I follow all different types of channels on KZfaq, but something about this one feels so comfy. It's pleasant, the content is wholesome, narrow boating is a traditional and friendly thing to do. It's just so... Nice.

Me: is inordinately proud of changing a dead lightbulb within six months David: casually DIY fixes a small horde of issues single handedly

I am, as usual, jealous. You are talking about starting 'spring maintenance' on your boat, while here in Canada we are enduring a blizzard with freezing rain and winds up to 80 mph. Lake Ontario and most of the smaller lakes are frozen solid, and people are driving cars on them. They are going ice fishing, though why they need to catch ice I have never figured out. Love it! You ARE a breath of Spring to come :)

I'm taking you to task! A while back, you mentioned Jaffa Cakes. My grocery actually carried them! I bought some. Now, I am hopelessly addicted. Thanks man!

Only has seven videos until I've watched them all, quick upload more. ;)

Great video as always. I think I will hold off on buying a Narrowboat for now. I can understand the joys outweigh the sorrows, but I think it is much easier to watch your videos for now.

Very good, warm weather, great time to get on will alsorts of things

Where the cratch cover keep removing the paint off the roof. After you've re-painted it. You could put some Heli Tape on the roof where the cratch cover rubs. It is a think clear tape originally to protect the leading edge of helicopter blades. It comes in various thicknesses.

i love that---after all, it's canal time.

Adding those vents to the floor behind the refrigerator also help to keep the bilge ventilated as well. Very good idea😆

"The end of the tiller could use a cuddle"... hahahaha

Today me and my partner just bought our very own narrow boat to live in, and just wanted to say two things. 1) I hope are boats will cross at some point. 2) thank you for your videos, they have been so helpful through us choosing our boat and getting to know the waters/rivers. Many thanks indeed,

Your mention of the word 'lustre' made me recall a tasteful little poem of my youth, which went as follows Max Factor's knacker lacquer Adds glamour to your hammer And lustre to your cluster.. I thank you....

Vlogs are terrific. Better than Brasso try Vinegar, Salt and Flour: These versatile home staples can be combined to make a paste to clean tarnished brass. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt into one-half cup of vinegar, and add flour until the mixture becomes a paste. Rub into the brass, leave for about 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water and buff dry. More environmentally friendly.

Might be worth looking at clear vinyl patches to reduce the paint damage on contact areas.. Mountain bike frames often have it fitted to help reduce stone chips and chain rub. Just get the paint nice and smooth before you apply the vinyl.

1. After polishing out the stains in the paint and re-waxing, spray 'Teflon' in the affected areas. It is hydro-phobic and will keep the stains from re-forming. 2. At constant wear points, use a decent marine adhesive to adhere a short length of black 5 or 6 mm poly angle stock so that the canvas rubs the poly and not the paint. 3. Any interior brass work, once polished, can be sprayed with a few coats of clear gloss polyurethane in a rattle can. The finish, if undisturbed by abrasion, will stay bright for years.

That’s my kind of DIY, just talk about it.

Good to get another fix of C the C. Looking forward to a new season, Thanks David.

It’s a constant battle David,a steel boat in water.Your jobbing videos are always entertaining,Chris

You can use the car polish T cut that will remove all the marks on you paint work , and it is good protection at the same time. 👍🏻😎👍🏻

I’m good with cars, and for that kind of dirt, scuffs and foot print marks etc I’d use farecla polishing compound. Followed by their g10 finishing compound.. you keep the paint wet and use a polishing mop (or by hand if you’re cautious) I never use the mop near leading edges in case I rub through the paint. I always do that by hand. Once that’s done you have to then give it a traditional polish to keep it protected. Perhaps there’s a boat alternative, but if not I’m 99% sure you’d be fine with my suggestion.

The nice thing about your climate, you so much appreciate it when the sky is blue, the sun is warm, the winds are calm. But not too frequently, wouldn’t want that.

Personally I would apply non-skid paint over the entire roof, no shiny finish to damage and trigger my OCD and a nice added safety factor when walking around on a wet roof with the plus of being resistant to stones in the tread of your shoes causing thru the finish damage leading to rust. A bit more spent on the non-skid will lead to less (and easier to hide) touch-up and rework further down the canal. I have been known to make my own non-skid paint by adding playground sand to good quality paint and using a stirring bit on a drill to keep the sand suspended in the paint bucket while applying. A 2 part epoxy non-skid paint would be the cats pajamas, according to this old US Navy guy who had painted a few decks.

Great to see another vlog david.

