238. Measuring up Narrowboat for the Signwriter | Font style revealed

It’s the Bank Holiday and I have the kids - so it’s a quick trip to the boat for some last minute measuring up for the Signwriter so he can plan the design.

[@SilliArt]

I’m really looking forward to seeing the traditional signwriter do their work, nice to see a bit of hand painting in full flow.👍

[@stingly142]

Hi James - I've just finished binge-watching all 238 episodes (over the course of a few days)! Really amazing work you've done - so glad that things are getting back on track after the hole debacle. Looking forward to seeing the next crane day!

[@johnneal7832]

So glad you had a lovely day with those reprobates Carol, all the best 🥂🥂

[@aj_bovangles_adventures4430]

I love how you really think things out and show us your ideas ... its great to see such happy kids playing and exploring 💕

[@sharonprinz5745]

Bless you Carol, hang in there doing so well. James sure found a wonderful friend. I'm sure the sign will be wonderful

[@mungmungie]

It was fun seeing the tile work and the old Underground lettering. I paint small historic style street signs on frames canvases, mostly the names of streets that were re-named around my neighbouhood ( a small town that was engulfed by the city around it). I even got commissioned to do a London street sign, whih was a challenge because I needed to know which era, which style, etc. The same person wanted a "Way Out" sign with the green tiles.

[@christinegibbins6105]

Thanks for the update James. Hello Carol, hope you'r doing well. The memory of that vlog will stay with me. Take care both of you.

[@expertssay3869]

John is a legend babysitter. That's the kind of childcare I could have only dreamt of as a kid. He gets 1/10

[@stevearchtoe7039]

Your kids are beautiful sir! Be proud!

[@simondalton1298]

James. You are a fountain of knowledge. Your children are great. Great vlog

[@mranthonye]

Your children are lovely James. Also love the font you’ve chosen. It was so nice to see Carol, let’s see more please. I bet she had a lovely time, so let’s do it again❤️

[@stevearchtoe7039]

Well it was great to see Carol after all of the talk and the gifts during the early episodes. And a great trip out in the canal to boot! Much love from Wisconsin, Carol!

[@Harry-edge]

Is Steve A , guilty? I see your from that area

[@sa9861]

Haha 😂 John snoozing cracked me up. I see he’s been fired 😂

[@keithweybury5212]

She will be part of a little history of transport in the UK

[@gareysherrod3886]

Greetings, I think my vote would be as you suggested. Yes, brilliant time you and John give Carol touched the heart. The history behind the font you’ve chosen is 😊 great. Cheers TTFN 👋🏾

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Cheers Garey

[@catherineatkins7908]

James, I am going to assume that sloe berries grow on bushes so what about a wood knob for your lever? I had one on my shifter made out of apple wood from a tree we cut down in our backyard and I loved it!! The wood meant it never felt cold and had a good feel to your hand. Plus it’s free...just pick up a piece from somewhere cut it and shape it.

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Nice idea - like it 👍🏼

[@kws2520]

Guitar neck gear lever. Neck, tuning pegs, head and all. Unique as the boat is. Cheers!

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Oooh - that’s a good idea

[@kws2520]

@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt Well within your wheel house James.

[@Chappers.Gaming]

If I ever need to do work to a narrow boat I'm going to go to this boat Yard

[@tonywilson6032]

James before you get the sign writer to start get a scale drawing of all the sides with all the openings, including hatch’s open and closed so he can advise you . Photos will also help after all he is a professional. Best of luck

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Cheers Tony - it’s only those sections being sign written anyway - so all done now

[@TairnKA]

For door security, in a comment made some time ago I suggested a business van security lock (including vertical latches). Just a thought ;-)

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Yes I’ve looked at them - a tad ugly aren’t they !!

[@HorshamSteve]

Love the 1970s childcare techniques

[@suecox2308]

John's Child Care Services provides those charming little extras, unsupervised access to unshielded fire, random ropes, throwing stones, unfenced canal--all the mod cons. Also, Sloe Patrol's signage is going to look amazing.

