244. More blacking / More Bethnal Green / More Decking

Seize the day! I have popped up to the boat to carry on blacking with only 48hrs to go until crane day. I smarten up the stern deck with some paint touch ups.

[@davidpinner4598]

The boat is looking stunning compared to the first episodes , you should be very proud of yourself with what you have achieved.

[@boblawrence5011]

The boat looks better due to a bit of paint and James has achieved a lot but a lot of it is ‘make do and mend’. I don’t have a narrow boat, I would love to start with a blank canvas and fit one out. What I do though is look at quite a few videos and see what others do, plus I am a practical type of person and can see problems.

[@flippingwoodforcash9130]

I have loved watching James and winging it boating on a budget

[@flippingwoodforcash9130]

I did watch olie as well

[@sarahobes2758]

The gloves Carol sent put me in mind of all creatures great and small, always good to have multi purpose gloves onboard. Boat’s looking great, James, well done.

[@carolbennett8508]

James , Sloe P is looking at her best ,I hope that you can now appreciate all the hours you've spent travelling up and down the M1.. Buying and using numerous paint brushes, litres of bitumen and paint ,power tools, hand tools and making trips to the various DIY outlets and Chandlery units . The end result is that your new home will be lifted , by crane , again, onto the canal for you to prepare for your move down south , I am sure you will miss all your friends at the wharf..All this has been achieved ,so far , in less than a year. Congratulations , for such a superb story , and for allowing us all to join you on the fascinating journey. Thank you , here's to the future !!!.

[@tomf4547]

Bloody good looking boat, lots of character

[@philhonour450]

Hi James Your comment on the engineer climbing underneath 😂😂😂😂😂😂 You’ll be lucky. If they would clamber in there’s no room to move, a lot of swearing and will end up with him/her packing up tools and jumping in the van and disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

[@billyslide7645]

Remember, in the hopefully unnecessary event you have to jump ship, it is Guitars, Women, and Children first ;)

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

Thanks for reminding me of the order - that would have been embarrassing to get that wrong

[@boblawrence5011]

James, you may have already looked at videos to get some ideas when fitting out your boat but just thought you may be interested in this one. It’s by a couple calling themselves ‘Narrowboat Chef’ and the video is titled ‘Taking the engine out of our narrowboat for repairs’. It shows the stern deck, which is steel plated, and the size of opening needed to remove the engine. Have you serviced your engine before fitting the decking? Servicing engines is something you will need to do on a regular basis so you must have good access. Anyway, you know this already.

[@daveoliver3028]

Looking great James you should be proud 👍

[@foghornleghornish]

Well done James. Didn't you know you're not allowed free thought. Remember, Sir Allec Issigonis, designer of the original Mini in 1959, famously said, “a camel is a horse designed by committee.” Sloe Patrol nearly fell into that trap. As to finding a big knob.....one from a Mini? There's a KZbin channel about big knobs - 8" and 12" (gear shift knobs). Amazon have a rather sleek "Samurai Sword Shift Knob". Whoops, more committee speak. Have fun, enjoy your boat, it's been a blast.

[@stevehoare6378]

Looking good..🍷🍷

[@TheDaf95xf]

Morning James Mr cool guy. More blacking and you won’t fit in a lock was very funny from John 🤣 Every episode now there’s a significant change on the Sloe Patrol 👍🏻 Lift off day is coming woohoo 🙌 Try and black the rest of its bottom on the trolley 😆 Take care cheers Stevie 😎

[@karlgamble9318]

I'll be passing tomorrow , delivering to market harborough, if the cranes there I'll give up a pip. 👍

[@suecox2308]

Do they still make fancy wooden knobs for sports car gear shifts? Might one work for your knob-deprived gear lever? Deck's looking great--makes a huge difference, eh? The pneumatic lifts are a great idea and I'm thinking eliminating the gaps in the decking will also make the engine bay more impervious to rainfall. Roll on crane day!

[@markwall5742]

James, I have just discovered your channel. It is great. I noticed your cast iron galley sink. In the USA we have trades people who repair the chips and respray the sink with a high gloss epoxy. The sink looks new with this repair. Good luck with Sloe Patrol.

[@flippingwoodforcash9130]

Glad you did that paint in the decking area I was going to comment on the last video about it

[@presspound7358]

Another coat of blacking and you won’t get through the locks 😂😂😂 Good one. Somewhat relieved by your explanations concerning the stern deck. Now that this issue has been put to rest … on with the next chapter. 👍😉

[@dreamstealer9089]

The blacking on the bottom plate is going to scratch off pretty quick so I wouldn’t worry too much.

[@LeslieMatheson]

Looking good man!

[@beasmith1]

Those pond gloves are brilliant. I am really squeemish so putting my hands down in that weed hatch without gloves would be a definite no no!

[@letsbefrank6269]

I’m surprised you can do all that painting without drinking more beer! Well done.

[@derekandpauline4553]

Hey James We were looking for North Kilworth Marina on Tuesday and found the wrong boatyard and stumbled upon Sloe Patrol by accident. She’s looking stunning. Looking forward to seeing it on the water very soon.

[@markjones4704]

amazing its a 1971 springer and anyone have any idea how much it would have been 50 years ago ? i remember and seen adverts for springers 40ft in mid eighties for 12k tug stlye and water bugs 3k must have been less than 5k in 71 a terraced house was 3k in 71 in hereford

[@jamesedge8027]

Don't drill lots of screw holes into that nice composite decking mate use fixing clips much neater sets the expansion gap for you automatically and looks much neater, invisible fixing. You should be able to get them from wherever you got the board

[@mwolfer1]

Or put one by one strips on the underside of the boards to create an interference fit on the inside of the wooden beams. Much neater and much easier to remove in case you need to get to the engine quickly. Just sayin'!

