42 feet of pure prettiness

[patty-ann]

Well done Max..fab..will leave those who know to provide advice..I've given u x2 green thingys one for each post....

[The Bearwood Boster]

I just love Miss Max's posts?I would sooo love to meet her to see if she really is as nutty as she sounds ?I do hope so ...

[Laurie Booth]

So sad about Laurie.Booth. Last person I expected to hear would wake up wrapped in a blend of herbs and spices in a Aldi freezer (Waitrose is to good for the blighter)

I will rise from the gravey

[peterboat]

I just love Miss Max's postsI would sooo love to meet her to see if she really is as nutty as she sounds I do hope so ...

I had a day with her she is good fun and a great person to be with, I recommend a visit to see her for anybody who is feeling down, you will come away smiling and feeling better. Hows that Max is that worth the tenner? lol

I tried to visit her last week on the way to Scotland then coming back but the A65 being closed for repairs stopped play!! Also Maxes vague ideas as to where she was going to be didnt help. Sorry Max hope you get back to Skipton soon

[Lord Gadbury]

I will happily come over and do your oil and filter change, I am out for the week currently at bea tons bridge heading for Wigan pier and then back. So would have to be next week.

 

However my dog loves cats and could eat hole ones, but couldn't leave her at home as I work away most of the time if you understand, but we could work around that.

 

I have decided about my fridge btw, have it on when engine running off when it's not and will change in March. Best of a situation as far as I can see, changing batteries made a huge difference.

 

Water analogy isn't correct, 110ah would be higher not bigger ! So now image a lake, above a pond, with out a lock, now how much water would flow? If water is on a level it will not flow. It would only flow if there is a gradient, hence locks and pump houses K&A for example, bad water flow/ depth.

 

That's pretty much how I felt when I had to single hand to our new birth, isn't it a great feeling, coming up to the last lock into Wigan from Manchester, was like going through soup it was that shallow, CRT chap 'wow you made it through'

 

Max, my dog fell in before we left the marina for the first time, got her out ok. First night in a canal side pub somebody told me these dogs can't swim and just sink. Obviously worried about this and no info on tinternet, I taught her to swim over the summer at Blackpool beach, felt like bit of a dick for listening to the doomonger in the fist place TBH when I saw she didn't sink, she is no springer spaniel, but she floats just about....

 

Skye quite happily stands on the ster ( blunt end ) n watching the world go by, she does get anxious when we single hand through locks etc, however when my Mrs is with me, she does bridges etc, the dog really seems to appease motorists at SB's this end of the canal they can be quite rude at times.

[Nightwatch]

How's things Max. Run out of data?

[Naughty Cal]

Hopefully she has figured out how to keep the stove running.

 

It was a tad cold overnight and into this morning. Had to scrape the windscreen this morning!

[Murflynn]

That's pretty much how I felt when I had to single hand to our new birth, isn't it a great feeling, coming up to the last lock into Wigan from Manchester, was like going through soup it was that shallow, CRT chap 'wow you made it through'

 

 

ehh? you mean you single-handedly helped your partner give birth, all the while continuing to navigate your vessel?

 

You're right, it is a great feeling.

[MissMax]

Thank you Pompey unfortunately i have ran out of money again (how does this keep on happening.....oh yeah! i bought a boat) so i can't order anything till the end of the month . Your dog is more than welcome, in fact we should swap dogs (bet yours is normal) and ill throw the cats in for free (they keep bringing living things inside the boat)

 

Skipton is having a boat shortage compared to last time i lurked around here. Maybe they all heard i was coming and cleared off (my parking aint that bad)

 

I got a new lead for the laptop because someone managed to use the last one as a chew toy......a blooming expensive chew toy, soon as it is charged up i will post pics of the battery pointy thingy. I found water on the shelf where the batteries are so i had to use my brain as to how and where it is coming from (oh the pain). I think it is when i go to fast when moving and water some how is forced through the weed hatch (ill post pics of it) or when i am reversing (after i have run a ground ....which happend a lot).

Mopped out the engine bit and left some puppy pads to get the bits i can't reach. Whacked my permit on the window and gone full dust bandit on the boat (where the heck is all this dust coming from).

 

So nice not to have to take my toilet on a bus ride I blame Mr Enfield for not telling me to get a extra cassette for it (if he says he did, ignore it). I did read that i could bury my 'doings' but there is no chance i am walking into the woods with a teaspoon and digging in the middle of the night (i've seen 'The Hills Have Eyes'). Now all i have to do is save up, sort the boat out and sort my life out (only one of those is easy).