This will never do. I was looking forward to a life of idleness and spiritual contemplation, and now I see it will be endless labour, insuperable technical wizardry, and confrontations with aggressive swans. My dreams are shattered. Perhaps a retirement in the war torn jungles of Colombia might be worth another look.

I find your videos very entertaining. Even when you’re just chatting about maintenance. That’s for the insight into a boaters life.

Good tip about the vents behind the fridge. I will deffo try that.

Pressure washing is a good start and if done a few times a year will keep the scrubbing to a minimum.

In aviation, we use 3M abrasion resistant tape to cover wear surfaces on aircraft. You may wish to procure a couple feet of it and try it on your paint where your canvas cover rubs.

Rust never sleeps!!

Good advice about the fridge. Nice info

Great to see you getting in the mood David! you really do seem to react to the weather...

Good show as always.

You do take good care of your things and take your time so I have no doubt everything will get done. I have a tip, for the brass door vents when you polish them you could wash with alcohol and spray a few coats of clear on them after and it will be job done for years and not months. I'm with you on wondering if the vents under the fridge help, but I do know that keeping the coils clean does help and I see that your coils look like you keep them nice and clean so good on you, keep up with that and the fridge will thank you.

Glad to see another video , looking forward to your spring travels

When you've finished polishing up your ventilation grills to a pristine shine, give them three or four coats of standard hair laquer - The kind that women like to use. This will prevent the shiney brass from oxidising for a while longer. Any sort of clear laquer will do, but hair laquer is the cheapest and does the same job.

Hi David, your list of jobs to do on the boat is just like the list from the wife of things to do on and in the house before Spring - it is never ending!! Rust seems to be your major problem and definitely Hammerite is the paint for that sort of job, but it must be difficult to match in with the existing colour scheme. Let’s hope this good weather continues so that we can all get out jobs done before Spring arrives. All the very best 🍷

Except for the stuff that needs working on, the boat is in good shape!

With regard to the problem of the paint getting rubbed off where the cratch cover makes contact with the painted surface, you could try after touching up the paint to apply some clear contact, [same stuff you line cupboards and draws with], the contact will protect the paint and allow the cratch cover to rub on it, you may need to replace the contact from time to time.

in regards to Brass fittings I've Brassod up my Brass and then coated with a clear lacquer seals in the shine. Secondary glazing for winter use sounds a good idea

Have yo considered putting a shelf on the wall above your new washer? a place for cleaning products? Maybe a couple of small fans like you'd see in a desktop computer for the windows to draw out the moisture from the shower or cloths air drying? Maybe after those rust spots are fixed, maybe paint on some sort of rubber coating on the roof to keep it out of the metal. A light color if possible black or dark would most likely make it feel like an oven in the summer inside. ( do all your baking then :-). )

We had the same problem with our chimney. Removed the Cooley hat for the winter and problem was solved. Gunk from the smoke was condensing on the hat and dripping down the side and blown onto roof as well. Replace it for the summer when the fire isn’t used to keep rain out.

I have replaced all of the phenolic boards over the engine and tomorrow is cleaning the engine compartment. Repainting the roof is a hold over from last year. Still looking forward to cruising from Cropredy to Chester and the Llangollen canal!

Years ago I had a friend with a very grungy, mucky car that was suddenly very shiny one day. He used a product for cleaning fire engines and quite a bit of elbow grease but the difference was night and day. Contact a local fire station and see what they use to keep their painted equipment shiny, it may be just what you need for removing those drip marks easily. Good luck with the maintenance!

It's the same with our classic cars! Treat the rust, but on sunny days, I just want to drive haha

Lol - nice-washing up liquid and washing soda will get rid of the tar on the chimney and sides of boat with no damage to the paint ❤️😁x

David, you mentioned several times in today's vlog how narrowboat maintenance is a never-ending cycle of chores. I know you said that you would rather just sit out and enjoy the canal than work on the boat, but I was wondering if you got any sort of joy or pleasure from doing these tasks. It may sound odd, but I happen to like washing dishes. There is just something about a rack full of clean dishes and a nice, empty sink that gives me a great feeling of satisfaction. It is also a task that doesn't require a lot of thought. My job requires the expenditure of a lot of mental energy and often doesn't have clearly defined short-term goals, so occasionally being able to do something that can be done a) relatively quickly and b) without having to think too much is nice. I guess, in a very roundabout way, I am trying to ask if the litany of maintenance chores on a narrowboat is not, in some ways, one of the pleasures of owning a narrowboat. It is a bit of a weird question, I suppose.

Stick some fake carbon fibre sheet to the corners where the canvas rubs. I used some on my campervan on the door steps and where the bike rack fits. Saves the paint.

