Monsoon merchant

Hi We live aboard, but are unexpectedly about to have to leave our boat for maybe 2 months due to a family emergency. I want to get some thermostat controlled oil filled rads to keep the edge off the temperature for the period we are away. We are hooked up to a decent quality shoreline, and have a cabin space of about 46ft. Would be grateful for any advice on the following: Number of heaters required - fairly open plan layout - I'm guessing 2 would suffice? Position - as far forwards and sternwards as possible? Rating of heaters? Temperature setting? - Want to get heaters with proper variable rather than stepped-type thermostat. What temperature should they be set to so as to give good protection but not mean a second mortgage in electricity bills? Is there a temperature that would obviate the need to winterise the boat? Any recommendations for makes/models that have a proper thermostat on them (used to have one with a digital readout that was really good). Thanks very much.

Thanks Nick for offer. I will PM you. Athy - What makes Springwood Haven such a good spot, and how are liveaboards viewed there? I have a (probably outdated) list that mentions the following as having moorings. Anyone know? Baddesley Basin SM Hudson Narrowcraft at Grendon Dock Thanks again for all the help.

Thanks Nick What kind of noise at Streethay? What kind of 'grim' at Alvecote?! Cheers

Thanks folks. Anyone any experience of Kings Orchard? Any more feedback on Fazeley Mill? Thanks

Hi We are looking to relocate our 62' narrowboat due to job changes and are considering the Coventry Canal between Nuneaton and Fradley. We would prefer linear (as this is what we are used to), or a small boatyard, or bankside in a marina, but realise these may be long shots. We live aboard, so obviously need somewhere where this is allowed or 'tolerated'. Does anyone have any knowledge/recommendations through experience of any possible sites? Thanks.

Thanks folks. Silicone it is then!

Hi We have a kitchen mixer tap where the spout is a separate part and has two rubber o rings on it which then sits in a smooth metal barrel in the main tap unit. It has been stiff to rotate since new and had to be replaced as the original o rings wore away. The replacement is also stiff to rotate. I recently asked at a plumbers merchants about suitable lubricants, and was told that Vaseline was as good as anything, and not to waste my money! I tried this - great initially, but the effect soon wore off. Is there really nothing better/longer lasting?? Thanks for your help.

Actually, just been looking on line and still some confusion! Should inline fuse be of the blade or glass type? Thanks again

Thanks, that's great, I can understand that! No, definitely not fitted, and yes odd, but builders did bare minimum!

Thanks folks that's helpful. Does anyone have any thoughts on my question about the benefits of running the engine occasionally anyway, for its general health. If this were the case, this would obviously charge the starter battery and mean that the other methods weren't required? Thanks. Sorry, really basic question, but what kind of wire would I need, and how would it be attached to the starter battery?

Hi, Apart from the obvious answer of cruising, what would be the best of these ways of keeping the starter battery charged over the winter months? We have shorepower. 1) Running the engine - how often and how long for? And is it good to run the engine every so often anyway, so it doesn't 'seize up' (technical term!)? 2) Our Victron Multiplus has a starter battery charger outlet, but this would need wiring up by a competent person (ie not me). 3) Solar - we already have 365w of solar to the leisure batteries. Could this be connected to the starter battery as well? Or would a separate small panel be needed? Controller? 4) Some kind of separate battery charger running off shoreline? Any thoughts most welcome. Thanks.

Hi Have just taken (fairly swift) delivery of a 165w panel from Bimble, to add to the 200w already in place. All working fine, no problems. The only query, is that attached to one of the sockets is a sticker saying "Do not disconnect under load". There are no instructions, and as a technophobe, I don't understand what this means. As I need to disconnect the panel to fit a mounting, please could someone more technical enlighten me as to what is and what is not okay. Thanks for your help.

It was a TPA LR40F, as sold by Midland Chandlers (sorry, I can't do a link). I did want to change it for something else, given its poor performance, but it would have been more complicated/expensive, so I just went for a straight replacement. Have there been other problems with this regulator?

Well, just to update - the GasSafe engineer came round this morning and measured the gas pressure (almost full bottle) at 20, almost half what it should be. Fitted a new regulator and problem solved. Regulator only 2 years old, so shows the value of regular safety checks. Informed me that risk of higher CO when pressure is inadequate. So all of you who said the regulator, you were right!

The figures are back! Not the historical ones though. It is possible the batteries dropped quite low overnight (I think they are on their way out) - could this be the cause?

Hi I have a Victron BMV600 battery monitor. I have noticed today that the figures for CE, SOC and TTG have disappeared, to be replaced by dashes. The figures for V and I seem fine. All the historical figures seem to have been reset to zero. I haven't been doing any work on the electrics, so any ideas anyone? Thanks for your help.

Thanks for all the replies

Hi Has anybody come across any thin rubber feet or strips that might be useful to give a non-slip surface to the underside of the legs of a wooden roof box, and to protect the roof? Thanks

Thanks folks.

Hi. Halfords have one of these on offer. Does anyone have one? Are they too harsh for use on yacht enamel as opposed to car-type paint? Thanks

Thanks folks. Will have a look at the register.

Hi, Looking to have a Morco gas water heater retro-fitted to our narrowboat. Have been advised that we need a Gas Safe and LPG on boats qualified gas engineer. Can anyone recommend anyone that would cover Leicestershire please. Thanks for your help.

Thanks anyway Mike. I wasn't actually angling for your services, but thanks for clarifying. I will set up a separate topic to see if anyone can recommend anybody., Cheers

Hi Mike Yes, it's a lliveaboard boat, so will need Gas Safe (but obviously with boat experience). Any ideas?

Oh dear! Looks like a gas man then! Actually, we are looking to retrofit a Morco gas water heater, so could perhaps combine the jobs. You don't know a good gas man who might cover Leicestershire do you? Cheers