Alan de Enfield

If it was built / fitted out by a commercial company then sold to the user, by law, it required compliance with the RCD And all that goes with it - if it doesn't have a HIN/WIN in the starboard quarter of the rear of the boat (transom) it should have ! The Hull Identification Number (HIN) on a boat should be marked on the starboard side of the transom, near the top edge. This location is standardized by law and is essential for the boat's registration and identification. The HIN must be visible and easily accessible, even when the boat is in the water. It is typically found on a metal plate or embossed into the hull material. The HIN serves as a unique identifier for the boat, similar to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for cars, and is necessary for legal transactions and safety compliance

A 600w air con would take 100% of a 400 Ah battery in just over 6 hours The 2000w air con would take 100% of a 400 Ah battery in just over 2 hours My experience of aircon is that during the day the temperatures are generably liveable with, it is evening and overnight with temps at 25C+ when sleeping is a problem, that's when I tend to use air con the most.

He wants to maximise the power (watts) of his solar He will not get any more power - exactly the same number of watts at varying voltages. He may be able to use cheaper components but that will not alter the power input - he will get the same number of watts He cannot get 'much more into the MPPT' whatever he does or spends.

Yes he edited his post after my post.

But the OP suggested using 24v would MAXIMISE the output of the solar panels, no question re reduction in installed costs.

I'm not sure how a 24v system maximises the output from solar panels. My panels are 120v My MPPT takes that down to "12 volts" to feed the batteries - if the MPPT output is (say) charging the batteries at 10 amps, then on a 24 volt system it would only charge at 5 amps. You effectively get the same number of watts. I don't see how 24 volts maximises you solar output. What am I missing ?

So, "watt" size battery bank would you need to support a 600w (at 230v) aircon which will be drawing ~60amps from your batteries, via an inverter. A single 110Ah battery would last around 30 minutes ! And then you have to replace it somehow - running a Jenny ?

We nearly had aircon fitted to the boat - does that count ? In the end we made the decision not to have it due to the 'huge' power usage - the only way it would work was if you were an a shoreline permanently. If you are cruising it's not possible without a Jennifer running. If on a permanent shore line - go ahead.

Pre 1997 is 1976 and earlier. To be pedantic (which is very unlike me) the RCD was introduced in 1994 and after the 'feed in period' it became mandatory in GB on 16th June 1998 So, a boat predating 16/6/1998 would not be required to be RCD compliant - but - it could be, if the builder chose to do so.

And in the UK :- Running out of fuel on UK roads directly triggers strict legal and financial penalties. Under Rule 97 of The Highway Code, motorists must confirm they have sufficient petrol or diesel before beginning any journey. Failing to do so classifies an empty tank as a completely avoidable breakdown. Police officers routinely issue fixed penalty notices for £100 and endorse three penalty points on driving licences for drivers causing obstructions. This specific motoring offence scales into severe careless driving charges, limitless fines, and immediate driving disqualifications, triggering severe financial strain through unlimited traffic fines if a dry tank precipitates a serious collision.

You are correct - it was "an inconvenience" and the "primarily a cottage industry" that is the UK canal boat builders, and the likes of the RYA (who were responsible for administering the RCD), decided to misinterpret the DIY rules. The rest of the countries affected by the RCD seem to have applied the DIY rule as intended. The Trading Standards had 'bigger fish to fry' so few cases were bought to court, howver, since the legal decision in 2024 many brokers are now demanding that if there is no RCD/RCR paperwork that a PCA must be undertaken at a cost of something around £3000-£5000 A fit out of a sailaway boat is 'major work' and should require a PCA (for stability on the finished boat, if nothing else) ‘Major Craft Conversion’ would be applicable to the fit out of the majority of sailaway boats, and needs to be factored in when planning your fit out. Once you have completed the fit out of your sailway boat, the boat would require a Post Construction Assessment and the documentation, builders plate and CE markings all need to be updated. Although a self assessment is possible, it is not recommended as the fitter would resume all responsibility as the manufacturer and it is also a lengthy and involved process. In the worse case scenario, it could mean you are held criminally responsible if the boat sank and there was loss of life. It is recommended that you appoint a professional to complete the post construction assessment, this would be at of cost of around £3000-£5000 One example of the 'correct' rules being applied ..........

But. as as clarified many years ago by the RCD, and subsequently a legal review in 2024, the 5 year exemption was only for boats built by the owner - NOT just a "fit out" It is only a DIY boat if both the hull and the fit out are done by the owner. Brokers have started to include this in their Q&A's Here is ABNB's explanation ............. ABNB Brokers statement : Statement re Self builds and sailaways. RCD compliance The exception to the above, is for a vessel that has been self-built in its entirety (including the shell) by a DIY boatbuilder for their own personal use. However, if the vessel is placed on the market within 5 years, it must be CE marked to satisfy the requirements of the RCR (RCD). The vessel does not have to be complete for the 5 year period to start, but does have to have been used as a boat (e.g. cruised on a waterway). The '5-year rule' does not apply to a private boatbuilder who is building a boat for their own use from a shell or sailaway that has been purchased from a professional builder. These vessels have to be assessed under Post Construction Assessment by an Approved Body when put into service. In the Inland Waterways, the industry as a whole believed that a self-fitted out boat fell under the 5-year rule, ie. as long as the boat owner kept the boat for 5 years, it did not need to comply with the RCD and could be sold legally. However, a recent Independent legal review and clarification from Trading Standards in early 2024 has highlighted that this is not the case.

Au Pair ?

Unfortunately a common problem found on Trad/Semi trad sterns, its certainly one of the benefits of a cruiser stern where you can get into the engine 'ole and readily be 'on top of' the weed hatch and even a 'short armed' person can reach right down to the shaft, and, even the bottom of the prop. If you cannot reach down enough to get to the shaft you are going to have big problems when you need to start cutting off rope, wire, matresses and other assorted detritus.

You can get 10% in Asia - but no protection if the bank goes 'bump'.