[@markjones4704]

good luck with crane day tommorrow mucker !! will see u coming down the GU in next few weeks

[@PinkLittleElephant]

Still not convinced about the reach out of the weed hatch .... Was hoping for an outside shot of your hand emerging from the hole :-) ... and then I got paranoid about the weed hatch not being locked down enough ... Best leave it all alone for now. Also you want easy access to your stern gland greaser?

[@forresta65]

you are a fiend. lol

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

looking good keep up the good vid stay safe lee

[@christinegibbins6105]

James, please take care, me thinks you lack sleep and with all the driving, not good. Look after yourself.

[@thekitowl]

Didn’t see any red & white tunnel strips at the back.

[@glennpeters7384]

Hi james it's taking shape now mate. How many coats of blacking lol. Looking good. A total transformation. That list is getting smaller.

[@tinythrottle6186]

James , gear lever knob. Why not look at a wooden tiller handle you could bore it to fit and it would match the tiller?

[@sarkybugger5009]

Hey, mate. No need to tidy on my behalf. I'm used to living in a mess. You should see my desk / flat! ;oD Shall I bring my meters? I'm planning on leaving about 2. I gassed up this evening, and grabbed a few tinnies. Do you recommend M1 or M11/A14? All the best.

[@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt]

M1 is better although has works for 35miles M11 has no works but mostly only 2 lanes A14 lower standard of services and eateries See you later pal

[@markoevo]

Gas rams , the ones i used to use had a small allen bolt at the end of the fat bit , just let a bit out at time till its right , hold it up right so thats at the top , and away from face , if you go under the boat for blacking dont film it ,

[@lynneyjj]

Looking good but how do you access the engine ?

[@JohnSmith-dz3hl]

Hi james boat is looking good now mate . The gas struts you can get the type that you can adjust the pressure

[@J1mbo888]

[@boblawrence5011]

I think a section needs to be removed completely, James, engineers do not come in specific sizes. If an engineer can’t comfortably access the engine he/she my not be prepared to do the job. I think ‘it’ll be fine’ attitude won’t always work. Even if a hydraulic strut works the lid will still be at about 45 degrees. When people leave comments regarding their concerns it’s for your benefit, not a good idea to mock them.

[@maxnmilly]

with regard to gaps you could use expansion strips in what ever colour you want and they stick to the edging and are waterproof.

[@philhonour450]

Hi James You said you need a good knob, speak to Silver Fox they’ll put you you in the right direction

[@difrosi4865]

Morning James, making a cracking job of the decking, the boat is looking very smart. Wondering how the engine will be able to breathe though? It is air cooled, ain't it? Sounds like it's a bit smothered at the moment! Good luck for crane day. Mike

[@mattsandilands6380]

Yes it is air cooled, fresh air is down in via a vent on the side of the boat. You can see part of it in the last vlog when James is lying down on the deck at his feet.

[@gillgregory6327]

How are you going to access the engine for the daily checks? Oil, radiator, fan belts

[@gillgregory6327]

@Heartsongsutube yes, I don’t think he’s really got an idea of what’s needed to live on a boat. Next thing there’ll be a crowdfund for a new engine!!! 🤣

[@oDazzler007o]

Decking looks fantastic will it not expand and contract with different temps over the seasons, even if you give it a 2mm gap better to be on the safe side.

[@MrSenglish12]

There not pond gloves there for pulling calfs out of cows love it haha

[@rickdworsky6457]

You could mount an automatic fire extinguisher inside the engine compartment for some additional peace of mind, at least for those who seem to be so worried about you. How many boats have that feature?

[@forresta65]

Hi James, The deck looks beautiful. it worked out awesome. Just a quick thought. Done a lot of composite decking. the gap is for heat expansion from the sun. 5 mil is kind of alot but maybe 3 mill just to avoid any buckling. the deck area isn't that big so the combined expansion won't be that much.

[@boblawrence5011]

James really does not want ANY gaps in the decking.

[@claire4486]

Thought it was heat that makes things expand in summer as the molecules get all excited and they shrink in winter. Concrete, Metal ,Wood pretty much everything expands and shrinks with temperature. Unless your deck boards defy physics. If you have small gap around sides will compensate for it though doubt you'll need one between every board. Plus your boat will be expanding and shrinking with it although different amounts. By November little gaps will probably appear as you have fitted them in summer. But they'll still look good and serve their purpose so who cares.

[@theotherstevesteve]

Crikey James a 1000N is quite a bit. If my maths is right i reckon you would have to have it about 6 inches from the hinge to balance a hatch of 2 foot by 5 foot. I think y"d need a bit of angle iron across the boards at the mounting to spread the load ( and attach the boards together.) Edited to add: is that 1000N in total or do you have 2 of them at 1000N each?

[@stevefridley4120]

I wish you success in getting your hands on a good knob, but I’m afraid I can’t help.

[@gillywild]

What the hell is 3mm cable? That's not a standard size. 1, 1.5, 2.5, 4 (mm2) has he measured it and found it to be 3mm diameter? Or is it chinesium and it's an awg size?

[@flippingwoodforcash9130]

Show me a knob and I can copy it and 3D printer it for you

[@searlasmacmaongail9418]

You must be surviving on 3hrs sleep a night

[@pocketchange1951]

👍👌🇨🇦❤

[@davidallen1418]

Who ever designed that boat with the stairs out side the cabin was a bit stupid to say the lest.