Thanks! Great video. Allways remember: maintenance before love!

Always more work than there is time for on a boat.

after polishing your brass vents try coating them with spray on lacquer. This will mean that they need cleaning less often leaving more time for the odd G&T. Also be careful cleaning the outside of the boat. The do gooders may take you to task if you drip any elbow grease into the canal

The joy of a steel boat! Rust control at the first dry and sunny days of the year. Same here :-)

I thought for a moment that you were going to put the heat exchanger in contact with the hull as I assume the water stays fairly cool, and has excellent heat dissipation property, along with the hulking great steel hull. Did think it might be stepping out of your comfort zone but was excited. The holes to the bilge seem like a less dramatic, but much easier solution.

David ends a successful date night: 6:49 Also, your attention to detail is such a delight. Just such a sense of (vicarious) satisfaction.

Canal time .. love the concept just need to find a way to work that into an office routine!

Huzzah! My favorite vlog of late 2018/early 2019 returns! Looking forward to your continued adventures!

I appreciated your proper use of the English language. I am on a few forums where English is used and often not understood, at an adult level.

Well for the Clatch cover problem. clean and repaint that area then maybe glue a strip of rubber over that area, so it wears and not the paint. And for the dribbles down the side of your chimney, well let me think about that :) Nice too see your doing well, and keeping busy.

On the corners such as where your cover rubs could a small piece of copper/brass epoxy glued in place as a chaffing piece be the answer. Cheap to buy a small sheet very easy to cut with tin snips and shape. Then just give it a little brasso once a year, easier than repainting.

Might already have been mentioned but buy paint protector film for the areas where the cratch cover rubs (motorcyclists use it to protect petrol tanks/panels from clothing/boots)

A lot of litle jobs to do and the weather is getting better and better. I would say one job at the time and everything should be spiffy by summer. Greetings,, Kitty.

Thanks for reminding me of all the things I have to do 😋. As for the fridge, the holes will let some cool air up as the hot air rises. But many people, me included, have fitted 12V PC cooling fans into the vents, wired to the compressor the fan comes on when the compressor does and blows cool air up the back of the fridge. Even more efficient and as the fan uses only about 0.2 amps there’s an actual power saving. It’s not difficult at all, (I managed it). Get yourself on the 12 volt boaters group on Facebook and do a search, there’s all the information on how to do it there. With windows, I’m using acrylic sheets, opaque or black as needed, fitted inside the frames and fixed with a sort of latch and wedge system I made and resting against some foam draft excluder to prevent a cold bridge. The difference is amazing compared to before. Zero condensation even on the coldest nights and I don’t have a solid fuel stove to help suck out the humidity. I learned so much from you when I bought my boat a few months after you bought yours, so I hope this helps in return. Still loving the vlogs.

Thanks David..wish the weather here in Montreal was as lovely

I have the same problem with my chimney! Your vlog highlights issues that I also need to attend to. At least there’s been some interesting suggestions made in the comments. Cheers.

Great vlog as per usual. To stop the cratch damaging paint, why not try a small piece of stainless steel bent into shape to cover the area. A bit of sealer and a couple of screws and hey Presto..

I used to have a large problem with the air circulation behind the refrigerator on my sailboat. Providing an air source to the cooler bilge is an excellent fix. Just make sure that you allow an adequate escape point for the warmed air after it passes over the condenser. I also added a cheap, surplus ex-computer, muffin fan to force air movement in the enclosure. Clean the fins of the condenser at least once a year. Lots "fuzz and dust bunnies" will accumulate just from particulates in the air. (Especially with coal heating.)

For environmental friendly cleaner I've mentioned before simple green . Ive used that for everything from my blige, and my decks of my 23' Grady White Gulfstream. It's also good for laundry. On the stove pipe try that and or now jell tooth paste and a cloth rag . Also on your brass works. When I was deputy sheriff we used it on our badges and other things metal . Just remember to flush the with plenty of water with the simple green . On the fridge it's recommended that you have a good gap so the heat can vent . A vent on top would help tremendously and not just small round one . A full length vent of the fridge . And approximately 2" wide over the back side of were the fridge and the wall are . Your fridge will work a lot better and last longer.

'Love the boat; Love the work!'

as always, thanks for sharing! you've built a campervan. i bet those repairs will be better than some professional work I've came across with.

