Jump to content

Bobbybass

Member
  • Posts

    2,347
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    8

Posts posted by Bobbybass

  1. On 18/02/2023 at 11:49, Alan de Enfield said:

     

    No, the suggestion is to use the correct 'marine silencer' that is made for the job - not some bodged up automotive silencer where the design allows the condensate (and gasses) to drop out beneath the vehicle.

     

    (By the way) I think you are correct MtB doesn't have A boat.

    I had a silencer similar to the photo. If you cover the outlet with your hand and blow into it....it should hold pressure. Although mine looked continuous welded it leaked badly.

     

    I obtained a tubular stainless silencer to be on the safe side. 

     

    I'm sure the BSS inspection would fail this... maybe....🤔

  2. 1 hour ago, Loddon said:

    I had a 61'8" x 11'5" barge on the southern waterway system for 10 years before I went back to a NB in 2012. Managed the whole of the connected system, and some disconnected bits, south of Blisworth Tunnel with one exception, the K&A! Got as far as Newbury before abandoning the trip, just not worth the agro. Bearing in mind this was 2010 things will only have got worse in the last 13 years.

    Yes....I did the K&A at that point.

     

    I went back to it as I had a marina mooring there...and was on it four years until recently.

     

    It's a lot worse...in fact in terminal decline.

     

    If you thought it bad in 2010 you should see it now !.

     

    I did a run ... Newbury to Devizes with some newbies. At Devizes they all said they wished they'd never done it and wanted to sell . End if the dream. 

     

     

  3. A spent my last 4 years on the K&A.  It was becoming a total nightmare. The canal itself is in a terrible state with the obvious lock gate problems....but worse than that the locks themselves. 

    About 75% of the locks from Newbury to Devizes have failed pointing on the brickwork and many have big chunks where the bricks have fallen out.  I can't imagine where they could begin to find the money to close and repair all of those?.  It's only a matter of time before a section actually falls across a boat...with the result that Elf and safety will inspect/ close and condemn the lot.

     

    Also....the number of new boats,  particularly wide beams....means you are on constant tick over...and your chance of a mooring spot is very limited. I've had plenty of run ins with the owners of the largest wide beams...who put out deliberately long lines so you don't get anywhere near there glossy paintwork.

     

    Maybe you would find that elusive residential spot on the K&A but I think it's the worst canal on the network for a new boater.I met many "newbies" there that longed for a house again.

     

     

  4. On 24/01/2023 at 21:16, Graham Davis said:

    One's a Porta Poti the other a pump out.
    Does seem a bit odd

     

    Not really....

     

    I stayed onboard a boat for a few nights...while helping the couple to move it.

     

    The portaloo was for liquid...so easy to deal with.

    The pump out was for more.... solid items...and so didn't need emptying very often..

    • Unimpressed 1
  5. I'm always curious about the people you see on TV....on the various programs like small spaces...who buy a cheap boat then spend ages fitting out the inside. They often give the hull a quick coat....but don't realise that painting the outside is like the forth bridge.

     

    There will be many times when you can't relax you have to scrape rust and repair. That along with the amount of time they spend on the inside compared with a quick scratch of the hull.

     

    It's like restoring train lines or canals. You can't just rub your hands and say..."that's finished" and walk away. There is ongoing maintenance... painting....oil changes if you're living aboard and running the engine...new batteries every few years....abides....ongoing repairs.

     

    " Always look on the bright....side of life " 😀😀

     

     

  6. On 20/01/2023 at 11:36, bluelapsing said:

     

    The other option is https://tingdeneboating.com/boats-for-sale/narrowboat-42-triton-rosie-oday/ 

     

    Either way I'll get a full pre-purchase survey done, but in the long run perhaps it makes sense to invest in the (presumably) better boat 🤔

     

    I briefly moored near this boat on the Way...but didn't know she was for sale.

     

    She looked quite tidy....so worth considering.

    Can't think she'll stay on the market long at that price point.

     

     

    • Greenie 1
  7. On 01/01/2023 at 11:22, MtB said:

     

    Agree with all this.

     

    The main benefits of a survey appear to me to be twofold.

     

    1) Psychological. Someone new to narrowboats gets someone with more (but still gappy) knowledge than themselves to point out the obvious. Things that are "obvious" to experienced boaters often aren't to the total newbie. Commonly and disparagingly known as "hand-holding". 

     

    2) Insurance. If buying a boat older than 25 years, insurance companies usually insist on a survey before issuing a comprehensive policy. So if the boater wants comprehensive insurance, a survey cannot be avoided. 

     

     

    I had a boat survey on the Thames. I was bored and asked the surveyor what qualifications you needed to become a surveyor.

     

    He replied ...none...😳...you can just get some business cards printed and call yourself a surveyor...making sure to put the liability exclusion at the end of the report...in small writing.

     

    Can this be true ? 😳

  8. Not a total stoppage...but a caution.

     

    We have just come off the Thames... through Reading town centre and then the County Lock.

     

    Heading for Waterworks lock...105...the canal is quite low. As a result many trees have their roots exposed ...which have dried out...and the trees have either fallen over or are just about to. 

     

    There are now quite a few across the canal. We managed to pass through with  our narrowboat...just...but if you had a wide beam you are going to part with a lot of paint.!

    You are also forced to go away from the centre of the river into the shallow reed section.

     

    Over the years...I've seen many leaning trees...but there are now a lot of substantial trees in this section about to go over....so take care !

     

  9. On 03/06/2022 at 22:00, LadyG said:

    I'd like some battery operated magnetic lights that come on when scrotes are about.

    I bought two from Wilko for £5.99 each and they're excellent.... 

    Solar power...and movement detection.

    On 11/06/2022 at 11:28, Jim Batty said:

    I can see the use of these cameras if you're inside and want to look outside -- if you hear something unusual or threatening. I prefer the periscope idea if you want to look outside out of simple curiosity or are sort of in a lazy mood and don't want to put your shoes and jacket on to go outside, or because it's bucketing down, or don't want to disturb the kingfisher on your roof. 

     

    But do people install these to record burglars/intruders when they aren't at their boat? Isn't someone intent on breaking your windows or taking a steel pole or angle grinder to your locks probably going to pull the brim of their hat down and chuck a cloth or bag over your cameras before proceeding? Or just steal the cameras into the bargain?

     

     

    My complete CCTV system was stolen and all I had was a nice photo of a hooded scrote holding up two fingers....sent to my phone.

     

    The CCTV system was the most valuable thing on the boat !!

    • Haha 2
  10. Just seen a news article....that although the UK is ok for petrol supplies, a sixth of diesel comes from Russia with suppliers running short.

     

    The government is supposedly pondering a diesel rationing system in the near weeks.

     

    I wonder how that would affect us...🤔

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.