A float on Miracle - 20ft narrowboat

@LW - its either obsession or he's put together that he gets treats whenever he goes in... lol

How about a cat life jacket?

Jan 3.
**
**The gales came in last night.

Miracle is tied to the Norwegian’s 50 footer as I only have one mooring pin.

In this weather, one will not suffice.

I can’t pretend I got much sleep last night.
Even with a full water tank and our good ballast it doesn’t take much to be bouncing about.
She is only 3 tons after all.

The only time last night when the straining of the three mooring ropes and the swaying of the bed wasn’t at the fore front of my mind was when at quarter to 12 I got a phone call from home. For those 15 minutes only the cheery and slightly rum slurred words on the other end mattered.
I laughed with them, we joked.

I promised my sea faring uncle, that yes, if he came to London I would most definitely take him for a ride about on my narrow boat. No doubt he has since looked up narrow boats on line and discovered they are no relation to his own 20 foot hobby sailboat "Goose" or the sleek lined elegance of the champion vessel they race in the coastal regattas the men in my family so heartily enjoy.

It’s hard to say which of us was more nervous last night being pitched too and fro in the river.
By 7am I’d probably had 3hrs sleep.
Duckie scratching at the door finally got me up. So violent were the winds that I didn’t notice that someone had stepped onto Miracle. In calm weather the weight of a person stepping onboard causes an unmistakable lurch.

As I opend the door to allow Duckie out, the Norwegian apologised for waking me.

*You may have noticed you’re bouncing about a bit. *

Understatement.

*I’ve just tied you with my ratchet strap. It should be a bit more stable now. *

And it was; until at 9am.

I heard the strap snap and fall against the hull. The boat is back to swaying. I am in the shower. Happily, the advantage to a tiny shower is, there's no place to fall. I knock about a bit, two inches or so and quickly end the shower.

The rain is coming in sheets with the gales.
The clouds are racing east.
I decide to finish my coffee.
My hair is still wet from the shower.
There are still three ropes holding me.

Then, I put on my waterproofs and gloves and go out to inspect and hopefully fix the ratchet strap which up until now had stabilised Miracle nicely.

I know the theory behind a ratchet strap.

Standing between the boats, foot on each and heaving back and forth in the cold lashing rain, all of this logic does not combine to help me find the solution.

**The strap is in two. **

The hook is bent and I can’t see where it may have been attached before bending.
I give up.
I go to my stern and grab my fourth rope.
I tie it as tight as I can manage between the swells and come inside.
I ring my gloves out in the sink.
I ring my hair.
I muse why it seemed so essential get dry after my shower today.

I’m going to have to ask the Norwegian about the ratchet strap, he uses it to secure his motorbike onboard so it’s an essential piece of kit for him.
I hope I’m just being daft and its not broken.

No hammock?

?

To sleep in. Like what sailors do..

Trying to put milk into tea this morning would have been easier using a funnel!
Sea legs not working.
Managed a whole hours sleep(bombarded by sticks).Did you fix the Norwegians
strap?
Hope all`s well down there.

@beardie - I know exactly what you mean. I was chopping up garlic last night and it was a gamble if I'd hit it or my fingers!!

We, the Norwegian, the hippy and myself are moving today down to hackney wick. I'm hoping to meet up with Charlie Mist!

After the first storm a lot of the boats here moved up river to more solid ground - literally. Apparently the filterbed area has recently been re done and as such the soil here hasn't compacted sufficiently. No less than 5 boats were loose the other morning. I tried to help one but I'm still pretty nervous about jumping onto roof of a boat.

The Norwegian, who has no such fear, jumped onto the pair that were entirely loose and floating up stream to wake the still sleeping occupants to get them up (it was 7am) and to heip him get them secured.
They were pretty confused but grateful.

the strap is back on Miracle.. helping emensely.

this afternoon Miracle will be going to moor at HACKNEY WICK for the first time. If you're about and local please feel free to come by and say hello. We'll be there from this afternoon up until the 21st.

In the spring i am planning to start heading westward and, depending on interest I may publish the route of where we'll be if anyone wants to come aboard and have a go. (also to meet those on bigger boats aka EVERYONE so I can come aboard and be jealous!)

Oh er weather sounded a bit rough being on a boat!

