Jamesb4uk

CC'ing is a long ways off yet But its one of the things i want to install now so i dont have to worry about later on. James

thanks guys - i was lookingat the Smart guage too. Basically i want to outfit her for possible CC'ing later on so am fitting a Galvanic isolator, battery charging unit & 2 new deep cycle batteries for the domestic side. James

Morning all, Well 8 months in im still having a whale of a time as a live aboard - with a lot of useful info gained from here Now the time has come (in a few months) for a crane out & a blacking. That side of things has been arranged, however im taking the oppertunity to update some of the boat interior - its a 1980 springer with some scary electronics. Im going to redo the whole 12v system inside & pop in a Power management system as i have no warning on how much im using or what state the batteries are in. Now the question is what should i put in? i have 1 starter battery & 2 in the domestic bank. Any help would be greatly appreciated. James

thanks all I think I've covered all things now - will be turning off the fridge too now lol.. luckily the moorings we have are fairly secured so everything should be ok (i hope) finally wired in the auto pump at the bow so one less thing to worry about. if I've forgotten anything else it'll have to wait till i get back.... James

the cat can survive on the spiders! (besides its not mine! lol) got those sorted Can you get those delivered on a waterway? yep - prob being over cautious tbh - but thought i'd double check with more knowledgeable people all taken in - thanks for the tip on isolators thinking about it yes the pumps will still run if 12v is cut off. i was actually debating the fridge - might be worth doing that too now - thanks. hmmm good thinking - might leave the porthole open to help things. yep got those too lol James

Hi all, I'm leaving the boat (42ft NB) for 2 weeks Tuesday whilst on holiday & just wondering if I've missed anything - this is the first time in 5 months I've left her for longer than a night... Will be turning off all non essential 240v & 12v appliances, but leaving shore & 12v on for fridge & bilge pumps. Turning off the Gas supply. Setting both fore & aft Bilge pumps to Auto. I have a small 240v heater on a timer that will kick in for an hour or so every other night to help keep any damp at bay. Water pump will be off with water drained from taps & water tank stop cock off too. making sure all mooring lines are OK - I've given my spare keys to another boater to keep an eye on her for me. Anything else I've forgotten? James

sorry that would have helped wouldnt it? its a 42ft springer NB the locker wood is fine - my plan is to take them out this weekend to get out the deck. thanks for the tips on beams & the edges. will spend the weekend taking up the existing decking & see whats underneath. James (edited to include pics)

Hi all, looking for advice on replacing the bow decking. I've got a lot of rot on the existing bow deck (so much so that i cant put any weight on it), so looking for replacing it with marine ply wood. i found a company who will cut to a template so will try & get the panel out in one piece but thought id see if there were anything i should whilst i'm there? do i need to treat the wood or just bolt it down & leave it? James

Its actually vary rare for us to see another NB this far "down south", We have 15 at our moorings & we're like a small community - we usually only see our boats going out or coming back. Most we see are fiberglass jobs on the Medway until you get up to Yalding or Maidstone. I'd be happy to let people breast up - and i would also assume that if people do they would treat the boats with respect not because of how much they are worth but as a fellow boater. James

Well I've got a couple of 2 ft 80w tube heaters in vital area's (cloths cupboard & bedroom) & a de-humidifier, though only been a live aboard for 4 months i haven't had a problem with mold or damp yet. Just pesky spiders! James

Similar here with a 1980 Springer with cruiser stern I've just fitted an automatic pump to the stern bilge & have one to fit in the bow bilge the too. James

Thanks all - i see there is a mix of opinions to this subject. At my normal mooring i'm tied up to another NB, we see it as an excuse to natter & stick the kettle on or have a beer! they've walked my boat back a few times to get out & have always let me know & taken care to tie back up. however i do realize that different people have different views so shall be looking for signs in the future. last thing i want to do is annoy fellow boaters James

Thanks MJG & cotswoldsman, Looks like i did the right thing in the end - but thought i'd ask as i'm still learning James

I thought it didn't feel right which is why i headed back to my regular mooring rather than annoy anyone. I was traveling back late & just managed to get back before sunset. James

Morning all, Thought id have a look on this topic but cant see any definitive guides. I took my NB out Saturday aiming to moor up at some public moorings - however the moorings were all taken with fiberglass day cruisers. There was one other 50ft NB there however but didn't look as though anyone was home. i didn't feel comfortable mooring alongside which got me wondering. Can we moor up along side if there's no one home? James

Hi All Well seeing as Allington Lock (River Medway) has just re-opened we thought we'd see how well the EA have finished the work I've taken her out up to the town lock (hour round trip) but this was the first trip through & also first trip out with no crew. joining the convoy was a 38ft & 58ft then one other 41ft & a 60ft joined us later in the trip. the 58ft boat was showing us all how it was done by reversing the first part of the trip... looking forward to more boating adventures. James

thanks - ill give him a call - bit closer than uxbridge too James

Thanks for the links - have given the RYA a call, nearest center is Uxbridge apparently. They have both the handling & engine course so will book in with them i think. Our Lock is shut in Tonbridge for maintenance so can't take mine very far anyway for now James

Hi All, I've not long joined so thought i'd hide in the back ground & read up on a few things first. Last month i purchased a 41ft narrowboat as a live aboard - moored in Tonbridge, Kent. I've already learned quite a bit from here - so already managing to change a few things on the boat. Got a lot to do in dry dock next year when the hull's due a blacking. quick question though. i'd like to attend a narrowboat handling course and marine engine/electrical course. are there any training courses run in the Kent area? James

just thought i'd join in 1980 Springer 41ft "Forest Of Dean" (green, red & yellow paint job). have been a "live aboard" for the last month & love her already. James

Morning all, Thought i'd introduce myself as im new to the world of boating. I bought a 41ft 1980 Springer narrowboat "Forest of Dean" last month & have spent the last few weeks making her my home. She's moored on the River Medway in Tonbridge & im starting to learn the systems & maintenance. Im hoping to start cruising soon but with Eldridges Lock shut we cant get very far James