Lewis 53

FWIW I think I'm with the condensation brigade on this one. Our cabin bilge is normally completely dry but occasionally in winter when we get the stove going and get warmed up small amounts of water appear in the same place in the bilge. The boat is ballasted slightly down port rear and its always in that spot. It looks a huge amount as its spread out on a flat surface, but is rarely more than a pint or so. We have plenty of bilge ventilation and you can feel the draft if you lift the inspection hatches. Like previous posts when I first discovered this I thought we had a major hull problem. I've been in a plastic boat with 1mm hole in the hull and its amazing how much water gets in in a short period of time. This experience has given me "bilge paranoia" and I now check the bilge every day when on the boat.

The COLREGS Steering and Sailing rules......(section) Responsibilities between Vessels : A Sailing vessel underway must keep clear of 1. A vessel not under command: 2. A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre: 3. A fishing vessel engaged in fishing Clearly the yacht had infringed the prohibited zone (as has been stated before) and the power driven vessel was a vessel restricted in their ability to manoeuvre as it was in a narrow channel. Guilty as charged. No excuse. Should not have got into that situation and should have known better than to try and argue otherwise.

Sounds like a great trip. If you get to Hartlepool, and have the time, the Maritime Museum is well worth a visit IMO.

I found lots of info on this web site. www.letonkinoisvarnish.co.uk Dont be put off by the name their is lots of usful info (well I found it useful anyway). On the home page look at the menue on the left top side and choose the obvious option. Sorry dont know how to do the linky thing.

Visitor moorings are opposite the pub. There are some spots along them where you can avoid the "Shroppie Shelf" (a couple of "fat fenders" is useful here). Very short walk over bridge to pub which usually has a reasonable selection of beers and good food (IMO). "New" water point at the bridge is a bit of a pain as it now takes up what was a useful visitor spot.

Hurleston bottom lock has a bend and a buldge which makes it very problematic for any boat thats over 6'10'' beam. Shorter boats that are above 6'10'' can usually position themselves to avoid the buldge but this is not always the case. Fenders left down on any boat (in my experiance) pose a big risk of getting stuck. Lock 2 does not have such a big bend or bulge but is narrower. We are 6'11'' 43 feet and go through both with out any problem. But would have no chance with the fenders down.

We live with a shared septic tank system and Ive been up to my knees in every one elses sewage (polite term to save the innocent !!) trying to unblock it (turned out to be baby and make up wipes). Pump out and elsan disposal is just the same issue. Its really easy nothing goes into a pump out or cassette unless you have eaten it first other than small amounrts of loo paper. Local sewage works tells me you would be amazed what people put down the loo including whole duvet covers !!!

This may or may not help you out. Try the following web site www.letonkinoisvarnish.co.uk it has lots of usful info about the "eber". Dont be put off by the home page as it advertises boat varnish and the like. Just use the menu at the top left of the page. Ive found it very useful.

Very pleased to hear that all has come to a successful conclusion But what a pain and a worry having to sort it all out.

Been up and down the Monty a number of times in the last few years with no probs until this last time about 6 weeks ago. Same problem as you below Aston No2 lock. The level in the pound was a good deal lower than "normal" and the by wash at No3 lock was not running (water level about 10 inches below the lip) but all the other by-washes were running quite strongly following some heavy rain (surprising that !!!). Studious flushing and "water management" by SWMBO got us through OK with virtually no effect on the pound above. I guess that the pound might be leaking ? The reed this year was the worst we have seen for ages. We did mention it to the Keeper at Frankton (as did lots of others) but wether it got passed up the line Ive not a clue ....... from your experience I guess if it did nothing has been done yet.

We did it this year and loved it despite the fact it rained most of the time. Water levels were quite high in the river section and it was a very tight squeeze through the M5 tunnel (about four inches to spare on a six foot air draft and absolutely nothing on the roof ..... river level was showing just in the amber mark at the previous lock). Shame their is little or no "freelance mooring".The lock gates can be a bit of a challange if you'r "light crewed". As previous post their is no real place to moor between the Severn and Droitwich.Enjoy it we certainly did

We had an encounter with the erstwhile Rev at Autherly stop. Came out with foul mouthed abuse to SWBMO ........ big mistake! She completely humiliated him in front of all his "crew", guests and other boaters and received a round of applause from the assembled masses for her efforts (not one sware word from SWMBO was uttered). Perhaps its just a control and dominance thing ?

I can think of nothing more relevant at this time ........ brilliant !!

Any one hear the Radio 4 Today prog interview announcing the arrival of CART. Lots of bonfire of the quangos, Government making tough decisions, Fishermen, Walkers, Cycleists, History, Industrial heritage, Local volunteers, 2000 miles of network etc etc ...... not one mention of boats and boaters Guess that puts us in our place