Get Bar keepers friend spray for the tar stains, worked a treat on our boat

David! I remember seeing you on TV a few years ago. I’ve only recently found your channel but I enjoy every one of your videos. Regarding stuff rubbing away paint, I’d suggest searching on amazon for helicopter tape. Rip it off and replace when it gets tatty - saves time sanding back rust and painting. And more time chilling with a cuppa 👍🏽

Some clear vinyl under the cratch cover will save you that headache. The best stuff is sold as a protective bra for cars and you can find it on Amazon or at a local shop that does installations on cars. They always have scraps on hand they'll trade for a cup of coffee etc. We use it on new boats where the canvas meets the deck and even in the hot, harsh salt and sun it lasts 3-5 min years before it shows sings of yellowing or wear.

Great vid. For your paint work G3 cutting compound and then any good polish. For the really stubborn bits G3- T cut colour restorer then polish.

Cheers David.. get stuck in while the weather is good..

After polishing the brass you could coat the vents with two coats of clear lacquer,that will prevent moisture from contacting the metal .

excellent video. lots of little tasks, but no huge ones, thankfully.

I don’t know if it’s available in the UK but in the states we have the Magic Eraser, a sponge type thing that will get rid of all the marks and not damage the paint. Also if you can get your hands on the Rhino lining coating the rub rails would be protected. It comes in a lot of colors. After you get the windows sorted a light coat of wax will protect the wood from the moisture. Hope this helps.

We tried ‘bullet’ cleaning products on our boat and restored the paintwork really well. They’re well formulated and relatively effortless to use.

This is a calming treat, thank you'

Tisk,Tisk, sailor. Maintain your vessel as a beautiful lady, with constant and tenderly love and care. She does the same for you by keeping you afloat and warm and cozy on those frigid nights. Don't put off mid-shippmens duties, Captain. She's a lovely ship,sir. I jest...slightly . Thanks for the video, hope you enjoy that fine weather, sir!

Well done David thaks best regards from Portugal

nice to see some dry ground and sun, we still have 3 feet of snow on the ground here. great maintenance video

Great video thanks for sharing 👍🏻

Ahoi David, es wartet viel Arbeit auf Dich. Aber bei schönem Wetter macht das Spaß. Gruß Leo

Hi David. I had a wooden speedboat for many years and found that when re-varnishing I got better penetration if I thinned the first coat with 30% mineral turps . This seals the end grain of the timber and limits the staining. Good luck with it . Peter from OZ

You might try exchanging your stove for (or converting it to) a reburning stove. These stoves cycle the smoke through the burn chamber twice, thereby reducing the deposits (and the atmospheric impact, too). They also run on wood, so rather cheaper I imagine.

Could you do a video on how to tie the boat when mooring, how to drive the boat and how to take it through a lock? As a novice who wants to own a narrow boat, it’d be incredibly helpful!

David, this is definitely off topic. Can you recommend a book about the history of the canals in the UK? It’s an amazing system that provides many benefits but at what must be considerable cost. Someone had the amazing forethought in the system’s creation but clearly things have changed over the decades. Thank you in advance for your suggestions, and best wishes for a delightful cruising season once you’ve conquered the rusty bits and “mystery” stains. Cheers from Philadelphia.

I've watched a few of your videos, but didn't realize I wasn't subscribed ... remedied.

I noticed the bolts holding the chimney base on seemed to be rusting. You may want to replace them while you still can. Once the bolts rust you will need a hacksaw to get them off.

I only have one thing to say...GET TO WORK!!! Enjoy the day David.

I have a suggestion for a better way to deal with the rust spots. You said Sand, Treat, Prime, and Paint, but you should try Sand, Treat, Prime, _Gin & Tonic_ , and Paint

I think the rust you can see is better than the rust you don't see and covering the area with rubber might cause it to sweat and cause more damage. The marks on the paintwork is where the paint has oxidised and a good polish should remove the marks . Peter from OZ

Good idea about drilling holes into the bilge behind the fridge, I look forward to an update to see if it works or not, even if not it airs the bilge a bit.

My friend winter is not over and that sting in the tail! Cheers

...was admiring the Narrow Waters this morning and thought of you...but I think she sold. Cheers David!

You could use 3m helicopter tape to stop paint rub where the cover meets the boat, it's available in Matt or gloss so maybe it would work to cover areas where the grime forms on paint making it easier to clean away

The other day I was watching "A Fish Called Wanda" and there are some scenes with narrow boats in the background here and there. I was tickled pink to see them. :-)

And I also meant to say that I love the Clangers on your fridge. That takes me back to being a kid. Blue string pudding anyone? Oliver Postgate was a truly amazing man when you see how he made all his films.

Another entertaining vlog - always enjoyable. Cheers !