Category: Engineering

Vlog 342: Transom Devil

Posted on August 20, 2024 by David Johns

An episode in which I drill holes in the boat’s transom, to discover if the wood core is rotten. This also necessitates removal of the outboard motor.

Vlog 340: Monster Fun

Posted on July 30, 2024August 4, 2024 by David Johns

Join me as I take a wonderful trip on a wonderful, tiny, hand-made boat along the Leeds & Liverpool canal. Created by engineer Jonny Bowker, “Nessie” is an absolute beauty.

Vlog 339: Sweet Music

Posted on July 20, 2024August 4, 2024 by David Johns

The Evesham River Festival was held on Saturday July 13th and within it was a gathering of the Russell Newbery Register. I went along to find out why people love these engines so much – and to have a browse around the rest of the festival.

Vlog 338: Tixall the Boxes

Posted on July 10, 2024August 4, 2024 by David Johns

I visit a rather splendid canal narrowboat which has just been bought after sitting in a marina for three years. It’s new owner, Matthew, is a specialist and enthusiast in the systems on board.

Vlog 333: The Write Stuff

Posted on May 20, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

Two things: a) after at least two years, I have finally finished by book all about the canals, and 2) an update on the Twiggy refurbishment.

Vlog 332: Charging Ahead

Posted on May 10, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

The first (possibly to-be-annual) Electrika event for people to get together and discuss electric propulsion on canal boats and narrowboats was held last weekend; I went along and this is my document of the proceedings.

Vlog 331: Hull’s Angel

Posted on April 30, 2024August 5, 2024 by David Johns

This time, I’m looking at the question of what do you do if you want a custom-designed boat to live on but don’t have the budget to buy a new-build?

Vlog 329: Carpet Diem

Posted on April 10, 2024April 10, 2024 by David Johns

As part of the ongoing refurbishment of my cabin cruiser “Twiggy”, I have ripped the carpet out of the front cabin, as you will see in this video. You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs, as they say.

Vlog 327: The Stream in the Sky

Posted on March 24, 2024March 26, 2024 by David Johns

At 220 years old, the world-famous Pontcysyllte aqueduct in north Wales is doing very well for its age but it does need a lot of care and maintenance. Every 20 years it’s drained of water for a full inspection and I’ve been along to see what the Canal & River Trust’s engineers have found this time around.

Vlog 326: Spaghetti Hoops

Posted on March 17, 2024 by David Johns

This is a follow-on from the previous video where I began to strip out the carpeting and wiring from my boat refurbishment project, named Twiggy.

Canal Life