Nemysys

we definitely produce 240v when the engine is running. We have a box which is rated at 4kva, which is powered from an alternator. we also have a pure sine wave invertor also rated at 4kva, which we haven’t used for a while. No need to. It is more than enough to power a 240v vacuum, when the engine is running.

Based on this info, if I was to replace the current 12/240/gas fridge which I am guessing without being there to measure it, is about 500mm wide, what would you suggest? I think it is an Electrolux, at least 10 years old. Currently the fridge has a small icebox. We only use the boat for short trips, so freezing a pack of sausages or so is all we need. Fridge space for beer is more important. ? As a rule, when we are out, the engine is running for several hours, generating 240v, we have an inverter (4kva) and a pair of 110ah batteries. So need to run the fridge for probably 16 hours a day on battery.

Thank you for the update and rationale. Which is why I asked. Thank you.

I read it at the link below. our current fridge passed the last BSS 4 years ago, due for a new BSS shortly. https://www.canalboat.co.uk/canal-boats/keep-your-cool-1-3675451 <quote> Caravan gas powered fridges, which offer 12v, gas or mains operation, should be avoided. You are no longer permitted to install this type of fridge running on gas on a canal boat, though you are permitted to continue to service one which was installed prior to the ban. </quote>

Our current fridge is a 12v/240v/gas powered fridge. going to be doing a refit of the boat soon, and considered replacing the fridge. I’ve just read that you can no longer install a 12v/240v/gas fridge. Can I continue to use the one I currently have? I find the gas part good so I don’t have to drain the onboard batteries when the engine is not running. any comments? thanks

A friend of mine who is very handy with tools, has offered to take on the project of refitting the inside of our boat. i have no concerns, I have seen the work he does and very happy. The question I have, is what is the best way of attaching battens to the inside of the steel hull, so the walls can be fitted? Maybe able to answer own question when existing walls are removed. i have done some research and CT1 has been mentioned. Does this work? Concern is over steel hull expanding/contracting etc. is it ok to attach battens direct to hull, or should there be a waterproof membrane? any comments and suggestions on this topic would be gratefully received. thanks

Having just had a below knee amputation and my other leg is fused straight, I am desperate to get back out on our NB. anybody who has any suggestions on any equipment that could help, please post. Generally, my wife does the locks, and I do the steering, but when it comes to hammering in and mooring that's normally down to me.

As mentioned in some of the other replies, I would go for a 3G Ipad. I have both an ipad and a net book. Can't remember the last time the NetBook was switched on. I also have the logitech solar keyboard for the ipad which helps tremendously when writing emails etc. Personal choice though.

Thanks everyone. I notice no one suggested the 2kw ceramic heater. Based on response, I'm leaning towards the oil filled rads.

Completely agree. It's no different to someone breaking into your house. Three strikes...

Thanks Just seen some tube heaters at 250w each for about £25 My main concern is safety. Maybe this is my best option?

Hi Looking for a winter 'frost' heater, any ideas! I was going for a couple of 100w tube heaters, but it has been suggested this wont be enough. The other suggestion was a 2kw ceramic heater. I have a 50' boat with electric hookup in a marina. I don't live aboard, so would be left unattended. Are ceramics safe? Any suggestions? Thanks and a merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all. Surely there can't be a water shortage next year! ?

Thanks all, so far seems everyone is leaning the same way. Will check them out.

Hi, looking for some recommendations here. We have the Nicholson guides for the canals, but looking for something more detailed. Not necessarily for navigation, more for points of interest and good places to stop. I'm sure we are missing lots of interesting things as we go by. Any suggestions for good publications? Thanks

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep a pen and paper handy! :-) As mentioned thankfully in this case I cannot see any damage, but good to know what info I would need.

Travelling along a couple of weeks ago a boat coming in the opposite direction around a bend suddenly veered off and their bow hit the side of our boat pretty hard. Thankfully I cannot see any damage to our boat. Based on the conversation we heard from the other boat crew and then they rammed a bank. I'm guessing it was a hire boat. But as I am in the first year of owning a boat, I didn't really know what to do at the time. In this situation what should you do, get the boat number etc? Report it to insurance in case you do find damage? Etc... Thanks Darren

I am a relatively new member to the forum and boating in general. I have found the forums a fantastic source of knowledge reading both existing posts and replies to questions I have asked. Yes, sometimes it goes a bit off topic and it seems like some people are trying to get one up on someone else, but I just read past these. It is obvious to me there is a fantastic wealth of knowledge on here, and the majority of people are there offering help and advice. Keep it up!

You may have seen my other post about not winterising the boat this year, next year I will be draining the water tanks. How do you drain the water? I presume you turn the kitchen/bathroom tap on and let it empty. I haven't seen any other way or outlets to use. I appreciate all pumps are different, but in general is it safe to empty a pair of water tanks this way without burning the pump out? I guess normally it doesn't run for more than 10 mins at a time or so for the shower. (apart from when my wife gets in there) Is the duty cycle for a water pump up to this? Of course the obvious answer is to run the tanks down over a period of time, a bit here a bit there, but just curious. Thanks

I've just replaced the 10w festoon bulbs in a couple of our ceiling cabin lights with a 36 SMD LED matrix which came with a festoon adapter. Just plug in and go at less than 2 quid each from fleabay. The LEDs are much brighter than the bulb. Can't vouch for how long they will lat though.

We paid 23k for a 50 footer from circa 1980 unknown build. . We had looked at many boats previously priced a little less and found nothing we liked. We knew it was the right boat when we walked in, it was obvious that it had been well looked after, had some extras (inverter and 240v generator off the engine etc) a layout that worked for us as a family with a 4 year old. Survey was done, minor work required which was offset by the vendor, gas pigtails, vent etc. Hull survey returned that the hull thickness was the same as when it was new, and was built with a superior grade of steel. Engine was in good condition, and appeared to have very few hours on it (approx 75) New full paint job and blacking (12 months previous) have the receipt to prove it. I have also spoken with the company who painted it and serviced the engine and they have looked after it for years, and we're very complimentary. All in all very happy. As they say with buying a house, you'll know the right one when you see it. It worked for us.

And me. Although not sure my wife would be impressed!

This being the first winter with a narrowboat we decided we wouldn't winterise the boat so we could continue to use it for the occasional day out. I read some items about winterising and decided that as we live only 20 minutes from the boat I would go there regularly and run the engine for an hour or so, turn the heating on etc. Then we had a really cold spell and I decided to turn the main water taps from the tank off. This proved to be a good move! I returned to the boat at the weekend, everything looked alright so turned the water and electric back on. Wasn't getting much water pressure out of the kitchen tap, then hear running water in the bathroom. One of the pipes to the shower mixer had blown off, water was spewing into the shower tray. I fixed this, and turned the water and electric back on. I could still hear water running from the bathroom, investigated and The other copper pipe to the shower had split and was spewing water as well. Again thankfully into the shower tray. I have now replaced both pipes with plastic, fitted isolating valves etc. After being very lucky all water went into the shower tray, I think I will drain the tanks next year! Lesson learned!

I understand what you are saying, you are not the first to mention that. My get out clause is that being disabled I couldn't bend down deep enough for long enough to do it. However I do know which company have been servicing this boats engine for many years. They have a long term customer :-)

Thanks everyone. I have just been to the boat and you were all right. Turning the ignition key part way against the springy position, the ignition lights on the panel suddenly flickered and dimmed, I presumed the heaters came on drawing the power. Waited about 20 seconds and the engine fired first turn. Easy when you know how Darren