drydock is out of sight of the canal but I didn't realise that. Still I had a good week getting things done but unfortunately, I scraped the rubbing strakes a few times so I need to touch them up when I get a chance. As a by the by, if anyone is stopping at Tardebigge for the night, I could recommend the New Tardebigge pub which is 10 minutes walk up the hill from the tunnel rather than the Tyler's Lock at the second top lock of the flight. The nearest shop are 20 minutes walk in the opposite direction so have adequate provisions on board if you decide to eat on the boat. Colin

I have just returned from the drydock at Tardebigge. It is leased from BW by J. L. Pinder of Stoke Prior and they can do your blacking for you. I was living on the boat for a week, electric provided and a very handy water tap if required. Tardebigge is about 4 hours or so from Gas Street and the only down side is the fact that there are 4 tunnels including Wast Hill. Feel free to p.m. me if you would like more info. Colin

Hi folks I'm just back from sea and going to the dry dock at Tardebigge on Monday. (I'm a devil for punishment!) If anyone is passing the dry dock immediately after the last lock going up on the Tardebigge flight, give a toot and a wave, I'll be there for the full week from the Bank Holiday. Happy boating all p.s. if this is in the wrong section I do apologise peeps.

Hi Mike, I see your problem. I don't have a cratch which helps my situation. Just thought it was worth a try.

I ordered a Perago Triple yesterday c/w dust shield but I will have to wait for a while as I am going back to sea next week. If no reports are forthcoming before I use it, I will post results. Colin

Hi Mike, Does your cruiser stern area have a seat/plank across the boat? My ocm is somewhat vertically challenged also and she manages quite well with my steerer's seat/board. Colin