 

Bought the Companion Guide map book to help me travel to Birmingham next year and looked at the root planner website. For the life of me i do not know how people can do bucket loads of cruising per day without running the boat into the side of the canal, (maybe it's just me). I can only a couple of hours per day and that is with a break, it's going to take me months and months to get up to Birmingham (may get up by Xmas)

 

Mr Nightwatch i got a O2 big bundle thingy to use for internet. I may have misplace my main phone (i blame the dog.....she looks shifty).

 

Can someone tell me about winter protection routine. Will my water tank explode with ice, how often do i do my chimney? what and where do i put anti freeze? HELP. Blooming frozen when i woke up at two to do a tinkle walk, not even the cats went out. Help and advice or even a slap round the back of the head is welcome.

 

PS

 

No i did not hire two of the most useless henchmen to ever advertise on Gumtree to kidnap Mr Peterboat and bring him back to the boat (Hiring would mean they actually did what i said in the email)

[Naughty Cal]

You will find that as you gain more experience at handling the boat you stop thinking about or worrying about it so much and won't get as tired.

[Neil2]

A few things there - first don't worry about your water tank freezing, it won't. If you are on the boat full time everything should be warm enough to stop anything else freezing. Your engine should already have anti freeze in it, I wouldn't worry about that this winter.

 

Water could be getting in through the weed hatch, some can be a right PITA to get completely sealed, but I'm afraid water appearing in boats is a fact of life and often it can take some tracking down. If it's in the engine compartment then at least it's not affecting the cabin so try not to let it bother you too much. With a cold snap you can get a surprising amount of condensation in there especially if you have metal deck covers, and for all the world it looks like something is leaking, If it only appears in really cold weather that's the clue.

 

I'm starting to get a bit puzzled as to why you seem to find this boat hard to steer in a straight line, and I wonder if there's something wrong with the set up. Does the tiller move really easily or does it need a lot of force? Does it stick at certain points when you turn it, does it really shake when the boats under way or is it just it gently vibrate (ooh matron). What about the throttle, is it easy to increase the revs gradually or is it "all or nothing"? Also how does the boat trim? what I mean is, is it reasonably level side to side or does it have a list, and is it fairly level bow to stern?

 

It's quite frustrating, I'm sure one of many of us could hop on your boat and tell you what if anything is wrong with it or help you to at least steer it where you want to go. It shouldn't be that difficult, which is why I wonder if something is wrong with the boat.

 

We're heading south down the M6 next week, I'll see if there's any way we can make a slight detour or maybe on the way back north at the end of the week.

 

 

[Lord Gadbury]

+1 to Neil,

I have had a good cruise so far, we are maintaining on the move, but a week away from reality

 

Like I say I can come over and do an oil change, it's a 3 hourish round trip from Blackpool. you buy the parts. Happy to meet up with Neil,

 

I had a first today, whilst dong the paddles on a lock, told my dog to stay, I went to the other side of the lock, did the paddles, she layed down, she stayed sat down or laying down through out the procedure, I am so happy.... On the boat, in the boat, waiting to disembark, embark, she has been excellent, she has done what was asked when was asked from first light till we battened Down the hatches, though they are to open cause this fire is ace!

 

EDIT: I bought a data only sim pre loaded with 12gb valid for a year, if I remember it was £20. The reason for 3 was because of this forum IIRC. 3 hasnt as yet failed me on the cut, my mobile has consistently failed me.

Edited November 3, 2016 by Pompey

[peterboat]

A few things there - first don't worry about your water tank freezing, it won't. If you are on the boat full time everything should be warm enough to stop anything else freezing. Your engine should already have anti freeze in it, I wouldn't worry about that this winter.

 

Water could be getting in through the weed hatch, some can be a right PITA to get completely sealed, but I'm afraid water appearing in boats is a fact of life and often it can take some tracking down. If it's in the engine compartment then at least it's not affecting the cabin so try not to let it bother you too much. With a cold snap you can get a surprising amount of condensation in there especially if you have metal deck covers, and for all the world it looks like something is leaking, If it only appears in really cold weather that's the clue.

