[Broken Down On Wroxham Island]

Well still here but we elected to be towed back tomorrow morning. 
The engine had a major life ending event and is now an ex bmc 1.8 

the great fitters from Sutton pronounced its death and we are awaiting autopsy. 
 

less than 20 hours cruising time on engine since we bought the boat. 
Better get ready for some open wallet surgery 

[Broken Down On Wroxham Island]

32 minutes ago, Smoggy said:

The moral of the story is always have a toolkit on board so you can go through the basics before having to call someone.

Also spare fuel filters and impellors.

Oh so true. 
when on the sea, used to have a copy of everything spares wise. I guess I became complacent with the recovery service cover and the gentle nature of the Broads  plus the need for space in car

 

37 minutes ago, annv said:

hi chessy did you change fuel filter end of year did you drain water of fuel tank before you used it this year, if so undo air bleed valve.  and hand pump fuel through if no resistance on pump turn engine over 1/2 a stroke as pump my be on top of cam, or wait mechance. John

Less than 20 hours on engine since we bought it. The engine was serviced then. It was scheduled for June when we have a 3 weeker. If it’s the fuel then it’s going to be a big lesson learnt 

[Broken Down On Wroxham Island]

Well, due to BSS you can’t have a glass/plastic filter bowl in engine bay so I can’t see and owing to space requirements didn’t bring basic tool kit ( I forgot to pack it, I know) and this metal bowl has a nut arrangement that I’m going to change for a Reccor unit when I get back. 
still waiting!

[Broken Down On Wroxham Island]

Hopefully. I don’t want to start swinging spanner’s and make anything worse but the absence of any signs of firing, smooth running the night before and occasional pop sounds when I try to start and I’m thinking timing chain jumping or head gasket filled a cylinder. 
This mooring has room only for one and I feel a bit guilty for staying longer than 24hr but there you go. 
preparing for open wallet surgery 

[Broken Down On Wroxham Island]

And awaiting Sutton rescue. 
A bmc running fine then refuses to start no smoke just pops. 
damn. 

[Solar Panel Questions]

I had bad experience from the semi flexible panel at sea. It delaminated after six months but I may have been unlucky. 
The trick is a really good controller and an extra battery because you feel let down when it tells you batteries full and it’s wasting amps😀

The bigger the panel the more it makes in lesser light. 
I found a constant 4 amp charge would still top up my bank over time. 
Next time I’m going for a solid panel 

[‘tis The Season Of....]

Captains hats, balloons and pirate hats and one dog rescue!

Also the sound of heaters and watching people eat bundled up outside. 
Shouted orders and trying to squeeze 40 foot into 35 foot. 
Dead fish and hi viz children in life jackets

lovein’ it!

[It's All In Your Sailaway Sun]

Well since I bought Tropical Gem and sitting in her now this could be interesting 🤔 

[Cold Morning Slippery Decks]

We use a bath mat, rubber backed and fabric on top. 
keep inside and when time to use place out side and the warnish rubber sticks to ice. 

[River Ant Beware.]

Sorry guv! Several sections around Wayford junction and I was part of a train heading toward Barton. 
On Boundary farm mooring now so I might need one hell of telephoto lens😀

[River Ant Beware.]

From stalham down to Barton broad. 
looks as if a few wind blown trees have been chopped plus a bit of pruning. 
Makes it look like an attractive wild mooring that has never been one in past. 
 

[River Ant Beware.]

Hi all, 

just cruising on the upper reaches of the Ant when I noticed a small boat in trouble about 5 meters out from what appeared to be a wild mooring. 
I noticed a lot of fresh stumps and more importantly, a network of branches just under the surface with only an odd branch sticking above the surface. 
The boat was alright with a touch of reverse to get out. 
the thing is, these look very inviting and there are a lot of them dotted around up there looking just like the regular stops. 

[Lockdown Project]

...and then you find out you haven’t a door big enough to get it out😀

[Getting Boats In Ship Shap]

5 hours ago, Vaughan said:

I wish I could join you John. I have just had an e-mail offering to clean the outside of my boat for a good price, as it is looking a bit tatty and "you know what the others in the marina are like. They want all the boats to look tidy".

I continue to pay the river toll, insurance and the moorings and I have also paid for winterising and servicing. If the others in the marina don't like the look of a boat that COVID has prevented me from using since autumn 2019 and probably still won't be able to visit this year, then they are more than welcome to go on board and clean the bugger for themselves.

