Hi Don , I'm here , and still a willing hand

Not sure about the possibility of moving her forward though , if it can be done without ripping her apart , then yes it would be better to be out of the mud , but will the hull take the pressure ?

Cheers

Dave

Hi Andy

That is certainly worth a thought , but if we can shift a load of the mud from the bilges , without damaging the wood , she could be floated higher up the bank on the next springs , which I believe is early September . After clearing as much mud as possible , make good any leaks , then cradle float into a barge for moving .

Cheers

Dave

Hi Don , sorry to hear it's not going too well , have you moved forward at all on moving her first . If she can be moved to a land based location , I can work on the place . But only if there is a way of moving her

Cheers

Dave

Anyone know what happened to HSL142?

 Did anyone get round to saving her or has she been broken?

 jim

Hi All,

Well as I said in the beginning, my offer was to try to help get her out of the mud into somewhere dry for someone to restore her in the future. I thought the ASR group or Duxford museum might want her.  No volunteers (other than Dave) to do anything and no one wants to take her, strore her or restore her.

It's a real shame really but I cannot do it on my own. I'll donate £200 to the move to anyone who can take her and save her.

Hi Don

I'm willing to equal your offer but I can't help thinking that without more offers of help this winter is going to be the end of her . If anyone out there can come up with some credible ideas on moving her I can store her here free , and with electricity and water available .

Cheers

Dave

Hi Alex

Thanks for the interest , as you're quite close to her do you think you could take a trip and see how she's doing , there's no point pushing further if she's already wrecked

Cheers

Dave

I'll ante in £200 too if a plan is formulated for a move but I can't help with the work as I'm out of the country. Has anyone checked whether HSL 124's barge complete with bearers for a whaleback is still around? Maybe still at Tagg's Island?

Hi Christian

I'll make some enquiries in another boaty forum and see if anyone knows if it's still there

Cheers

Dave

If you cant get the barge, have you considered adding flotation inside to move her to a slip where you can get travel lift slings under  her?

From the photo, it looks like the keel and bottom might be rotted to the point that being drug and put on a hard cradle might cause damage.  Soft mud is your friend right now.

you can more easily reinforce the deck and upper hulls.  If you filled the boat with empty water bottles, 2 liter softdrink bottles, fenders, norwegian buoys, etc. and reinforced the top, it would float at high tide and doesnt have to be waterproof.  Flotation in the form of sealed empty plastic bottles wont leak through, like air would.

Also, lets you lift it in place without dragging it, etc.  Could probably round up a few thousand empty plastic jugs fairly easily I would  think.  Rent them from local re-cycle center, or enlist their help.

just a thought.  I have salvaged a few things from time to time.

Hi C

Glad you got the link

Cheers

Dave

 Hi all,

 Anyone got any ideas how much storage would be either at peter clarkes or somewhere close?

 I would be willing to restore her but i need some logistics before i raise anybodys hopes.

 I agree with Canibul that internal floatation would be the kindest thing to do as she could be braced with cheap timber and a hole knocked in every 6ft or so in the bottom to allow mud to wash out when free of mud (prob enough holes anyway), may also reduce suction from mud as a direct lift might tear her apart or twist her even more.

 I heard there was a complete bottom for one somewhere from one that was destroyed by fire. Anyone know more? could be very useful and could dismantle in situ for timbers.

 If someone could pm me the address & phone number of peter clarks i can get down in the week and make a more imformed decision.

 Has anyone got a schematic for a whaleback they could email me?

 Sotheby's brokerage has a floating dry dock for offers around £5k but its 8ft short:-(

 Will email lottery ect tonight to see if funds are available to get her out and help with storage + materials.

 Forgot to ask.

 if she can be got out the mud in one piece. Whats a slip or a crane(with loads of internal bracing) cost round there?

 Its only cranes by me & £130, guessing about £200ish round there which is no probs.

