Phil Thompson

Where can I buy (affordable) oak tongue & groove cladding for lining the sides and ceiling of my narrowboat?

I have a Squirrel Stove, a solid fuel stove that can heat water via a heat exchanger on the back. I am fitting it into a narrow boat but I am concerned with the fact that if (More like when!) I hit the side of a lock wall sideways hard that there is nothing to stop the stove from moving! There are two 22mm copper pipes attached,but that is all. The stove does not appear to come with any means of securing it. Any and all advice will be greatly received. Thanks Phil.

Hi all, I have a 53ft N/B "hull only" bought from the Liverpool Stable. There are 3 of us involved in the fitting out. Phil: Joiner Bri: Plumber/Mechanic Les: Corgi Gas fitter (Natural gas only) We are fitting the whole boat from the windows to the engine and drive. The gas pipe used is 10mm plastic coated copper, 1 continues length from the bottle storage at the front to the midships galley. I req. at this stage to ask is there any clips that are NOT permitted to be used to secure the pipe. The pipe is to run in the gunwhale along with 12vDC and 240vAC cables. The 240 is in its own conduit and the 12 is wrapped and secured every 12 inches. We are of course compling with the regs and will secure the pipe at least every 20 inches, but it's the little things like what clips etc. that cause the headaces. :

I built my first boat on a budget so used a drive shaft from a car, suitably shortened and rewelded. That was in 1982. It was still working fine when I sold the boat in 2004 with 5000 hours on it.

I have Acorn's catalogue but they only offer grommets for 1.5 and 3.2mm panels.

I need some rubber grommets to protect cables etc where they pass through my front and rear bulkheads. The bulkheads are 5mm steel. The only grommets I have been able to find are made for thin steel. Does anyone know where I can buy a small number of suitable grommets?

My last boat had a water lubricated Cutlas bearing. We inspected it after 20 years and found it to be as good as new, just slight wear on the shaft itself. Much quieter than a bronze bush.

We used Nitoseal MS50. It is UV stable and can be applied in moist conditions and it is paintable, unlike silicones etc. You don't need any screws, the MS50 will hold the window in place. It is available from any good builders merchants at about £3/tube.

I have had a 53' bare narrowboat hull delivered from Liverpool Boats. It is their standard 10/6/5/4 spec. The boat is not in the water and I am trying to establish how much ballast will be required. It would be helpful to know how much ballast others have installed in similar hulls.