Daftmare
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Posts posted by Daftmare
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Just travelled out into Surrey and back into London from Waterloo on the train to pick up an Ebay purchase. Never been out that way before, lots of golf courses and expensive cars.
Anyway as I approached Brookwood station about 4 miles before Woking I noticed what looked like a disused waterway – locks with both sets of gates open, big ditch with not much water and plenty of weeds. So when I got back I looked it up and found it to be the Basingstoke Canal.
From what I can read it’s supposed to be in water, didn’t look that way.
Is it in water around Brookwood at the moment does anyone know? The train was going fast perhaps I just saw it wrong.
Looked really nice what I saw of it.
Hello JonL
The short answer is no.
The Basingstoke Canal is partly open at the moment, but with a bit in the middle closed for maintenance. So the bit you saw from the train at Brookwood may be looking at little "closed". You can get from the River Wey almost to Brookwood (if you book with the Rangers) and you can navigate at the other end, but you can't get all the way along at the moment. There is talk that this is will re-open in 2012. Fingers crossed.
Jo.
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There was a discussion on here a while ago about rotting deckboards and I just wondered if anyone has ever tried recycled plastic sheeting as an alternative to the usual marine ply?
We have been toying with the idea and just wondered if anyone has experience / knowledge about the rigidity of the plastic sheet compared to the ply. It comes in up to 15mm thickness. What d'ya reckon?
I am no expert (ask anyone on here
) but my first thought was that it would become brittle in extreme heat/cold conditions and deteriorate quickly. Yep, you're right, wait for somebody else...................
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I love being last into a Thames lock, with a lovely white plastic in front of me, the skipper shouting "whoa whoa whoa" at me
"Calm down everyone, you could get a bus in here"
Apologies for
I think this thread was supposed to be about ex-working boats. I'll take my leave. -
No disrespect to Daftmare's son, but some lockies are not happy with the level of training being given to the volunteer assistants and have 'declined' the offer of an assistant.
No offence taken Steve, but I did assume that a fair bit of the "training" would be given on the job, rather than in advance. So, perhaps some lockies would rather not bother with this, hence they decline.
It will hopefully become clearer when they get started. Mid-June apparently, so shouldn't be long now.
Jo.
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Ian, do the Thames if you can. Lockies will generally help you and won't start to fill/empty a lock until you are ready.
However, some Thames locks fill from side paddles instead of/(as well as?) gate ones, and personally I find it harder to keep the boat against the side when in these locks. Can't recall which these are, but I am starting to keep a note in my Nicholsons. I expect someone on here will know which.
You will have a great time on the Thames. We get out there whenever we can.
Jo.
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Well, errm.......
It does mean that you are using your domestic bank to help start the engine.
Theoretically a leisure/domestic battery ought to have a different internal construction, making it suitable for deeper discharge, but in consequence not really designed to deliver huge starting currents.
But we are repeatedly told that much of what are sold as leisure batteries actually are just starter batteries, (or very close to, anyway......)
If you accept the latter as true, and given that you are starting a hot engine, you are probably not doing them much harm.
I assume you are talking about a modern engine that starts fairly easily, not some huge vintage lump who's starter will draw potentially very much bigger currents ?
I must agree there are times with a hot engine where we are always totally rigourous about putting the switch in the right position, but I generally try to, if not under pressure.
Thanks Alan
Yes, our engine is not old, and a good starter and I only do this in Thames Locks. Just laziness really.
I stick to using "1" rigorously at all other times, to the amusement of the rest of the family
J.
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One further point.....
It seems to be assumed that only historic boats, or those with historic engines, are in any way inconvenienced by the requirement to keep stopping the engine.
Even Chalice has fairly basic arrangements about battery selection, and charging, arrangements, controlled not by split charge diodes or big relays, but by one of those simple big black Off-1-2-Both switches.
Each engine stop requires manipulation of this switch before restarting, and again once you have, and it's down well inside the cabin, so on the Thames I'm constantly diving in and out to sort this out, whilst also trying not to break any of the requirements about hanging on to a rope.
I'm happy to do this where there are genuine reasons to cut the engine, but in a massive great lock, on my own, why on earth should you generally need to ?
We have the off-1-2-both set-up, but I don't bother to switch back to 1 to start when using the Thames Locks. I generally just start on "both". Is this a problem do you think?
Jo.
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"River Wey rule is turn off engines too, but that must be for a different reason?"
The Wey Navigation is made out of treacle and shredded wheat - or so the National Trust 'rangers' seem to think. Its all cotton wool and kids gloves! lol
I always turn my engine off when I get to Weybridge
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During three runs from Reading to Brentford I remember being asked once.