 Hey again,

 Bet your sick of me ny now;-)

 Sent off registration to the historic ships register as this may help secure funding, pls fill in gaps my sketchy memory ommited.

 Also applied for lottery grant to save her but by what they said about processing times it would only help if she was safe when the money came, up to 9mths & winter here.

 If i cant get ownership i'll chuck in my 200 to anyone who can and spend a few days digging her out ect.

 Working on poss storage. That offer still stand Dave? Rather store her with enthusiasts than m8's as it always speeds things up.

 Want to try & get down this week as, for the great quality of Dons pics its not the same as being there and giving it the old hairy eyeball to find the best way of saving her.

 Prob right that if she somehow survives this winter she wont survive the next.

 Time to act amigo's

Look at the pic of her from the port bow!

 Anyone who doesnt see a beautiful boat under the algae & sea critters probably has no soul. classic coke bottle lines and a work of art. Heard rumour 67 camaro was based on whaleback deck but rumours cant be proven. makes you think tho!

 My photoshop playing up so cant import pic but im sure if your reading this then you know what i mean

 One of the last 'spitfires of the sea' Who's with me for saving this one?

Don

I think we need to make sure everyone has a true perspective on this so can you repeat your post from the survey , to all others , yes I do have space on dry land where she can be stored while funds and manpower are found , and yes I do have a barn where there is power and light so if we can get her moved here there will not be any charges for storage and when work starts she can be moved inside so we can all be dry . But please make sure we all know how much work is involved . Ownership needs to be dealt with so good idea there . If it can be transferred to somebody elses name , why not make it joint names of all those involved . 

Hi  All,

The survey is below. THe surveyor is right about the hull timber. They decks and frames seemed good though. Keel and chine seemed 'sound'.  Would need a cradle to lift.  Might be better to have her hull 'made good' and  epoxy sheathed.   I know some might hate that idea but whatever saves her.

Re Ownership:  I sent 2 letters to the owner  but no reply.  I've been told that all Clarkes would have to do is advertise in local paper and send a letter to owner and they are entitled to sell her in lieu of moorings.

I do think that getting Clarkes to move her might be worth considering - if they were willing. Get them to build a cradle for her and get her ready to float.   I've got a 3" pump that I'd be happy to lend to any enterprise.

Regards

Don

Suyvey:

With all this mud around it was difficult to get at bottom or chine timbers – too much mud (at least 100 mm deep in the bilges), too slippy and nothing to hold onto. However, the timbers above the mud that I could get to were hard and did not easily take my spike, so I don’t think there’s too much in the way of rot. The metal stringer clamps (see photos) are sound too and all would be salvageable, I think.
 

Hull planking was shot with many holes apparent and with the oiled canvas interlayer exposed in a number of places where the inner layer has fallen away. So you would not be replacing just a few double diagonals – you would need to replace the lot.

Deck was pretty much the same – double diagonals covered in Cascover (a type of fibreglass sheathing). It would all need replacing, along with the superstructure hatches and coamings.

The bulkheads would need replacing, there’s no strength left in them.

Hello All,

Just been reading all the above, all very sound advice if I may say so, the key as discussed is legal ownership, the method described of contacting last owner by Registered letter I believe, then advertising in local press, should cover the yard to sieze her in luie of berthing fees, something my company dose from time to time, then vessel can be sold for the fees owing, any excess to the former owner. However, from experience of MQ, we bought from the reciever and owner had a chance to return upto seven years later and claim her, however they would have to pay for any works done to her, this has not happend of course and we are now well clear. Not sure if this would apply if taken by a boatyard and sold by them for debt. Clearly, I am in the "little knowledge and danger catergorary" we had a tame solicitor who was very good, to the point, do be carefull and can make very sure of the legal side of things, I have spoken before about the state of this vessel, and GG for example, so long as you are aware of this, it may be, should I say, will be one hell of a job but... see posts with Medusa, and of Asco etc, it can be done but a tremendous effort and struggle.

