BenC

Original traps were made of canvas and then painted with a tar based product hence Tarpaulins. I believe that these were originally rented to boats, maybe why the company’s logo used to be stamped on them, or maybe this was a later form of advertising. I know that Banstead (Big Woolwich) was run for a while with blue tops. Ben

Thanks Proper Job I might be stupid! but I'm not 5 to 10 grand to insure stupid!

From our experience you can waste a lot of money umming and ahhing about whether to but a boat or not. But in the back of your mind, no matter what, if you love it you’ll buy it anyway. Research the boat, find out what other people have done to it in the past, ask people if they know the boat and have any info about it. Other people tend to know more about the past of historic boats than the owners sometimes do! We wasted loads of money hiring a crane for the day, having Banstead taken out of the water at a yard with no lifting equipment. The survey came back highlighting problems, we bought it any way! We could have put all of that money into repairs. I think that most Historic boats could easily have thousands thrown at them if you had it, but if you haven’t then you can patch them up until you or someone else can afford it in the future. If you are brave enough, the buy the boat without a survey (knowing a little about the boats past would be wise) use the fact that you are buying the boat without a survey to barter down the price, but know that you might have to spend 5 to 10 Grand just to get it insured Just my advice! Others may disagree. Take a chance and good luck

What a great clip. Just want to leave work and go and play on my boats in the ice now!

I might be wrong, but I think that Jester had been lined, concrete maybe? There’s no way that it’s been relying on the wood all these years. I used to hold my breath when passing breasted up and pray that it didn’t sink!

They should try going through a tunnel without a splitter on the chimney!

In Kings Langley, have known Bodmin for years, just missed it last time around! Now have to sell our much loved but mismatched modern Butty, 3 boats at the moment!!! Bit tricky at locks!

Welcome to the joys of owning a butty. Thought it was time I came clean and owned up to buying Bodmin the other month! Sorry Chertsey, but it all worked out in the end. She is already well loved and undergoing a refit at the moment (Well needed). Great fun single handed towing for the first time the other week (if a little scary). Good luck[/font]