AJLintern

The guy is of course being unreasonable - you can see clearly from the website how the boxes are constructed. I guess you could improve the design by using a strip of rubber along the ridge where the hinges are fitted, thus sealing this area while still allowing the lids to open. Would also protect the pine ridge bar and hinges from moisture soaking in.

A pleasant lunchtime pint at the Trout at Tadpole Bridge

How about these: http://www.superkettles.co.uk/index.html

If your hot water tank isn't too unpleasant you could use the water from the hot tap to give the kettle a head start

I suppose the hull shape must make quite a difference as to whether you're pushing the water away to get through it or cutting through the water. A destroyer has a fine, narrow hull shape and will cut through the water much better than a vessel of similar proportions but with bluff bows.

Just happened to check as they were reversing the GRP cruise away

I think it is very location dependant. In some areas when the flow is high you won't necessarily get a fast current, but at certain pinch points and sharp bends there could be the potential to get into trouble. I think the red boards are just a good means of warning people that a particular set of circumstances have been reached. If you are familiar with your particular stretch of river you'll know where the tricky points are likely to be and perhaps still be able to navigate safely with that in mind. When it's got to the stage of properly being in flood then I think common sense tells you that it's better to sit tight!

Looks like the level is dropping...

Must be this video...

Went into Abingdon last night to take a look around. I think the levels have peaked now, the road alongside the river was still just above the waterline. I think the Anchor must be partially flooded (probably why it was closed) as although the road outside is still dry, parts of the pub are lower than the road.

Won't be long til the Anchor gets flooded - has it gone over the wall there yet? Last pic I saw it was only a couple of inches below.

Boat house now flooded at Abingdon RC Still rising...

This was the scene at Abingdon rowing club yesterday morning. Still rising this evening so wonder if it'll flood the clubhouse like in 2007...

Devon county council run it these days. I wonder if there are any stop planks in place? No locks as far as I know...

In a tidal situation, is there ever a risk with flat bottomed boats on mud that they will become so well stuck that the buoyancy isn't enough to allow the boat to float off, so the water just keeps rising until it inundates the boat...? Has that ever happened in really sticky mud or does the incoming tide always soften the mud enough to allow the boat to float off?

Most of the weight it below the waterline and ballast on the base plate so they are generally very stable. The was a thread a while back that had some discussion on the self-righting nature (or otherwise!) of a narrowboat. As long as the water stays out they should always remain upright.

I'm sure he'd have had one! I like the idea of the cordless drill attachment - not sure it'd last long though with that sort of abuse!

I'd have thought a telescopic ratcheting windlass would be the best solution - you make it as long as necessary to turn comfortably and ratchet it back should it foul something.

Perhaps you could find another person willing to co-own the boat with you? Might work out as a good arrangement for someone who'd like use of a nice boat but hasn't got the funds to buy one outright.