John  

Hi John,

Fair point. A mate of mine is a QC. I'll ask but I imagine this maritime law is quite specialised.

Re the owner. I repost my earlier message about previopus owner.  The Manager of Clarkes boatyard reckonbed this is the chap.  I sent a letter to him but no reply.   I can resend as a registered letter.

 Anyone within door knocking range of  Burnham-On-Crouch or got a local phone book?

Regards, Don

I believe the owner is  a Mr L (Lewis) Crump of 43 Chapel Road Burnham-On-Crouch Essex CM0 8JD.  

Does anyone have a local phonebook who could find me the number? 

It may be ex-directory of course...  Mind you, they've just applied for a Single Storey Rear Extension in May 2006 so they must still live there.   Amazing what you can find on the internet.....

If a number cannot be found, I'll try writing a letter (if I can remember how).

If anyone else would like to help in any way, please feel free to join in...


 

Hi Don,

Well, you certainly seem have things under control, the QC could be helpfull, if he dose not know, may be he knows a man who dose. I can't help with the phone book etc although closer than most I guess, sorry about that, 

John

 Hi all!

 The internet has furnished me with peter clarkes number which is the first stage so good news there. on the bad side unusually busy for this time of year & been trying to get a mk1 eyeball for last 3wks let alone time to get her out of mud.

 If i can get ownership however there is a plan for that. Its a home designed cradle floatation much like they used on the mary rose but not nearly as exspenive to build or operate. built from beer barrels, a single phase compressor & generator & basic plumbing fittings + a lot of box section. If anyone can get her saved sooner than i can i'll gladly send them the design. oil drums have more lift but not as robust, see how it goes.

 Just a thought there which has better chance of success then another winter in the mud. gratefull for other ideas tho

Hello m8. did you get my reply to your pm?Your in box is bouncing now.

  Id be intrested in where you plan to get your box section steel as the design I have for the 1262 is coming in at 3400 pounds just for the steel.

Hello all.

In a former life was a solicitor. Happy to help with the paperwork etc but too far away to get hands dirty.(Shame I hear you cry)

Suggest, in first instance a Company limited by G'tee to get the ownership point sorted and then convert to reg charity for lottery funding etc later.

Let me know if you think I can help.

Hello,

Just wanted to welcome Sentley to the forum, some excellent points raised imparticular re forming limited company and thence a charity for ownership of these vessels, noted also ideas for the excellent craft ex Gibralta elsewhere, speaking personally, well, the MASB would take my fancy, no disrespect to the others but not sure if anything else like it is here in UK. As with Sentley, not a hope of doing anything as an individual, less now with the milllstone of a property purchase coming up!, but...if "someone" was to put up a plan, I would be interested in hearing about it. However, I can hear some say, there are vessels here now that could do with support, with which I could not but agree, and I am remotely involved with some of them, what a pity as I have said before, we have to scrabble around to save our maritime heritage, would it not be great to say have the centre at Poole home to these key vessels, including skills training for thier maintanance etc, one day perhaps..

John  

Hi All,

 I agree with all the above that it is too expensive for most of us to take on a big boat ( > 50') on our own.  It isn't only the purchase money but insurance, mooring fees, annual haul out, maintenance and fuel.

 I'd started the topic (under the Trust section of the forum) of a boat share scheme which I think could really work (and work well) and not cost an arm and a leg.  I've just bought my second Seaplane Tender to restore as it is the only size 'war' boat that I could conceivably do on my own.  She'll hopefully be in Newsons (Lowestoft) this summer.

 Most current boat share schemes allow you to have sole use of the boat for X number of weeks per annum. The scheme I proposed is one where everyone has shared ownership of a boat 52 weeks of the year. This way there should always be enough to crew and run her.

 Ships officers/crews could rotate and non owner members could join and help with maintenance and fuel in return for  trips.  The boat could be used for members to get their RYA tickets and practical instruction.

