Total Eclipse

"Total Eclipse” is a Hancock and Lane Norseman S40 narrowboat. This supplement shares with you a little about the boat, its history, explains what we have already accomplished and plan to accomplish in the future in words, diagrams and photographs. How we came to purchase is documented in "Canalscape Book 3" - Chapter Two so I will not bore the reader with duplicating that story here. The above photograph is reproduced from a Hancock and Lane promotional leaflet entitled "Boat Building News" which featured a "road test" of H & L's Norseman S40 (and the boat used just happened to be 2755) conducted by the now defunct Canal and Riverboat Magazine. The brochure also illustrated other examples of Hancock and Lane products.

The example illustrated on the front cover of the brochure above illustrates the standard Hancock and Lane colour scheme that 2755 was originally finished in and differs slightly from 2755 in the layout and number of windows. Hancock and Lane went out of business in the early 1990's after nearly thirty years of boat building, completing hundreds of narrowboats of various types ranging from narrowboats up to seventy feet in length cruisers to workboats for BW (see Other Examples and Similar Designs) and wide beam cruisers for the English, Irish and Continental waterways during that period.

Hancock and Lane's job number 2755 was built at their workshops in Daventry, Northamptonshire under the supervision of works manager Mike Gration and was completed on the 13th August 1980 as the company's Norseman S40 London Boat Show demonstrator for that year. As a demonstration boat it was required to be moved regularly and not always on water! Consequently, it was constructed from heavier grade steel (10-6-4mm) than the normal Hancock and Lane boats and features a full-length keel to prevent the boat from flexing. This would ensure that the cupboard and compartment doors open and close correctly whilst the boat was out of the water. Consequently, the boat's weight is approximately 10 tons. The drawback to this is its draft. At the bow (with a full water tank) the draft is 1'6" from waterline to tip of the keel with a 2'6" draft at the stern from waterline to the bottom of the stepped skeg. The hull has quite long fore and aft swims for a boat of this type helping it to keep a straight line (assisted, no doubt by the keel)... even in reverse provided that the engine revolutions are right, the tiller is in the correct position (to counteract prop thrash - the steering effect caused by the propeller's rotation acting as a paddle) and that there is sufficient water beneath the keel. Wash is also kept to a minimum by the hull design utilising nice long bow and stern swims.

Close-up of the leading edge of the keel which runs the full length of the hull...

... and the "business end" . Note the deep stepped skeg and base plate thickness

The engine installed is a BMC 1500 diesel unit marinised by J G Meakes and also known as a BMC "Captain" giving an output of approximately 40 horse power and is coupled to a Newage/PRM 2:1 gearbox. The engine is raw water cooled via a Bowman heat exchanger and has a calorifier for heating the hot water stored in an insulated, vertically mounted cylinder. The gearbox is also water cooled. A steel fuel tank holding 50 gallons is fitted into the stern and a 150 gallon polypropylene fresh water tank fills the space in the bow beneath the foredeck floor. The original alternator was a Lucas 17ACR-M with a maximum output of 38 amps which, via a split charge relay, charged a 110 ah deep-cycle leisure battery and a 96 ah starter battery. The engine and domestic electrical systems were originally earthed through the hull but when installing a second domestic battery the system was rewired with a separate earth cable to the battery isolation switch in line with modern day practice and not connected directly to the boat's hull, as was previously the case.

The gas supply is provided by two 13kg propane (orange) cylinders stored in a self-draining locker on the rear deck. There are now only two gas appliances... a Valor Vanessa cooker and an Electrolux gas/240 volt/12 volt refrigerator. When new, the boat was fitted as standard with a catalytic gas fire which was one of the first items that I removed after we bought the boat as I consider them to be a safety hazard being prone to venting carbon monoxide inside the boat's cabin. A Torgem solid fuel fire was fitted by a previous owner in 1986. The location of the Torgem was where the holding tank for the pump-out toilet used to be. This was removed at the same time as the fire’s installation and a Thetford Porta Potti installed in its place. In 2005 the Torgem was removed and replaced with a Carabo solid fuel fire in a different location… adjacent to the starboard side/front cabin bulkhead.

