Alan Wildman

Further to Alan F's comments on how the "trial" at 3 Locks is judged, having thought about the situation some more, I have to agree that without fully understanding the extent and nature of the suggested "problem" and the due diligence that honestly ought to have gone into the research before making any changes, it does seem there is little that can be measured when the results of the "trial" are analysed. Perhaps that is a question that Alan and I might raise at the next sub-group meeting. As for the sub-group itself, I understand it to be a talking shop to enable the views of people from various user sectors to be aired and discussed. The group is not a decision maker as such but does give the opportunity for a wide variety of views to be aired. Certainly, that is the reason that I attend and I am grateful to have been given the chance to do so. Alan has taken some criticism for not declaring what was talked about regarding the 3 Locks exercise. That being the case then I deserve similar criticism. In our defence, though, it was agreed early on in the existence of the sub-group that none of us would comment publicly about the talks therein until after the meeting notes were made public. This was agreed not in the interests of secrecy but to try and ensure that mis-understandings between attendees could be avoided or at least corrected in public against the published notes. I believe that the likes of Alan F. and myself attend these and other meetings to try and bring about what we and those that support us feel is best for the waterways - in our particular cases it is hopefully clear that we put boats and boating at the forefront of what we do and say; because without boats and boaters the waterways would likely become overgrown ditches as opposed the treasure that they are. By all means continue to criticise, encourage us to change our tactics and views if you think we are wrong, but please never underestimate the time and commitment that he and I and others (that includes Steve J and ACC) put in to try and make life better for all of us that care about the inland waterways. Do we get it wrong sometimes ? - yes we do - please keep having your say and help us get it right. Warmest regards to all. Alan W.

Whilst I regularly follow threads on the forum, I rarely post as I am pretty busy with my (very) full time job and with RBOA matters. Also, some time back, when I did respond with genuine advice on a good piece of electrical kit I had bought, installed and tried out, I was simply shot down in flames (without good reason) by one called "Gibbo" and thought "oh well better to keep quiet than get drawn into a bun fight". Nevertheless, I see my name has been brought into this particular discussion and I thought it prudent to state my case and that of RBOA. Although I am not posting this with my RBOA hat on, I am comfortable in commenting because my own personal views very much reflect those of RBOA as far as VM's and stay times are concerned. Firstly, if Alan F. feels I let him down at the SEWP Boating Sub Group meeting by not supporting his views on short term moorings at Three Locks, then I apologise for that. I really don't recall any great debate on the subject. It was, if I recall correctly, to be a trial exercise anyway. For clarity, though: I do not support changes to VM stay times unless such changes are supported by genuine evidence of need. I believe that, if CRT were to open up more casual mooring areas by creating depth at the bank (and possibly cutting back some vegetation so that it is safe to step ashore to tie up), then the perceived problem at many VM's would go away. This view is based upon the fact that not everyone wants to moor directly on VM'S and many would be happy to moor within reasonable walking distance of the same. I do not support overstay charges because I believe they are practically unenforceable and very difficult to collect from those who simply refuse to pay. My (work) experience of trying to collect funds rightly due through the County Court system supports my view on this. Furthermore, they could be viewed as "the thin end of the wedge" as far as casual mooring fees are concerned. If CRT were able to properly enforce the rules/powers it already holds, then the current stay times would not need changing. The problem, I'm sure many of us agree, is that enforcement is a very difficult nut to crack - but changing the stay times doesn't necessarily make enforcement any easier. CRT and Richard Parry, in particular, seem to be damned if they do and damned if they don't - there will always be criticism from some of us boaters whatever course of action they take. That said, I am a great believer in talk, talk and talk again. Never mind the failures and misunderstandings, let's keep looking and sooner or later some common ground and answers will be found. I know this might have been said many times over, throughout just as many years, but we must surely keep talking and searching. The answer is out there somewhere. Forgive me if I don't get further embroiled in the debate on this (excellent) forum but I am always approachable through RBOA if you have a particular point to make or question to ask. My warmest wishes go out to all boaters, but especially to those who like me live the waterways 24/7. Alan W.

