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Events Guide 2015
May
29/05-01/06 : Cruising Club CiC to Tarmonbarry, Dromod, Carnadoe
30/05 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
June
06/06 : Boyne Navigation - Monthly meeting - Newgrange Lodge
13/06 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
27/06 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
July
11/07 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
11/07-18/07 : Lough Derg Rally 40
14/07 : Boyne Navigation - Monthly meeting - Newgrange Lodge
25/07 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
August
08/08 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
11/08 : Boyne Navigation - Monthly meeting - Newgrange Lodge
22/08 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
September
04/09-06/09 : Cruising Club CiC to Terryglass in memory of Derry Smyth
05/09 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
08/09 : Boyne Navigation - Monthly meeting - Newgrange Lodge
19/09 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
25/09-27/09 : Cruising Club CiC to Ballinasloe
October
03/10 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
13/10 : Boyne Navigation - Monthly meeting - Newgrange Lodge
17/10 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
31/10 : Cruising Club day-trip to Maritime Museum, Dun Laoghaire
31/10 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
November
10/11 : Boyne Navigation - Monthly meeting - Newgrange Lodge
14/11 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
28/11 : Cruising Club AGM & Annual Dinner, Hodson Bay Hotel
28/11 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
December
01/12 : Boyne Navigation: AGM - Newgrange Lodge
12/12 : Boyne Navigation: Workday - Newgrange Lower aka Staleen Lock section (click here for further information), our facebook page within has photos of our work.
Castle Island
This picture was taken at 5am.
We were moored at the concrete jetty at lough key.The lake was like glass, except for the ripple of one fish.
The island can be visited from a small craft and despite the warning signs the owner Sean Simons has said
that he welcomes visitors,as long as they are very careful.The castle is in bad need of structurel repair, but well worth the visit.
Fairline Cruisers
Congratulations to Kathleen Hannon, the winner of our Naas Rally Draw.She gets the use of a beautiful Fairline Cruiser for four people, Sponsored by Diarmuid Slone From Fairline Cruisers based in Athlone.
NAAS RALLY 09
Trip up the Corbally lineThe Locals came out to see the boats travel up the line to the Main Road. This is as far as we could go from this side. Many remarked they had never seen a boat on the line before.
Bord na Mona lift bridge,
The IWAI are always looking for new members.
Why not join your local branch and enjoy the company of other people with an interest in our Waterways.
Lift in day
Yes folks, it's that time of year again, lift-in day arrives
This means that when the boat is lowered into the water, the questions arise...did I fit that replacement through-hull fitting properly?, will the engine start?, where is that water coming from?, why didn't I sort out these tasks months ago?
As the boat settles in the water, the slings are removed, the key is turned and the engine starts first time, you breath a satisfied sigh of relief. You knew, really, it was all going to be OK. The boat is finally back where it belongs, it now moves with a rhythm that you remember, that tells you everything is fine. Motoring out to the mooring, you listen carefully to the engine note, sounds just right.
Time to leave her for her first night alone on the water in months. Yes, you did check that there was no water slowly trickling into the bilges, stern gland looked fine, tiny drop of water every now and again, but that's OK, isn't it? Yeah, she'll be fine...
Later, lying in bed, listening to the wind rising, wondering, wondering...
….But what if……….
This means that when the boat is lowered into the water, the questions arise...did I fit that replacement through-hull fitting properly?, will the engine start?, where is that water coming from?, why didn't I sort out these tasks months ago?
As the boat settles in the water, the slings are removed, the key is turned and the engine starts first time, you breath a satisfied sigh of relief. You knew, really, it was all going to be OK. The boat is finally back where it belongs, it now moves with a rhythm that you remember, that tells you everything is fine. Motoring out to the mooring, you listen carefully to the engine note, sounds just right.
Time to leave her for her first night alone on the water in months. Yes, you did check that there was no water slowly trickling into the bilges, stern gland looked fine, tiny drop of water every now and again, but that's OK, isn't it? Yeah, she'll be fine...
Later, lying in bed, listening to the wind rising, wondering, wondering...
….But what if……….
Winterising tips.
Some people boat all winter, personally i think its the best time for boating. Miles of uncongested waters and those frosty mornings are just Magic. But for the other 99% out there here are some tips. Any addition tips are welcome.
The engine.
