sniffy

Something I've noticed recently is boaters using ratchet straps, not sure why, perhaps easier to get the boat in tight and no slippage ?

I've not seen anything but has there been any updates regarding visiting boats on moorings or cruising other than for essential services yet

Mine does the exactly the same every few months, a few drops of oil on the shaft as it goes into the bearings housing cures it, I assume its a dry seal or bush, takes a few miles of cruising for it to work its way in Note - I must remember to lubricate before it starts to sieze

Hi - Anyone attending, it looks like a well supported event

Hi - Anyone going, looks like a well supported weekend

Sorry - basic question here but not knowing the area, what would cause the boat to sink, tight ropes, resting on the edge of the banking maybe, I'm doubtful anything wrong with the boat itself ?

I attended a Bridgewater Canal watch meeting last night where the majority of club representatives agreed that crime, especially boat break-ins and theft from decks is increasing at an alarming rate, although there have been arrests, the crimes continue. not just waterborne crime but also on from the banks with security gate padlocks cut with albeit large boltcroppers Are we boaters a easy target nowadays, maybe better housing and car security makes us one of the better options ?

Not being a canal engineer - is that clay on top of sand then ?, presume with some kind of outer retainer ?

My wife insisted on two Next sofas, no chance of getting into the boat so un-picked the back cloth, cut the backrest uprights at 45degrees and got the sofas in, then used two pieces of drilled flat bars for each upright, fastened with self tappers and then retensioned and re-stapled the back cloth together, took about an hour each sofa

We bought a sail-away with extras last year from Lymm Marina, we had all the electrics, plumbing, bathroom and pump out toilet fitted. I fitted the Kitchen, flooring, bedrooms and storage areas etc, fitted all the other bits such as pipe covers and painted inside. This took a full week off work several weekends and 2/3 nights a week over about 6 weeks. I did it this way to ensure we got the boat we wanted rather than buying a pre-owned boat and then changing it 1 year on I'm still doing all sorts of bits to it, I've painted the outside and all deck fittings are on, but the important thing for me was that we could use it properly within about two months of taking delivery All costing well within the OP's budget !!

I Cruised into Manchester at the week-end and met with the Waxis coming out of Manchester, I think its been mentioned before but I was surprised at how fast it travels, huge wake that flooded the towpath and had walkers having to get out of the wash, it also left my prop out of water in the troughs as we passed. Outboard looks bigger that 70horses to me I assume it needs to be quick to make this financially viable but it cant be right, Does the 4mph not apply to commercial traffic, I know its good to bring people onto the canal but this cant be good for the canal itself - can it ?

I Cruised into Manchester at the week-end and met with the Waxis coming out of Manchester, I think its been mentioned before but I was surprised at how fast it travels, huge wake that flooded the towpath and had walkers having to get out of the wash, it also left my prop out of water in the troughs as we passed. I assume it needs to be quick to make this financially viable but it cant be right, Does the 4mph not apply to commercial traffic, I know its good to bring people onto the canal but this cant be good for the canal itself - can it ?

Speaking as the OP, I am amazed at the response to what I thought was a fairly straight forward question !! Thanks for all the responses, supportive and not, and for opening my eyes to how a forum like this works All enlightening thank-you !!

Morning all, As Jamboat describes it would be the same area close to the recycling unit. To clarify, from mooring to the point of the knock on roof would have been no more than 15 minutes, I had cruised for 2 hours so no need to run for charge etc, just was doing other things and would have turned off the engine when the fire was in and burning. I would be fairly certain that the exhaust would not be heard inside the house as its behind bushes and fence and down a slope, and at that time going dark, would also doubt he was in the garden The man was forthright but not aggressive but to the point that it was an order rather than a request. I'm wondering if that why the mooring spot was vacant !! Thanks for you comments, its good to see other viewpoints for consideration if it happens again

Question from a newbie - moored up at Stockton heath at 6.30pm last Friday, had tied up and was lighting the fire leaving the engine running for approximately 15 minutes. I was disturbed by heavy knocking on the roof and a householder telling me to turn the engine of its disturbing people. I first thought it was a boater, but the nearest boat was three boat lengths away, stepped out to see him retiring down the banking into his house - was opposite the London bridge about 200 yards towards Lymm Was I wrong to have the engine running ?