Originally as built, she was a four/six berth craft. This configuration consisted of one convertible double berth where the table and "L" shaped seating is situated between the wardrobe and the kitchen and four single bunks arranged in two two-tiers in the front cabin. The separate toilet and shower compartments could be connected by two doors making the compartment the complete width of the boat.

The outward appearance of the boat has changed quite a bit from when it was built. The original paint scheme was black hull and beige superstructure with brown panels which was changed in the early 1980's to the colour scheme that is sported today... black hull, green superstructure with a white bordered red panel on the side of the superstructure. The red and white bow detailing was first added in 2004. The original "flying saucer" roof vents were replaced in the 1980's with brass "mushroom" vents. Another addition to the external appearance was the addition of a collapsible windscreen and rear cockpit cover with a tonnau type cover to the front deck. These appeared around 1989 and have given good service but are now starting to show their age. I replaced the original windscreen in 2009 after twenty years service.

The part of the cover surrounding the rear deck below the handrail is soon to be replaced with a steel or wooden "skirt" to increase the weather proofing of the rear deck area (even though it is self-draining) and the planned fitting of a cratch board will mean that the front deck cover (fitted at the same time as the rear deck canopy) will require replacement.

When the boat had served its purpose as a boat show demonstrator it was sold in 1981 to a private owner... a Mr V Jones who purchased her for £12681.75p and christened her "Cordelia". He had financial problems and the boat was then sold to the next owner... Mr Dave Reed in 1983. This owner retained the name and owned the boat up to when we bought it from him on 16th July 2002 when she was rechristened "Total Eclipse". The name "Total Eclipse" was derived from a television advertisement for Jaffa Cakes which was transmitted at the time we purchased her.

Still frames from the Jaffa Cake advertisement... Full Moon, Half Moon, Total Eclipse!

... and again at Lymm in June 2008 looking not too different except for the relocation of the chimney and TV aerial

We have been responsible for a number of modifications including... installing a 240 volt ring main, tiling and refurbishing the shower compartment, replacing the solid fuel fire and changing its location. The original interior lights were located adjacent to windows so when the windows were open and the lights on at night they attracted flying insects from outside. We have upgraded the originals with new fluorescent light units and relocated them to the centre of the ceiling where they do not attract as many insects. We have also replaced the original tungsten lighting with LED units and down-lighters. Additional LED units have been installed beneath the gunwales and in the triangular cupboard in the front cabin for subdued and feature lighting. As built, there was a toilet compartment on the starboard side that also contained a hand basin. A triangular cupboard was fitted to the rearward bulkhead of the toilet compartment. This storage space was lost when the toilet compartment (to which it was attached) was removed in 2005. This storage space was replaced with a new cupboard and a television shelf, constructed adjacent to the portside front bulkhead over the fresh water pump and pressure reservoir. The space occupied by the fresh water pump was lined with sound absorbing material which protects against frost as well as making the unit quieter when in use. The dinette unit is still in position but we usually keep it made-up as a double bed unless we are expecting visitors and need extra seating and table space. We have a small collapsible table that is used daily and a small drop-leaf table that is stored in the wardrobe when not in use.

The kitchen is virtually unchanged since construction with the exception of tiles above the cooker and a microwave oven installed beneath the room divider worktop. But this area is earmarked for upgrading and modernisation. This will entail either replacing the original woodwork with modern kitchen units or painting the existing woodwork, fitting new worktops and cupboard doors, removing the original stainless steel sink and drainer and replacing it with a circular basin and matching drainer. The “handing” of the sink/drainer will be reversed so as to improve the amount of worktop space available and make better utilisation of currently unused space. A new cooker will complete this part of the refit nicely. Initially, laminate flooring was been fitted from the back door (concealing the forward bilge hatch), through the kitchen area as far as the end of the room divider adjacent to the tail of the double bed. It proved easier to keep this area clean as well as being more hygienic than the original carpeting which warranted extending along the rest of the boat's interior.

The interior looking aft in July 2008 with the hull lining newly carpeted and cabinet fitted...

