Joshua

Gloucester (Gloucester and Sharpness) to Weedon (Grand Union) VIDEO - https://youtu.be/JJqEwwDcoyg Some artistic licence was taken over the tunnel scenes (they do not appear in correct geographical or time sequence). This video was shared by my nephew to a site called Reddit. I was really surprised by the reaction from, what I assume is a largely American audience, first because the comments on Reddit were so civil and upbeat about an old English couple piddling about on a boat and secondly because they were so unaware of the existence or nature of our canal system. I regret, I didn’t have time to answer their various questions at the time.

My partner and I are a few paces ahead of you and making the same sort of decisions (albeit, possibly for different reasons). We own and live on a 66ft narrowboat (with a bath) but recently bought a 1931, 66ft wooden gaff rigged Ketch, which we plan to move on to. We are currently on the G&S while we prepare the Ketch as a liveaboard, our intentions are to explore the west coast of Scotland whilst we get our sea legs, then a few years around Scandinavia before sailing further afield. We wont be ready until late next year and until then will be on the G&S, if you think our experience might help you, we would be happy to meet.

Not much help to the OP (she has, I think, already sailed), but since the thread has spawned into a general discussion about anchoring, some might find this article interesting. https://www.dropbox.com/s/c8l3npav68jfbbw/Anchors%20and%20Chain.pdf?dl=0

Don’t quote me but I think she is the last of the boats owned by the company based at Charlestown, the whole lot including the port is being sold off. The Earl of Pembook is geared and managed specifically for film work, she came to Gloucester to star in the Walt Disney ‘Alice in Wonderland’ film but is still here as her foremast was discovered to be rotten and T Nielsens are about to cut her a new one. She welcomes visitors (voluntary donation) and is worth it for anyone in the area, whilst on the subject of interesting things happening on the G&S at the moment, there is a good looking country fair on at Frampton next weekend. Details here: http://www.framptoncountryfair.co.uk

Talk about ropes, how about this! https://www.dropbox.com/s/g4cy5texa7cv86j/Earl%20of%20Pembrook%200005.JPG?dl=0 It’s the Earl of Pembrook and its moored just ahead of me in Gloucester Basin. Actually, I am surrounded by interesting boats at the moment. The boat directly in front of me turns out to belong to the man who made my narrowboat, (long before I bought it), the owner of Orion Narrowboats, just had a chat with him and his wife, nice chap not just a first class boat builder. Next boat up from the Pembrook, sort of bridges the gap between these sea boats and narrowboats, it’s a Trow, https://www.dropbox.com/s/lhh3f7dkw9n60i9/IMG_4607.JPG?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/fuujfsullp5k713/IMG_4611.JPG?dl=0 just arrived at T Nielsens for its annual brush up. More about it here: http://www.theherefordbull.org/Home.html

Many thanks for the compliments about Josefine. Yes, she is a very capable boat, built originally to work in the North sea. She was converted for leisure use in the late 70’s and has crossed the Atlantic to America at least once. Of the many joys of this type of boat, we like; The large open decks that allow a lot of time outside rather than always below, The uncomplicated construction that allows for self-maintenance, The massive construction (Josefine is oak on oak) which make them so strong and the relatively stable lumbering manoeuvring for most of the time but which in a good breeze can feel like your sailing a dinghy. There is of course, also, that heady aroma of pitch, pine and salt and the lovely warm feel of wood under foot. I am trying to put some stuff together for a YouTube channel so that I can share some of our experiences, just too busy at the moment with the current refit, but I’ll get there!

Nearly, she is a 1931 former Danish Fishing Ketch, built by Andersen & Ferdinandsen, Gilleleje. https://www.dropbox.com/sc/n3t2ch8suqx8ndg/AABCc-BRwxi4e8XaOPlLxJB_a

Personally, I think the most important factor is how active a life style you want, life on the canals is VERY undemanding, whilst the ocean demands your constant attention, which do you prefer. We CC in a narrowboat but recently bought this boat: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dize5ym1o9rzyab/Josefine%200013.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/eebo6ek1qtx18z9/Josefine%200012.jpg?dl=0 to move off shore and will live on her. We are currently refitting her to our needs, then we are likely to spend some years in and around the Scandinavian countries or west coast of Scotland while we get our sea legs (plenty of sheltered waters and good anchorages). Last time we sailed was over 40 years ago. Not sure how serious you are, but I am a firm believer in pursuing your dreams, life is way too short to squander it. If you really wanted to do it, learning to sail and getting appropriate qualifications would be part of the fun and take no time at all.

