Canal Boat — November 2017

canalboat.co.uk Canal Boat November 2017 79

We were cruising around Birmingham in

May and picked up a padded jacket around

our prop. We have picked up lots of stuff

before, but this time once cleared our stern gland

dripped much more than usual. Back at our marina

we borrowed a C-shaped spanner, tightened the unit

and we now have a much slower drip.

Since then I have been trying to find such a

spanner in the likely event we will need one in the

future. Where can I get one and what is it called, or

could another type of spanner be used?

JENNY SHATTOCK, via email

TONY REPLIES: It’s called a C spanner.

Google C spanner and you’ll get lots of

results. You do need to know the size of the

C, though. You can also buy adjustable ones that fit a

range of sizes.

If you don’t want to buy new then try tool stands at

county shows and the like (not very likely) or have a

rummage at boat jumbles and similar for old engines

and cars – especially steam engines.

Your best bet in the short term is to buy a large

pair of gland nut or waterpump pliers and use these

fully expanded to grip over two of the slots. I have also

used a larger Stilson-type pipe wrench in the past.

Spot the C spanner

Can you charge leisure batteries from the starter battery?

Q

A

The alternator on my boat seems to have

stopped charging my leisure batteries.

Can I charge them temporarily from my

starter battery with jump leads while I’m moving?

ROBMARKHAM, from the CB website

TONY REPLIES: If it’s a twin alternator

engine then yes, but remember to remove

the leads when you stop and also take

great care not to allow the clips to touch any metal

parts of the boat.

If you have normal wiring just connect a thickish

lead between the engine battery positive and

domestic battery positive. The boat’s wiring should

already join the negatives.

If this is a single alternator engine then it is vital

that you get the problem resolved quickly and on no

account join the two banks. If you do you will end up

being unable to start the engine because you have

flattened the engine battery.

I have bought a boat that I will be bringing
to the London area by road. It is a 42ft x
12ft fibreglass one and I plan to live aboard.
Can you advise of a boatyard/marina that can offer
suitable road access for the transport, crane facilities
and hard-standing where I can keep it while I do some
initial repairs and a suitable crane or slipway
for launching?

TONY REPLIES: You don’t give an air

draft (the height above the water). This is

important because many GRP cruisers

will not fit under the canal bridges. However the

dimensions sound like a ‘Caribbean’ style Broads

cruiser so if it is it will have a low enough air draft.

Marinas and road access are fairly easy for the

London area although you may well have to pay for a

mobile crane. I think the boat will fit the Grand Union

Canal, so locations as far away as the South Midlands

become possible and then cruise down.

Try Roydon Marina (River Lee), Highline Yachting

(Slough Arm), Packet Boat Marina, Denham Marina,

or Uxbridge Boat Centre, but do check on the situation

of hard-standing space.

Where can I work on a boat and put it in?

Q

Q

A

A

You can jump batteries, but with care

If you have any boating related query, then our team of experts on all things boating are here to answer it EMAIL: [email protected]

WRITE TO Canal Boat Magazine, Archant Specialist, Evolution House, 2-6 Easthampstead Road, Wokingham, RG40 2EG