In May 2008 we relined the cabin interior lining below the gunwales with carpet. This hid some of the ravages of time (and refitting) as well as being good heat and acoustic insulation but when completed it highlighted the need for new carpet on the floor. A nice red maybe... to match the curtains and cushions or even continue the laminate flooring forward from the kitchen area with a rug in the centre of the floor. The laminate flooring won and was fitted in March 2009 just in time for the start of the boating season. Pieces of laminate flooring left over were cut and shaped to hide the space beneath the solid fuel fire plinth which houses additional ballast beneath.

The interior looking forward in June 2008 with the hull lining carpeted and futon installed...

After many hours of deliberation we decided to remove the remaining fixed bunk in the front cabin and replace it with a free-standing futon. During the day the sofa bed is located underneath the gunwales. During the evening it can be rotated through ninety degrees to face the television. It can also be converted to an additional double bed for when we have visitors staying with us. The size of the doors was the deciding factor in the choice of the futon as it had to be self-assembly with each individual part needing to be small enough to fit through either the front or rear doors. The removal of the fixed bunk exposed the wood lining which was then covered in carpet up to beneath the gunwales to match the rest of the boat.

... and two years later in July 2010 with corner cupboard fitted and flooring completed

The removal of the fixed bunk highlighted the need for attention to the floor covering. We initially thought about new carpet contrasting with that fitted below the gunwales but later decided to extend the laminate flooring fitted in the kitchen area. This would be easier to clean with a dry floor mop and alleviate the need to vacuum clean the floor. The existing television was replaced with a flat-screen, LCD television complete with a Digibox and Freesat receiver and dish, all of which were carefully chosen to run on 12 volts without the need for an inverter. The satellite dish is attached to the existing tv aerial mast when required via a special galvanised bracket.

The new TV aerial mast (left) and with the new aerial and folded satellite dish (right)

For a long time we had a mains operated "touch lamp" standing on the corner shelf that could only be used when we were on a mains land line. I removed the internal electronics and installed a new in-line switch and bulb holder to which was fitted a 12 volt LED bulb... the first low-energy light on the boat. We could now use the lamp at all times regardless if we were connected to mains electricity or not and without having to worry about power consumption. Whilst out shopping we came across a self-assembly cupboard small enough to fit beneath the gunwales. As well as replacing some of the lost storage space when the fixed bunk in the front cabin was removed it would hide the old pump-out toilet tank drain cock and pipe that protrudes through the cabin lining. Above it the cabin lining was damaged by a water leak from the original solid fuel stove socket in the roof and the adjacent window frame. Instead of disturbing the damaged lining to replace it a large picture frame containing a map of the inland waterways system (previously mounted on the inside of the toilet/shower door) conceals it nicely. Further aft, where the triangular cupboard was located, the lining has holes that accommodated redundant 12 volt and 240 volt electrical sockets. Another identical frame containing a map of the Four Counties Ring was fitted to conceal the holes and further improve the looks of the cabin. The LCD tv was fitted to a swivel-out mounting bracket which left a lot of space on the cupboard next to the front cabin bulkhead. The aerial mast that was fitted in 2002 was starting to show the ravages of time and a replacement unit that was more substantial and galvanised to resist corrosion was purchased and fitted in June 2009. When choosing this unit one of the criteria was that the satellite dish could be mounted onto it. This would require a suitable bracket which was fabricated by a friend and the dish fits really well. The windscreen was starting to rot and was also replaced in June 2009.

In preparation of the Ribble passage the anchor was mounted on the front deck forward bulkhead and navigation lights fitted. At the same time the starter motor was refurbished, a new 70 amp Lucas A127-L0223 alternator fitted and the original replaceable element oil filter assembly was replaced with the spin-off canister conversion. The calorifier sprung a leak and was originally fitted before the engine was installed. This meant major surgery to remove and repair it. The repair proved to be a temporary one and a new unit will have to be fitted in the not too distant future.

The original triangular shelf was removed and an antique oak corner cupboard sourced from eBay was fitted to finish off the corner. I have fitted an LED light unit to the cupboard to illuminate the interior. Around the same time we were given a small drop-leaf table which opens up into a table large enough for the two of us to eat from. When not in use it is the right size to be stored in the wardrobe. December 2009 saw the starter motor refurbished and the stern gland repacked and overhauled in January 2010.

Stern gland assembly (left) and new packing material (right) before being cut to size

(Note the screw in the centre being used to remove old packing material from the gland in the left hand photograph)

When access to the weed hatch was required the centre deck board had to be removed in its entirety. As the board was the full length of the rear deck this could have caused problems, especially if in open water (where there is no towpath to deposit items onto) or if the rear cover was erected. Consequently, the board in question was cut in two with the rear-most part just long enough to allow access to the weed hatch. This has also necessitated replacing the rear seats as they stood on a portion of this board so a wooden plank was fitted across the handrail and two plastic seat buckets, minus their metal frames, bolted to it.

... and in May 2007 with the canopy folded with new seating fitted. Note the generator located beneath them

This freed-up the floor space removing the need to move the seats when required. The only problem with the new seating was that the sitter's feet dangled in mid-air having nothing to rest upon. This was remedied by the purchase of two plastic foot stools that were just the right height. The generator was also relocated from the front deck to beneath the new seats on the rear deck. The electrical cable from it to the rear deck land-line socket was laid in the self-draining channels beneath the deck boards. When access to the weed hatch is required the generator is simply wheeled across the rear deck so that it is on the adjacent large deck board. When the generator was moved to the rear deck this removed the need for an extension power lead running the whole length of the boat and the associated voltage drop as well as giving us a tidy and uncluttered front deck where we and guests can sit and relax in comfort.

In January of 2010 we moved our moorings to Lymm where there is a 240 volts mains electricity hook-up and the generator is kept at home unless needed. During the course of the year new beading was fitted to some of the boat's windows, the last original fluorescent light was replaced and an LED reading light fitted on the outside of the toilet compartment bulkhead. Before the water tank was filled at the start of the 2010 cruising season, red Hammerite Smooth was used to repaint the bow water line as an experiment to see how it would last in water. If the experiment proves successful I will consider painting the whole of the hull with black Hammerite Smooth. Prior to the 2010 Summer Cruise the leaking calorifier was addressed. This would entail either more major surgery to the rear deck support steelwork to allow the calorifier to be removed or alternatively, cut it up in situ and remove it piece by piece. I went for the easy option of cutting it up in situ. The replacement was slightly narrower but taller which also allowed it to be installed without the aforementioned surgery. When the calorifier leaked it damaged the starter motor which was replaced at the same time (again).

Even though the water system is drained every winter, the ultra-low temperatures (down to -19°c) endured during the winter of 2010/11 we suffered a burst pipe in the cold water feed to the calorifier. "Total Eclipse" is plumbed with obsolete Imperial ½ inch pipework and replacing the affected part of the pipe was proving more difficult than I ever imagined. The leak was located in the cupboard under the sink and I planned to cut out a short section of the pipe and in the gap plumb-in a tee with a drain cock on the spur so that the water can completely drained any out of the system. I was having difficulty obtaining ½ inch fittings so it was suggested that I filed out a 15mm fitting and the outside of the pipe. As Imperial copper pipe has a thicker wall than metric pipes this would not affect the integrity of the joint or pipe. I installed myself virtually inside the cupboard and filed... and filed... and filed stopping periodically to see if the olive would fit. I could not get a decent stroke on the file and after filing for two hours I gave up in disgust and all for the sake of a few thousandths of an inch! A few friends promised to look in their lofts and tool boxes to see if they had any old Imperial fittings that I could use. In the meantime I scoured the Internet. A source of fittings was found on eBay America but the supplier does not ship outside the USA. A temporary solution to the problem was to use flexible hose secured by Jubilee clips until the correct fitting can be located. Around the same time the hardwood (Iroco) window surrounds were removed, planed, refitted and revarnished and a new button fender fitted to the stern.

New pipework and temporary coupling solution (aka - flexible hose and Jubilee clips)

In the spring of 2011 the cabin side panels were starting to look a little the worse for wear. We decided that we would repaint them but there was a problem... International Paints, in their infinite wisdom had discontinued their "Toplac" in Pillar-box Red as they had discontinued Deep Water Green. The previous year we had repainted the roof and due to Deep Water Green not being available we tried to match it from Rylard Paint's colour chart. Union Canal Green was almost a match but after application it seemed too blue. Consequently, all the main colour scheme of the boat was obsolete. After emailing International Paints requesting information and with no reply forthcoming we contacted Rylard Paints in Liverpool. They told us that they might be able to match the green and red finishes but would require a sample to work from. I hunted through our shed and discovered a couple of old tins of Deep Water Green and Pillar Box Red that contained mainly skin. I sent them a sample of skin plus the old tin lids and they replied a couple of days later telling me that they could match the colours. The only problem was that there was a minimum order of two two and a half litre tins for each colour at a price of £45.00 for each tin. After deliberation we decided that it would cost considerably more to completely repaint the boat (in a colour that we didn't particularly like) and ordered two tins of each colour of paint. Just over a week later the paint was delivered to Thorn Marine... our local boat chandlers. Good customer service indeed. Well done Rylard Paints! The paintwork was sanded down and repainted just in time for our 2011 Summer Cruise. All that was needed now was the name painted on the cabin sides and this was later to happen in an unexpected way.

Around the same time we noticed that there was corrosion in the shower tray sump and after playing with ideas to patch it up we was decided to have a plastic liner made to go inside the tray. This was produced by Goodwin Plastics of Haslington near Crewe who advertised in "Canal Boat" and "Waterways World" magazines. They were given the dimensions on a Monday, quoted £83 to make it out of white polypropylene when this quote was accepted the tray was ready for collection on the Wednesday. The tray liner fitted perfectly and after sealing strips were fitted to prevent splashed entering the forward bilge was as good as if not better than new. Yet another example of excellent customer service and a company that we cannot recommend too highly.

We have had plans to have the boat's name painted onto the cabin sides (see section on Future Plans below and "Canalscape - Book 7 - Canalmanac 2007") but in the meantime printed signs were stuck in the front cabin windows. For my sixtieth birthday present our friends Michelle and Ian Gilbody had the boat's name painted (unbeknown to me) on the cabin sides using the image later on in this section as a template. Paul the sign writer even managed to do it in the same font. After owning "Total Eclipse" for ten years she now had her name (and ours) for all to see instead of printed and laminated signs stuck in the windows.

The inside of the rear deck canopy with Velcro replacing the broken zip fastener

I replaced the damaged "lift-dot" fasteners. The canopy is over twenty years old and ideally, needs replacing mainly due to my damaging it on the Llangollen Canal last year. But due to the cost of them running to over £1k this will have to wait until our "canopy fund" has a few more pennies in it. The major fault on it is the zip fastener on the right hand side screen which had broken and I hit upon an idea to replace it. Instead of another zip why not replace it with self-adhesive Velcro? A suitable length of a heavy duty variety was purchased from our local fabric shop and after replacing the broken "lift dot" fasteners I set to work removing the old zip. This didn't prove to be too difficult as the cotton had started to rot. The Velcro is self adhesive and the inside piece was cut to length and stuck onto the material once all the old cotton was removed and the area cleaned. The flap that the other piece was to be fitted to is too narrow for the full-width Velcro so I cut it in half down its length and stuck into position. Initially, this worked well and when the side panel was put back in place the two parts of the Velcro "knitted" together well but I made the mistake of sticking the Velcro on in cold weather. After a couple of weeks the adhesive came unstuck on the exposed part of the cover and it came apart. Well... it seemed a good idea at the time but we had to bite the bullet and contacted Coverit Boat Canopies to come and measure for a new canopy and give us a quote. They promised to do this and we are now waiting for them to come and give us the bad news as to how much this will cost... I'm betting about £1700! Thanks to Ange's bargaining skills we forged a deal with Coverit to make a new rear canopy and dodger plus a cratch cover over the front deck for a really good price. The type of canopy we specified was one that does not require a glazed timber windscreen but has an extra hoop frame and a section sloping down to the cabin roof with a "zippable" clear PVC section to act as a windscreen. The template was made and two days later the completed canopy was fitted and exceeded our expectations. The cratch was being made by Ian Gilbody and when completed Coverit are returning to make a template and again to fit it. The British Racing Green PVC matched the boat's paintwork well and the canopy was nicely shaped to match the boat's line. The windscreen had a steeper rake than the old timber one had and gave a better view as well as a greater feeling of spaciousness. Closer examination showed a couple of things that needed slight modification such as there was no zip allowing the windscreen portion to be rolled up when necessary, flaps would need to be stitched on behind the cleats to prevent rain ingress and straps to support the side screens when rolled up. We also think that rain might enter where the handrails pass through the canopy and where the canopy attaches to the cabin roof. After discussing it with Gary we plan to fit a thin batten behind the windscreen to guide any ingress of rainwater to the edges of the roof where it will run down the cabin sides. The couple of slight modifications to the canopy will be made when the cratch cover template is made.

The futon that we installed in 2008 was awkward to open out into a bed so we looked at a "click-clack" type sofa bed to replace it with. After visiting local furniture shops and scouring the Internet a brown leather example was ordered from Amazon. This is more comfortable that the futon and is much easier to convert into a reasonably sized bed. It was installed before the cratch and front deck canopy was fitted which is just as well as the cratch and front deck canopy would both have to be removed prior to it being installed.

Major Milestones in the life of Hancock and Lane Job No 2755
13-08-1980	Hancock and Lane job number 2755 completed
05-11-1980	Exhibited at The Boat Show, Earl's Court, London
01-03-1981	2755 purchased by Mr V Jones for £12681.75p and christened "Cordelia"
1983	"Cordelia" sold to Mr D Reed and moved to Preston Brook Marina, Bridgewater Canal
1984	Centaflex propeller shaft coupling fitted
1987	Holding tank and flushing toilet removed, "Portapotti" and "Torgem" solid fuel fire fitted
07-1987	"Cordelia" dry-docked at BMBC Runcorn for hull cleaning and painting
1989	Windscreen, front and rear deck canopies fitted and ventilators changed to mushroom ventilators
11-1999	Passed Boat safety Certificate
03-2001	Cyril Wood takes over responsibility for "Cordelia's" maintenance and up-keep
03-2001	Starter battery replaced
03-2001	Stuart Turner water pump replaced with Sureflo and accumulator sphere
04-2001	240 volt ring main fitted and two of the original fluorescent lights replaced
05-2001	Replacement of floor adjacent to kitchen and stern greaser moved onto rear deck
06-2001	Kitchen tiled
15-02-2002	"Cordelia" dry-docked at BMBC Runcorn for hull cleaning and painting
16-07- 2002	"Cordelia" bought by Angela & Cyril Wood and re-christened "Total Eclipse"
09-2002	"Total Eclipse " moved from BMBC's Walton moorings to Lymm CC's Oughtrington mooring
01-11-2002	Passed Boat Safety Certificate. Examiner - Mel Blakey
4-2004	Additional leisure battery fitted and wiring renewed
07-2004	Sipped for hull painting at Lymm CC
04-2005	Commenced installation of Carobo solid fuel fire and partial refitting
05-2005	Toilet compartment, triangular cupboard and Torgem removed
31-10-2006	Passed Boat Safety Certificate. Examiner - John Taylor
04-2007	Television cupboard constructed in front cabin
05-2007	Laminate flooring fitted to kitchen area
2-2008	Leisure battery replaced
03-2008	Original bunk in front cabin removed and sofa bed installed
04-2008	Cabin lining below gunwales carpeted
05-2008	Permanent seating installed on rear deck and boat slipped for hull painting at Lymm CC. Roof also painted
07-2008	Leaking calorifier repaired, new fender eyes welded in place, toilet compartment light replaced with an LED unit
14-03-2009	Laminate flooring fitted throughout the boat
06-2009	Windscreen replaced and navigation lights fitted
07-2009	Alternator replaced by 70 amp Lucas A127-L0223 and "spin-on" type oil filter assembly fitted
08-2009	Glass fronted oak corner cupboard fitted adjacent to front bulkhead
19-12-2009	Starter motor rebuilt
01-2010	"Total Eclipse" moved to Lymm CC's Lymm moorings
02-2010	Stern gland overhauled and re-packed
03-2010	Commenced fitting beading to window frames and cabin paintwork touched-up
03-2010	Experimented with red Hammerite Smooth along the bow waterline below the bottom rubbing strake
06-2010	Cabin roof repainted and more window beading fitted
30-06-2010	LED reading light fitted and last remaining fluorescent light unit in kitchen replaced with a centre of ceiling unit
17-07-2010	Leaking calorifier cut-up in situ and replacement Albion 50 litre model installed
22-07-2010	Starter motor replaced with refurbished model and redundant cables removed from wiring loom
01-11-2010	Passed Boat Safety Certificate examination. Examiner - Graham Thornton
08-11-2010	Extra fuse fitted to 12 volt domestic feed, refrigerator gas isolation valve replaced fuel filler labelled, fire _blanket relocated and starboard third window re-sealed
26-03-2011	Hardwood window surrounds removed, planed, refitted and varnished
26-03-2011	Burst calorifier feed pipe replaced and drain cock fitted beneath kitchen sink
17-04-2011	New stern fender fitted and missing pipe fender replaced
20-04-2011	Fore, aft and centre ropes replaced - original ropes used solely as mooring ropes
24-04-2011	Kitchen Venetian blind replaced with a roller blind
02-05-2011	Stern greaser pipe fitting replaced
07-06-2011	Certificate of Seaworthiness issued
22-07-2011	Roof, gunwales, cabin side panels and white coach lines sanded down and repainted
23-07-2011	Shower tray liner fitted
21-10-2011	Signwriting painted on cabin sides
30-11-2011	Zip fastener on r/h rear canopy side screen replaced with "Velcro" and broken "lift-dot" fasteners replaced
23-03-2012	New domestic batteries fitted
25-03-2012	Alternator drive belt adjusted and rear steps altered for ease of removal
24-04-2012	New sofa bed installed in lounge
27-04-2012	New rear canopy and dodger fitted
05-2012	Cratch board and front deck cover fitted ä
05-2012	Headlamp relocated and new horn to cratch board ä
06-2012	Cabin floor replaced adjacent to back door ä
06-2012	Steel patch welded where stove chimney socket was originally located ä
06-2012	Television relocated to opposite the sofa bed ä
09-06-2012	Slipped for hull cleaning and painting at Lymm CC ä
2012	Stern gland overhauled and repacked ä
2012	Window beading replacement completed ä
2012	Starboard deck board replaced and centre deck board split with self-draining gutter fitted beneath ä
2012	Carpet tiles replaced on rear deck ä
2013	Ceiling replaced with tongue and groove ä
2013	Damaged cabin lining replaced ä
2013	New kitchen fitted ä