It would make the scheme very social as a large number of  'owners' could have fundraising events, dinners etc. It really could  be great fun and give most of us, for a few grand, a chance to own something truly wonderful and experience it with other like minded enthusiasts.

Take an average boat size of 65' with a purchase cost £40k  Allow £15k to get her back to the UK and say  £3k moorings + £5k insurance.   Total in the yard:  £63k. Some  anodes and antifoul and we're looking at say £65k.  This is of course before any work is done to get her as original as wanted.  That will depend on the boat of course.

So 100 shares at £1k gives a £100k budget to get her sorted. 

Add a maintenance Insurance, lifts,moorings, consumables  (not fuel) at  £20k and thats £200 per share, per annum.  You'd still need to put away funds for major work but it's doable.   

Getting 100 owners may not be realistic, more like 10. That's £10k to join and £2k per annum plus any major work.

When you add up the sums, you can see why it's  impractical for one person to take on such a project. I know the sums mentioned are not real but it does give any project a starting point.

The 'Charity' fundamentals must be agreed first of course: 

It's real aims, what the boat will be used for, where berthed, how running costs will be shared, how shares can be bought and sold etc, and an agreement on what happens if an owner defaults on maintenance payments or disagreements on boat uses etc. 

Any project would need a great deal of thought to setup but is really 'do-able'.

I don't mean for the numbers to apply a negative spin on any project. Quite the opposite,  I only offer them to add a sense of realism to what is truly an affair of the heart. 

Put the MASB in Newsons and count me in at 1%!!

Cheers

Don

Thanks for the welcom.

I have looked at the CIC and whilst it is a way of dealing with things if a charity wants a trading arm it will lose the charitable tax advantages if it is only set up as a CIC. Therefore to get started think it quickest to do Company limited by G'tee to protect everyone and then turn that into a reg Charity with a CIC for trading purposes once boat, moorings etc sorted.

Particularly gratefull for your "rule of thumb" costings to get the Gibralta MAS to Newsoms. I am more than happy to Chip in £1000 and form the Company to get the ball rolling.

That makes 2 of us committed. Any more out there? Only 98 to go. When we get to 50 we can meet and sort out how it will all work and then open a bank account!!

I think what comes from this is that there is more than one way of doing thimgs. None are wrong and not are always right. In the end it depends on the people involved and their view of what they want.

Anyway, at the moment it is academic as no boat and not yet enough takers.

True ..sometimes its just best to agree to disagree.Whatever route you decide to go down im intrested in helping once it gets off the ground.

 Hi folks,

 May not get chance to say it later as the christmas thing now has me in the grip of parties & last minute shopping but its all good fun.

 Everyone does an outstanding job of saving, trying to save or supporting each other in thier efforts to preserve these boats. Doubt there'd be any left at all if it wasnt for good folks like yourselves!!

 Which brings me to the point of this message...

 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everone!   Have a good one...jim

 Just a thought lads,

 How seriously have you taken the thought of a joint project?

 Don't think i can put in the funds for a full restoration of HSL145 off my own back but as a charitable trust it becomes a lot easier. With expertise from friends it would still be one hell of a challenge but definatly easier!

 Our war hero friends & veteran relatives are certainly getting thin on the ground but if we can preserve one boat the same way they have preserved HMS Victory then its certainly worth the fight!

 Look at it this way, my great uncle got torpedo'd by U boats twice & still went to sea. He's 85 now & gives me a run for my money in an arm wrestle!!!

 Hope i can keep up at that age

Afternoon All,

Assuming that weekends are best for people to meet and on the basis that all interested parties are on the east side of the Country and assming that all interested parties range from the say Newcastle to Colchester what about a meeting at say The Station Hotel Peterbrough on Sunday 4th February 2007 at say 1400.

Whilst it is good to talk don't we have to either put up or shut up!

Any takers or any other suggestions?