My response?

it’s clean on the inside and I can’t bloody see the outside when I’m inside. 
 

Hopefully it’s just a person touting for work and over egging the message. Otherwise I’d be looking for other moorings in future. 

[Zx1 Micro Oil Metal Treatment In A Newage Prm 160 Gearbox?]

Morris oils for me bought from ebay

[Water Bikes In Wroxham..]

I’m not against Them.

It’s the “do the rules of the river apply to me?” That worries me.

Ive sailed into a Cornish harbour and had throw everything into reverse as a kayaker came storming from the walls with the harbourmaster shouting at them to keep the entrance clear. 
it later turned out the kayak operator said something like he thought the rules only applies to proper boats. 
it’s the fact that these and paddle boards are used for fun and fun isn’t sitting around in what amounts to a virtual road system 

[Calling All Thunder Owners And Cruisers Of The Northern Broads]

45 minutes ago, wooster said:

Question deleted. Google was my friend  

 

I will give Richardsons a bell after the BH. Do the facilities ( showers etc ) get pretty busy when the hire boats are in full swing?

 

Never had a problem but things are restricted due to the virus. Has a launderette too which has proved handy.

It can get crazy but the Moorings are out of the way from hirers and the yard is so large it isn't a problem

Better still, it has a builders merchant right outside which is helpful for fixings and wood etc.

I get my gas from here too. Diesel on site and pump out. There's so much space in the basin so no queuing.

I consider myself lucky that when I bought my boat from Richardson's there was also a mooring available.

[Things That Go Bump In The Night!]

Rented a cottage in Cornwall from the national trust.

The cottage dated from the 17 centaury. small, it had been extended in the 18 centaury.

One night the dog suddenly jumped up staring into nowhere and started wagging tail as if being petted.

The next night I noticed the mirror slowly rocking. The wall was a meter thick and the original front wall of the cottage and not in any draughts. 

Towards the end of the holiday, the door in that wall suddenly closed. No wind outside.

The dog in no way would walk behind the cottage.

It was only when looking through the old visitor books that we noticed about 3 years before our visit,  That someone left a comment that she was getting negative feelings toward the dividing door between the old and the newish divisions of the cottage.

 

[Calling All Thunder Owners And Cruisers Of The Northern Broads]

2 hours ago, wooster said:

Hi thanks but I should have made it clearer I was looking for permanent moorings. I know that Stalham is a nice part of the Broads though 

These are permanent. Well hopefully! Their yard has a private section and I love it there. Very nice staff and to be honest, boat owners. 

[Calling All Thunder Owners And Cruisers Of The Northern Broads]

Richardson’s Stalham. 
tescos with a thriving village with all amenities. 
 washing machines and shower blocks, diesel and pump outs on site. 

[Water Bikes In Wroxham..]

Its the cyclist mentality that worries me. 
I.e. im one up from a pedestrian and pedestrians don’t need to follow rules. I’m not anything to do with an internal combustion engine so naturally I don’t need to follow them. 
this was actually said on a radio London programme on cyclists jumping red lights

[Zx1 Micro Oil Metal Treatment In A Newage Prm 160 Gearbox?]

Just to add, a rep once told me that if these additives did anything the big oil  companies would add them. 
to me it’s a bit like headache tablets in a bright silver and red box. 
You think it must be better than the generic pills sold for a quarter of the price because of the flash package and bold writing. 
when in fact it’s exactly the same product regulated by law. 

[Fish!]

Wild fish fingers from the sea of birds eye

[Stern Glands]

Galvanic protection.

When plugged in to mains stops your prop shaft disappearing if you or your neighbours  have a leaky return and the volts find a return path via your boat . Especially in salty water your underwater metal work turns into a low power battery.

I lost my prop to this when i owned a blue water sailor and my boat acted like an anode.

[Zx1 Micro Oil Metal Treatment In A Newage Prm 160 Gearbox?]

Why add it?

My experience with gearboxes that a regular change of quality oil is that all it needs, these are not high stress items unless slammed into opposite directions while still turning and no amount of additives will help that.

But im open to arguments.

Same with engines really. I've had discussions with our plant fitters and they maintain that oil and filter changes is all that modern engine needs.