Aintree Boats - Cruiser/Semi Trad Stern - Drainage

[NB 'Wrong 'Uns']

Hello there,

I'm looking at getting a Aintree Boats narrowboat built. I want a cruiser stern and would like to know from someone who owns (or knows someone who owns) a Aintree boats cruiser or semi trad stern narrowboat and whether the drainage for the engine bay works properly?

[Tracy D'arth]

If you cannot get a reply here, how about going to look at a used one on sale somewhere and lifting the deck boards to see what state the engine bilge is in?

TD'

[NB 'Wrong 'Uns']

2 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said:

If you cannot get a reply here, how about going to look at a used one on sale somewhere and lifting the deck boards to see what state the engine bilge is in?

TD'

That might be a good idea if this doesn't work out

[JamesFrance]

If you have Facebook there is an Aintree boat owners group, you could ask on there.

[NB 'Wrong 'Uns']

1 minute ago, JamesFrance said:

If you have Facebook there is an Aintree boat owners group, you could ask on there.

Yes I have facebook, I'll look into that

[matty40s]

2 hours ago, NB 'Wrong 'Uns' said:

Hello there,

I'm looking at getting a Aintree Boats narrowboat built. I want a cruiser stern and would like to know from someone who owns (or knows someone who owns) a Aintree boats cruiser or semi trad stern narrowboat and whether the drainage for the engine bay works properly?

Most Aintree boats I have seen have a channel arrangement under the deck boards which is then reaches a drain hole and is piped to the sides of the boat. 

This is a fairly common system in narrowboats, and only falls down if the channels or pipes become blocked.....clearing these several times a year is good practice, especially in autumn if the rear deck is not covered. 

Theres is usually a bilge pump as well.

[Tracy D'arth]

4 minutes ago, matty40s said:

Most Aintree boats I have seen have a channel arrangement under the deck boards which is then reaches a drain hole and is piped to the sides of the boat. 

This is a fairly common system in narrowboats, and only falls down if the channels or pipes become blocked.....clearing these several times a year is good practice, especially in autumn if the rear deck is not covered. 

Theres is usually a bilge pump as well.

True, they work well if kept clean and rust free, BUT if the boat is moored with a list, they don't! From my experience anyway.

[David Mack]

People either love em or hate em, but a pram hood or tonneau cover would stop the water getting to the engine covers in the first place.

[matty40s]

1 hour ago, David Mack said:

People either love em or hate em, but tonneau cover would stop the water getting to the engine covers in the first place.

Although slightly inconvenient when cruising.

[ditchcrawler]

1 hour ago, matty40s said:

Although slightly inconvenient when cruising.

Do people cruise in the rain, I thought I was the only one which is why I have a trad

[TheBiscuits]

5 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:

Do people cruise in the rain, I thought I was the only one which is why I have a trad

 

There's an infamous photo of Cath Fincher on a BCN challenge ...

[Alan de Enfield]

1 hour ago, ditchcrawler said:

Do people cruise in the rain, I thought I was the only one which is why I have a trad

 

Yes, we'd always cruise in the rain, I'd have the pram-hood up and when we got to a lock SWMBO would disembark with an umbrella, only fair really.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

Yes, we'd always cruise in the rain, I'd have the pram-hood up and when we got to a lock SWMBO would disembark with an umbrella, only fair really.

How do you wangle that?

 

Always the reverse on our boat, and having a brolly to keep you dry whilst doing the locks is about as effective as having a chocolate fireguard to stop coals dropping on your rug.......

[blackrose]

I have a Liverpool boat and the channels around the deckboards are a bit too shallow. Most of the time they can cope with the rain as long as channels and the downpipes are clear, but in a real downpour they get overwhelmed and sometimes I find a puddle of water on the uxter plate on one side and a puddle on the base plate. 

 

They should have built it with deeper channels, but it's no biggy. I just keep some nappies down there and change them occasionally. Compared to the engine bays on some canal boats I've seen mine is pretty dry.

[TheBiscuits]

53 minutes ago, The Happy Nomad said:

about as effective as having a chocolate fireguard

 

Oi! @Dr Bob calls them ecofans ...

[blackrose]

10 hours ago, ditchcrawler said:

Do people cruise in the rain, I thought I was the only one which is why I have a trad

 

I would only do it when strictly necessary and wear my motorbike waterproofs. I see people cruising past in the rain sometimes and they're obviously much keener than me. I'd rather be comfortable onboard in the dry.

[Dr Bob]

8 hours ago, TheBiscuits said:

 

Oi! @Dr Bob calls them ecofans ...

Mmmmmmm.......I need to buy one for the new boat. The old one seems to have ..........melted???!!

[ditchcrawler]

10 hours ago, The Happy Nomad said:

How do you wangle that?

 

Always the reverse on our boat, and having a brolly to keep you dry whilst doing the locks is about as effective as having a chocolate fireguard to stop coals dropping on your rug.......

You need a small boy or a butler to hold it for you