Matt72

Great everyone Think I have some ideas now on planning our trip. Regards Matt

Thanks Prefer to be close to a pub/village so thanks for the suggestions above. Are there many visitor moorings on the Ashby as we are 2'8" draught and don't have a boarding plank. Matt

Hi all Looking for some suggestions for overnight stops between Fradley and the Ashby Canal. Thanks Matt

I called in on my way home yesterday at about 5pm and it was open. We are hoping to go through later today

Hi Thanks both, as I am new to this and unsure of what I am doing I have decided to get the boatyard to deal with it until I am more confident. I would rather be sure that things are tickety boo before we head of cruising this year. Cheers Matt

Hi I have a small leak from a joint/nut under my calorifier and I cannot get to it without removing the calorifier. How easy is it to remove one ? I have already drained the domestic water in the tank as far as possible with a syphon tube but I am not sure about how to deal with the pipes from the engine and the pressure release valve connection. Thinking about getting a boatyard to sort out but just wondering if it is easy or not ? The calorifier is under the bed. Thanks Matt

Hi We recently bought a boat with a Taylors diesel stove and although only used a couple of times, we like it. Easy to get going and quick to put out (turn off?) once the fuel flow is shut off. We are not liveaboards so cost is not really much of an issue for the amount we will use it. In our manual it say at maximum burn rate it uses 0.4 litres per hour on a typical installation. Hope this helps Matt

Nah its definitely not workboat, actually I forgot to look if it was still there this morning.

Can't give em a knock as I am on a bus when I pass.

Hi My journey to work takes me over one of the bridges just below Cambrian Wharf in Birmingham, there has been a boat tied up in one of the pounds on the flight heading down for the last couple of days just wondering if all is ok with them ? Matt

If it is like ours you cant use a firelighter it is just a small aperture. We use a large syringe and need 20ml of meths to pre heat. Matt

Hi Not sure if it is like mine but we have a Taylors diesel stove and we have to pre heat it with Methylated Spirits for about 5 mins before starting the diesel drip feed. Cheers Matt

Hi Martin It is under the bed and surrounded by additional insulation (like the sort you get around an immersion heater in your house). Thanks Matt

Hi Thank you all, no I don't have overheating problems during normal operation so I should be fine . Think I have what to do sorted in my head now thanks again. Matt

Hi Sorry had not seen these 2 additional replies and Seadog you are more than welcome to add questions to the thread, if anyone is saved from getting a burst pipe from information shared on here that's all to the greater good I have thought of something else which touches on your point ,Seadog, about using the boat at least a bit over the winter, if I drain calorifier can I still run the engine or would the coil get damaged as there is no water in the calorifier fresh water space ? I'll need to run the engine to charge the batteries over the winter but then I have also read that charging the batteries by running the engine not in gear and under load is not good for the engine, although most in our marina seem to do it. Thanks Matt

Thank you both, I have a look next time I go down which will probably be time to drain down anyway as the temperatures seem to be falling now. Regards Matt

Hi I will be getting ready to drain down my water system soon and as it is the first winter with the NB I just wanted to check about the calorifier. Will emptying the whole system through the taps also empty the domestic water supply in the calorifier ? I also assume that the coil from the engine will be ok as long as my antifreeze is the correct mixture? Thanks in advance Matt

Hi As an update I think the pump may be kaput - have booked in with the boatyard who are doing our blacking to sort it out. Matt

Thanks all In order of reply :- Paul - it is fed via pump from the main tank. BSP - the drips stop even with the button pressed (I got one or two drips then nothing) Batavia - from BSP's post it sounds more like an airlock or pipe blocked. I won't get chance to have a look until the weekend but if air or blockage I'll try and have a tinker - not the best at this sort of stuff all a bit of a learning curve. Cheers Matt

hi Thanks - The flue is clear. Where is the clean header tank ??? Got the meths (that bit is fine) it is the drip feed I am having problems with - I light the meths give it 30 secs, then pop the nut back on. Leave it for 3-4 mins and press the blue button. When I press the blue button I see a drop of couple of drops of diesel and then nothing more. I do not get a steady drip an eventually the meths burns out and that's it. Thanks Matt

Hi We have just got our boat and it has a Taylors Diesel Stove (http://www.blakes-lavac-taylors.co.uk/taylors_079d.htm) . I am having a bit of trouble getting it going and wondered if there are any forum members who have one and could give me some advice. Alternatively does anyone know who would be able to service one of these stoves. Thanks Matt

Hi Thanks Ray - plenty to go at there Cheers Matt

Hi technically we are not new to boating but figure this is the right sub forum. We have just got our first NB (swapping from a cruiser). Just wondered if the forum chums could recommend any good books on general narrowboat maintenance and also on painting (sprucing up rather than a full repaint). Thanks Matt

Yes Bigredbus we had sort of realised that. However things have now moved on and we have had an offer accepted on a nice boat that just came on the market. Survey is booked so fingers crossed !! As so often seems the case it was right time and a bit of luck, did not expect to be finding a boat on a Monday but the new boat seems to have found us.

Ha Thanks to all - and yes excellent advice. Not sure I need a nudge as the decision has been made but tracking down the right boat may be tricky as anything fairly decent seems to sell quickly at the moment. Matt