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

He’s been sacked !! Thanks

[@suecox2308]

@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt Harsh. It all looked like a lot of fun!

[@carolbennett8508]

Hi James , I have thought about something different for you gear changer , so having driven many cars , may I suggest you look for a Rolls Royce gear knob. Appropriate for Sloe P , with the love and care you have given in rebuilding her ,she could be the RR of the GU. Reputable , upmarket scrap dealers often have the older style wooden knobs in stock. Good luck, bugger the cost !! she will be worth it. C x

[@J1mbo888]

Top "History Lesson" Young James :-)

[@chazzyb8660]

Great stuff, superb parenting mate! Peck of dirt and all that. Nice London Transport / canal boat combo, look forward to seeing the results. A nice big sloe (berry) would make a good knob? The new decking material sounds good.

[@carolinebutcher8160]

It's your sign writer Darren Williams? He did our boat.....fantastic job and a really nice guy.

[@clivew9207]

Another great vlog James, but no mention of finishing the blacking though !

[@spencehh]

How about an Espagnolette locking door bolt? Good to see Berko on the video

[@paullapper8702]

You guys would get along

[@boblawrence5011]

James, I think the height of the letters depends somewhat on the length of the name. There will be a set height for letters, I think. To get a name in, the letters could be either thin of fat. Maybe not a good idea to post the kids playing near the fire pit.

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Yes it all depends on the letters - apparently my letters must be 4.6” height !!

[@pauliethetree8129]

How about a Jaguar gear change knob, the subtle irony of associating a 4 MPH vehicle with Jaguar.

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

I reckon most Jags built in the 70’s now only go 4mph if they start at all !!

[@MsVanorak]

what about a beer pump handle for the gear shift?

[@garym518]

Re the door locks have you looked at surface mounted rim or mortice locks on the inside

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

I’m looking at exactly that now !

[@fredfish8918]

Couldn't you feed the solar power wire through the same hole the antenna comes thorough?

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Not really - same issue of moving through the ceiling to hide away

[@fredfish8918]

@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt try running it through the floor then. You have a nice hole on one side for you to reach the wire from.

[@garychamley3095]

James how did the boat survey go. 😕

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Really well thanks

[@garychamley3095]

Okay good job, can you finish the other 2 mushroom vents and show us final shining install, that would be mint, cheers.

[@MsVanorak]

mechanical keypad combination lock?

[@brianhood3433]

John from the Uncle buck school of child care

[@penneynoss9552]

Just thinking James the side with the hatch. You might need to remeasure with the door closed. I'm going to try to explain what I mean. But it's late and I'm tried🤦. When the door is closed it won't be centered. So you need to measure at least the door width from the back side. Sorry if this makes no sense.

[@tonywilson6032]

I am surprised that that there is not a technical drawing in existence. It is imperative that the sign writer has all available info.

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Right - that’s a v good point. Both sides will differ anyway so it doesn’t make too much difference as they won’t be centred in the sections anyway - they’ll be a bit backwards of that point

[@CarolWalters1955]

I have finally watched all of your vlogs, I must say I have enjoyed them. Hope we get to see some of your travels when you are cruising onboard the waterways. Keep up the good work

[@SinKouryuu]

How about Using the Same hole you are using for the Internet for the Solar power leads

[@HorshamSteve]

Signwriting comment…. Don’t forget your prom hood cover…. That will take some space on the rear sides…

[@HorshamSteve]

Aaah, I wrote that too soon, and exactly as I pressed send, you mentioned the pram hood. Sorry, too eager to help 🤪

[@beepstar899]

The word "GAS" keeps floating around my head but you seem to be steadfastly refusing to mention it.

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Spoke to the gas man today actually

[@beepstar899]

@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt I guessed you had it in hand but as you never mention it I was wondering, given crane day approacheth, what your plans were for hot water :)

[@musictube250]

In the same video you told everyone exactly where you will be morning and how superficial your door lock will be…… you might not want share that.

