How not to get the boat ready for the coming season.

Phill

Phill

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Woke this morning with the sun coming thought the curtains at home. Took the dog for a walk and then me and my wife packed some spare clothes and then headed off to the boat with the intention of giving it a much needed internal and external spring clean. As we left home the temperature was 12 degrees and an hour later we arrived at the marina where is was 5 degrees with hail coming down. Straight to the marina office to pay our annual mooring fees and then to the chandlery for a coffee before going aboard the boat. Made a list of things to do next weekend and then went to the pub. Came back home and lit a fire and opened a bottle of red. We're warm and cosy now and have had a lovely, if not very productive day. Hope it's a bit warmer next weekend because I need to wash the boat!
 
It improved for us at Bray in the afternoon, so I was able to wash the boat and then take her for a little cruise down to Eton Dorney and back.
 
Went to boat.
Turned heater on.
Sorted out my much loved collection of stainless steel nuts,bolts,screws,washers,split pins and other "stuff".
Turned heater off
Went home.
 
As a Thames virgin i am developing a very irrational fear of taking the boat out. I keep looking at the stream which is broadside to the boat and thinking I will never get back into this berth. I've even asked the marina if they can move me onto another pontoon which would have me drifting onto it instead of off. Don't know whether that will happen but I am being really pathetic.

I am used to berthing in force 6s and 7s with fast tide running so what is wrong with me?

This Thames mullarky is definitely all it's cracked up to be. I thought it would all be calm and relaxed. Instead I think I need a big dose of Valium before I go out for the first time. Then there's those bloody locks..... where did I go wrong....
 
Went down to the boat yesterday to change the oil and filters ahead of today's fishing trip out.
Was greeted to the sight of thick mayonnaise pumping from the drain plug instead of oil.
Discovered the leaking charge cooler which had been pumping seawater into the engine for the last couple of weeks.
Went home.
 
Blackfeather said:
This Thames mullarky is definitely all it's cracked up to be. I thought it would all be calm and relaxed. Instead I think I need a big dose of Valium before I go out for the first time. Then there's those bloody locks..... where did I go wrong....
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"This Thames mullarky" as you put it is actually great, its just that you were unfortunate enough to put your boat on the river just as we entered the worst winter rains and flooding that many on this forum can remember.
There is no rush to go out before you feel comfortable doing so and nobody will think any the worse of you for hanging on for a while - very few old hands have ventured out yet and I certainly have no immediate plans.

Believe me, once conditions return to normal and you start exploring you will soon get your smile back ! :D
 
Went to the boat,left the marina at 10am, wind 18 to 20 knots NW, and cold.Lovely gentle meander around the estuary under jib and mizzen . Drizzle, oilies, gloves ,then the wind died and sun came out. A bit of everything, but lovely.

2n46.jpg
 
Just to clarify, The Bray to Boveney pound was on Yellow:stream decreasing yesterday. The flow was such that I went down river with both engines (BMC 2.5 diesels) in gear at idle and we made 8KPH SOG.

Our return trip required @ 2000 rpm from both engines to give SOG of 7.5 to 8 KPH. I eased down passing the residential boats at "The Willows".
 
Last edited:
Murv said:
Went down to the boat yesterday to change the oil and filters ahead of today's fishing trip out.
Was greeted to the sight of thick mayonnaise pumping from the drain plug instead of oil.
Discovered the leaking charge cooler which had been pumping seawater into the engine for the last couple of weeks.
Went home.
Click to expand...

O Poo !
 
Ramage said:
Just to clarify, The Bray to Boveney pound was on Yellow:stream decreasing yesterday. The flow was such that I went down river with both engines (BMC 2.0 diesels) in gear at idle and we made 8KPH SOG.

Our return trip required @ 2000 rpm from both engines to give SOG of 7.5 to 8 KPH. I eased down passing the residential boats at "The Willows".
Click to expand...

Thanks!! I wasn't on board though, so you needn't have bothered ;)
 
Went to phone, ordered a Hull polish, Antifoul and lift-in.

Will go down at the weekend to wash the topsides while Mrs NR cleans the interior!

Then I'll play with the new Genny, see if it powers anything up! :o
 
Ramage said:
Just to clarify, The Bray to Boveney pound was on Yellow:stream decreasing yesterday. The flow was such that I went down river with both engines (BMC 2.0 diesels) in gear at idle and we made 8KPH SOG.

Our return trip required @ 2000 rpm from both engines to give SOG of 7.5 to 8 KPH. I eased down passing the residential boats at "The Willows".
Click to expand...

Heading upstream sOunds like a great opportunity to run on 1 engine and put it under a little more load?
 
Phill said:
Woke this morning with the sun coming thought the curtains at home. Took the dog for a walk and then me and my wife packed some spare clothes and then headed off to the boat with the intention of giving it a much needed internal and external spring clean. As we left home the temperature was 12 degrees and an hour later we arrived at the marina where is was 5 degrees with hail coming down. Straight to the marina office to pay our annual mooring fees and then to the chandlery for a coffee before going aboard the boat. Made a list of things to do next weekend and then went to the pub. Came back home and lit a fire and opened a bottle of red. We're warm and cosy now and have had a lovely, if not very productive day. Hope it's a bit warmer next weekend because I need to wash the boat!
Click to expand...

What a difference a week makes. Spent yesterday washing and cleaning the boat as well as recommissioning the water systems, wearing only shorts and a T shirt. Currently at home after having our first barbecue. Only similarity to last weekend is the red wine!
 
Phill said:
What a difference a week makes. Spent yesterday washing and cleaning the boat as well as recommissioning the water systems, wearing only shorts and a T shirt. Currently at home after having our first barbecue. Only similarity to last weekend is the red wine!
Click to expand...

This wouldn't be you by any chance? My son says your daughter was fit!
13532299414_f001b6674c_b.jpg
 
spent 6 and a half hours on sunday, jet washing and scrubbing. Still have to clean and polish the windows and do the canopies!

Can someone recommend the best product for cleaning the green stuff of the canopies, as I will go back down next weekend and take them off and give them a scrub?
 
Pre scrub with neat starbrite mould and mildew remover, wash with awning genie, repeat awning genie, scrub scrub scrub with lots of water, reproof with starbrite or fabsil waterproof sprays.
 
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