We have quite a few plans for the future which include patching and possibly painting over the interior woodwork with scumble or light coloured paint would hide the location of removed bulkheads, etc and also lighten the interior of the boat. The original toilet compartment was removed in 2005 and plans made to extend the shower compartment to accommodate a fitted vanity unit and wash basin opposite a Thetford C200 cassette toilet. Access to the wardrobe from the centre of the boat would have to be changed to above the convertible double bed due to the original door being blocked off due to being inside the extended shower/toilet/wash basin compartment. These plans have been shelved and in the meantime we are currently enjoying the extra space that this modification has given us... and its not too much trouble to lift out the "Porta Potti" toilet before using the shower.

Most probably the next part of "Total Eclipse" to be refurbished will be the kitchen area. A new cooker, modern units and worktop are on the cards in the not too distant future. The style of the cabinets, cooker and worktop have already been chosen but the existing Electrolux gas/12/240 volt refrigerator will have to be retained for the foreseeable future as a replacement 12 volt model would require additional batteries. We plan to construct and fit a cratch board and cover over the front deck, fit either new front doors and framing (possibly with self-coloured UPVC units) or modify the existing door by cutting it in half and making two smaller upper doors leaving the lower part as it. The door would then be of the "stable door" variety allowing the front deck to be used even with the cover in place. As previously mentioned, removing the PVC skirting surrounding the rear deck beneath the handrail and replacing it with a metal, plastic or wooden "skirt" would improve the appearance and weatherproofing of the rear deck. We also would like the boat's name painted on the cabin sides in the manner shown below. It would be nice to accomplish these tasks immediately but they will have to be done gradually as cruising, time and finances allow.