In the north & in Glasgow they've had a hell of a time, almost every street had damage in some way or other, never seen so many downed trees in this country!

Now you've been on Miracle for a few months have you started to get an idea for gas/electric consumption etc, hows it weighing up? Sounds like duckie has settled in very well to a life on the water :)

I ran along the canal at hackney marshes and thought of you today. I should have looked out for you.

@cedywedy I'm just near the bridge with the red circle thing on it. I'm the only boat that's two abreast. do stop by!

@brickman. My 13kg calor costs 20gbp - so far on the new one I've had it going about 3 weeks. I've cooked at least once a day and had 6 proper hot showers thus far.. so pretty good. I expect it to last me 1 month. I've been teaching the norwegian how to cook this month so most of my main meals have been cooked on his boat.. but even if my usage on my boat is ddoubled I'm still quite happy with the Calor consumption.
I've fill my water on average every 12-14 days. Relative to the boats tiny size my water tank is massive. This is something I'm quite happy about.

As for my electric - I opted for the biggest FKing solar pannel and most effecient converter on the market, it's over the top - on purpose.. I won't ever run out of electric even in the dead of winter.

As you say 20a month our even double isn't s real issue isit! And most if yourheatibg is now by woods/coal, so that won't be bad.
Do you have a genny/shore power cable or just solar? If in winter the dupanels are producing enough then thats amazing! Though guess you arent running all that much, done lights, music, laptop and a phone charger?

I remember you saying you don't like wind power because of the noise and moving parts? I'm helping to develop a new type of wind generator thats super low cost (especially if you already have an inverter and battery bank) and doesn't have any moving parts/noise signature. some time later in the year we will be looking for someone to trial it if you our anyone you know on the canal might ve interested?

doesn't have any moving parts

?!

Crazy idea this wind generator!
Jacqui: I will!

?!

Magnets...

Dear Jacqui & Ducky so lovely to meet you both today..it was so funny watching the Duck chase Scooby! If you move further up towards Hackney You both have an open invite for dinner,
Spinach & Feta Quiche. If you are going the other way let me know and I will drop one off for you before you move. Lovely to meet another Canadian in London!
Stan & Scooby

](http://imgur.com/2S8d5)[/IMG]

Chased by a cat...wearing a hat...the shame of it all!

Magnets...

Doing what? I don't know of any way to generate current with magnets that aren't moving, in a machine where there are no other moving parts.

Doing what? I don't know of any way to generate current with magnets that aren't moving, in a machine where there are no other moving parts.

Miracles, that's how.

(Forum goes full circle and implodes)

@sunray - lovely to meet you and scooby too! And dinner would be lovely. I will let you know.

@brickman. HELL YES I know someone who'd trial it. :) If not me, perhaps the Norwegian - he currently has a wind turbine but thinks of it as a massvie costly mistake. He'll tell you its noisy and problematic when finding moorings that it can be used from. I can't tell you the make but from what I know about him, he doesnt mess about with second rate kit.

My solar pannel is my sole source of electric - when you see it you'll understand. Its MASSIVE.. its done well thus far even when there's not been sun for days. I only use it for laptop, phone, shower / bilge pump and lights.

I've gone off trying to use coal. My burner is a wood only model and after the initial attempts with coal which were only marginally successful I spoke with someone knowlegeable who mentioned that my particular burner may get dammaged if continued coal heat was applied. I love my burner, Jon at Windy Smithy makes beautiful and well designed stoves that are fit for purpose and I don't fancy ruining it.

New Gas ran out today at breakfast.
For conservative estimates I expect to use 2 per month and refil my water 3 times per month. I'm starting to really like my shower. Today it dawned on me that my current shower is actually at least as good - water pressure wise as half of the flats I've lived in here in London.

Yesterday the Norwegian went to Stonebridge for a shower.
He came back grumpy.
The showers have been out of hot water since new years. He was still dirty. He's got a nice shower on his boat but no hot water. It's one of the downsides to buying a sailaway from someone who isn't a builder. The upside was the price and knowing he's handy enough that in time he'll fix the mistakes.

I offered him my shower. This time he's agreed and when he comes out he's clearly impressed.

Jan 10. - Ready, Steady, Go... or not.

