Edders

Not sure if this is slightly off topic, but I want to participate next year, but am worried that my boat will become a mobile chicane at 71' 6" plus a relatively deep draft. Has anyone managed it at this length or is it too long to be worthwhile doing it? Thanks. Tony

Hi Monnfish, No significant pitfalls even on a narrow boat. I installed Musical Fidelity X Series kit (which is half the normal hi-fi unit width) plus Dali Menuet speakers on stands and a fairly large sub (placed under a small table). It was trying to route the fairly substantial cables out of sight that caused the most problems. Tony

Signed

My back cabin is 9'6" and the engine room is 6'1". (3LW with PRM 500 and alternators mounted in front and facing the engine). Tony

We are Marina based and our cars were insured through Direct Line for the last 10 years (and currently with Sheila's Wheels.) No problem at all as we told them that it was kept in a locked compound overnight (with no increase in premium.) Tony

I have had one for over 12 months now (the high power 2200mW version) and has proved to be an excellent performer. Not cheap though! Tony

I'm pretty sure the road tax is only £165 per annum though as it doesn't actually carry any goods. Tony

Our boat has a bath (with shower over), so we have a 127 litre (28 gallon) horizontal calorifier to which we have further wrapped in an old duvet. Retains heat for a considerable time. Heats very quickly using 2 x 1kw immersion heaters. Tony

I second that. Have a pair on my 3LW. A 12v 160amp and a 12v 90amp, each driven by twin V belts. Tony

Wet and dry vac.

I have been using SAE 30 grade detergent free oil from the Vintage Oil Company. (Pennine Lubricants Heritage range, CC spec). Mail order or collect by prior arrangement. Premises are adjacent to Trent and Mersey canal in Burton on Trent. http://www.vintagebearings.co.uk/vintage-classic-oil. Competitive price. No connection other than satisfied customer. Tony

I think you'll find that it is only on the Friday and Monday turnaround days when the boats are moored abreast like that, but there is usually room to get a boat through. However, if the gap becomes too small due to a loose mooring rope etc, there is always someone about to help. No big deal really. Tony

When we had our boat built, we did not have a bed hole in the back cabin but had 2 x full length hanging wardrobes instead. The starboard side was still made as a longitudinal single bed/seat but with additional boards and cushions to make it into a longitudinal double if required. Works well for us. Tony.

I've been short changed. No butler came with my boat!! Tony

I also have seen numerous "useless" cill markers. I suspect they are placed in a very conservative position to allow a bigger safety margin. Tony

Thanks for the info. I have done Aston, Farmers Bridge and Walsall flights without any problems. Will be extra vigilante at Titford. Hope to do the BCN Challenge next year! Tony

Useful info. I have a 71' 6" boat and have not covered very much of the BCN. The boat has a very thin front fender and I lift the rear fenders in locks. So far I haven't had any problems as I always keep the tiller pushed over to one side, but it will go outside the profile of the boat when pushed fully across, so have to pay attention! The actual tiller only goes over by about 80 degrees but the rudder is then within the overall length of the boat. It might be worth getting a slightly shorter tiller to use whilst negotiating the BCN? (A bit of extra exercise!) Does anyone know which locks would cause the boat a problem without removing the tiller? Thanks Tony

This may be a daft question, but assuming all the panels/controllers are connected to the same battery bank, won't there be some sort of "conflict" (for want of a better word) if one panel/controller produces a higher voltage than the others, won't it fool them into giving a reduced or no charge depending on the voltage on the battery bank? I hope this makes sense? Tony

I think you can specify a longer deck. The minimum for either a well or tug deck is 5ft. Tony

Mr Hudson offers both part and fully fitted boats. Oak is not compulsory!! Tony

Take a look at Shield. UK manufacturer. http://www.shieldbatteries.co.uk/ No connection other than a satisfied customer. Tony

I too have heard a clicking noise, usually at night when it is quiet and have thought it might be a coot. There are lots of them in and around Barton Marina. Could it be the culprit? http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/901/t/37910.aspx?Redirected=true The link is to the RSPB website. Tony

I purchased one of these. Relatively expensive but excellent results. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2200mW-NextG-USB-Yagi-TurboTenna-WiFi-Booster-High-SPEED-and-PENETRATION-/161258708617?pt=UK_Computing_Boosters_Extenders_Antennas&hash=item258bc49e89 The downsides are you have to bring it inside when you have finished using it as is free standing and is directional (although it doesn't seem too critical) No connection with the company. Tony.

The exhaust on my boat is offset to the left hand side of the roof, about 10 feet forward and I found the cutter tended to keep the fumes at head height unless there was a slight tailwind. I now use a tall pipe with no cutter and have no fume problems unless into a direct headwind, (I'm not worried about spiders, etc in tunnels!). Tony

Julynian, on 29 Dec 2013 - 7:32 PM, said: I have had one of these on my boat for over 3 years with no problem. I live aboard and admittedly the temperature in the living/galley area rarely, if ever drops below 16C. If I was going to leave the boat for any length of time in the winter I would run down the food etc and turn the unit off. Tony