 

I'm starting to get a bit puzzled as to why you seem to find this boat hard to steer in a straight line, and I wonder if there's something wrong with the set up. Does the tiller move really easily or does it need a lot of force? Does it stick at certain points when you turn it, does it really shake when the boats under way or is it just it gently vibrate (ooh matron). What about the throttle, is it easy to increase the revs gradually or is it "all or nothing"? Also how does the boat trim? what I mean is, is it reasonably level side to side or does it have a list, and is it fairly level bow to stern?

 

It's quite frustrating, I'm sure one of many of us could hop on your boat and tell you what if anything is wrong with it or help you to at least steer it where you want to go. It shouldn't be that difficult, which is why I wonder if something is wrong with the boat.

 

We're heading south down the M6 next week, I'll see if there's any way we can make a slight detour or maybe on the way back north at the end of the week.

 

 

Hi the boat goes well it I had a day out with it with Max tiller rattles a bit but nothing excessive. Max will be a vet by the time she gets to Brum she learns quick and is always willing to have a go [with a big prod]. Not sure whether she does have antifreeze in the engine but she did have a gallon of it I think in a container.

[MissMax]

Thank you everyone for the replies. My tiller has gotten a lot looser since Mr Peterboat forced me to touch it (he kept on telling me i had to learn to drive my own boat)

 

I don't know if it's the way i am or the fact that the canal slopes (it does.....i say so) but me and straight lines are not happening.

 

I can get the bits in and take you both to the posh place to get a 'Pie and Mash' (and maybe slip the dog in your car). Promise i wont kidnap anyone (because you told the forum where you are going). Ill order the bits and bobs, but don't go out of your way to help as i am sure your OHs will miss gazing at your beauty

 

This shelf where the batteries and the weed hatch is, is the bit that collects water mostly on the battery side. I don't think the boat was built for four batteries as there is one

that stands outside the little cubicle thingy to stop the batteries moving about

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is this an alternator ?

 

 

 

Charged after an hour. It doesn't get any better than this even after cruising around. The top one goes to between 25 and 50 by morning and the bottom one goes to just behind the 50 by morn or to 25 depending on if i charge at 9 or 11

 

 

 

 

Is this the certificate i use to fill in my CRT licence. I can't remember if this is the actual one i used the first time around

 

 

 

 

I have these books as the are easier than the red ones (or as i call them 'The Grown up Maps')

 

 

 

Some fool put hot ash in the bin (blame the adopted one) Thought i could smell burning but i couldn't find it so i went to bed

 

 

This one (the nicer than the adopted one) kept howling while i was trying to sleep. Came out to find her attacking the bin, and after calling her a few names

i decided to put the bin in the bathroom and go back to sleep. Wasn't till i picked it up and saw the ash and the hole in the carpet that i decided i wont be kicking her off the bed tonight

 

 

So far Hope has found my other cat and told me that the 'adopted one' put hot ash in the bin (i wouldn't do something so stupid)

 

 

Looking on the CRT mooring webiste thinking about buying a mooring spot for next year on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. The more i think about Birmingham the more i like the L&L plus i have no reason to go to Birmingham (except for Evans Cycle shop). What's it mean when the website says 'Leisure Mooring' and 'Residential Mooring'

 

I am enjoying Yorkshire and come next year i fancy going all the way to both ends, i figure it is a nice place to stay compared to Birmingham

Why can't i give 'Green things'

PS

 

Pennine Boats put aunti freeze in the engine

Edited November 3, 2016 by MissMax

[Pie Eater]

I think that you should ask someone to accompany you on a short sail and lift the deck board to see where the water is coming from.

 

Steve

[Jim Riley]

Phew! Got to the end, what fun! A few thoughts:

Play swing bridge lotto, 1 point for a car, 20 for a bus, 50 for a white van, 100 for anything that does a handbrake turn and zooms back the other way.

If you get out of the dark side into Lancashire, Barnoldswick is not "bar nolds wick" it's Barlick.

If you need a haircut in Skipton my daughter has opened a salon on the High Street, Luxe Salon. She hates spiders too.

 

We don't have a fridge, just a cool cupboard, with silver foil foam underlay glued everywhere but the bottom.

 

And by the way, a well known fact, we all eat an average of 6 spiders a year, in our sleep.

[MissMax]

Please ban and spank Jim Riley. He's the reason i sleep with the duvet over my head (and never eat beans before bedtime)

 

Ok Mr Pie Eater. Ill find a passing tourist and shanghai them (it's legal for boaters.....mates cousins aunt told me)

[8 Hairy Feet]

Please get a Carbon Monoxide alarm if you haven't got one ?

