Gunna Do

I too had this problem a few years ago when I suffered an attack of the dreaded diesel bug. It took ages to get the stove to run properly afterwards. My feed is from where the tank drain tap is supposed to be so it picks up any crap fuel straight away! My fuel additive seems to bind any water into the fuel is small amounts so it can be passed through the motor without problem, at least that is what it says in the literature. It took a few weeks of poor running before things improved significently so I reckoned that even though my fuel looked clear, it wasn't. Running good fuel from a remote tank should prove the theory. I also ran the stove with the cleaning pin out for a short time (not good practice!) and found a drastic improvement with the extra air for combustion.

OK - a night in the floating harbour it is! Many thanks

Many thanks but have already read the docs and spoken to the Pilot. I know the cost of the pilot service and although there is no legal requirement to do so, will be taking the Pilot. My concern is that I have heard it costing around £30/night in Bristol and Portishead. A wait of even a few days will add up very quickly.

I intend to tackle the tidal Severn in summer and the initial plan was to go from Sharpness to Bristol as waiting for a weather window would be much cheaper than the other way. How close to Bristol can I moor without incurring huge mooring costs and can I then lock straight through to travel down to Portishead ?

We recently moved our boat up to Rufford and will be needing a boat safety check in the near future. Can anybody give a recommendation in the area please? It would help if they can do the Manchester ship canal certificate as well. cheers Graham

Many thanks for replies and the set of pics. I hope my passage is as calm! My wife and I are both ex-lumpy water sailors. I have Ocean Yachtmaster quals and love it out on the open ocean though NOT in a Nb. It's generally the land that hurts and having lived in Gloucestershire and seen the Severn in all its moods, I wouldn't even think about not using a Pilot for a Nb trip. A much more powerful boat - maybe! Graham

We're in Fettlers. Stuck in now until sometime in March because of the works on lock 6 though not a problem as not intending to go until May. We have to get BSC and the dreaded MSC done. Looking for a surveyor to do both at once - some hope! cheers Graham

Many thanks John. I have already arranged cover to include the Mersey as well as we are based at Rufford. They didn't state that they required me to carry a pilot for either. The Mersey is quite straightforward but it wouldn't be sensible to go down the Severn without!

I'm planning to take my 50ft Nb down to the Kennet and Avon via the tidal Severn. I'm hoping to go early June and will be taking a pilot. Are there any boats out there planning similar and would be prepared to share costs?

Ours is a Beta 43 in a 50 footer as She spent her early life mostly on the Trent. No issues with the engine or Company. However she is a little over propped on an 18 x 12 so we spend a lot of time at low RPM which is not good for charging the battery bank but fuel consumption is good at 1.2 litres/hr. When it comes time to change the prop, I'll go for a bit finer job to get the cruising revs up a bit and hopefully better acceleration/stopping.

I used to have quite an impressive rooster tail especially when I tried to use a bit of power out on the Trent. I fitted a couple of fences (although mine are a bit bigger than yours) result - a bit more thrust and no rooster tail. Downside - they catch a little bit more weed but its not a major problem.

I also went rallying in my miss-spent youth, early Volvo 122s with 6v lighting. There were comments to the effect that our quick selective times were down to NOT being able to see! I'd like to add to this topic: In daylight, If you wear those reactolite type of specs, make sure you have a spare pair handy to pop on when entering the tunnel portal. Don't ask me how I know this but I had a bit of paintwork to touch up afterwards! Ref post 22; I encountered a boat with a VERY bright headlight, coming the opposite direction in Netherton tunnel and on the wrong side of the cut. Very worrying until I discovered that it was a bike on the towpath!!

King's Bromley Warf. He seems to have a good reputation and has it out for a week. We checked as we have been caught before! Blacking and anti-fouling paint are somewhat different but I take your point.

About to get the boat re-blacked. The convenient boatyard near us uses International blacking whilst ours has Rytex. Any comments on which is best?

Had pins pulled out in Skipton a lot of years ago. Since then if we are in an 'iffy area, we drop the anchor over the side away from the bank so should the above happen, we won't go too far.

I've had good results by putting the ropes in a pillow case and then into the washing machine.

I think the main point coming through all these posts is to make sure it is mounted correctly. I saw one that had failed, luckily in the engine hole, and it was only held by a rubber strap! Engine room mounted calorifiers are subject to more vibration than those mounted elsewhere so need good mountings. The failed one mentioned above had been moving around and had simply worn through!!

I bought a set of 'Offshore' oilies for a trip to the Azores (on a yacht - before you ask!) Only needed them on one day. Hardly been out of the things this year on the Nb!! Nice golfing umbrella also very handy. Ref hoods, yes we have a helm shelter but it is hardly ever up when moving due to bridge clearance etc.

Tail? Could be a worm sneaking up behind it!

We're planning to do the Chesterfield in 2 weeks time. Similar set up to you including license so will let you know how we get on.

I think the ones you refer to are Taylors or Blakes

Our 50ft boat is marina based and over the last 4 years has averaged £3988 per year (from spreadsheet and YES I know I'm sad!) We don't live on board yet but spend a lot of time on her and get out as often as we can. We also have diesel heating and are on shore power which will make a bit of difference to your totals.

Many thanks to all. Graham

During our summer trip we want to visit an Auntie in Magull (before the little darling's school holidays!). I'm aware that the area has had a dodgy reputation in the past but is this still the case?. Has anyone any suggestions for a night's mooring in the area?

I used this company for an intruder alarm. http://www.gsm-boat-alarm.co.uk/GSM-Boat-Alarms.php They do switching for various things but don't know about their prices. The alarm wasn't silly money though.