Yarwood

Seems like duff information then. I didn't see any private/no mooring notices nearby but I wasn't stopping as I wanted to get to Langrick Bridge before the chandlers closed. We ate in the Witham and Blues which was OK

Thanks for the good luck message. This is the pontoon at Chapel Hill I was told by about by a boater in Lincoln.

There were there three cruisers on the Chapel Hill pontoon (next water point from Kirkstead Bridge). Shame they need to leave 12 foot gap between each boat as it is a short pontoon. I wonder if this is some sort of cruising club etiquette?

We have a John Lewis (Electrolux) washing machine with a sophisticated display. A Vetus inverter charger and a Beta 7.5kva generator. I had a different problem in that the machine worked fine on shore power and the inverter, but stopped mid program on the genset with the fault code on the washing machine showing power problems. I went down the route of a resistive load and this did help but running an electric fire during summer is not ideal. Briefly, the inverter was steady at 50hz, the shoreline was slightly lower, but the genset was up around 55hz. The solution was to reduce the revs on the generator and it was fine for over a year until the genererator got to around 1300 hours when it had loosened up with the output getting back up to 55hz - reducing the revs again sorted this out. Although my problem is not identical to yours I found that our washing machine would tolerate up to 52hz without problem but any rapid fluctuations in the frequency immediately stopped it mid program.

One other thing to think about. We have an own brand John Lewis washing machine (a rebadged Electrolux) and I think the bearings are on the way out. I have fitted bearings on washing machines before and expected to pay about £30 for parts. The manufacturers now seal the tubs and bearing replacement is not really possible, so you have to replace the tub and drum as a unit £180! http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/buying-advice/washing-machine/2974-washing-machine-washing-machine-sealed-tubs-a-why-you-should-care.html

Had a look at the excellent photographs you posted 7 March 2013 - brings back memories of being stranded at Denver Sluice for months.

I took this photo last week at the town moorings in Peterborough. In some ways the owner of this boat was lucky as it is sitting upright. A couple of years ago the levels dropped and a boat was left lying on its side in the river.

Have a look at this blog. http://wbstillrockin.blogspot.co.uk

Monday perhaps as it has not been particularly pleasant cruising weather since I left Brandon on Friday morning. Plus Grand Prix tomorrow.

Went from Denver complex to Upwell via Salters Lode today (23 March) in company with Matilda Rose. Both boats are 66ft and today was the only chance of level water for the next few weeks. The dredging has not finished yet, so there is still only a narrow channel outside Denver lock (we both felt our boats touch bottom as it was low tide). The passage was only made possible with the help and advice given by the respective lock keepers and they have our grateful thanks. Well Creek dredged next?

Just a quick thank you for the kind comments on our boat. When we decided on having the shell built by Lambon we had already looked at some of the 'known' boat builders mentioned (plus others). Unlike many boat builders who have a take it or leave attitude, Lambon don't churn out a standard narrowboat shell, we saw a Dutch barge, a Thames sailing barge and a houseboat all very well built by this company. Dave Moore commented on the colour scheme and we were very pleased to have his input and expertise. The finished scheme might not suit the purists, but it would be pretty boring if all boats had the same dull livery, and anyway it is (was) our money! With regard to money I don't feel inclined to say how much, as that is my business. However, I can assure you that neither of us were born with silver spoons and have the ability to negotiate a good deal. With regard to the fit out Stuart at Barnowl did our previous boat and has the experience and flexibility we wanted.

We are currently in the process of having on our second boat fitted out by Barnowl Narrowboats. The first boat has a Reeves (I dont think they are trading any more)shell and the current hull is by Lambon Boats. We are pleased with the speed, price, quality and flexibilty of Lambon(they built what we wanted not the take it or leave attitude some builders have). It would do no harm to ask Lambon for a quote and Barnowl will probably do a fitout to the level you want. Have a look at our blog and decide for yourself. http://nbyarwood.blogspot.com/

Actually the inividual who started the discussion wrote about hair dryer and staighteners. As you can see I'm a newbie, so can someone tell me how to copy and extract portions an earlier post?

I was wondering wether, when it comes to the hair dryer and straightners if I should have a qwiet generator start up anyway so they wont touch the batterys at all (she dont use them for long) I would say the same about the tv, meaning all the mains devices are off the genny, cutting out the use of an inverter, but thats along time to be running the generator with the cost of the fuel. I have a Honda EU2.0i which is a common 'quiet' suitcase generator. Provided it wont create a hazard/nuisance I tend run it on the towpath alongside the boat, otherwise it sits on the rear deck of our semi trad. I think you would be surprised at how much sound and vibration carries into the boat even when it stands on a couple of thick mats. The other issue is getting petrol, particularly if you continuously cruise around and dont have a car (20 litres of petrol is a fair weight). Plus securing the petrol and generator safely and securely needs to be considered.

“Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.” Jesse Jackson

Thanks for your contributions. I will provide a bit more detail in an effort to answer some queries raised. We have been liveaboard continuous crusiers for almost 3 years and our cruising patterns are generally one longish day travelling followed by two/three moored. I do my own routine servicing, so with 2600 hours I am familiar with being up close and personal with a Beta 43 buried in the bottom of a semi trad. Trying to top up batteries perched on top of the swim with a locker above is (in my opinion)almost as much fun as cutting rope of the prop when the water is just above freezing. So the new boat will have an engine room, a battery bank under the tug deg together with a diesel genny so the faithful Honda will hopefully find a good home. The engine is a JD3 with just one 70amp alternator (Iskra AAK1362). The domestic bank will be around 1000 amp hours (2 volt traction batteries). The Generator is a Beta 7.2 kva (1500 revs cocooned and hospital silencer). The Inverter might be a Vetus with a 120 amp charger (not decided). And finally split charging and battery management. Basically I want to be sure that the alternator pushes out as much current as the batteries require to be charged. I am not by any stretch of imagination an expert in this area and have been led to believe that the standard alternator regulator will reduce the output fairly quickly resulting in the batteries not getting sufficient charge.

I have done a few searches and have not found an article which lists the pros and cons of say Adverc vs Smartbank systems (other than what the manufacturers claim). We are still at the specifying stage for this equipment and would find it useful to read reasoned suggestions or experiences of these systems. I apologise now if the topic has been covered fully previously.

Thanks for yours and Andy Watsons kind comments. I have to admit that I do not do the blog or photographs as my wife is much, much better at it than I am. The first line of the blog header clearly states: This blog charts the building of a Tug style narrowboat. Nb. Yarwood will be based on the the boats built at Northwich in the 1930's. We would not and do not intend to create a replica. With regard to the steps on the rudder. The top plate is a safety step and the lower plate is for 'end effect'. Whether or not this will have much effect remains to be seen.

This is our 'Yarwood' without pointy bow. The ealier photograph you make reference to is a Lambon hull made to another customers specification (and satisfaction).