The Boat’s Engine As this is probably the most important and potentially expensive item on your boat and the messiest job of all, it’s better to take care of your boat’s engine first. The initial thing you should do is to change the oil and filter as you won’t want dirty oil in the engine stagnating throughout the entire winter.
The Boat’s Engine As this is probably the most important and potentially expensive item on your boat and the messiest job of all, it’s better to take care of your boat’s engine first. The initial thing you should do is to change the oil and filter as you won’t want dirty oil in the engine stagnating throughout the entire winter.
Then you need to drain the engine’s cooling system completely by opening the coolant drain situated at the lowest point of the engine’s system. If it’s a closed system, put in the recommended antifreeze and water solution according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. If it’s an open system, flush it with clean water using a hose. The water tanks must also be drained, toilets pumped dry and fuel tanks filled to capacity. Ensure bilge pumps are clear from debris and greased and batterys are charged regularily .
Removing Items From The Boat
Its important to remove as much of the gear that you keep on the boat as you can as you won’t want them to collect moisture and mildew over the winter. So, things like life jackets, cushions, or anything else which could be affected by the elements should be removed from the boat.
IWAI - Code of Conduct for Boat Owners and Users:
It's a good idea to read the IWAI code of conduct in full, here's a excerpt;
"Protect the Environment
1. All boats used on the inland waterways should be fitted with holding tanks or chemical toilets. Marine toilets that discharge effluent into the watercourse are now illegal on most inland waterways in Ireland. Dispose of the effluent only at appropriate pump-out stations.
It's an interesting law considering there are only "12" pump outs on the hole of the river shannon.And we all know that most of the time they are not working properly!
2. In harbours, use public toilets as much as possible.
3. Don't pump oily bilge water into the watercourse. Find and fix the source of the oil. Clean out the bilge with oil absorbent material and dispose of correctly. Fit an oil trap to your bilge pump.
4. Use only 'Green' detergents and soaps on board.
5. Leave all mooring places, banks, piers and the shore in pristine condition. Bring home or correctly dispose of all your rubbish. Plastic beer can holders should be cut up and disposed of carefully lest they entangle wild-life. Tidy up any litter you see. Set a good example. Recycle as much material as you can.
6. Respect the wildlife. Remember that birds and animals are sensitive to noise and disturbance, especially during the breeding season.
7. Keep your wash to a minimum in confined areas.
General
- Moor economically. Take up as little space as you can. Be prepared to move to make room for boats ahead of and behind you.
- Allow craft with elderly people or young children to moor against the quay and be willing to move off to allow them to do so.
- In crowded harbours, be prepared to moor alongside others and encourage others to moor alongside you. (Aside from being economical with quay space, it's a great way to make new friends!) Always ask permission before coming alongside and make sure your boat is well fendered.
- Where a number of boats are "rafted" together, boats away from the quay should bring lines to the shore as well as to their neighbours. The cleats on the inner boats may not be up to the job and it will prevent the "raft" swinging about.
- Discourage dangerous horseplay among your crew, it can lead to tragedy.
- Your crew and passengers are your sole responsibility. You must make sure they are aware of basic safety drills and behaviour on board.
- Drinking and driving are as inappropriate in a boat as in a car. Save the "hard-tack" until the boat is securely tied up for the night. Never allow the use of illegal drugs aboard your boat. (Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an offence.)
- Avoid running engines (or indeed generators) at anti-social hours.
- Observe the 5-day mooring rules.
MISSING THE BOAT THIS WINTER?
here are a few "tips" on how to get over the winter!
1Sleep on the shelf in your closet. Replace the closet door with a curtain.
2Put diesel into your humidifier instead of water and set to high.
3Raise the thresholds and lower the heads on your front and back doors so that you either trip over the threshold or hit your head, every time you pass through one of them.
4Leave a lawnmower running in a room to simulate noise levels.
5Drop the ceiling in your bathroom so your head is hitting, then lower the shower head to chest level.
6Once a month take your car engine apart, then put it back together again.
7Have a florescent light fitted under your coffee table then lie under it to read books.
here are a few "tips" on how to get over the winter!
1Sleep on the shelf in your closet. Replace the closet door with a curtain.
2Put diesel into your humidifier instead of water and set to high.
3Raise the thresholds and lower the heads on your front and back doors so that you either trip over the threshold or hit your head, every time you pass through one of them.
4Leave a lawnmower running in a room to simulate noise levels.
5Drop the ceiling in your bathroom so your head is hitting, then lower the shower head to chest level.
6Once a month take your car engine apart, then put it back together again.
7Have a florescent light fitted under your coffee table then lie under it to read books.
Nautical Terms (A To K)
If the words associated with sailing are a complete mystery to you read on to find no help whatsoever !!
Ahoy The first in a series of four letter words commonly exchanged by skippers as their boats approach one another
Bar Long. Low lying navigational hazard, usually awash, found at river mouths and harbour entrances, where it is composed of sand or mud, and ashore, where it is made of mahogany or some other dark wood. Sailors can be found in large numbers around both.
Boom A Laterally mounted spar to which a sail is fastened, used during jibing to shift crew members to a fixed, horizontal position.
Bulkhead Discomfort suffered by sailors who drink too much
Cabin A cramped, closet like compartment below decks where crew members may be stored – on their sides if large or on end if small – until needed.
Calm Sea condition characterised by the simultaneous disappearance of the wind and the last cold beer
Channel Narrow stretch of deep or dredged waterway bordered by buoys or markers that separates two or more grounded boats
Current Tidal flow that carries a boat away from it desired destination or toward a hazard.
Fitting Out Series of maintenance tasks performed on boats ashore during good weather weekends in spring and summer months to make them ready for winter storage.
Flipper Rubber swimming aid worn on the feet. Usually available in two sizes, 3 and 17
Flotsam Anything floating in the water from which there is no response when an offer of a cocktail is made.
Fluke The portion of an anchor that digs securely into the bottom: also, any occasion when this happens on the first try.
Galley Ancient: Aspect of seafaring associated with slavery. Modern: Aspect of seafaring associated with slavery
Gear Generic term for any pieces of boating equipment that can be forgotten in the back-seat or boot of a car, left behind on a pontoon, soaked in the bottom of a dinghy or lost over the side of the boat.
Gimbals Movable mountings often found on shipboards lamps, compasses etc which provide dieting passengers an opportunity to observe the true motions of the ship in relation to them, and thus prevent any recently ingested food from remaining in their digestive systems long enough to be converted into unwanted calories.
Grounding Embarrassing situation in which a sailor returns to shore without leaving his boat.
Hatch An opening in a deck leading to the cabin below with a cover designed to let water in while keeping fresh air out.
Hull speed The maximum theoretical velocity of a given boat through the water, which is 1.5 times the square root of its waterline length in feet, divided by the distance to port in miles, minus the time in hours to sunset cubed.
Jibe Course change which causes the boom to sweep rapidly across the cockpit; also, frequent type of comment made by observers of this manoeuvre.
(L to Z) To Follow..
Ahoy The first in a series of four letter words commonly exchanged by skippers as their boats approach one another
Bar Long. Low lying navigational hazard, usually awash, found at river mouths and harbour entrances, where it is composed of sand or mud, and ashore, where it is made of mahogany or some other dark wood. Sailors can be found in large numbers around both.
Boom A Laterally mounted spar to which a sail is fastened, used during jibing to shift crew members to a fixed, horizontal position.
Bulkhead Discomfort suffered by sailors who drink too much
Cabin A cramped, closet like compartment below decks where crew members may be stored – on their sides if large or on end if small – until needed.
Calm Sea condition characterised by the simultaneous disappearance of the wind and the last cold beer
Channel Narrow stretch of deep or dredged waterway bordered by buoys or markers that separates two or more grounded boats
Current Tidal flow that carries a boat away from it desired destination or toward a hazard.
Fitting Out Series of maintenance tasks performed on boats ashore during good weather weekends in spring and summer months to make them ready for winter storage.
Flipper Rubber swimming aid worn on the feet. Usually available in two sizes, 3 and 17
Flotsam Anything floating in the water from which there is no response when an offer of a cocktail is made.
Fluke The portion of an anchor that digs securely into the bottom: also, any occasion when this happens on the first try.
Galley Ancient: Aspect of seafaring associated with slavery. Modern: Aspect of seafaring associated with slavery
Gear Generic term for any pieces of boating equipment that can be forgotten in the back-seat or boot of a car, left behind on a pontoon, soaked in the bottom of a dinghy or lost over the side of the boat.
