boatyboy

I knew there had to be someone who poo poo'd this vid saying "You'll be in trouble doing that..!! Didn't think you could fly these things just anywhere" You go for it mate.I thought it was rather novel.Post more soon.I'll keep a look out for your plane and give you a flash (camera). Dave

What is he on about.He sounds like Victor meldrew.We have been cruising non stop for over three years,and have made many new friends over that period all over the system. And still in contact with those we met at the start.We are by no means miserable.My wife seems to wave to everyone,sometimes to much. Some people do have a grey cloud over there heads,and always look on the glum side.

Hi Pete.Thanks for all that info.In fact we have already been in the dock,and left Saturday morning.I was aware that the pontoons were open to all.there were some youths swimming near our boat.

Hi Ever so slightly off subject.But today i saw a bloody Heron go for some baby ducklings.It did'nt get any,as the mum duck flew straight at it,and almost knocked it over.Never got the camera when needed eh Dave

Hi I would drill a series of small holes break out the piece,and use a half round file to tidy it up.and i would use reinforced plastic hose to join the tank to the filler cap. The reason for my reply was because i had a problem like that.The Twat that built my boat decided that just having the neck of the brass deck filler hanging into the upstand neck on the tank was ok to do.There was no actual waterproof join between the two.Hence every time we forgot the hose was running it overflowed and filled up the locker inside the boat. After taking half the boat apart to sort the problem.I joined the two together using two hose clips each end.Its sorted now,and that worked for me.You may wonder why i say use plastic reinforced hose. It is that you can put it in boiling water and it stretches more than rubber does.I hope that helps a bit,as i've had lots of plumbing probs to sort out on my boat due to twat builder. Dave

I did call the pump out boat,as i required fuel.He said he would be there at 3.00pm.We were in yates's bar in the city having a curry that took ages to come.Hence i only managed to gulp down half of it before i had to run all the way back to the boat to be there for 3'oclock.(bloody hard when one is nearly 60). The B*rsteward never arrived !!! We were booked to leave the dock at 8.30 next morning.And had to leave with a quarter tank of fuel and full loo.I was not a happy chappy. Dave

Hi everyone.Just spent 3 gorgious days moored up in Salthouse Dock in Liverpool. There is so much to see and do.We had a Beer or three in the Cavern,even if it stunk of a sewer inside. Several laps around the high spots of the City on an open top bus.8 rotations on the Big wheel,even though it said we would get 3.Fantasic views over the City.A ride on the Duck tour that takes you all around the docks on the Water,then drives out and takes you around the city.A night out to see Peter Kay at the huge new Echo Arena.All topped of with a fantastic meal.We have been on the boat for 3 years now and it was one of the highlights so far. Now the not so good bits.As you might or might not know its an assisted passage from bridge 9 all the way down into the Dock,and took 4.5 hours to complete.We were pre warned about the rubbish in the canal by the BW guys. RUBBISH!!! I've never seen so much sh*te in a canal,well apart from Manchester/Birmingham/Leeds.We fouled our prop 4 times during the trip both ways. There are no boater facilties once in the Dock,but you do have taps and power on your jetty.Power cards are from the tourist info office next to salthouse dock.We were told that a floating pumpout boat cames around several times during the stay.He also sells diesel.Though we never saw him once. So be advised that if you need water/pumpout/cassette etc.Do it at Litherland services,as there are no more on the way. Hope you enjoy your time there as much as we did. Dave

Thankyou guys.That all sounds very comforting.This morning i actually said to my wife Di that i'm not doing the Ribble link after stupidly laying awake in bed winding myself up(Twit) .Now i'm more swayed to going for it (i think) Keep the encouragement coming.I need all i can get.Plus it will make Di happy. Cowardly Dave x

Evening all.Yesterday we past the Junction of the Rufford branch on our way to Liverpool Docks.We are booked to do both the docks first and the Ribble link on the way back.I'm more than a bit concerned about doing the link.And my wife says it will be ok.Trouble is when you meet folk along the way and ask them if they have done the link.I've been getting answers like "no way pal" and "Hope you got a good engine" One even said that his mate had waves splashing over the bows of the boat and on to the roof. Sounds scary stuff,as narrow boats are not really desighned for choppy stuff. One guy said that once they let you out onto the tidal bit there is no going back. Now i'm a naturally sceptic bloke,and like to think things through like this for risks etc. My boat is 57ft long,with a Vetus MR 1.7.She has just been serviced especially for doing the link.But due to the possible lumpyness of the passage it can stir up sediment not normally moved about much on normal canal travel,and bung up the fuel filters. I've just watched a few short vids on youtube,and it looked to be ok,albeit very big once in the channel.So am i being overly cautious.And can some of you reasure me please that i'm worrying to much.We are booked for the Ribble on May 2nd.Is anyone else doing it that day. Finally i hope this post don't put anyone else off from doing the Ribble. Dave

Oi matey!!We are from the south east.And we are very friendly Nothing wrong with Seamasters. I built them for 18 years.Nowadays they ain't snobs boats

