Midnight

No assisted passage available. I feel sorry for our new club members who are now stuck on the wrong side of the Pennines. They are new to boating having had their electric boat built at Worcester. With the constant ongoing problems on the L&L, the Huddersfield and Rochdale they must be wondering why they bothered. When these issues permeate to the Midlands and South boaters down that way may agree C&RT under the leadership (🤣) of Richard Parry are a disaster. He needs to go before the whole system falls apart.

If your engine as an older model, have you tried using the little finger pump after slackening the bleed vent on top of the engine fuel filter`to see if fuel is getting that far? If you have to pump for ages it means there was no fuel in the line. I once forgot to open the fuel tap after a service and after the engine slowly died it took ages before fuel appeared from the bleed vent. I painted the pump trigger (?) white because I have difficulty in locating it after every service.

Usually when we were out summer cruising the charge amps in the morning after mooring overnight were around +50amps. When the batteries are showing 100% on the MICC the amps drop down to single numbers. I know 100% is a meaningless bean count figure, but the voltage is usually in the high 12s to low 13s, overnight it drops to the low 12s. The four batteries are cheapo unbranded things I bought from Streethay in 2021 after my old AGMs died at Tixhall Wide and they couldn't get the Numax 120s I wanted. I don't expect them to last much more than 3 years so will probably get replaced later this year. I also intend to replace the noname alternator with a 12v 150amp Prestolite (2605048).

The whole C&RT management team is the subject of ridicule on a discussion forum 🤣

Sorry if I confused you I meant on both domestic alternators i.e. the Prestolite that died and then the replacement. I think it is. Last Saturday after being on shore power the Mastervolt charger will have fully charged the batteries. I took the boat a short distance to the Club's pump-out jetty and noticed the light on all the way. After spending awhile sorting out the shhh-you-know-what, I checked the battery voltage at 12.96v. When I restarted the engine the voltage went up to around 14.6v (senior memory moment but near). I've never cruised in the dark but I will check next time I'm aboard. I'll also check to see if the solar controller can be adjusted. It's one of these. How would I find out what to adjust it to, or if it can be adjusted should I just reduce it bit at a time? UPDATE! I spoke to Photonic Universe who said the easiest way to reduce the MPPT voltage is to change to the Gel Battery setting.

It is non-standard wiring. There's a red ignition light and a green fault light both added when I followed a wiring diagram supplied by Adverc for a Prestolite alternator. I'm sorry I don't have a pdf version now and the printed version is on the boat. The Presolite died last year so I swapped it for a secondhand noname unit bought from an alternator specialist who said it was similar. The Prestolite was obsolete and spares were not available. The red light issue happened on both alternators and I think after the solar panels were fitted. The starter battery alternator is the original and on a separate wiring system.

The Beta 43 on Midnight has a retro fitted 110amp domestic alternator. Not the one that came with the engine so it's wired differently and the live is switched by a relay. All seems to work except when the batteries are fully charged the red ignition light comes on. If I switch on a light it goes out. Originally it was connected to an Adverc battery manager but it is now unplugged. I also have 2 solar panels. Any idea what would cause this,?

It was amazing how quickly that sandbar disappeared under the incoming tide. After that it was a bit hairy with the tide beam on until we turned into the channel. I got the feeling it was getting marginal when Daryl very softly asked if he could take the tiller at that point. Okay you edited out the bit where Duncan screamed and I sh*t myself. If it had got as bad as Simon's trip I would have left you there and got the bus. Never the less great video memories. Thanks Kevin.

I cruised fron Skipton toLeeds in 2011 breaking ice all the way. It didn't even scratch the epoxy

I always find an escape route I don't think it matters which way you go. We did Boston to Wisbech last summer in the company of @Kendorr You need to book a pilot - we used Daryl Hill - recommended. (Stock your fridge) It was quite rough after we left the sandbar and headed to Wisbech. I seem to remember the wind got up to17mph NNE so the turn into the shipping lane was rather exciting.

https://www.traditional-signwriter.co.uk/content/home-page

Any opinion as to when navigation will resume, Is it likely C&RT will offer assisted passage? I'm trying to help our Club member get back to his mooring.

I hope so too. The source who mentioned the invented closure suggested it would affect the Summit

After what must be a record for the length of time open, the Rochdale is currently closed between Lock 80 & Lock 65 owing to "subsidence" . A real shame as one of our members who has been trying to get back to the Club from Worcester since October (first the landslide at Tardebigge, then the flooded Severn) had just reached Castlefield when the news broke. The Rochdale Curse strikes again!

Charge or no charge if it won't move or is too much trouble to move It's not going to be an option. It looked to me like the C&RT lads were having a lot of trouble putting it back into place when we passed.

Just a thought. Considering the trouble C&RT were having with the M62 floating walkway I wonder have they decided they won't be moving it again? In which case the new dimensions are correct.

Yes we can agree on that but as you are a 'think outside the box' sort of person, is the idea of the canals becoming a National Park going to help, hinder or make no difference?

Yes they should but it ain't going to happen under any colour government. Time to think outside the box. Clutching at straws maybe, but harping on about the same old, same old is going nowhere for sure.

If this will help in any way I will sign. Of course it probably won't reach the required number of signatures unless an organisation like NABO or IWA get behind it and that's unlikely. There's nothing to be optimistic about as long as Parry & Co run the waterways. And FBW will achieve nothing. Maybe a few MPs saying the right things cos it election year, but no extra money.

Funded by central government, National Parks have specific purposes that are enshrined in law. In England and Wales they are: Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public.

Currently doing the rounds on Faceache. A petition to ask the Government to designate the canal system as a National Park. I live in the NYMNP but apart from stricter planning laws and rights of way stuff, I can't see if this would be an advantage for the waterways. Any thoughts? "The government recently announced the search for a new National Park. We believe our canal network offers a green space throughout the country that should be preserved as a National Park for future generations." https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/652357?fbclid=IwAR2bwSHDhc2Iv7fzsAsoEXzpnIXqvD0MdDn0aujA5r-3YmL4vvy_1igbQX8

New members welcome short waiting list for non-residential moorings. Dry dock, sanitary station, diesel sales. Good social scene. https://www.southpennineboatclub.co.uk/content/home-page

The C&RT lads were definitely having trouble with it when we came through last October. A widebeam was in the M62 lock going west but it seemed like the walkway was jammed in the open position. A young chap maybe staff was letting water down from the lock above.

Not much really. Although up here we dream that Parry & Co get the boot and someone takes over who knows how to manage a navigation authority. And here is next year's catastrophic failure, long term stoppage and £M+ repair. Notice Alert Leeds & Liverpool Canal Location: Culvert 80, Newburgh Starts At: Bridge 36A - Sewageworks Footbridge Ends At: Bridge 37, Windmill bridge Up Stream Winding Hole: Winding Hole - Appley Bridge Down Stream Winding Hole: Bridge 1, Junction Bridge Tuesday 2 January 2024 08:00 until Tuesday 2 January 2024 16:00 Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Repair Update on 02/01/2024: The Trust has removed this work from this year’s winter works programme while we review the scope and cost of the project. The forecast cost has increased significantly from initial estimates. We will look to deliver this work in a future winter programme and will monitor the leak in the interim. Original message: A stoppage is required to carry out some repairs to culvert 80. We will also be doing some wash wall repairs at Douglas embankment. You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/25380/culvert-80-newburgh You can find all notices at the url below: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices