"Henrietta" Elton Moss Narrow Boat

This week's job Henrietta in for blacking & an engine service, but we discover other things that need doing. I make a new rudder cup bespoke to the boat ,as you should! No cake of the week as it is 32 degrees but we do find other forms of refreshment . There is a debate over blacking baseplates one thought is that there is no oxygen down there so it won't rust ,also the plate is usually 10mm thick steel so would take years to wear out or rust through . Second opinion is that there is oxygen down there and it does need blacking because it will rust . Also most wet docks can't paint the baseplate because they can't get to it due to the of lack of hight under the boat .Some yards use a trolly system which also blocks access to the baseplate .Which results in them telling the customer it doesn't need blacking . To add to this most boat yards are too lazy to do the job . We on the other hand are more than happy to undertake blacking baseplates ,it can be a costly adventure for the owner especially if it needs a lot of prep and some times it can be too far gone ( never been painted in its life ). But at the end of the day it's the customers decision to make not our's. And as always any stupid questions will be not be answered but shared at lunchtime ! #armadaboathire #narrowboat #boating #armada #boatlife #narrowboatlife #blacking #rue&jane #fallsbridgewharf #restoration