We were up an at em this morning at 6am and the boat slipped her berth at 7.30.
We whizzed through the locks until we were out of Penkridge and had three hours under our belt and stopped for breakfast and a break. Cups of tea and eggs on toast saw us vitaled and ready for the off. Amanda went to set the next lock as Joe and I untied...
A small problem had crept in, the boat wouldn't start.
Amanda was recalled, Joe took the engine room to bits to discover that the starter motor had failed.
We called Richard Milligan, (Black hands) who had rebuilt the engine. This will not be an off the peg starter so we will have to source a new one or have ours refurbished. Given that we were now moored in the proverbial middle of nowhere we decided to bow haul the boat to somewhere it can be accessed.
Off we went, a mile to go and one lock to do.
So now hauling the boat was a new experience and perfectly okay until we encountered a moored boat. How were we going to get around that? The solution was Joe on the gas locker with a boat pole steering, a long line on the centre to haul until we got to the boat and then the person on the line carefully flipped the line over the chimneys, wood piles, solar panels and exhausts until we were passed. We are now moored where a rescuer can access us so tomorrow we see how to resolve our problem.
U
Oh dear! Hope you can get going again in time to make Glascote before the stoppages - what a pain! Still, that's boating! xxx
ReplyDeleteWe are likely to have to return to base and try again in late November when Get Haywood lock is repaired.
DeleteLooks like you “Blacked up” to match Mr Black Habds in this last photo, but it could be the light.
ReplyDeleteMany commiserations, sorry we couldn’t help.
But I will be wanting my crew back!
Lisa
NB What a Lark
Do you offer biscuits with morning tea?
DeleteYour crew member is revolting. You will have to up your game with breakfast in bed perhaps..
DeleteNow that’s a bit of a bugger.... let’s hope Richard with his extensive knowledge and connections within the RN community can source you a replacement to get you where you need to be. If you need any help let me know. I’m fairly local so if you need lifts anywhere .....Which stoppage(s) is giving you the headache ?
ReplyDeleteThanks Nev. We are hoping to pick up a starter from Hillmortin today. Joe has gone to retrieve the car already. Back again for Monday to meet Richard.
DeleteBoater's worst nightmare, a knackered starter. No bump starting boats! We had the same problem up on the L&L a few years ago. Glad you got sorted out quickly. Ain't folk great!
ReplyDeleteThey are. We got the old starter repaired, it was a burnt out solenoid.
Delete