webdev

OK, sorry for not explaining. My washing machine is right to the side of the boiler tank, and if the boiler tank needs to come out, so does the washing machine. As it's a big job to lift the machine in/out, I wanted to make sure my central heating system was fully serviced and up in good working condition, to save myself having to take the machine back out again later on.

Hi guys, can anyone please recommend me a decent Webasto service engineer in the Worcester area? I have used Evesham Marina in the past, but they just don't seem to be interested these days. As I'm about to install a new washing machine, I really need the Webasto servicing first in case anything else needs replacing before the new machine goes in. Many thanks

Thanks for your replies, both. I had some problems with my logging back on to my account so I couldn't back to you any sooner. It's definately the pump that's leaking by the looks of it, there was a steady trickle coming from underneath it when I got back home the other night. So I drained the tank completely and turned off the valve, which has stopped it leaking completely. I've ordered a new one of the exact same model, which should be here in a few days. They're only £65 so I can't really grumble about replacing it. I'm normally OK at basic DIY stuff (servicing the car, etc), so I'm hoping they're not too difficult to fix. I was just concerned with it being a pressurised system - I didn't want to remove one of the connecting pipes only for it to lose the pressure, and then I can't get the thing back together. The other thing was I didn't want water leaking all over the cabin floor when I undo the pipes, which should at least be minimised now I've drained the tank. I'll have a go at fitting it and get back if I have any more issues! Many thanks

Hi guys, My boat is 3 years old, and in recent weeks my water pump has already started leaking. Is this normal for a new pump to fail so quickly? My pump is a Jabsco brand one (model 31395), and it has always made noises in the night, like it's trying to pump even when none of the taps have been used for hours. I've checked the taps themselves and none of them are leaking. So does this mean the pump itself has a fault - or maybe the pipes themselves? Also, if it does need replacing, are there any links or websites which provide good advice and tips on how to refit? Many thanks! webdev

It's the big scratch below the gunwhale that starts in light blue on the left and ends in a white squiggle on the right of the shot. The two tiny little scratches on the gunwhile line I don't mind so much about. I did actually go for a week long cruise in it last year and picked up a fair few scratches, but they were minor and nothing like this. Yes, that's exactly the point. They agreed to repair the damage but at the same time denied moving it, which doesn't make sense! If they agreed to repair it surely that's an admission that they did move it and cause the damage. I'm away this weekend so I don't have access to any of my documents from here, but I'll be looking it up in the mooring agreement as soon as I get back.

Yes, the marina kind of apologised and admitted it was their fault in a round about way, so I know it was them. They are always moving the boats around as they have their own display boats which need to be shifted. My neighbours are annoyed about their boats being moved without their permission too. It sounds like you're in the same position as me. For this reason I now intend to take photos of my boat before any moving around or work on it is done. I'm even considering fitting a small security camera so I can prove what's going on when I'm not around. Quite sad that I have to go to those lengths though.

Sorry, yes, I used the word 'gunwhales' incorrectly - being a newbie! I simply meant below the blacking line (if that's the correct phrase). I don't mind any scratches in the blacking itself as it's easy to paint over and only to be expected with boats anyway. It's the damages in the glossy blue paintwork that pees me off. Totally unnecessary for them to be scratching the paintwork that high up on the boat. But yes as I mentioned above, even though they've agreed to repair it, they've now gone and moved the boat again this week without notifying me - thus breaking our previous agreement.

This is the damage. It wouldn't mind if it were below the gunwhales as it could've just been blacked over. Pic 1. This scrape is two feet long. Pic 2. This hole is two inches wide.

Ironically, the marina has CCTV to prevent intruders from damaging property, but it seems it's not intruders I need to be wary of! No, they did not have my permission to move my boat on any of these occasions. The thing is, I don't even mind them moving it as long as they are CAREFUL and they give me some prior notice so I have a chance to inspect the boat both before and afterwards for damages. But the boat has been moved without permission and without warning on several occasions that I know of. I don't even remember ever seeing any T&Cs or being given a handbook of any kind, so I will definately have to look into that. If the paintwork was damaged in the blacking then I wouldn't even be bothered, but it's above the gunwhales and the high-gloss paintwork that's been damaged - a long, ugly scratch about two feet long, and another chunk that's been taken out of the paintwork further back. How on earth they can be so careless I have no idea. Yes, I have notified them of the damages in writing and they are aware of the situation. They agreed to repair the damage, but at the same time they denied that the boat had ever been moved, and say the ropes had only been untied to prevent the ropes from causing an obstruction on the pathway. This is complete nonsense, as the ropes don't come anywhere near the pathway! They also agreed in their response to ask for permission in future before they go moving my boat - but just recently my boat has been moved again, and without warning, and I'm pretty sure another couple of scratches have surfaced since.

Hi guys, I live on a private marina and recently I've noticed that while I've been at work during the daytime, my boat has been moved several times as the marina owners are constantly moving their own boats around the marina in order to put them up for sale and so on. On a couple of occasions, some large scratches appeared on the boat when I wasn't there and I am pi***d as hell about this as it's a brand new boat. Some of the other moorers have also had their boats moved without being asked and they are equally agrieved by it, but none of the others have had physical damage like mine. So can someone tell me where I stand legally with this sort of thing, as I have no idea what sort of protection a boat owner has about others either moving their boat without permission, or causing damage to the boat when they're not around? Are there any laws about trespassing on a boat because it's private property, in the same way as for a house? The marina owners seem to think that as the marina is theirs they can shift anyone's boat around as they please, as if the boats are their property too. Also, like most boat owners, while I'm not on site I'm powerless to protect my home and belongings, so does anyone have any advice about the best way to protect my boat in future (cameras, etc) to prevent further incidents from happening? Many thanks, webdev

Thanks very much for all your replies, they're incredibly useful. Yes, the place I was looking at getting them from was Midsummer Energy, as they have a great selection on their site. The ones I was looking at were something like the 68W ones on this page here - a couple of those, for keeping the batteries topped up during the times that I'll be cruising, when I won't be hooked up to the mains. So judging from their Cable and Connectors page, I'm thinking maybe I should go for this cable here, as it can carry up to 100A? And I would use this in conjunction with one of their SunSaver SS6 regulators, I think. Is there anything I need to know about connectors at the moment, or do I not need to worry about them until I've got the panels? Many thanks

Hi, I am having a boat built for me, and after I told the builders that I'm thinking of fitting solar panels at some point, they have offered to fit the wires for me during the build, as it saves having to remove panels etc. from inside the roof later on. But they have said I'll have to provide the wires myself, and also tell them where to drill the holes in the roof. So my question is - what type of wires will I need, how long would they need to be, and where do the holes normally need to be drilled? The type of panels that I'm thinking of getting are the thin, flexible ones that glue down on the roof and can be walked on when fitted. I will probably only be needing to use them a couple of times a year (in the summer), so I don't need the big, expensive box-like ones that you can angle into the sun. But any advice would be most useful - where to get the wires, a rough price, and if possible, which panels are best for this type of use. Many thanks in advance