rgreg

You don't have to be out at sea to get caught out, as this short clip from the Mersey shows. (Sorry about the poor quality copy but it's the only way I could do it)

Thanks, yes I've seen yours from a distance and in your pics and it's an interesting combination

I'm painting my boat Narrowboat Dark Green and want different coloured back panels. I was thinking of Narrowboat Channel Green. Has anyone any ideas?

(/quote] Maybe not quite as impressive when considering the relatively short distance involved - not quite "navigating the Irish Sea" as described by Kez! Conventional and non specialist narrow boats are not suitable for open sea passages and many of the reasons why have already been stated in this thread. I wouldn't want people to try it in a a misguided spirit of adventure. If it becomes more common I am sure it will end in tears for someone! Howard Well it impressed me, and if people find the Ribble Estuary an ordeal then Tarleton to Glasson would be a major challenge.

This works for me! http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.202-8939.aspx *Edited to add: If you have £10 in clubcard vouchers you can exchange them by tomorrow and get it for just £10.40!

The decision to reduce the hours of the Galgate services to just 4 hours a day for 5 days is very disappointing. These services are conveniently placed right on the main line and not on a the "marina" as such so will be a big miss. I can't understand the reason to close them to passing boaters outside of these "operating hours" whilst they still remain available to berth holders. A very strange decision.

Another vote for the Thetford C200 electric flush. A reliable and simple system.

Perhaps my experience on my travels has been the exception, but I can honestly say I have found the behaviour of hire-boaters generally very good. As an ex-hirer myself I can remember making mistakes in the learning process but also remember how hard I tried to do things correctly; I think this attitude applies to the majority of hire-boaters that I have met,although, as with most things in life, there are always exceptions.

I had a similar situation last year when a retaining bracket for one of the fuel filters fractured. I called RCR they came promptly, took the bracket away to re-weld it, and had it all sorted within a couple of hours. A great service that I would not want to be without because you never know what can go wrong.

It also looks like it's on Red Oxide primer which bitumen doesn't stick well to.

Have you got plenty of charge in your batteries? Low supply voltage will cause it to cut out.

The Ribble Link is fine as long as you follow the Skippers Guide and make appropriate pre-crossing checks on the engine, as you are doing. The route is not complicated but does work the engine a lot harder than it is probably used to. Don't be put off by the scaremongers' stories just make the necessary preparations and enjoy the crossing. Enjoy Liverpool, that's a great trip too!

I would strongly discourage attempting to turn before you are well out in to the channel; the risk of grounding is too high. Once in the channel the tide will push you upstream a bit but you will turn then after that it's plain sailing. BW check the weather conditions before releasing you and won't send you out in adverse conditions. You've already done the hardest bit coming down from Tarleton to the boat yard on the Douglas. Enjoy your trip.

I have tried to keep an open mind on the charitable status but have always worried about funding it. As has been said by Tone, the only people I can see who will be prepared to pay for the waterways are boaters and some anglers (albeit grudgingly in many cases). The many other users who currently enjoy them for "free" will expect to continue to do so.

Sorry, I would have been happy to assist but I'm away that weekend.

I don't mind helping if I can; just need to know the date.

Red Oxide Primer underneath perhaps? Bitumen hates sticking to it.

You never know, it may happen in the future! I do think that on the system there are things we take for granted as part of our licence fee and there are other high-cost operations, such as the Ribble Link, where perhaps we should be prepared to pay extra to use if it supports their survival (and I say that as someone who uses the Link every year).

The penalty is only 10 pounds even if they do enforce it. I think most people agree that there should be a charge for the crossing.

Nice one, give us a shout when you come. As for the Link, I can't understand why BW don't make a charge for the crossing to help fund it (as they did in the beginning then abolished it). This would also reduce the number of "no shows" for crossings which are invariably fully booked.

One night a month at most (unlike some, I might add, but won't start that debate)!. The offside moorings are long-term apart from a small visitor mooring. The towpath side is where most visitors moor and this has open access.

Yes, I saw the party at Guys and that was my first thought. It's good to hear there have been no other incidents because I have moored there for years and it's the last place I would expect anything to happen.

Interesting theories. I've no idea who may have taken them and just hope it's an isolated incident.