River Boating Forum

Hi there one and all.
Just a short notelet by way of introduction of me: I eventually got into boating about 15 years ago having had to wait for nearly 40 years! My first boat was a Highlander 16 day sailer that I built myself using marine ply and plans from Selway Fisher, A great little boat that was easy to handle single handed & with a crew of 5 on one occassion though it did sit a little low in the water. Many happy days were spend sailing the Fal estuary. Following that I purchased a Hunter Delta 25, again a great boat, fast for it's size and easy to get on with and allowed me to cruise the south Cornish coast.
Sadly it had to go when work forced me to migrate to the bowls of middle England - Northamtonshire! - Wot no water!! - This was about 5 years ago, since then I have found water in the area, a muddy trickle called the Grand Union Canal and a not quite so muddy River Nene.
Naturally the urge (that never really went) returned. I Wanna boat!! Eventually dreams and tantrums paid off and now we (the wife, our dog & I) own a Freeman 22 Mk1. Purchaced as a bit (?!?) of a restoration project. Not being made of the green stuff, but having a bit of time and the abillity (he says) to put it right, for us it was the best option, at least we have a boat again.
So in the mean time, and when the weather does not allow exterior working on the boat, I thought I would give you a try.
This for me is a first, I have never used a forum before, although I am not shy about these computer things, as long as they work! So please bear with my ineptitude while I get use to the idea of spilling my inner most boating fears to total strangers.
With that I had better end, before I fill your bandwidth limit.
'Til next time, may the wind fill your sails, your petrol/deisel tanks never run dry and your pride and joy keep forever afloat (where you left it) - Regards to all.

a rather nice intro there gerbil,

welcome to the forum.

alan

Hi Gerbil, and welcome to the forum.

IF we can be of any assistance with the restoration, (In an advisory capacity ) then feel free to post. if you want to blow off steam likewise.

Freemen are lovely boats, and seem to hold their condition nicely, i'm sure she'll scrub up fine.

Greetings good folk of this forum & thankee Alan & Fuzzyduck for your welcome not to mention the kind offer of assistance, I'll put the kettle on this weekend.. Ok?!
Just for the record I'm keeping a rough record of the restoration including a few pics, if anyone is interested I guess it could be posted... If this is allowed? Or is possible?? To date it is kinda short but getting quite big (5meg to date) I only started just after Xmas but on the whole the weekend weather has not been bad enough to stop me. The only bad weather I encountered was during the week I took off work to crack on with it, then of course it did nought but tiddle down & blow windy puffs.
On that note and before I kill the bandwidth limit again I shall paddle of, get me some falling over fluid, then explore your forum for a while.
'Till next time good folk I wish thee well. May your annodes never fall off and your woodworm drown.

gerbil wrote:Just for the record I'm keeping a rough record of the restoration including a few pics, if anyone is interested I guess it could be posted... If this is allowed? Or is possible??

It's positively encouraged , go for it.

and here's how ...

http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/malcsworld ... tures.html

Do you want me to set up a Freeman section for you?

Greetings good Fuzzyduck
I have had a look at the url you gave in your last reply post to most 'Umble me. As Malc said I did the stuff to sign up & eventually got to the upload page. Low and behold, it would appear I can only upload pics & not text, even though I converted to word doc to pdf.
So if it is just the pics of our little Freeman in a state of disarray that is wanted, that is fine. Although it would be a shame not to have the text.
Anyway I will leave it to yourself to advise. Your most 'Umble Smurf gerbil

Ahhh, but you can add the text directly to the forum

Sorry, 'tis I again
In reply to myself I have just spent the last half hour messing with a Domain I have had for a while but never did anything with. I have uploaded a couple of basic pages.. VERY Basic. With the story so far with our Freeman and a few pics for those that are interested. To view see Keeping Afloat I think that is right (tried using the insert url button - so if not, just go to www.keepingafloat.co.uk).

All the best for a snow free weekend

gerbil

ps Fuzzyduck, If Victor Swift wants your babies, do you think he will have my grandchildren?... PLEASSSSSE

Sorry folk, but the heavens have opened its sluice gates and my plans for messing with the boat have drifted down the river, now I am board.
First of all let me appologise to those of you that clicked on the link to the appalling web site I cobbled together - As you can tell I'm no computer programmer. Its gotta go!
I guess Fuzzyduck, I was typing my last post as you were sending your last reply to me. In reply to that one; could I still cut and paste my word doc onto one of these message windows I am writing in now? (without the pics) then post the pics via photobucket.
Maybe your kind offer of setting up a freeman page could be a place to post it? IF, the tale is still of use and anyone is likely to be interested in the ongoing saga?
Having pottered around this site, I must say you have some nice craft amoung you & some sad tales -
Hypnorm, This is where sailing boats have an advantage. Yard-arms are very good for stringing up towpath dross! I trust all worked out well in the end although very soul destroying.
Fuzzyduck - Nice new boat, I hope she serves you well, have you taken her out yet?
Gancanny - Yours too, what a whopper! It must be nice to have a sliding roof, no splitting or flying away problems, plus the added advantage of being able to enjoy our summers; under the protection of a solid roof while storms and gales batter the poor ducks.
Finally: to everyone else - Enjoy your boats, have a safe passage and as I have said before:- 'Til next time, may the wind fill your sails, your petrol/deisel tanks never run dry and your pride and joy keep forever afloat (where you left it) - Regards to all.

Welcome to the forum!

gerbil wrote:I guess Fuzzyduck, I was typing my last post as you were sending your last reply to me. In reply to that one; could I still cut and paste my word doc onto one of these message windows I am writing in now? (without the pics) then post the pics via photobucket.

Fuzzyduck - Nice new boat, I hope she serves you well, have you taken her out yet?

I've set up a Freeman section under "Your boats", knock yourself out.

I took my new boat out today in the rain sleet, hail, and occasional sunshine. I managed to smack myself in the ear with a windlass, and i'm in a fair bit of pain at the moment.

I thank you Fuzzyduck for the new Freeman section, I have posted the text of the saga to date . I hope your ear & head recovers soon. Though it may be a good excuse not to hear your other half?!
Thanks also goes to Hypnorm for the welcome, I trust all is well.

I think too it is about time I moved to another section within the forum. I do not wish to over do the welcome

Freemans are as tough as old boots and most of the smaller ones were fitted with petrol engins when new.Welcome to the forum.CKP

Thanks Boatmanckp
Yes my Freeman does have the old Watermota petrol engine all of 997cc as per the 105e Anglias of the day and although fairly tatty around the edges, it still appears solid. I'm just looking forward to getting back on the water although I doubt it will be this year
Oh for the same weather as sunny Spain - Lucky man!