hughc

We have I guess been up and down the Erewash a hundred times over the last 40 years. All our boats have been deep draught, Wyrd for example draws three feet over the whole length of the boat. We have never been unable to complete a trip because of the lack of water. It has sometimes been slow going but the friendly welcome at Langley Mill will make up for it. Regards, HughC.

We haven't as yet. As soon as the dock is free we'll have a good look. The 'best' answer would I suppose be to remove the footings and weld or rivet a new section by each knee which was where the corrosion had taken place because of coal dust packed between the knee and the side of the boat. Finding coppered iron to make the repairs might be difficult. As there is still a considerable thickness of metal remaining we will probably weld up the largest pits which will of course be only postponing the problem. Interestingly we had fiitted anodes to protect the replacement steel helm and these have completely disappeared. Regards HughC.

When we first bought Meteor in the nineties it was my understanding that the hull like many of the early small boats had been made with coppered iron. The boat was refooted shortly afterwards using IIRC 10mm steel. This in 2017 is showing significant pitting whilst the hull looks much as it always did. The steel is probably acting as an anode. Regards, HughC.

It is possible that the dates have become confused. Boats of the sub-Roman and early middle ages would have had access to the considerable mileage of improved rivers left by the Romans. However in 'The Piercebridge Formula' the author considers that the Romans improved waterways which were already in use for smaller boats and this may mean that improvements had been carried on for many years. It is, I suppose, always worth considering the site of mediaeval mill sites which I believe often appropriated early navigation works as ready made weirs etc. Regards, HughC.

Around the turn of the millenium we took Wyrd and Meteor around the drains on three occasions. We reached New Bolingbroke and the junction of West Fen and Castle Dike near Revesby Bridge. Accompanied by Star we went as far as Hagnaby Lock but although the levels were OK the amount of builders rubble in the lock stopped further progress. Winding a full length butty was problematical in places but even at the entrance to the New Bolingbroke drain we were only short by a couple of feet and the soft mud allowed us to drag Meteor round. There was clearance in the Bunkers Hill 'tunnel' even with the cloths up but IIRC we had to remove the cloths and stands around Frithville for a couple of bridges. In the late seventies we had Avon as far as New Bolingbroke and the local Boston paper ran an article with photographs. Restoring the basin at New Bolingbroke would give a worthwhile destination and encourage the use of the WND. East Fen lock should be restored and then the way would be open for a route to Skegness. Regards, HughC.

Dacrylate in Sutton in Ashfield do a very good machinery enamel for around £35 + VAT for 5 litres. We use it all the time. You will need to open an account but they also do a range of oxides and a good thixo. bitumen for around £65 for 20 litres. No connection except as a satisfied customer. Regards, HughC.

If a piece already been let in where the rot is on the chine plank was it of poorer quality wood? Regards, HughC.

At Langley Mill opposite your dad's boats. Meteor is soon to return to the same mooring. regards, HughC.

The fit out is important, of course it is, but, if you are considering a new build of either a narrow or wide beam there are more important considerations. If you're gong to CC then you should, as your primary concern, choose a builder who produces hulls that swim well and look right. Long after you have decided on the colour of the work tops or whether or not you need a hairdryer the shape and style of the boat will be what takes your eye every time you leave or return to it. Any part of the fitout can be changed the hull is the most important consideration. Do not be seduced by glossy fitouts of clone craft hulls that swim like bricks and look like sheds. Regards, HughC.

I have now received a reply from CART who say that they identified this lock as being suitable for an early autumn stoppage after consultation with the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association. Now I realise that the Erewash is not a destination of choice for many boaters but there are some disturbing elements to this decision. Firstly why on earth should the views of the ECP & DA have an effect on every ones use of the canal. I have, over the years used the Erewash far more than any member the ECP&DA and no one asked my opinion. Secondly CART state in their reply that they are always looking for ways of spreading major stoppages over the year. It would seem that CART can choose which 'stakeholders' they consult with over when to close a canal. They say that this was advertised in January so it will have been easily missed though having been caught out by stoppages on the Erewash I keep a close eye on the stoppage lists and I didn't spot it.Today it is the Erewash next year it may be any of the more popular routes after they have consulted with who ever they choose to justify their decision.CART would I am sure would like there to be a 'boating season' and this would appear to end at the beginning of September. It is, for example, a short step from consulting with an un-representative canal society to consulting with angling interests over closures for large fishing matches. This is not an ill considered rant it is a wake up call. I believe CART are gradually changing the conditions under which they operate the system.

I mailed the East Midlands office in Newark and copied the post to Milton Keynes Customer Services. Regards, HughC.

Planning our only significant trip this year I checked as you do for emergency stoppages on the Erewash. There are none, nor are any listed in the winter stoppage programme published in the last few days. Having been caught out in the past by unlisted stoppages on this canal I then checked on the notices tab, a very small tab indeed, on the CART website. This tells me that there is a complete stoppage on Long Eaton lock from the 19th of September until the 9th of October. If this was an emergency stoppage it would already be closed. If a planned stoppage it should be listed in the published programme. This is going to happen in the early Autumn a prime cruising period between the school summer holidays and the October mid-term. I am aware that the Erewash gets less traffic than many routes but those of us who use it pay the same extortionate licence fees as boaters on the rest of the system. I can't see a better used route being closed with no listed stoppage notice. If any one else is caught out by this please do as I have done and ask CART what the hell is going on. Regards, HughC.

We have Judith Ann(e) with Euromarine Insurance Services who I think are in Broadstairs. Regards, HughC.

As you probably know a Kelvin box relies on the shaft being free to move. In head gear the thrust from the propeller pushes the clutch firmly into engagement. Rather than a tendency to come out of gear their are well attested stories of Scottish fishermen, when returning from extended trips when the engine had been in head gear for days at a time, travelling round in circles whilst hitting the shaft with a heavy hammer in order that the clutches would part company. where the engine had probably been in head gear for days at a time. Gardner with a similar box used a system where the box was held in gear with , I believe, an external screw. In order to fit a thrust box and cardan shaft when using a Kelvin F2 we developed a system where the box was locked into gear without using propeller thrust to hold it there. It is a system that needs further work but it does work. Regards, HughC.

There is of course the Woodeaves Canal near to Fenny Bentley. It was marked on the 1st edition as a mill lade but was used to boat supplies to a cotton mill. I haven't been able to determine the boat or boats used but they must have been fairly small. Regards, HughC.