Happy

DON'T DO THIS AT HOME!! Thank you all again for your input. This is going to make me out to be a real plonker, but here goes-as stated I purchased my Cobb BBQ and as the wife was working on Sunday decided to have a play and cook a whole chicken. Got the chicken prepared with herbs and spices, unpacked the new packet of cobblestones and placed one in the basket. Thinking back to a couple of threads reference lighting with a blow lamp, I searched for a lighter. Having given up smoking some two years ago, no lighter was to be found.. Then, idea. Place the basket over a flame on the gas hob indoors and light the cobblestone, not a good idea! The thing ignited like a rocket going off, I dropped the basket, fortunately onto the hob and the flames eventually died down enough to move the basket outside and place into the BBQ.. I am so pleased I did this at home and not in the boat galley as the outcome may have been slightly different! Anyway, when cooked the chicken was great and my 'mates' had a great laugh when I related the story to them later in the pub. Regards Alan.

Paladin. Thanks for the info. Will now take the neccesary measures. Regards Alan

Frank. I always get confused with mixing ratios but you seem to be on the ball! I have two 40 gallon tanks on the boat. How much 2 stroke (mineral) should be added to each tank? Thanks Mate. Regards Alan

So if we add Soltron to our fuel to stop diesel bug will this also help lubricate the pump seals? Regards Alan

Hi John, its getting nearer! Tell me, do some members 'dress' their boats up with bunting etc for these meetings? If so i'll join in but don't want to be the odd one out and look a real plonker! RegardsAlan and Eve.

I was at work last year and started looking at e bay, as I do. (Don't tell the boss, I am the boss for my sins). Any way I started looking a gents watches and a 'top rated' dealer had 10 for a starting price of £3 plus postage of about another £3. I won the bid and wondered a, if they would arrive and b, what they would be like. They arrived in about 10 days and they were quite flashy. I gave most of them away for guys to wear at work (mostly in the motor trade) and quess what? They are all still working and keeping good time. Just how do they do it? Regards Alan.

The two engines on My Panache don't burn any oil during the season and between oil changes and I must admit I don't check the levels very often-UNTIL NOW THAT IS! It will now become a regular routine. Thanks for the info!! Regards Alan

Freedon Boating Hols. You mention 'old BMC engines', I assume this also applies to the two Thornycroft engines fitted in my Seamaster 30? Regards Alan

Sorry Mowjo, answered my question. You must have posted whilst I was writing! Regards Alan

This is a little worrying to say the least! Is there any prior warning that this is likely to happen, or does everything just 'let rip'? Regards Alan

Thanks guys. Shopped around obviously (tight bugger!) and have ordered one off e bay. Give me (or Eve) chance to practice before May! Thanks again. Regards Alan.

Thanks John. On your reccomendation I'll get one and bring it to the meet in May. If I cant work out how to use it I can get p....d while you show me! Regards Alan

Has anyone purchased a 'cobb' type BBQ? I started looking for a new barbie to use on the boat and came across these cobbs. Seem like they could be good, especially for the boat. Would appreciate some feed back before I take the plunge. Thanks. Regards Alan

John and Mary-Ann. 50th post eh. I can see we will have to have a few drinks to that in May!? Regards Alan and Eve

About 2 years ago I purchased a 'Broads Beat' outboard cover for the outboard on my tender. This morning I received a telephone call from Hoverton police station. First reaction was panic-whats happened to the boat!? It was then explained that the call was on behalf of Broad Beat to explain that when using the covers "the original engine cover must be removed first". I explained that I did realise this but she explained the reason for the call was that two outboards had recently been stolen, both with Broads Beat covers fitted, but also with the original engine covers still intact! The mind boggles. Regards Alan

We went up to My Panache as planned on Thursday and Friday. Journey up took us 4.5 hours instead of the usual 3! However the weather was very kind to us and she is now re antifouled and looking pretty good and shining. Few more jobs to do but she can now go back in the water and return to Beccles. Hope to see you out on the water soon-I cannot wait! Regards Alan and Eve

Alan and Eve (aka Happy) Boat name 'My Panache' Hopefully Friday-Monday subject to no probs.

mbird, thanks for that. Whilst the boats out of the water my son is going to cut it back with some special stuff that we get from a body shop supplier (don't know the name of it and don't really get involved as its hard work even with a polisher!) after she is cut back then we are using an American polish for fibreglass which is supposed to 'be the best'-as were going to the boat Thursday, will let you know! When she is in the water we used to use wash and wax but will get some greased lightening for future use . Thanks. Regards Alan

Hi Alan, RanworthBreeze. Yes I did use the 'magic sponges'. I got mine off of e bay after seeing them mentioned on the forum. They are good, but I think a sink full of bleach used with them also helped! Regards Alan.

Hi John-Yes, what dedication. Just hope it lasts on Thursday and Friday whilst we are working on the boat as the pub across the river (which we like) is in full sight from the boat. We will have to be good and pace ourselves! Regards Alan. and

Well as stated we are up to the boat Thursday and Friday. Two good days and I reckon she will be ready to go back in. So much so that I spent all day on Sunday cleaning the fenders. They came up really well and it kept me out of the pub! Regards Alan.

So come on guys-anyone on the forum with more time (and brains) than me want to set something up? I will be your first customer!! Regards Alan

To add to my original post I think I can confirm the views of Strowager etc. Before I decided to give up on this idea I did e mail 2 people off the Boat Buddy site who appeared to be ideal candidates and guess what-neither have replied! Really should have spent the money in the pub!! Regards Alan

Thank you all for your replies to this. Seemed like a good idea at the time! I now think I should have spent the £25 joining fee in the pub and not bothered! On reflection I am NOT going to get involved. I have however arranged for four of us to go to the boat next Thursday and Friday and get her sorted, as long as the pub across the river doesn't distract us too much. Regards Alan.

Hi Hocham Admiral. Likewise, we (my son!) needs to polish My Panache before she goes back in. Have looked and tried various fibreglass polishes in the past years. Got any recomendations? Regards Alan