Hi.Thanks for all your tips.though not sure about the Rat one Dave

Evening all.Last week whilst cruising i got a whiff of anti freeze.We stopped straight away,but no blown hoses on the engine.I went inside the cabin and the domestic water pump was running continuously.I lifted up the front step and found the smell.It was a split rubber hose between the Bubble stove and the central heating circulation pump.How long it had been going i can only guess.Because by now all the contents of the central heating rads was in the bilge. It was quite a quick fix,and we were soon on our way again.But now we are left with a quite strong smell of anti freeze towards the back of the boat,as its taking quite a while for it to drain backwards through the ballast. So the question i'm asking is how do i get rid of the smell of antifreeze?I've chucked several gallons of fresh water down below hoping it will dilute it somewhat.But i suspect it will take several more buckets before it starts to deminish. We noticed last year during the summer that the usual condensation on the bottom plate had dried up.So will the smell disapear when it dries out again this summer? My wife says how about trying Febreeze Hope you can help. Cheers Dave

I think your answer was in your question

Blimey !!!! what a great reaction to my Topic.Thankyou everyone for your replies.I thought i was in danger of being shot down in flames by dog owners. I'm not against dogs by the way,and its not their fault they poo on the path . But its the ignorant owners that seriously pee me off.We have all seen the varied coloured poo bags hanging from the trees.Whats with that????? anyone explain why thats done.I guess its 50 seconds of feel good factor whilst picking it up,then they think what am i doing carrying this steaming bag .Then it back to normal and hoik it into the trees.Thats the next part of a 50 second feel good moment."I've just beat the system" and no one saw me do it. Have any of you taken the short walk to Tescos from the visitor moorings at Rugby ?(non to path side,near the new houses) Well thats obviously a regular walk by the same person and dog. Huge great orangy turds litter that path.What with all the litter along there,it looks like the ghetto . I had what i though was a good idea.That was that manufacturers should print on the packaging why dog mess should be cleaned up, and a mention of the fines for those not clearing up. Right................Fishermen next.No my blood pressure is up already,so i won't go there either . Dave

Today we cast off from Audlem. It was a lovely sunny but chilly morning and every thing was right with the world.I spoke to soon,as someone just had to spoil it.A man and woman were walking towards us with a Spanial dog.It was about 50 yards ahead of them. It crouched down right in the centre of the tow path and dumped a steaming heap for all to see.Yes it was steaming!! I waited until the couple "stepped" over the heap before i said the following.Excuse me,are you going to clean up after your Dog? 'No' he said.Well it would be nice if you did i replied.I was not ready for what came back from him.He let fly back with F*ck off!! and get back to you nice little house in the city you t*sser,this is the country side,and i ain't cleaning up no sh*t.I was nearly off the boat!! I'm not from the city i used to be a farm worker. Just to top the day off.Near to Nantwich a middle aged woman was walking her dog.It decided to crap on the path right in front of her.She stepped over it and carried on walking.Once again i pointed out that her dog had 'pooed' and would she clean it up please.Her answer was."But i've not got anything to pick it up with".I nearly shouted Uses your efin hanky then.The wife told me that i should try to ignore it.But i can't as it infuriates me so much. I know that it only takes a few ignorant bastards to spoil the scenery,as most people clear up after the dog. OK now bags of beer cans in the hedge..................no i'm not going there Dave

I guess you are from upt norf then ?

Were you watching the same program as the rest of us then?

What an utter load of rubbish!! Who's the T*sser with him. Having a fire on the roof of the boat was so stupid. And I was looking forward to watching the program.I even sat down half way through doing the washing up.One thing is for sure....He won't replace dear old Fred. Points out of ten then..............I would say 3/10.

My Honda genny has an automatic low oil cut out switch.Thats generally the reason mine won't start or stops.Good luck........Dave Evening Keith.Still at Rugby?? We are at Gailey now

Just looked on eb*y.The DVD's not on there,but a book of the series is.

Don't ever sand any antifoul Dry.I've stripped and antifouled around a hundred fibreglass boats.There are very nasty chemicals in antifoul.Always wear gloves,as it stains your skin and gets inside you that way.

1.Pet hates are boaters who chuck the dog out on the tow path for a dump so they don't see it having a crap. 2.Hire boats in an efin hurry. 3.Bags of empty beer cans hanging in the hedge.(and dog sh*te) 4.burnt out chinese lanterns also hanging in the hedge. 5.The boat moored on the water point at Cropredy last Saturday sitting there eating a bloody fry up.When asked if he could move please,replied with "F*****g hell !! she's only just put me bacon and eggs on the plate. 6.All the linear moorers just below Cropredy,with all their sh*te and rubbish strewn all along the tow path,as if they damn well own it 7.people who moan about people using generators.Mines a lovely quiet Honda suitcase model.

I most definitly want some of what he's been drinking !!!!!!!!!!!!

Try this one ............... Turn off your water pump to the taps.Run hot and cold taps till no water comes out.Leave cold tap on,but turn off hot. Unscrew shower head,turn shower setting to hot and turn it on.Attach mouth to shower hose and blow for all you are worth.You will now get very dizzy.Not to be attempted if you got a weak heart This should push water around the system (well it did mine) I had an air lock problem,and this exercise did it ok for me. Dave