The signwriting we eventually plan to have painted onto "Total Eclipse" (see above)

Paul Woolley is a regular reader of "Canalscape" and he contacted me recently regarding the job number of his boat and the build date. His 1981 forty foot H & L has been refitted and recently repainted. It is a credit to him. We frequently see other examples of Hancock and Lane narrowboats. They are usually identified by the line of the hull and cabin, profile of the handrails, flat-topped rear door shape, handrail and supports, positioning of the gas bottle locker, positioning of the engine compartment ventilator grills, "T" studs and fuel filler plus many smaller details. However, since Hancock and Lane ceased building boats in the early 1990s there have been a couple of revivals of the "Norseman" designs. Colecraft as well as R & D were producing similar boats up to the present day and exhibit many similarities. In fact, on the surface they appear to be the same design but there are subtle differences to tell them apart. The "Norseman Classic" was produced by Bidston Narrowboats of Birkenhead and sold by Classic Boats in the early 2000's. It was available in 45 ft, 57 ft and 65 ft lengths. In these boats there was a deviation from the original H & L design with the inclusion of portholes aft instead of the more usual windows to accommodate the aft bedroom layout. They were produced up to 2004 when the manufacturers... Bidston Narrowboats based at the old Cammell Lairds complex in Birkenhead ceased production. When examples come onto the second-hand market they are eagerly sought after and are usually higher priced than similarly aged and specified craft.

The most recent renaissance of this classic narrowboat design is the Calcutt "Clipper" range of boats built by Calcutt Boats, Southam in Warwickshire. The boat is available in various lengths up to fifty feet long and current prices are around a thousand pounds per foot. This design even retains the BL 1500/Newage PRM engine and gearbox combination. There are various modern touches to the design but, as the photograph below illustrates, the design bears an undeniable resemblance to the original H & L "Norseman"... more so than the Exclusive Boats' "Norseman Classic".

As well as cruiser type narrowboats Hancock and Lane also built workboats for British Waterways. Such is the standard of construction, many of these boats are in regular day to day use. Below is an example normally seen on the Bridgewater Canal at Worsley.

"Total Eclipse" at the Mark Addy on the River Irwell in Manchester - August 2006

The Author steering "Total Eclipse" whilst entering Preston Dock en-route to the Lancaster Canal - July 2009

"Total Eclipse" entering the Manchester Ship Canal at Ellesmere Port - August 2011

"Total Eclipse" above Vale Royal Lock - River Weaver (in the rain) - August 2011

So there you have it... an insight to our narrowboat... "Total Eclipse". Even though she may not be new or shiny or have the highest, latest specification or equipment but she does everything we ask of her and we love her very much. A close friend and his partner who have accompanied us on a few cruises once said that if they won the National Lottery they would buy us a new boat. I thanked them for their kind thoughts and replied that I would rather have our beloved "Total Eclipse" refitted and repainted instead and I suppose an extra five feet in the front cabin wouldn't go amiss either! (but I must say that a forty eight foot, semi trad, Mike Christian "sailaway additions" is very tempting especially if it had a Gardner 2LW or 3LW living in the engine room). Modern boats are usually made from recycled steel whereas "Total Eclipse" is made from "fresh" steel. This is evident when ever I have to drill a hole through her steelwork and have to purchase special drill bits to go through the extremely hard steel, or when she comes out of the water for the bi-annual cleaning, inspection and hull painting and there are none of the rust blisters usually seen on more modern boats. She should last (hopefully) for many years to come with regular maintenance without any major traumas.

or select another book below...
		Introduction
		Book 1 - 1960 to 1982
		Book 2 - 1983 to 1999
		Book 3 - 2000 to 2005
		Book 4 - 2006 to 2007
		Book 5 - 2008 to 2009
		Book 6 - 2010
		Book 7 - 2011
		Book 8 - 2012 (In Preparation)