That sounds like a good idea, at least it will give people the opportunity to meet and bounce some ideas around. If more people are interested, and depending on their locations, possibly lifts could be arranged. I can be contacted by PM or e-mail: mailto:davidearle-payne@hotmail.com - davidearle-payne@hotmail.com

Regards,

Hello All,

Just been reading the above re a meeting, regret I am working that weekend, the joys of the leasure industry! but whish you all the best,  I think you have a number of people who know what they are doing in many fields including on hands on with these craft, and S R Wilson in the legal field proper,  We formned the Medway Queen Preservation Society from a small meeting, and with all the expertise that is around, new groups can avoid the many pitfalls. Have written about this before so won't go on, but the great idea and enthusiasim is what starts things, but then the practical comes in, balancing these things is what's key. All the best for now,

John

Morning all,

It is great to see such a positive response. I have booked a small meeting roon at the Great Northern Hotel Peterbrough from 1400 on the 4th February 2007.

Look forward to seeing you all there then. Please if you cant get let me know, ASAP I dont want a cancellation fee if I can avoid it and I sure dont want to travell from Sc**thorpe to spent the afternoon on my own!

Directions for the hotell, just off the A1 can be found at http://www.greatnorthernhotel.co.uk/about.htm - http://www.greatnorthernhotel.co.uk/about.htm  

My mobile number is 07929 904661. email is mailto:s.rwilson@btinternet.com - s.rwilson@btinternet.com

All boat idiots are welcome. I will post a rough agenda next week only to try and give the discussion some sort of focus.

Regards to all

Hi Guys,

Just seen post on the National Historic Ships web-site, they have announced grants available for ships on the historic register for attending conferences, training and helping to set up charitable trusts, full details on the site. You would need to get hold of a vessel on the register of course but... have not checked but was Lewina on it? or another such vessel, tend to have owners mostly but as I say if one was available, at last some help for historic ships from the new NHS/Historic ships unit. There are funds for planning work ex the Heritage Lottery Fund, but as I have said to other groups, if you are thinking of HLF funds, then I urge people to get a shift on, as I fear and has been reported in heritage press, it may all be sent to the olympics, and heritage and imparticular marine will just get left behind. Hope of interest,

John 

Hi Again,

Just been onto NHS sites, could have done before above post I guess!, any way Lewina is on the register....as I said, you guys are trying to do at the moment, I am just an arm chair type in relation to this project for the moment at least!

John

Isn't it a pity that "NHS" covers 2 diverse organisations! Seen the grant notes. Once all is up and running will have to sort out applications etc.

pehaps we should also apply to the other NHS for the cost of help for our mental condition, the only cure for which is a fully restored war boat. Think we will get that on prescription?

Hi Sentley,

Indeed, a bit unfortunate but anyway might be of use in future, item for discussion....replica Fairmile D if none to be found?

Regards

John 

Hi. John.

Will put it on the agenda as part of discussion as to what boat assuming we get that far.

Regards

Hi Sentley,

Thanks for the above, but of course it is just my personal "fantasy" at least for the moment, not saying its not doable but would take quite a whack of time, thought, energy and not least cash! we do have replica sail trainers  ST Tenacius?, not double diagonal but laminate wood construction. I am really just throwing the idea about to see what MIGHT turn up, acorns etc. I see some guys are looking via satellite if any survive abroad, possible I suppose, at least something to work on but...how to get it back! but would be an interesting problem I to have. Anyway, perhaps I should not cloud the issue, something more achievable in the shorter term. An existing vessel would be a start, ie the MASB but the cost is high unless as mentioned either a small group with cash or set up a charity and then raise funds, Lewina is interesting, could be argued that we will have Medusa very well done as an excellent example of the type, but we have more than one paddle steamer, historic house etc. Another classic vessel in need of rescuing here, unique of its type, I mention MTB 102, could also be argued that support for her or Medusa as already great success. Well, there it is, my two pence worth, sorry its not more practical but await any outcome from meeting with great interest. 