I used to own a 1936 J3 Piper Cub that went one step better. The fuel tank sits directly in-front of the pilot, well passenger actually, as the passenger sits up front and the pilot behind. The filler cap therefore was on top of the engine cowling in the pilots direct view, well nearly, the pilots forward vision is so restricted you spend most of your time looking out the side windows. A piece of stiff wire (like a coat hanger) fed down through a hole in the filler cap and through a cork in the tank. As the fuel burnt off, the piece of wire slowly disappeared down into the tank, effectively a permanently fixed dip-stick, in full view, all the time. The plane rattled and shook far too much for the wire ever to stick. It is generally true that pilots rely on checking everything as much as possible by sight and where possible manhandling things, it is an industry with a generally very good safety culture.

http://www.woodenships.co.uk/sailing-yachts/danish-sailing-fishing-boat/ What a shame, terrible end for a once nice boat.

I have just done the bowsprit, masts, booms and Gaffs on my ketch with the Owatrol system, its time consuming, not least the 12 coats of D2 (6 recommended minimum) but what a finish! My main mast (newly made) soaked up 5lts of D1 all on its own. I also have to deal with the shakes in some of my spars, especially the newly made main mast which was constructed during that very hot period a month or so ago. I can’t make my mind up whether to fill the shakes or leave them open. I am tending to the view that they are best left open so that water getting in can quickly dry out again, trouble with filling is that you have to do an absolutely water tight job or you just trap the moisture in and accelerate the rot. At least the shakes helped with the D1 penetration! I know your problem is slightly different, but talk of splits in wood got me thinking about it again.

Thanks Detling, the word ‘pump’ in this context is not quite descriptive, in relation to these toilets, it refers to the whole assembly including built in sealed pump, macerator, pressure and timer switch, inlet and outlets and control panels. Anyway, I have ordered a 12v Vetus, so job done, thanks again for advice given above.

Thanks I have been in touch with the Doctor-SaniFlow, great guy, very helpful. From further research, it seems that the 240v motor would fit but by the time I have paid to have my electrics altered I don’t think it is worth the down side, namely higher elec and water demand, so I am now looking for a complete loo. Cheapest I have found is the Vetus TMWQ at £341 from Vetus Direct, at over £300 cheaper than the Lee SaniMarin alternative I am just wondering, does anyone know if its price reflects its performance, if not, I’ll order one?

Thanks Kae, I was more concerned about the principle of keeping the nice simple 12v system that didn’t rely on another component like the inverter, but I suppose as you say its no big deal. On the other hand, if I stick to 12v I can simply replace what’s there i.e. do it myself, if I go 240v by the time I have paid an electrician to rewire my system ( a simple call out fee is £100 and I am a complete dunce when it comes to electrics), I might just as well have bought a replacement 12v loo!

I am looking for a replacement pump for our 12v SaniFlo Compact C43 macerator toilet. I have been in touch with SaniFlo UK who passed me to their service partners PumpMaster UK who in turn passed me to Lee Sanitation who take care of the marine stuff! PumpMaster told me that the 240v pump was basically the same as the 12v and costs £350 but they don’t supply 12V, a new 240v C43 toilet complete would cost £470. Lee Sanitation told me the 12v C43 model that I have was discontinued in 2002 and suggested my best bet was to buy one of their replacement loo’s on offer at £650! What to do? I have been back in touch with SaniFlo UK to get confirmation that the 12v C43 pump is discontinued but I am still waiting for the return call. If I can’t get a replacement 12v pump would it be mad to stick a 240v pump in, it is by all accounts the same design, shape and fit and I of course do have an inverter. Or, should I buy a different macerator toilet and if so, any recommendations? I have stripped down the current pump assembly and it is the pump that is broken not blocked with calc or anything else. Ta.