You can always tell if narrowboaters enjoy their boat if they smile a lot. I think Alan absolutely loves his... 😉

i love your boating excursions Alan thank You.

@MyNarrowboatVenture

3 жыл бұрын

That's very kind of you to say, thanks Walter. Take care

You, sir, are a gentleman! And a good boater as well.

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much Mike, your comment is very much appreciated. Welcome aboard.

Hi Alan nice to watch yet another video it’s like being on board with you ,keep them coming John

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much John, that’s exactly what I aim for - that the viewer is on the boat with me. Cheers

Great to see you and your friend Daphne have been enjoying cruising, it must make such a difference for you to have a friend along to share the fun, and locks too 😁👍.Sounds like the hose pipe fix works well 😁, and well done too 😁👍.

@MyNarrowboatVenture

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Dave, we had a lovely time last weekend thanks, and our cruise will be the subject of two forthcoming videos. I need to consider providing insulation under the steel decks either side of the deck boards, as that would further reduce noise transmission. Have a great weekend. Cheers

Great video, We are on our second narrowboat and touch wood and all that, we have never had to go into the weed hatch . Famous last words:)

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Pottering on the Canal Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it. That was my first weed hatch visit, usually I manage to clear the prop with some reverse thrust. Cheers. Happy boating

stop!!!!!....tooo much fun!!

Loved every minute, 30 mins is perfect, thanks Alan 👍👍

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Many thanks Lennie 👍

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Many thanks Lennie 👍

@raysmith6891

4 жыл бұрын

Yes perfect length 30mins

Thanks Alan,another lovely trip for us armchair boaters.take care .

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Many thanks Robert.

Hi Alan, great fun to watch. Our weed hatch is very different to yours. We have what I think is called a “no sink” weed hatch. It is set completely apart from the engine bay. The only problem is that the locking bolt is probably 18 inches or so below the access point on the stern deck, and so even to just open the locking mechanism you have to be lying down with your head pointing sharply down. Then to get your hands on the prop itself I am almost completely standing on my head...it’s a heck of a way down and I’m 5’11....! So you can imagine my envy almost when seeing you in your hatch....! Our journey through and around Wolverhampton and Birmingham necessitated many and frequent contortions in the weed hatch...not a trip we plan to repeat! All the best to you and look forward to the next vlog...🍷🍷

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve. I know some weed hatches are in very awkward positions and some are secured with a series of bolts but yours sounds extremely difficult. I’m glad you liked the video. Best wishes Alan 👍

@stevehoare6378

4 жыл бұрын

Cheers, you too..🍷🍷

I seem to remember going down Foxton Locks with my Grandchildren and the lock keeper instructing my Grandson . He said "red before white and you'll be alright " when referring to the paddles. he's 21 now and hasn't forgotten. Lovely to be able to moor at your niece's house.

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Christine. You have a good memory, using the red paddle first is all about conserving water. I think it was at my niece’s that I picked up the vegetation around the prop but nevertheless very convenient to moor there.

Fully agree with tangs167 but I would never continue cruising as long as you did before having a look but enjoyed the foxton locks part

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Brian. I thought the weed hatch issue had cleared itself with some reverse thrust. Next morning after going through the Locks it was back, so I stopped to check. I’ll check more quickly next time I think there’s a problem. Thanks for the advice.

Hi Alan Another very nice video nice cruising weather great to have the volunteers at foxton worth their weight in gold if solo cruiser Looking forward to seeing the next video

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Many thanks Ron glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks Alan for a lovely cruising video. Gosh my out board is s lot easier to clear, now I've resited my gas bottles I can tip the engine lock it in place and free up any debris. Last time it was a horse coat that must have blown into a lock. Lock gates are still all closed here so I can't get out. I went to look at another marina this week on the canal and have put my name on the waiting list. Once I can get the boat there I hopefully will be able to get out much more Thanks for your vlog and the reminder of a dry day. Alan.

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Many thanks Alan. You’ll be glad when water levels have dropped and you can move your boat to new pastures. Hope you don’t have to wait too long. Cheers

Enjoyed it once again!

Great Vlog lovely Canal thanks Alan.

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Many thanks Annie 👍

Thanks for the trip in the sunshine. Tackling swing bridges as a solo was dealt with by David on CTC in his last vlog, he has it down to a fine art now, simple and worth watching,

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Phil. I think David was lucky with the second swing bridge, firstly as it swung away from him and secondly, as he explained, some thought had been given to sole boaters by providing the mooring bollards either side of the bridge. As far as I know that is not usual. I still have that pleasure to come of dealing with a swing bridge solo. In fact I’ll probably need a longer bow line. Cheers

@alancollins9790

10 ай бұрын

@@MyNarrowboatVenture - There are many solo boaters who cope with swing bridge entirely on their own without any fuss. Yes they were designed for a crew but just nose into the bridge mouth taking the front rope with you. Open the bridge, bring the boat through, and then keep the back rope with you or tied to the bollard then close the bridge and off you go.

