Seeking Reliable, Good London Marine Engineer

[A A Matthews]

Stranded Dutch Cruiser- currently moored Perivale , West London
 

Seeking good reliable and experienced marine engineer to supply & fit new water pump etc and then check engine to ensure satisfactory running.

[Alan de Enfield]

12 minutes ago, A A Matthews said:

Stranded Dutch Cruiser- currently moored Perivale , West London
 

Seeking good reliable and experienced marine engineer to supply & fit new water pump etc and then check engine to ensure satisfactory running.

 

You will get more help on the 'London Boaters' facebook page - the mysteries of why anyone would have a boat in London tend to elude this forum.

 

No one here is prepared to face the charges and inconvenieces of London driving, let alone the lack of parking and needing to carry a huge tool box down the tow path.

[A A Matthews]

As my daughter has to be in London for her work , with the very high rents she decided the only way forward was / is to live on a boat! It’s as simple as that . Same as numerous others I know of 

[David Mack]

What engine, and how do you know the water pump needs replacing?

[Tonka]

Try Precision Engineering - Precision Engineers - Machinists - UK (holman-engineering.co.uk)

who are based in Addlestone. They may know of someone if they will not do it

[Sir Percy]

You might find yourself having to go to the mountain.

 

Uxbridge, or Bulls Bridge etc., may be able to arrange for an engineer to carry out works to your engine. Check with them (with engine details) and see if you can book in. Of course, you need to arrange to be tugged down there. Might have a number for a man and tug based in Southall if you need it. Perivale is fairly near to those two; you might be able to find someone willing to give you a tow.

Edited October 29, 2023 by Sir Percy
Correction

[Mad Harold]

3 hours ago, A A Matthews said:

Stranded Dutch Cruiser- currently moored Perivale , West London
 

Seeking good reliable and experienced marine engineer to supply & fit new water pump etc and then check engine to ensure satisfactory running.

Hope you find one who isn't wearing a three cornered hat and sporting a brace of pistols.😜

[manxmike]

Just a thought, but does it really need to be a Marine Engineer? Surely an experienced mechanic would be able to sort this out. They would be a lot easier to find in London than a Marine guy.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

54 minutes ago, manxmike said:

Just a thought, but does it really need to be a Marine Engineer? Surely an experienced mechanic would be able to sort this out. They would be a lot easier to find in London than a Marine guy.

The Marine bit is the advanced yoga skills required to contort a regular mechanics body in to the confined spaces of a typical boat engine hole. 😀

[mrsmelly]

20 hours ago, A A Matthews said:

As my daughter has to be in London for her work , with the very high rents she decided the only way forward was / is to live on a boat! It’s as simple as that . Same as numerous others I know of 

Unrelated......but..............Is the job one that can only be done in London? one of our daughters  lived and worked there some years ago and paid ridiculous rent on a average house. She found a similar job with similar wages in Bristol as did her hubby and they moved to Bristol where they have bought a beautiful bungalow on a mortgage for way less than the rent thrown away in London.  I understand that some jobs must only be based in that London place but many are available in nicer places. Just sayin 

[Tony Brooks]

I suspect a Dutch Cruiser may have two water pumps, the engine circulating pumps and a raw water pump, and if it is a raw water pump that has stopped working then in most cases it is a DIY job with a bit of advice. probably just the impeller or a blocked raw water inlet.

 

I think we await the answer to David Mack's question.

[Alan de Enfield]

12 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

I understand that some jobs must only be based in that London place but many are available in nicer places. Just sayin 

 

All I can think of is "Palace Guard" pretty much everything else has an equivalent outside 'the city'.

[A A Matthews]

1 hour ago, mrsmelly said:

Unrelated......but..............Is the job one that can only be done in London? one of our daughters  lived and worked there some years ago and paid ridiculous rent on a average house. She found a similar job with similar wages in Bristol as did her hubby and they moved to Bristol where they have bought a beautiful bungalow on a mortgage for way less than the rent thrown away in London.  I understand that some jobs must only be based in that London place but many are available in nicer places. Just sayin 

Thanks for most prompt response and interest. However the boat is out of action and dependant on kind souls offering free tows ! And yes the boat needs a ‘local ‘ marine engineer’ in the West London area or if we can organise a tow , to any reliable, reasonably priced engineer . Too be honest any suggestions/ recommendations are welcome 

58 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

I suspect a Dutch Cruiser may have two water pumps, the engine circulating pumps and a raw water pump, and if it is a raw water pump that has stopped working then in most cases it is a DIY job with a bit of advice. probably just the impeller or a blocked raw water inlet.

 

I think we await the answer to David Mack's question.

Thanks for most prompt responses and interest. I am not au fait with boats / engines etc so require a professional fitter. The ‘fault ‘ was diagnosed by the BSS fitter at the Hemel Hempstead Marina where boat was purchased . So I have no idea what type of pump other than being informed the pump required is brass and seems to be specific to the boat rather than ‘off the shelf ‘  

[magnetman]

Willowtree marina might be worth a try. 