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

My door lock will not be superficial - that’s the point - that’s why I need a decent lock.

[@Harry-edge]

I dont think I could work out where he would be from watching the video

[@musictube250]

@@Harry-edge maybe actually watch the video and see the bit where he tells us EXACTLY where he will be morning!

[@petebest3729]

Hi James, now that you have chosen which font you are going to have, I can't wait to see the finished article, it is going to look awesome. Until the next vlog stay safe

[@GINGERBOYxxx]

Hi James , first of all I love your videos. It’s helping me massively with my narrowboat that I am doing up from scrap. I was reading some of the documents I found after I bought the boat, and in plain .. it’s not good news. I’ve found out that the boat needs a lot of replating and it is really ruining me atm. I’m 21 years old and don’t have a clue how much it is going to cost. The boat is booked in half way through October for reblacking of which I’m going to get a survey done at the same time for peace of mind / know hands on what’s wrong. I’m just wondering how much the replating of the baseplate on your boat cost. If this is to personal to let me know I understand, I just thought I would ask because it’s making me really paranoid as I’m broke as anything at the minute 👎 cheers Kane.

[@jayb3931]

Instead of a skull perhaps you could have something musical... a guitar maybe?

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Yes a guitar neck would work - or a mic

[@kws2520]

@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt Me thinks a guitar neck would stand out as your cruising down the cut!

[@denistiplady829]

Hi James :-) - the boat is coming along a really good to see all your hard work is paying off :-) James, I have a couple of questions: Now and again you mention 'The Kids', but nothing about the mother! And Carol. Nice to see you arranged a lovely day for her and it's obvious she enjoyed the day. But from that, and as you don't call her, 'My wife', I am assuming from that, that she is not the mother of your children. So, while you are not with 'The Kids', then WHO is looking after them???

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

You’ve confused me. When the kids aren’t with me - they are with their mum.

[@garychamley3095]

I think he's confused himself. 😂

[@DoItWithPaulie]

lol

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Ta

[@paullapper8702]

Get a hold of del

[@ianlindsay8557]

I can sort you out with a 8 ball mate.16:24 and our boat arrives in 3 hours time .

[@ianlindsay8557]

Boat didn't arrive yesterday mate ,coming this morning 1/9/21.

[@sarkybugger5009]

Comic Sans. That is all. ;o)

[@garychamley3095]

Wing dings would be different. 😂

[@denistiplady829]

And . . . these 'appointments' in London. What exactly do you do for a living James? :-)

[@garychamley3095]

If he told you, he'd have to kill you. Chuck Norris wouldn't ask him that question. 😯

[@paullapper8702]

Boat dog traveller

[@paullapper8702]

You should get him to paint it properly as well

[@denistiplady829]

What doesn't seem to add-up James is that you have mentioned Carol several times, visits to see her etc and driving all those miles . . . . but absolutely no mention whatsoever of your wife! So, I take it your wife does know about all this time you are spending with Carol and the constant gifts she keeps sending you as well???

[@garychamley3095]

I'm confused that you're confused, and seem to be trying to confuse all of us with your confusing questions. 😕

[@stuartlennox66]

I watch your channel with interest to see your progress but what really upset me with watching this episode was your total lack of being a parent with the kids, your comments about them leave a lot to be desired and you cant blame John for falling asleep because they were your responsibility for the day and not his, I know your busy and need to get things done but as far as im concerned little humans come first. (Rant over)

[@reneemaas7763]

Don't listen to that person it's not like you were dealing with toddlres.

[@jayb3931]

I think John was probably pretending to be asleep. James does not strike me as the sort of person to leave his kids alone by the water and a fire, and we have all seen how caring and compassionate they both are.

[@daviddavid6947]

Are you serious ?? Grow up

[@daviddavid6947]

Are you serious ?? Grow up

[@talex1625]

I don't think you get the humour on this channel.