Were you alone in the locks then maybe?
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Out of interest, what's the reason for stopping engines in Thames Locks and not in canal locks? Not that we minded doing it, I'm just interested.
I thought it was to do with noise level, if all boats kept their engines running in a Thames Lock, nobody would hear the lockie in an emergency?
Jo.
River Wey rule is turn off engines too, but that must be for a different reason?
I think it is to do with sound - keeping things quiet so that people calling out can be heard.
My uncle was once told off very strongly by a Thames Lockie for playing the bagpipes while in a lock!
You must type faster than me!
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When are you taking this trip Ian?
We will look out for you.
Also, my son may be an "Assistant" Lock Keeper in a few weeks' time and I can give him advance notice!
Jo. -
Bath direction gets my vote. It was the first trip my husband book on a narrowboat - and he was hooked after that.
Jo.
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If anyone is making a trip to the "most southerly connected point" (being Godalming) please say, so that I can greet them on arrival! Its only 2 mins from my boring desk............
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There are three marinas at Newbury (all owned separately now, I understand).
Ham Manor Basin
Greenham Island
Greenham Lock
Jo.
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As you've possibly found out by now, no, I left this morning just after I posted (the latter with difficulty and twice!) and am now at Triggs lock.
Yep, had a quick look on my way past from work and saw that you had gone. Sorry if you have found us less than friendly around here! We are used to getting a response about 50% of the time.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise.
Jo.
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No. I didn't even go right up to the limit of navigation, Godalming Bridge. I just came here because it was on the Wey (so to speak).
Are you still at Godalming?
I will run down a say hello on my way home from work
Jo.
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Hi, we moved from the K&A a couple of years' ago, and went up to Oxford Cruisers. (This may be the same as "Pinkhill" in Proper Job's post, as they do have a hire base there as well).
It is very basic, but at least the price is similar to marinas on the K&A. They also charged monthly, which was very useful when we moved again.
Jo.
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I think the owner not only cares but has his priorities right. Lovely to see.
This is not a trick question, and just comes from someone eager to learn more about the "old" boats.
What are the right priorities?
Jo.
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Hi Folks, an old topic, I'm sure, but just new folks to say it. House sold( touch wood) , so we're moving house to a moving house !!. We're busy clearing out nearly everything we own, but never use and then we go looking for a new life afloat.
As usual, everyone we know ( near enough) thinks we're mental, are we?, i bloody well hope not as it's a bit late.......
Dibbo and Julie
Yep, sounds like its too late now! What fun having a good clear out.
Seriously though, I hope you enjoy your new life. There is nothing wrong with being mental
Jo.
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I'm at work and the boat is back at Newbury is your boat in the drydock at the weekend? If so I'll be there repairing paintwork.
Ken
Hi Ken,
No, we are not booked in with Paul until 17 June.
But we are bringing C'est la Vie up next week and have a temp mooring in the marina next to the dry dock waiting for our turn.
We should get onto the K&A on Weds and hope to moor at Woolhampton on Weds evening, or Theale if we are running late!
Sorry to hear about your paintwork.
Jo.
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Bit late, winding yesterday and a howling gale came down the canal, and blew me neatly into a tree, nice big sctratch down the side of the boat. It out with the paint brush next weekend weather permitting.
Ken
Where are you at the moment Ken? Might we see you next week?
Jo.
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I am confident that the rain will hold off until Friday, which is when we start our trip up Thames to K&A and Newbury. We had such fab weather last time out on the Thames, we are expecting to pay for it this time...
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If you get no joy pop up a picture or a detailed description, if it's automotive I'll find it.
Thanks kind Sir.
I have just had the call that all is now working again, with the relays they ordered in. However, this has been an ongoing problem, so if it persists - I will know who to come to. Thanks.
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Ah no, the boats are secured to a floating pontoon in the lock, so you can stand safely next to your boat
Oops my mistake.
J.
(and wouldn't you know it, a post saying "oops my mistake" finally awards me the label of "Long Standing Member" - how ironic!
) but my first thought was that it would become brittle in extreme heat/cold conditions and deteriorate quickly. 
I think this thread was supposed to be about ex-working boats. I'll take my leave.
Jo.
Ex Working boats on Thames
in General Boating
Posted
If we are last boat out, we close the gates if no boat is in sight coming the other way.
I believe it to be a rule that you do this after hours, and I would say that everyone who wants to follow the rules, does. Whether they are steel or GRP.
J.