John

Morning all,

I suggest the meeting follows the list below as a broad agenda

1. Which boat or type of boat.

2. Costs of purchase and running. How to raise the cash and keep it coming in

3. Structure of the group and its aims.

It is of course immpossiable to discuss any one in isolation but I think we need to sort the basics first so we can then move forward on a day to day basis confident that we are all "singing off the same hymn sheet".

At the moment I am expecting to see the following on Sunday.

David Earle-Pay, Don, Alex, Northeastuser, Johnk and of course yours truly.

Any changes please let me know.

Regards

hi all

count me in, see you all on sunday

regards gary

Looks like I'm free sunday.

 See you all there

 P.S. Nice one for setting it up Sentley!

Business before pleasure. There is almost bound to be another meeting. Don't worry about the cost of the room. Those there will cover it.

Good luck with the job. Our gates, to let the caravan in and out a) cost a fortune and b) always need attention anfter any sort of blow.

Also you will poss be able to watch the Sunday film on BBC2. PT 109. Should have some good boat shots in it.

Seriously though if you want to pm me your mobile number I will call if there is anything you need to know or if there is an important vote.

Regards

Northeastuser. We become self employed to follow a dream & hopefully achieve it someday. Its hard work getting there as i've been platsering walls at 1am on a saturday night & really felt like quitting. Luckily i too have the bulldog spirit & curse at life but soldier on.

 We carry on in the face of ridiculous adversity just like the original crews of these boats & by means not yet known to us we will win the day! History repeating itself?

 Just glad your a boat restorer not a conservatory salesman as you can really make a difference!

 When i have a boat i'll have the same stresses as you regarding cashflow, storage, restoration ect. If things go well there will be other meetings so you dont need to worry about giving a good account of yourself, think you've already done that with 1262!

 Already designed the insignia for whichever boat i get, a Churchill like bulldog tearing up an EU flag (nobodies rewriting history on my watch)

 Aditional.

 Andy S. Congrats on fatherhood!

 You will hold lifes greatest prize in your arms very soon! Enjoy it before it becomes a teenager.

 All the best m8

Jimmy the last paragraph of your last but one poist is brill. Register it as a trade mark and make a "loads of money".

Self employed is insane but great. Who wants to be sane anyway. I have tried it and rejected it.

Congrats to Andy S and of course The Domestic Authority hope all goes well with the birth. The only advantage when they become teenagers is that they know absolutly everthing but when they get to 20 they no nothing or at least thats what they want you to think. We wouldn't be without ours.

Best regards

Best of luck Andy and Mrs S, ours popped out this afternoon;

Matthew and his Mum are just fine. Good luck the rest of you also with the HSL. 

Congrats also to Christian & his good wife! Another boater born mate.

 Sentley, i agree totally. sanity has its uses but is very boring, if the world was sane then there would never have been a need for these boats to be built to begin with! I'll sketch out that insignia & see how it goes? If a group project gets going they are of course free to use it! Also came up with the bulldog cocking his leg on the euro flag(didnt foget the capital letter in euro)

 Better go as i have a long drive tomorrow. See you there

 To northeastuser,

 Get the gate in fully open position before welding (assuming gradient is consistent) Have fun with it

 Also happy birthday to Clive for monday!

 Really gotta go now, goodnight all..jim

Cheers for that Jimmy, my  girlfriend has also just had our baby but I think I must be on the wrong forum.How about a new topic 'Babies' Hope all goes/went well today.

Clive...

Hi all,

Just add my congrats to all with new additions, must be something in the air so to speak, friend with Rhine River vessel also expecting second new crew member. Double edged sword of course, future crew but present expense and extra duties distracting from boat restoration!, so personally avoiding. But joking aside, my best wishes to all. So many interesting posts on variety of vessels, great to see, interested to hear if any conclusions ex the meeting today, understand as said before, just a start perhaps but you never know.