Please get a Carbon Monoxide alarm if you haven't got one ?

[Neil2]

Wow that's a heck of a weed hatch clamp - who built this boat?

 

My money's still on condensation causing the damp but maybe check the seal on the weed hatch.

[MtB]

I was marvelling at the brutally wide angle the swim forms at the stern. I'm not surprised the boat is difficult to steer straight.

[Peter Reed]

Please get a Carbon Monoxide alarm if you haven't got one

Please get a Carbon Monoxide alarm if you haven't got one

Please do this Tomorrow.

[rusty69]

Whats holding that last battery in place except the cables?

 

The blue finned thing (not a tuna) is a battery Isolator, not Alternator.

Edited November 3, 2016 by rusty69

[Neil2]

I was marvelling at the brutally wide angle the swim forms at the stern. I'm not surprised the boat is difficult to steer straight.

 

My curiosity aroused I see the boat is listed as a French & Peel.

 

I will humbly apologise, and never venture another opinion on boat provenance if someone can prove me wrong, but there is no way that boat was built by Bob French.

[Stewart Kirby]

Your boat was fitted with three batteries originally. The shelf above them is there to stop you from dropping a spanner on them and shocking yourself or make everything go crackle. The fourth battery has been installed by an idiot. There doesnt seem to anything to stop it moving around, maybe falling over, if you crash into something and you can drop a spanner on it.

That is not an alternator, the alternator will be bolted onto the engine and will have a belt around its pulley driven by a pulley on the engine. Its what charges your batteries. Personally i would not believe any if the readings coming from that battery monitor from Bluesea Systems, its ancient, it was installed when the boat had three batteries, who knows if its wired up correctly. The photo doesnt show the other thingy so i dont know what it is. The installation isnt a disaster but it could do with a check from a sparky who specialises in boats. I would be surprised if Richard Fee gave that fourth battery a clean bill of health so it may have been added after the 2013 BSS exam. If you run your engine for less than about four hours a day or have a battery charger connected to shore power its going to be difficult to keep the batteries in a good state of charge even if they are in good health. Some people will recommend various kinds of battery monitors and other gizmos and some dont bother with any monitoring other than observing that the batteries must be flat cos the lights have gone out, or their observations relating to engine running and the state of electrical appliances enable them to judge the state if their batteries.

You have a boat thats past the first flush of youth, you have to exoect that some things will need to be updated or changed but before making any changes you need to find out what capacity you gave in your battery back and what your usage is, then make changes that allow you to produce enough leccy to meet your demands. Getting some solar will help but its not a complete answer until the rest of the system is working correctly.

The water could be coming from the weed hatch, it might need a new gasket/seal, or it might just be condensation, as someone else mentioned someone could help you check the weed hatch seal. If you are enthusiastic with the throttle the weed hatch can sometimes leak a bit.

Little by little you will get these things sorted out as and when you have the cash, even a new boat can have problems that need fettling. We had our new boat, see picture above, delivered and went out on a maiden cruise with our co-owners, on the oceam, without an anchor and the gasket on the petrol filter failed after five minutes. The engine stopped an when i looked in the bilge we had a litre of petrol sloshing about, i put my cigarettes away and we called the harbour for a tow back while we drifted slowly towards the cliffs.

In my opinion the Leeds and Liverpool is one of the best canals, certainly beats Brum. Stick around for a while and if you fancy a change, move on.

[magictime]

Back just after bridge 192 again in Silsden, the darn thing kept on swinging back on the boat so I had to wedge myself between it and the boat, thankfully my body fat saved me from the worst of the crushing (Thank you Mr Kipling).

 

I know I'm a bit late in reading this, and the fact that no-one else seems to have picked up on it has me questioning my own sanity, but this sounds incredibly dangerous. The first bit of safety advice I was given when I started boating was never to put any part of myself between the boat and another solid object. Just because a 10-ton narrowboat floats about all slow and dreamy-like, doesn't mean the forces involved when it's in motion aren't more than sufficient to crush any bones that happen to get in its way. I'm sure the same goes for a slowly-swinging bridge. As such I'd have thought wedging yourself between a moving bridge and a drifting boat would be a pretty good way to seriously injure or even kill yourself.

 

Sorry to spoil the light-hearted tone of the thread, but I felt I had to say something.