**Its not me. **
A nagging doubt has been hindering me, a spider gnawing in the back of my mind for weeks now. It started on the second day of my journey from Enfield, when on the crisp beautiful fall morning I climbed out of Miracle to the captain’s chair and turned the key.

Nothing happened.
I tried again, Nothing.
I went inside and made coffee.
I grabbed a cigarette and sat dumbfounded.

I must remember what the last owner said about starting. I close my eyes tightly and try to recall the scene willing my memory to go back to the one time he let me start the boat.

It’s very important to do things in the right order.
I nod. This is important. I MUST REMEMBER THIS.
*If it doesn’t start, check that you’ve put the clip on the kill switch. *

It won’t start without it.
I look down at the gear shifter and further down to the pin where the lobster claw of a clip fastens to the pin.
It was there this a.m. I am sure.
I refasten it.
I insert the key.
Make sure the shifter is in neutral. I jog it gently to be sure.
It is.
And most importantly is the little red button.
He points to a faded greyish pink piece of plastic beside the shifter. If he’d not said it was red I never would have guessed.

It goes in and out.. engaged if its.. It must be ...to start.
It must be what? I'm blanking.

Is it in or out? I can’t conjure the rest of the sentence.
In frustration I try both and when the engine purrs to life I immediately forget if the red button was in or out.
FAIL.

I’ve repeated this scenario exactly 3 times since that day.
I’ve checked the batteries.
I’ve tried the red button both in and out.
I’ve even called the mechanic,ehm, twice.
As soon as he got there, it started.

I looked a fool.
The most recent was the afternoon we travelled to Hackney Wick. Frustrated after an hour of checking connections and battery power and prompted by the fading daylight the Norwegian strapped Miracle to the side of his 55 footer and towed us beside him.

The entire journey I was filled with shame.

Last night he declared that he was going to see what was up with my engine. Clearly it’s been on his mind.

It’s electrical. I’m pretty certain.

I go through the start procedure with him and explain that last time the mechanic has told me that starting it in the right position is imperative, otherwise it will activate the “kill” and need to reset itself.

Faffing and bumbling I try the little red button in. Nothing.
I try it out, Nothing.
I repeat.
He repeats. The engine give a whine. I try the exact same again, nothing.
Let’s check your batteries.
No. Everyone suggests that and every time my batteries are full. That is not it. I’m getting snappy, I know it’s miss placed frustration.

He says nothing.
Lets take the lid off then and see what’s going on.
I can’t remember how.
I get the manual, and the lid comes off.

I want to pull start it, do you have the cord?

I hand it to him.

With the first yank the engine roars to life and just as quickly the Norwegian lunges at the key and flips it to off. The engine stops.

I’m confused.
It’s on full throttle, that’s why I killed it. It’s bad for a cold engine.

Oh.
He turns away to go to his boat.

I flick the key in hope.

It groans, and a huge spark flies up.

Is it supposed to spark? In his slow manner he comes back to me.

Where was the spark?

About there, I point to the area where there’s a black lead and a red one both fastened to bolts. It suddenly dawns on me that this is the electrical connection to my battery. They look the same.
He reaches over and touches the bolts. They’re loose.

I told you it was electrical, he's tightening them. You’ll get used to the parts that rattle loose and know to check them first.

So it’s sorted? I feel quite smug.

No. You got another problem. Your throttle won’t disengage. I’m going to get my tools

He opens up the black box where my shifter is. So far this has been a mystery to me and I’m keen to see what’s inside. In a few minutes he gets up.

I know what the issue is, take a look and tell me if you see it too.

I don’t know what to look for.

Just look and figure it out. He smiles and walks away.

Inside the black box two cables are wound around a series of steel arms and it’s clear that one of the arms is loose and won’t move the cable..

Is the arm broken?

No, its loose and when it got so it wouldn’t hold the cable. See the bent casing? It’s supposed to be straight. Now that it’s bent it won’t stay in the catch.

I play with the gear shifter and as he says the loose arm disengages.

It’s getting dark now, I’ll fix it tomorrow.

He’s already started putting it back together then he looks up.

You know what this means?
I wait.

It means you did know how to start it, it was just broken.

It means you did know how to start it, it was just broken.

Worth repeating. :)