John    

Hi Again,

Noted Sentley spotted film PT 109, not seen this one before I think and taped it, not yet run it though, would answer question but is it about Kennedy's vessel and exploits? was he not shot in 63 same year as film? rush job to commemerate perhaps. Anyway, all the best,

John  

John,

Sorry to take so long to reply but I have had my hands full recently! I must be the only person in the world who can't rember what they were doing and where they were when JFK was shot. Same with John Lennon. Doesent look like a commeration film to me but then my tape ran out half way through!!

Same here,

 Get the paper & lemme at it.

 Working in the mud & putting shuttering ply down doth sides should get her afloat & moveable(easier said than done with rotten dd's but doable).

 Anywhere she could be put in the meantime while ownership sorted?

 Would need a field & tempory structure or barn of some kind as the storage in a yard is a huge putoff for a project of that size.

 Of course if she was found drifting & abandoned she would be legal salvage.

 Think mr crump should be paid a visit to try & sort things out. My offer of helping float her still stands.

 Is 2548 still out in spain?? or has she been destroyed now?

 If one of us goes to see mr crump, Take a photo of 145 at high tide!

 He cant do the car salesman thing & tell you she's better than she is then! Maybe it'll spark a bit of guilt & he'll sign her over.

 Dont think saying she's the last will help as he'll prob ask silly money, Any ideas on the best way forward?

 Have to organise who wants to see him, if 10 people turn up in a week asking he'll be rubbing his hands together.

I forgot to add the haha..~haha~

  Anyone have a credit factor licence?Or whatever there called these days.And yes i did realy work as a door to door colletor.If some one knows anyone with a credit licence i can get a legit collector( i dont have the security licence) to go and see him and add a few hudred quid on everytime he visits

Dont know if Sentley can help with that(Works in finance so prob knows someone)

 Sure peter clarks would be happy to write an account of fees owed!

 He can then auction her to one of us from a quid & i'm pretty sure he can still chase mr chump for his money.

 If two people turn up then its an auction.

 Any ideas for storage?

Have to do a roadtrip to see this & 56 in the near future. Any up for it?

Hi Guys,

Don't need a consumer credit licence if you are not doing it as a business,which you are not. Some may even regard it as a pleasure!! Everything that is said is true but the fact is that won't help if we can't get ownership.

The way to do that is for the yard to sell someone the debt for say £1 plus half of any money actually collected. Then visit the owner and say that you now own the debt, notice of assignment will have to be given, and you will write it off for the hand over of the boat. All parties, including secondhand car salesmen satisfied. The yard get rid of the boat.The owner gets rid of the debt and we get the headache. Everybody happy.

Jimmy.

Keep me advised of the road trip. Particularly re 56

Gotta check for mud in 56 before getting gung ho on pumps. Clive reckons he knows a few tricks though so a good day may see her afloat.

 How satisfying would that be. Getting 145 then making him pay towards restoration from fees owed. I'll put it to peter clarkes when i do my weekend roadtrip.

yeah, I have seen a dredger man blast compressed air into mud/silt useing a piece of 1inch galvenised pipe on the end of a hydrovane compressor, this dissolved the mud into the water.

 if this was done to '56 then the muddy water could then be pumped out, clean water could also be pumped in to keep levels similar until we fire up all the pumps and cross our fingers!

I have a hydrovane compressor which is handy! and pumps but not enough hands!!

   Here is a link to one of the last pictures of '56 floating, Her superstructure was removed so she could pass under the railway bridges, alas she never made that far,,,

  http://the-norfolk-broads.co.uk/fileattachments/mtb.jpg - http://the-norfolk-broads.co.uk/fileattachments/mtb.jpg

she looked in quite good shape!

Just a thought, How far would she have to travel on the river to be lifted?

 I'm good from start of march(unless im in Malta)

Lift her out? i asumed we were just pumping her out for a look see!If you look on google you can see a grassy area next to the road not far from her..so maby lift out there?