My respones was an attempt to give an honest answer to the original enquiry from "Nipper". I have taken advice from Sterling, Multi-Cell and NASA. Whilst it goes without saying that each of these businesses are out to sell product, they are also quite successful in their respective fields of trade and so, one might assume, have some understanding of what Mr Average requires. I acknowledge that some posters to this forum may be "experts" in their fields but that does not mean that others of us are idiots and I, for one, don't much care for condescending responses; which is why I rarely contribute to the forum. My opinion remains unchanged, the two pieces of equipment that I installed have so far proven to serve my personal needs perfectly well. Alan W.

My wife and I are long term residential boaters (marina based but we cruise, too). Everything onboard has deliberately been kept very simple and all 12 volt equipment is of the lowest power usage we can find - LED lighting, LED television, etc. We have one (80 amp) alternator, 2 x 110 amp hour AGM batteries for domestic use, plus another as a starter battery. On the advice of what we have found to be a very reliable battery supplier, we fitted one of these Sterling units rather than increasing our battery bank size - his advice was "never mind the battery bank, what is most important is how quickly you can replace what power you have used". We have also fitted a NASA BM1 battery monitor. Both units have proved to be superb, as have the AGM batteries (now 7 years old and still showing good voltage retention). Two nights out this weekend; each night we consumed about 25 amps in total. In both cases the batteries were back up to full power in no more than 30 Minutes at tickover. As an aside, we fitted a Sterling mains battery charges some seven years again and that has proved faultless. I trust this helps. Alan W. Sorry, my fingers got the better of me - last sentence was meant to say something along the lines of we fitted a Sterling mains battery charger some seven years ago and that has proved faultless. Alan W.

We would never put our friends/neighbours through that - we use Bio Magic - no smell !!! - and if anyone is about, I check that they're ok with me doing the pump out bfore I start. Simple courtesey to others is all it takes. Alan W.

Just returned from a trip up river to a CAMRA beer festival. Good company, great ale and air cooled, two pot Lister "on song" like a regular heartbeat. What a wonderful way to spend Sunday. I do like old engines. Alan W. (RBOA)

The "Elsan" is a bit of a stretch from the river (Stort) and it's on the far side of the marina from our mooring with occupied berths right outside the amenity block in which it is situated. I've got the self pump out down to a pretty fine art now; part of the benefit being that I can do it whenever I wish without moving the boat and without upsetting anyone else. I find that a half to three quarters of an hour is a small price to pay for the ease and practicality of it. Alan W. (RBOA)

W We have a Lister HB2 in its own engine room. Fire up the motor and "Joss" comes alaive. Two pots, air cooled, noisy, hot, drops a little oil; but cheap to run, easy to maintain, sounds wonderful - beautiful !!! Alan Wildman (RBOA) Sorry about the spelling in my previous post - I'm sure the "b****y" keyboard has a mind of its own (or perhaps I'm not too good at typing) !!!! Alan W. (RBOA)

Best regards to you all. My partner and I live on a residential berth in a BW marina and we have a pump out station situated just outside the marina entrance. For something like three years we put up with the inconvenience (no pun intended !!!) of getting out to the pump out and finding it out of order; or having it swallow our payment card and then not doing anything. The machine was constantly left disbled by other users. Cost was also an issue - £10 per pump out when we already pay a hugely inflated mooring fee, a licence fee and our council tax. So we bought a self pump out kit. Now, once a week, I pump out into 25 litre barrels, take them to the "Elsan" point and carefully discharge the contents with no problem caused to anyone (the "Elsan" does drain to a foul sewer). It is surprising how often other moorers here borrow the pump out kit - and it's good top be able to help out. Alan Wildman (RBOA).

Last year we replaced our Paloma water heater with a Rinnai. It went straight in without any problems; even the flue lined up perfectly. The whole job took no more than a couple of hours and the results are excellent. I would recommnd the Rinnai to anyone wishing to upgrade from the old Paloma units. Alan W.