alan_fincher

Given the way things are going I suspect it will not be long before it is easier (and shorter) to publish a list of what canals are currently OPEN.

Oh I see! The pillows are supposed to be on the right hand side of the boat! That;s what I have been doing wrong!

Many of the "candlestick" locks on the Grand Union Birmingham main line have (often automated) back pumps installed, meaning that water used through lockage gets pumped back above the lock involved. If that were the case at Calcutt it would mean water levels there are to some extent self maintaining, whereas at Hillmorton once it has run down it can't be put back up again. That said my ageing memory can't recall obvious signs of back-pumping at Calcutt, so I am rather doubting that this could be an explanation. Anybody know?

There are stoppage notices for Marston Doles & Claydon. However these show a start date of July 1st, so there isn't (quite) yet an actual stoppage.

I've never heard of Craftsman Engines. Can you provide a link to somewhere that has details of them, please?

Only if you also put back the missing 31 feet 6 inches!

Yes, but Sickle had its Ram removed by British Waterways at some date around 1957. So as it is currently restored, it is historically accurate as it worked as a BW maintenance boat from that year onwards. Tycho, on the other hand had its Ram left untouched by BW. and it even managed to retain it whilst working for Mattys. Removing it would be contra to its history -- as a shortened Motor, it has never not had a ram.

Now that would be more or less the ultimate act of vandalism.... But, on the other hand, they are more than welcome to get rid of the Blue Tops!

No obvious "gotchas" I can see, but I am always suspicious when the broker has had their own pre-sale survey done, (presumably by their own "tame" surveyor). I wouldn't trust anything in that survey, and realise you have already understand the need to commission your own. A few other random points:- I personally dislike having a completely squared odd counter stern. It is not helpful when trying to get going if the bow has been pushed away from the bank, but the stern is still touching it. A round stern will not attempt to run along the piling, but a square one may well try to. Many people have a strong dislike of large area of painted wall paneling or ceilings. It has often been done as a cheap way to brighten a boat up for sale. It may be obscuring former damage from leaking windows or roof vents. The PRM80 gearbox fitted to the engine is a basic "mechanical" changing type. They are OK, but often very clunky compared to the "hydraulic" types such as the PRM150. And indeed scraping off of small areas of blacking to allow for the ultrasound testing. Unfortunately if you have your own reputable surveyor they will also be scraping off similar areas, meaning you will need to at least re-black those areas, and probably better to re-black the whole to avoid a patchwork quilt effect.

A 74 foot boat will easily fit all Grand Union locks from London to Knowle (on the way to Birmingham) That's not typical of other canals, but it could be boated over an area massively larger than many other live aboard boats on the GU! Our FLAMINGO is reputedly gauged at 71' 8", And we have yet to find a "full length" lock that it will not fit into.

It would be interesting to know which unconverted Grand Union motor still in working trim represents the most expensive so far ever sold. I haven't been keeping much track for quite a few years now, but am of the impression that few fetch in excess of £50K. Any boat where the "asking" is £20K more than this would I think have to be something exceptional. Maybe Buckden qualifies - I admit it is an example I don't know a great deal about.

Had you been going through (say) 50 years ago there wouldn't have been anybody other than boat crews controlling how things were done. It sounds surprising now, but I don't recall things working any less well than is now the case with volunteer lockies.

Undoubtedly a very nice boat. but £70,000 would seem absolutely top dollar for an unconverted boat.

It certainly is, isn't it? I can honestly say I have never ever seen anything remotely like it.

I'm not sure where you are looking, but certainly most of the GU fuel boats don't travel with front fenders deployed. First image I found on Facebook....