My Life on the Cut!
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My love affair with the canals started in 1970, my Dad had booked a narrowboat from "Wyvern Shipping Co" to take my cousins, a group of five lads and myself on holiday.
So on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in July we started our cruise on Theophilus, The route took us from Linslade to the seven locks at Stoke Bruerne, through the Blisworth tunnel to Bugsbrooke before heading to Weedon, Braunston tunnel and finally Braunston. |
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That was the first of many narrowboat holidays with my parents, and was the beginning of what has become a major part of my life.
For the past forty years I have travelled and lived along the length and breadth of the canal and river network, both as a marine engineer and boater, and have seen it all from boats getting hung up on the cill of a lock, a half sunk boat because they left the weed hatch open, to putting the wrong oil in the engine and seizing the engine to name just few.
For the past forty years I have travelled and lived along the length and breadth of the canal and river network, both as a marine engineer and boater, and have seen it all from boats getting hung up on the cill of a lock, a half sunk boat because they left the weed hatch open, to putting the wrong oil in the engine and seizing the engine to name just few.
In fact over the last thirty five years I've seen pretty well everything that could go wrong, go wrong.
What I love about our inland waterways and rivers is its slow pace and simple day to day lifestyle. so taking on board the KISS approach to life (Keeping it Simple stupid) is for me and what its all about.
Saying that I'm not against technology, solar panels and 240 volt inverters are fantastic.
But when it comes to engines that are so full of electronics you need a computer to diagnose the fault, for me the enjoyment of cruising disappears.
Saying that I'm not against technology, solar panels and 240 volt inverters are fantastic.
But when it comes to engines that are so full of electronics you need a computer to diagnose the fault, for me the enjoyment of cruising disappears.
So with that in mind you can probably gather I'm not a lover of the modern electronic Diesel engines, I prefer the older classic engines such as the Lister, Gardner, Kelvin, Perkins, Russel Newbery and BMC engines, although I must admit I have a love hate relationship with BMC engines.
Fortunately the modern Barrus Shire, Beta Marine, Canaline and Vetus engines follow the same ethos of KISS, and because of it they are easy to maintain to keep them cruising.
Although my main work generally is on narrowboats, I enjoy working on Cruisers such as Freeman, Seamaster, Viking to name a few, both single and twin powered boats. If its got an inboard engine I can maintain it.
And of course in these days of being environmentally friendly, electric propulsion is becoming ever popular. And retro fitting electric propulsion instead of replacing the old diesel will become more cost effective over the next few years.
Fortunately the modern Barrus Shire, Beta Marine, Canaline and Vetus engines follow the same ethos of KISS, and because of it they are easy to maintain to keep them cruising.
Although my main work generally is on narrowboats, I enjoy working on Cruisers such as Freeman, Seamaster, Viking to name a few, both single and twin powered boats. If its got an inboard engine I can maintain it.
And of course in these days of being environmentally friendly, electric propulsion is becoming ever popular. And retro fitting electric propulsion instead of replacing the old diesel will become more cost effective over the next few years.
Keeping boats cruising is what I do best, and I have even replaced a BMC 1.5 engine outside a pub at Benson on the River Thames on a August bank holiday Monday with the cheering of the locals as I waved the the holiday maker and his family cherio that evening as he continued to cruise down to London.
And why is it a claim to fame? when the pub opened that morning people as normal people started to turn up, and just stayed to watch whilst I stripped down the old engine and put in the replacement and re-built it.
By4.40 that afternoon there were nearly 150 people betting on whether I would get it working. At 7.30 the engine fired for the first time with a cheer from the crowd, and at 8.35 the family were able to continue there boating holiday. I don't remember much after that, mainly because I was very slightly drunk from the number of drinks brought for me by the locals.
As for the Landlord, he had the best takings of the year on that day.
And why is it a claim to fame? when the pub opened that morning people as normal people started to turn up, and just stayed to watch whilst I stripped down the old engine and put in the replacement and re-built it.
By4.40 that afternoon there were nearly 150 people betting on whether I would get it working. At 7.30 the engine fired for the first time with a cheer from the crowd, and at 8.35 the family were able to continue there boating holiday. I don't remember much after that, mainly because I was very slightly drunk from the number of drinks brought for me by the locals.
As for the Landlord, he had the best takings of the year on that day.
There are many so called marine engineers out there, who in fairness will get your boat cruising eventually.
And there's nothing worse than calling out a mechanic to your boat, hearing that sharp intake of breath and the tut tutting before announcing that he will have to order parts which hopefully will be with him next week.
