Alan de Enfield

Someone always has to mention toilets !

Well, we are half-way there. An IC engine powering an electric motor - the next step should be removing the electric motor and having an IC engine directly turning the prop.

May the 4th be with you !!!!

Its not just 'leccy boats, it seems that pretty much all the boats that Oakhams have manufactured have had serious complaints (paint falling off, cuoboard doors falling off or not closing, not being fitted out with what was agreed etc etc) A couple of Trustpilot ratings (1*) Zero customer service and support We commissioned our e-boat in Oct 24, with projected delivery of May 25. After a year of serious distress due to lack of communications and transparency, as well as various avoidable errors, we were finally able to move in mid-January 2026 to find the spec had been downgraded without notification, incomplete poor quality fixtures, fewer batteries than we’d paid for, basic installation issues, and a false claim to third parties that we’d failed to pay. Customer service is non existent. We were even asked to give up our consumer rights so that Oakums could renege on their warranty. We had to engage a third party to carry out the remedial repairs and snags, as well as spend a further £12k to replace the inadequate batteries. We’re now effectively £60k out of pocket as a result of going with this company. The WORST after-sales service ever! The company failed to fix a myriad of defects on our boat after delivery. Then the MD simply stopped responding to appeals for help. We since discovered many other customer had similar experiences.

Agreed - but it is useful to remember that a 9" Pizza is 63.6 square inches, whilst a 15" pizza is 176.7 square inches, so, almost 3x as much pizza !

And, in case the OP needs it - this company do UK inland waterways, narrowboat insurance for Non-Dom boaters. Inland Waterways Insurance - Velos Insurance

Exactly in line with the RCD/RCR statement, except, that evidence of equivalence has to be submitted to the RCD/RCR and included in the technical manual. Other ways to comply with the essential requirements. The application of harmonised standards is not the only means to demonstrate the conformity of a product. However, only harmonised standards, after publication of references in the Official Journal of the EU (OJEU), may provide an automatic presumption of conformity against essential requirements covered by such standards. With the exception of the Directive’s mandatory reference to some harmonised standards (see Point 3), the manufacturer can choose whether or not to apply and refer to harmonised standards. However, if the manufacturer chooses not to follow the harmonised standards, he has the obligation to demonstrate that his products are in conformity with essential requirements by the use of other means that provide for at least an equivalent level of safety or protection. These can be technical specifications such as national standards, European or international standards which are not harmonised, i.e. not published in the OJEU, rules of notified bodies or the manufacturer’s own specifications. In these cases the manufacturer does not benefit from the presumption of conformity, but has to demonstrate the conformity himself. This implies that he demonstrates, in the technical documentation of a relevant product, in a more detailed manner how the technical specifications he uses provide conformity with the essential requirements. Manufacturers are advised to stay informed about the developments in international standardisation. Even if the manufacturer has not used harmonised standards, a change in the relevant harmonised standard could mean a change in the state of the art that implies that his product may not be compliant.

So, when I earlier said "I think your examiner is maybe working to his own agenda" I was probably correct ?

On another forum : I was issued marine insurance for my narrowboat for one year, ending 1 June 2024, but was recently told by Haven Knox-Johnston that the reinsurer, MS Amlin, will no longer allow HK-J to insure Americans, although he probably meant Amlin will no longer insure non-UK residents. I was not aware a narrowboat, used exclusively on UK/CRT canals and rivers could have a State of Nationality other than UK. Do you know if this is possible? I fully expect to be forced to sell my narrowboat, which I only purchased this year, due to lack of insurance. My details are: -Permanent US resident owner. -US citizenship of owner. -Vessel is a narrowboat used on the CRT canal and river system, currently moored in a marina connected to the CRT canal system in England. -Presumed UK flagged vessel. I've called all the insurers on the CRT list and none of them will agree to insure a UK based boat to non-UK resident. Any useful information you have would be greatly appreciated.

No need - the OP is obviously fully aware as he expects the surveyor to check that the HIN numbers match.

But similar result to tying up tight and opening the paddle.

Even tying to the bollards is no guarantee .............. Meadow Lane Lock