The canal / narrowboat thread.

[Gretchen]

Simpo Two said:

Gretchen said:

In the meantime woke up on the other boat...

That's just greedy!

Bacon Is Proof said:

What was the damage on the titan canopies?
I'm not sure ours has got another repair in it so may have to bite the bullet.

It will depend on the boat. For a 27' aft cockpit cruiser, just under £2K. It will last 10 years and their work is good, so it's OK.

Well the first boat we built isn’t big enough for my shoe collection



We’ve been quoted £800 for the wheelhouse. Zips I’m all three sides and on runners across the top so they can slide out for any cleaning etc. The existing canopy fasteners will be removed so I’ve sprayed them up with WD40 this morning to loosen them in preparation.

Have the front deck door off this morning and removed window to weld this up. Shame but there’s sooo many windows and this one would just leak on to the bedroom so he’s insisting.



Just had the BBMF Dakota (emotional for me because my late Dad worked on these planes a lot inc advising the BBMF team and it’s my Mum’s 80th tomorrow) fly right over the boats. Beautiful day. As is every day on the river.

[SimonTheSailor]

Bacon Is Proof said:

What was the damage on the titan canopies?
I'm not sure ours has got another repair in it so may have to bite the bullet.

1500 for me to include a stainless steel frame, opening on three sides and black outs on all windows.

[SimonTheSailor]

Gretchen said:

I’ve been thinking about the fitting and now wondering if he meant the cover would be made up in a few weeks and perhaps we need to book fitting after that :scratchin:

It'll all be done together, I had about a 3 month wait as it was heading towards winter. I didn't have to book a fitting time. When it's been made they will give you a call to fit it.
Always worth checking though for reassurance.

[Bacon Is Proof]

Thank you.
We already have an existing cover so will probably pattern off that and do it ourselves.

[CooperD]

I am not a narrow boat owner but I do like to walk along the towpaths. I took this one on a recent holiday in Skipton on the Liverpool and Leeds canal.

[Gretchen]

I love being on the river whatever the weather. Have gained so much confidence too.

Took these on Sunday. My friend comes to visit regularly throughout the day and am able to hand feed





Front cabin door window is now welded up and back in situ





Whole boat will be repainted at some point. Not bad for his first welding attempt. Next are the two smaller front cabin windows then all main windows are being replaced with double glazing. We will start this when the sun reappears.

[Gretchen]

Slow progress because unfortunately Covid struck but old wheelhouse clips removed and smoothed/painted ready for canopy which was to be fitted Thursday but tracking wasn’t flexing enough so being changed.



Smaller front windows coming out and being welded up as this is where our bed will be so less leak risk the better. One down one to go.



Love how low she sits and sitting on the swim deck is a pleasure with my two friends for company







Protecting me from an imposter

[MartG]

Foxes Afloat have started posting their Amazon Prime series on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=253elCTzQ4I

[dhutch]

Everyone loves Foxes.......

[dhutch]

Handful of photos from and excellent 'Steam @ the Lift' from over the weekend.











[url]





Didn't get a good one of our boat, so here is one from a few years ago at 'Steam on the Dock' in Liverpool.

[Gretchen]

Love your barge! Event looks great. Can’t wait to do some in the future.

We’ve been removing old windows and cutting out for the new (four each side) and painting on the Dutch Barge. Canopy was rescheduled for for today but rain put that back again.
This week I’ve sanded and painted the swim deck and handrails and sanded and primed the gas lockers which I’ll paint over the weekend.
Unfortunately both of us had Covid just after Easter so we are a couple of weeks behind but hopefully the coming heatwave will have us back on track. I’m spending more nights on the Lifeboat than at home which is nice. Love watching the seasons change and the wildlife grow ans thrive.













The hard work has given me a lovely tan too. So that’s a bonus.

Edited by Gretchen on Wednesday 11th May 18:14

[dhutch]

Looking good.

Where abouts are you based?

[Gretchen]

dhutch said:

Looking good.

Where abouts are you based?

We are on The Great River Ouse in Huntingdon.
Thank you. She’s getting there. Canopy was fitted yesterday. Surprised how much bigger the wheelhouse feels now it’s a defined space. A few more windows to fit (hopefully over the weekend) and we can start internally.










Storms predicted tonight so fingers crossed she’s all dry inside tomorrow.

[Gretchen]

Some more progress. Windows in one side. Turning her round to do the other.

[SimonTheSailor]

Coming along nicely !!

[SimonTheSailor]

Left my patch of the Great Ouse and heading for the canals.
Currently going through the Middle Level -

[tr7v8]

SimonTheSailor said:

Left my patch of the Great Ouse and heading for the canals.
Currently going through the Middle Level -

[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/f5QhkBJx[/url

Spooky, I lived about 10min walk from here until 97. Mum still lives the same distance away in Outwell.

A mate is the lock keeper where the rivers go tidal as well

[classicaholic]

tr7v8 said:

SimonTheSailor said:

Left my patch of the Great Ouse and heading for the canals.
Currently going through the Middle Level -

[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/f5QhkBJx[/url

Spooky, I lived about 10min walk from here until 97. Mum still lives the same distance away in Outwell.

A mate is the lock keeper where the rivers go tidal as well

Is that bridge as low as it looks?

[tr7v8]

classicaholic said:

tr7v8 said:

SimonTheSailor said:

Left my patch of the Great Ouse and heading for the canals.
Currently going through the Middle Level -

[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/f5QhkBJx[/url

Spooky, I lived about 10min walk from here until 97. Mum still lives the same distance away in Outwell.

A mate is the lock keeper where the rivers go tidal as well

Is that bridge as low as it looks?

Narrowboats regularly traverse that bit of river. Also some more conventional cruisers with fold down windscreens. Not sure of the air height.
A page of this says Outwell Church Bridge is 6ft 5"
https://middlelevel.gov.uk/navigation/navigation-i...

[anonymous-user]

So glad I found this gem of a thread on PH.