Gimbals Movable mountings often found on shipboards lamps, compasses etc which provide dieting passengers an opportunity to observe the true motions of the ship in relation to them, and thus prevent any recently ingested food from remaining in their digestive systems long enough to be converted into unwanted calories.
Grounding Embarrassing situation in which a sailor returns to shore without leaving his boat.
Hatch An opening in a deck leading to the cabin below with a cover designed to let water in while keeping fresh air out.
Hull speed The maximum theoretical velocity of a given boat through the water, which is 1.5 times the square root of its waterline length in feet, divided by the distance to port in miles, minus the time in hours to sunset cubed.
Jibe Course change which causes the boom to sweep rapidly across the cockpit; also, frequent type of comment made by observers of this manoeuvre.
(L to Z) To Follow..
Charging using your alternator.
The output of the alternator assumes "ideal conditions". When the boat builder bought the engine it came complete with an automotive alternator. That is, this is the same alternator with in-built regulator that is in your car. In a car, it is fitted beside the battery, with short cable runs, at the same temperature as the battery and was only ever intended to top up the battery after starting the engine and run a few lights, radio, heated rear screen and so on. It was never intended to re-charge deeply discharged deep cycle batteries, and in its standard form, it cannot. Typically, the output from an alternator with the engine at 2000RPM will be about 30 Amps. This is because the internal regulator is "machine sensed", that is, the regulator controls the output of the alternator with reference to the voltage on the output terminal of the alterator. In a car, this is fine, as this voltage is almost the same as the voltage at the battery terminal, in a boat, it is never the same, due to longer cable runs, undersized cables and high temperatures in the engine compartment. The regulator needs to sense the voltage at the batteries not at the alternator.
Even if the regulator could sense the voltage at the batteries, it would still only be a fixed voltage battery charger. Fixed voltage battery chargers attempt to maintain the voltage at 14.4 volts, which is sufficient for charging a car battery. Deep cycle batteries need three-stage charging, bulk, absorption and float. The first two stages are the most important when charging over a short engine run period, such as when blue water cruising.
This means that the engine will need to be run for more than 4 hours per day to recharge the batteries. On most boats, this is bad, it means running the engine at fast idle, with no load on it. This damages large diesel engines, it is not what they are designed to do.
There are two ways to overcome this problem, fit an external regulator to control the existing alternator or fit a larger alternator with an external regulator.
An external regulator monitors what is happening with the voltages at the batteries, rather than what is happening at the alternator. It also changes the alternator from a simple charging device to a three stage battery charger, that is, bulk, absorption and float stages. This is the only way to properly and fully charge deep cycle batteries. It is important that this regulator can also sense the battery temperature. Cold batteries require a higher voltage than warm ones to charge properly, warm batteries require a lower charging voltage to prevent gassing.
Replacing the existing alternator with a marine alternator and external regulator is the best route to go, particularly if the condition of the original alternator is suspect or unknown. The Balmar marine alternator is probably the best there is.
"Charging from the mains to follow."
Even if the regulator could sense the voltage at the batteries, it would still only be a fixed voltage battery charger. Fixed voltage battery chargers attempt to maintain the voltage at 14.4 volts, which is sufficient for charging a car battery. Deep cycle batteries need three-stage charging, bulk, absorption and float. The first two stages are the most important when charging over a short engine run period, such as when blue water cruising.
This means that the engine will need to be run for more than 4 hours per day to recharge the batteries. On most boats, this is bad, it means running the engine at fast idle, with no load on it. This damages large diesel engines, it is not what they are designed to do.
There are two ways to overcome this problem, fit an external regulator to control the existing alternator or fit a larger alternator with an external regulator.
An external regulator monitors what is happening with the voltages at the batteries, rather than what is happening at the alternator. It also changes the alternator from a simple charging device to a three stage battery charger, that is, bulk, absorption and float stages. This is the only way to properly and fully charge deep cycle batteries. It is important that this regulator can also sense the battery temperature. Cold batteries require a higher voltage than warm ones to charge properly, warm batteries require a lower charging voltage to prevent gassing.
Replacing the existing alternator with a marine alternator and external regulator is the best route to go, particularly if the condition of the original alternator is suspect or unknown. The Balmar marine alternator is probably the best there is.
"Charging from the mains to follow."
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