 

 

[A A Matthews]

1 hour ago, mrsmelly said:

Unrelated......but..............Is the job one that can only be done in London? one of our daughters  lived and worked there some years ago and paid ridiculous rent on a average house. She found a similar job with similar wages in Bristol as did her hubby and they moved to Bristol where they have bought a beautiful bungalow on a mortgage for way less than the rent thrown away in London.  I understand that some jobs must only be based in that London place but many are available in nicer places. Just sayin 

Yes many better places but currently the location has to be London for many reasons 

1 hour ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

The Marine bit is the advanced yoga skills required to contort a regular mechanics body in to the confined spaces of a typical boat engine hole. 😀

 Ok and you make a very good point . I am assuming it needs a fitter / engineer as who else would have the experience and knowledge of sorting this job out. Also I am advised that there may be other remedial work required once new pump installed and fired up .  However any further suggestions are appreciated 
 

 

Just now, A A Matthews said:

Yes many better places but currently the location has to be London for many reasons 

 

[magnetman]

Bulls Bridge dry dock might have someone. 

[Alan de Enfield]

19 minutes ago, A A Matthews said:

The ‘fault ‘ was diagnosed by the BSS fitter at the Hemel Hempstead Marina where boat was purchased

 

Could not the 'fitter' at Hemel Hempstead do the work, or advise you of someone who could ?

Have you moved the boat (with a broken water pump ?) from HH ?

 

If you have run it with a broken water pump you could well be right - there could be a considerable amount of damage that will need fixing.

[magnetman]

Perivale is quite a long way from The swingbridge marina.

 

 

[A A Matthews]

1 minute ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

Could not the 'fitter' at Hemel Hempstead do the work, or advise you of someone who could ?

Have you moved the boat (with a broken water pump ?) from HH ?

 

If you have run it with a broken water pump you could well be right - there could be a considerable amount of damage that will need fixing.

 

1 minute ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

Could not the 'fitter' at Hemel Hempstead do the work, or advise you of someone who could ?

Have you moved the boat (with a broken water pump ?) from HH ?

 

If you have run it with a broken water pump you could well be right - there could be a considerable amount of damage that will need fixing.

Well yes you ask a very sensible question!  Unfortunately the HH fitter was called out a number of times due to constant engine cut outs  leading to some remedial work , then leading to water pump issues diagnosed. He dismantled pump and took away a part he thought could be repaired. Alas since then numerous phone calls, emails and voicemails have been in vain. We gave up on him and another London based fitter / engineer inspected and confirmed existing pump has had it and new pump required. He advised a new pump has to be operational in order to check engine is running correctly and it may be suffering from fuel pipe blockage 

Yes the trip from HH to Perivale was made possible  a few tows by a very friendly and generous lady boater !

[Alan de Enfield]

4 minutes ago, A A Matthews said:

Unfortunately the HH fitter was called out a number of times due to constant engine cut outs  leading to some remedial work , then leading to water pump issues diagnosed. He dismantled pump and took away a part he thought could be repaired. Alas since then numerous phone calls, emails and voicemails have been in vain.

 

When did you buy the boat ?

 

Who owned the boat ? (Was it sold by the marina on behalf of a private seller, or, did the Marina own the boat ?) It's important as you may have the legal right for the boat to be fixed or your money back.

[Tony Brooks]

1 hour ago, A A Matthews said:

So I have no idea what type of pump other than being informed the pump required is brass and seems to be specific to the boat rather than ‘off the shelf ‘  

 

That sounds more like a raw water pump, and some of them do have a model specific drive or mounting plate. However, that is not a lot of help in your situation. Best of luck getting it sorted and if the chap who took the parts away is not communicating it may help others if he is named.

[A A Matthews]

59 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

When did you buy the boat ?

 

Who owned the boat ? (Was it sold by the marina on behalf of a private seller, or, did the Marina own the boat ?) It's important as you may have the legal right for the boat to be fixed or your money back.

It was purchased from Hemel Hempstead Marina and has proved unreliable. Whilst I understand that with used items it’s ‘buyer beware ‘ but I am also advised that we could have recourse to law. However for personal reasons this is not an option; it’s not decision.

[Sir Percy]

Search result: https://londonmobilemarina.com/services 

No personal experience of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[A A Matthews]

1 hour ago, magnetman said:

Willowtree marina might be worth a try. 
 

Thanks and will look them up 

 

 

 

Just now, Sir Percy said:

Search result: https://londonmobilemarina.com/services 

No personal experience of them.

 

Yes these are the guys I have been talking about.

very little information about them and can’t find any favourable reviews 

 

 

 

 

 

23 hours ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

You will get more help on the 'London Boaters' facebook page - the mysteries of why anyone would have a boat in London tend to elude this forum.

 

No one here is prepared to face the charges and inconvenieces of London driving, let alone the lack of parking and needing to carry a huge tool box down the tow path.

Yes it would drive me crackers . However I have had to do exactly that . Load my 4 wheel garden trolley into my van . At other end load the trolley with tools , materials etc and pull down the tow path to the boat .

All this for a man that had 2 heart attacks last year ! The things we do for love !!

[SnippetySnip]

You could try Matt Miller at Bulls Bridge Dock. I found him really helpful (and a nice bloke too).