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Dennis.

Iowner.

Took Dennis today. Filled up with water on the way past Kings Lock. Cruised to Croxton Aqueduct where we like to moor up, close enough to town to shop but far enough out to have some peace and quiet.

Dennis.

Iowner.

Went back for Iowner, collected Dennis on the way past and ended up at Croxton Aqueduct with both boats. Purchased 4mt gutter on the way past Jewsons.

Prepared to set off, I went first and about five minutes later I got a call from my No2 saying that she was stuck, her engine would not run. I found somewhere to pull over and moor up and walk back to Dennis.
Dennis was adrift in the middle of the canal, no power. My No2 had started the engine and set off only to have the engine die. I threw her a line and we managed to get Dennis safely moored up. A close inspection of the engine bay showed that a pipe had come adrift from the fuel filter and was spewing diesel into the bilge instead of the cylinders. No option but to get RCR out to fix the problem. Got on the phone and organised that and then walked back to Iowner and reversed all the way back to Dennis.
Because reversing is such a nightmare I have developed my own technique. I start the engine and put it into reverse gear with the throttle as low as possible. Jump off the boat with the centre line and the stern line in my hands. The boat crawls backwards and I can either push the back out or pull the back in with the stern rope. Works for me.

RCR visited and gave us the option of a quick fix now or a proper fix in a day or so. No contest, a proper fix in a day or so.
A day or so later the fuel lines intact we set off successfully, but only after making sure that Dennis was fit for purpose.