Morning Alan, another nice day on the Grand Union. Please, never run the engine with the weed hatch off, you've seen just how much water can come in to your boat! Also, when you've fixed it back on, run the engine in gear and check for any leaks, it's surprising just how much water can enter your engine bay from an ill fitting hatch. Sorry if you know all of this, but a small amount of weed can sometimes be dislodged with a quick burst of reverse. If you put your hand down to the propeller shaft, you will feel anything wrapped around, I'm not sure I'd want to use a mooring pin, even with the small chance of damaging the prop or shaft. Keep up the good work, hope the rain hasn't caused any problems down there like it has up her in Yorkshire.

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

tangs167 Many thanks for your observations. I am aware about a quick burst of reverse and have done so when needed, hence why I’ve never been into the weed hatch before, other than to renew the seal around it. I was expecting comment on the mooring pin and whilst it may not sound like it, I was very careful. I have a fear of finding some barbed wire or such like wrapped around the prop, so take extra care. I will use a piece of wood in future, which will be softer and potentially less harmful. I am sorry for those who have been flooded and hope they get the help needed to rebuild their lives. I lived in Somerset for a period and 5 years ago much of the Levels was under water for 3 months. Cheers

Glad you checked the weed hatch. I thought I heard your engine working harder that necessary while navigating the locks. Cheers.

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Michael. I find my boat doesn’t stop so readily as others appear to, so I do rev up a bit in the Locks in reverse and the lock acts like an echo chamber and magnifies the sound. Having said that, you may well be right, seeing I had the problem as soon as I left the top lock. I thought it odd, as i had forgotten about it when I moored up the day before. Cheers

As soon as you suspected that there was something around the prop putting it in reverse then back in forward often clears it before it becomes a problem. If you do need to go down the weed hatch, which by the way hire boaters are advised to do on a daily basis, then just stop and do so you will use a lot more fuel struggling with muck around the impeller! I was also horrified that you used a crowbar to break the seal as that would have damaged the seal that you had recently replaced, and I would never try to clear the weed with a mooring pin, as you are more likely to cause damage to the prop or propshaft, if you are lucky enough not to drop it! Just put your hand in and clear it if it is more than weed then scissors, knife or other implement maybe required to clear.

@MyNarrowboatVenture

10 ай бұрын

Hi Alan, this was three years ago, I am well aware of giving the engine reverse thrust to try and clear the prop. The weed hatch was stuck fast, so leverage was necessary at that time, it no longer gets stuck, as the sealing method around the top has changed. I whole heartedly agree using the mooring pin was not a good idea (for the reasons you state) but I had nothing else to hand then, i now use a wooden stick to feel around the prop before putting my hand in. I wouldn't just put my hand in like you suggest without doing that first, as there could be barbed wire or such like caught around the prop and if there was, I would hopefully sense that first and act accordingly.

Alan you old sea dog , you can sure get in some predicaments - lol A good video nevertheless !

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

17APR69 16APR71 Many thanks glad you liked it.

Hello Alan, So nice to follow your travels. It looked like the mooring where you stopped had too much vegetation, maybe that’s where you picked up your problems. Still nice to see family and arriving in style. The weather has taken on a real chance since this vlog was filmed. Are you planning to continue through winter!? Nice presentation again. Thank you

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you David. This was filmed in July hence the lovely weather. I’m sure you’re right about my weed hatch issue. I’m moored in the Marina and I’m not sure yet when I’ll next go out.

Your niece lives in a beautiful area! Hooray for your luck on the swing bridge help and a mooring spot opening up👍🏻 are the Foxton locks narrower than most? They seemed so in the video. The wildflowers and the farm fields were beautiful🦋🐮

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Debbie. Foxton locks are a standard narrow width to take a single boat. Some locks are double width like those on the Grand Union Canal and can accommodate two boats. A Narrowboat is 6ft 10inches wide.

If this was the first clearance of weed you did you have done quite well, have you finished all your painting so fare? John in NZ Kaiora...

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Silas House The painting isn’t finished, I initially improved the appearance of the boat ready for my Ashby Canal trip. I’ll carry on with it next year.

Tiller vibration caused by shallow water and too much throttling. Also listen out for cavitation noise from the prop. If you hear it throttle back to stop it then reapply power.

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks David. I had to look that up, as not heard of it before. Did read that propellers can be designed to avoid cavitation. I’m not clear how I would know it’s happening. Needs an experienced ear I imagine. Cheers

@davidsedlickas8222

4 жыл бұрын

@@MyNarrowboatVenture Yes Alan there is a distinctive sound to cavitation on your prop Hopefully you will learn to recognize it. Keep safe

👏❤️😁Xx

where do you find the link below?

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Silas House The link is beneath the text explaining the content of the video (under the picture).

I advise you to this investigate this problem earlier next time; as it can lead to damage to shaft and stern gland which would invariably necessitate a docking. Regards AJ

@MyNarrowboatVenture

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Alan. I had thought it had cleared itself after I’d given it some reverse thrust and when I moored up at the bottom of Foxton I had forgotten about it. I was surprised therefore when I came out of the top lock with a definite problem. That reinforces your view that once you’ve had a problem, it is worth investigating whether or not it seems solved. Cheers