I am a firm believer that a mobile marine engineer should have enough spare parts and kit on board to get you going,
And there's nothing worse than calling out a mechanic to your boat, hearing that sharp intake of breath and the tut tutting before announcing that he will have to order parts which hopefully will be with him next week.
I am a firm believer that a mobile marine engineer should have enough spare parts and kit on board to get you going,
One bit of advice, get to know your marine engineer, you never know when your going to need him or her.
So Why the Website?
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As I said right at the beginning, I thought it was about time I shared my thoughts, knowledge, skills and tips that I have learnt over the years, and share them with you.
But its much more than that, the main reason for the website was people kept asking me for advice and help, as they felt that they were being ripped off or just did not know what to do. And as a marine engineer on the inland waterways for over forty years, the one thing that really wound me up was seeing people struggling and being charged for unnecessary work or being charged £88.00 for a bog standard Lucas ignition key. |
So last year I thought why not run chats online, as well as and practical Hands on sessions. That way everyone can gain experience and have the confidence to take on any job on their boat.
The initial response has been incredible, as the number of new boat owners have been telling me, they just didn't know where to find accurate information that they could trust.
And the best description of the internet was "It's like going to Niagara Falls for a glass of water"
The initial response has been incredible, as the number of new boat owners have been telling me, they just didn't know where to find accurate information that they could trust.
And the best description of the internet was "It's like going to Niagara Falls for a glass of water"
So if you’re considering a life playing or living afloat, then this is the site for you, and remember ask whatever you want because there is no such thing as a stupid question.
Free Have a Go- and Advice.
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Today I offer a range of free online chats, phone calls as well as site visit chats & "How to sessions" including an advice service, for individuals or small groups, geared up for everyone from the complete novice to the professional.
And yes I did say "Free", so to clarify the point: I don't charge for this service! To arrange online individual chats, advice and recommendations, just drop me an email there is no charge. For an on site "How to session" on your own boat, I charge just traveling expenses only, although a donation for my time and to keep the site up is always gratefully appreciated. |
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Online Chats & How To Sessions.
The whole point of any of the sessions is to be able to ask any question you like without feeling stupid. the reason I say this is one retired couple who got in touch recently, had just purchased a new boat and wanted a schedule of the maintenance they needed to undertake.
And within a couple of days the company sent them the routine maintenance sheet below.
And within a couple of days the company sent them the routine maintenance sheet below.
Routine Maintenance.
This was the recommended schedule of routine maintenance that this couple were told to undertake, the trouble is its just a generic schedule that you can pull off the internet and really doesn't answer the question at all.
When they got in touch with me, they felt foolish, this couple weren't stupid they were University lecturers, they just lacked practical experience. They felt they were being treated as dummies, because the sales guy who sold them the boat said that they should have known the answers.
So after an initial online chat followed by a day out with them on their boat, I was able to answer their questions show them what they needed to do and provided them a list of the spare parts suitable for their boat.
When they got in touch with me, they felt foolish, this couple weren't stupid they were University lecturers, they just lacked practical experience. They felt they were being treated as dummies, because the sales guy who sold them the boat said that they should have known the answers.
So after an initial online chat followed by a day out with them on their boat, I was able to answer their questions show them what they needed to do and provided them a list of the spare parts suitable for their boat.
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Routine Maintenance Schedule
Daily (when cruising) or every 8 hours of engine running:
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These are the questions that couple wanted answered, and needed to know.
What type of engine oil do I use? What type of gearbox oil do I use? What coolant? the engine is air cooled! We have sealed batteries, How do I check them? I can't find a stern gland greaser! How do I check the drive belt, what am I looking for? I can't check the oil pressure and temperature there's no gauges! What am I checking for? What needs to be greased? How tight do they need to be, do I need a torque wrench? How do I check the charge rate from the alternator. What oil do I need and what quantity? What oil and air filters do I need? What antifreeze? How do I check the anode condition? What fuel treatment do I need. |
The questions they raised are real questions, put the wrong oil in the engine and it will cost you big time.
But more importantly this list is not complete. another of the big problems on Narrowboats is water in the fuel, causing a brown sludge to form known as Diesel bug , Which thrives with the interaction between fuel and water. so its essential to drain off the water from your fuel tank every month or so.
If you think you have diesel Bug and need help, drop me a line or checkout Hands On DIY page
But more importantly this list is not complete. another of the big problems on Narrowboats is water in the fuel, causing a brown sludge to form known as Diesel bug , Which thrives with the interaction between fuel and water. so its essential to drain off the water from your fuel tank every month or so.
If you think you have diesel Bug and need help, drop me a line or checkout Hands On DIY page
The main thing is, Maintain your boat and enjoy your cruising
Speak to you soon!
Speak to you soon!
