Terrierious

We have a full size LPG oven with a gas grill, which is also fan assisted - it’s very good. Made by Hotpoint

If this is running it hard, then yes 🙂 We moor on a river and often give it a good blow out on the Thames. The smoke is fairly white, but not massively. We’re not using any oil or coolant in between services

Thanks for all the replies so far. If cruising a decent distance, we don’t use the travel power as the alternators and solar is sufficient. For charging, we run the travel power at 1200 revs, we have the 3.5kw model. Even without this it’s pretty smokey, I think we need a decent engineer who understand Barrus Shire engines to take a detailed look. I doubt it’s anything major, but would like to get it sorted 🙂

I did mean hours, thanks Tony - corrected!! 🙂 The boat has only ever been used for cruising, never for battery charging as we have a Travel Power fitted which keeps everything topped up. The engine smokes wildly when the travel power is engaged. Having had an Isuzu and also a RN DM2 in the past, the amount of smoke does seem excessive, as does the rattling at low revs. The most recent engineer couldn’t see any issues and did a thorough service but i’m not convinced that something isn’t wrong.

Hi All. We have a Barrus Shire 45 with just over 4000 hours on the clock. It’s very smokey, we’re also getting some smoke in the engine bay when it’s running hot. The engine has been serviced and looked over by engineers but I’d really like to find someone who specialises in Barrus Shire. Ideally, i’d like to replace the injectors, drive plate and exhaust as i’m sure they’re all original. It’s also a little clunky in low revs - we have a python drive and PRM hydraulic gear box. Any suggestions for good engineers in the Surrey area? We’re moored on the River Wey. Many thanks

Yes, this is true. We received an email as we’re also attending, there will be a number of boats moved from the pool onto Delamere Terrace. It’s such a shame, hopefully the waterbus will change their mind, they usually moor opposite next to the band but they’ve now purchased another boat!

Glad you found it! I was pretty disappointed with the Statesmen cooker too, they are not cheap! I would have gone for something domestic but the width was the issue.

Hi, We had this cooker on our previous boat. The battery is located on the plinth on the front of the cooker, beneath the storage compartment under the oven , there is a removable battery cover, near the floor. I think it’s a AA battery - lasts for years! The oven flame is actually underneath the floor of the oven, can’t imagine it would be easy to light with a gas lighter. We found the oven burnt everything low down and the cooker released a lot of heat, possibly not the best quality but there isn’t much choice for that width. Hope you find the battery 🙂

Call Heritage directly, their service engineers are so helpful. I am moored in Iver and they happily come from Cornwall to service mine. The top lids do get hot, although this does depend on the oven temp. Maybe ask them to check the thermostat in the oven as this would keep the burners running if it was faulty.

I have the Model on my boat, I love it and have had no issues in the five years I've owned it. Economical and provides all the cooking, hot water and heating you will need. I do also have a morso stove but mainly for those very cold days when it's nice to sit by the fire. Heritage are also a pleasure to deal with for servicing etc. Should also add that mine is programable for when it's not needed all the time, lovely to come home to a warm boat after work and have the oven ready to cook dinner

You can use oil cloth, there is some really nice designs available these days :-)

We have a Hoover washer dryer that's a little shallower than some, has been very good so far after four years of use!

We have a Hoover washer dryer that's a little shallower than some, has been very good so far after four years of use!

We have a Heritage Uno installed on our NB, it's brilliant, heats the water and central heating. You do need one radiator as a heat dump but this has never been a problem, we use the towel rail in bathroom. The hot plate certainly does get hot enough to boil a kettle and cook stir fries, boil water in pans etc! In the winter it keeps the boat lovely and warm, in the summer it can be heated up to roasting temps within 20 mins and then switched off when done. I have no idea how to add a picture otherwise I would!

We have a Heritage Uno installed on our NB, it's brilliant, heats the water and central heating. You do need one radiator as a heat dump but this has never been a problem, we use the towel rail in bathroom. The hot plate certainly does get hot enough to boil a kettle and cook stir fries, boil water in pans etc! In the winter it keeps the boat lovely and warm, in the summer it can be heated up to roasting temps within 20 mins and then switched off when done. I have no idea how to add a picture otherwise I would!

We have an Isuzu 35 on a 58ft boat, which is also gas free, although we have a diesel range. Having lived on the Thames and the canal we find this plenty powerful enough. I suppose it depends on the amount of battery power you have. The engine has been so reliable, never once gone wrong and has been used extensively.

Lidl have an all metal one for £30, bought one today and it's great! :-)

The Dyson handheld is brilliant , comes with a long attachment which is good for all surfaces, perfect for a boat :-)

It certainly upsets the ten boats here that we're planning on attending Little Venice this week......

The wires are not live, I need to install a new bilge pump and floating switch. This is also something I need a mechanic to do, as I am unsure of the wiring arrangement! If anyone knows of a good mechanic in the Iver/Uxbridge area please do let me know. Hopefully I can get this sorted as I plan to do a lot of cruising this year....

Thanks for the responses, it all sounds really bad?!?! I have very little mechanical expertise, is installing a flexible coupling straight forward? This seems like the easiest option, engine re-alignment sounds time consuming and terribly expensive? Regarding the gearbox, I am going to get a new oil drain seal and also a new breather, drain and fill with ATF, hopefully this might solve this! The engine is not used huge amounts maybe 20 hours every month or so, never had any issues with it so far. The vibration is minimal however when you look at the engine in gear is is moving around a bit! I will have to look around for some one mechanically minded to maybe have a look over the engine to find the best solution :-(

Thanks for the responses so far, I do not know a huge amount about engines but learning fast! The gearbox has been filled with engine oil as advised by a service engineer, has not been overfilled though. It is possible that parts are missing from the vent, where can I just buy a new one? I have tightened the gear box sump to ensure that is not leaking. Regarding the engine, it is mounted on flexible mounts, recently one bolt snapped off on the prop shaft, yesterday another has sheared off but maybe because one had already gone? Looking to replace all the bolts once I have worked out how to fit them in! The engine does vibrate a bit, and has recently developed a seeking noise which is not a fan belt. Looking for a good mechanic in the Iver area soon.....

Hi all, We have always (since purchasing 2years ago) had an oil leak from the vent type fitting on the right hand side of the picture on top of the gearbox. It does not leak a huge amount but we would like to rectify - does anyone know what this part is and why it might leak? We have checked the oil level which is ok and have tightened the fitting but have had no joy. Engine is an Isuzu. We have also had it looked at by 2 engineers but neither could give an explanation.. Any ideas appreciated.. Thanks

I have a washer dryer, its amazing and works very well! I am on a permanent mooring and plugged in all of the time, I would imagine it uses a lot of power!

I'm a live aboard, have lived afloat for two years, new to boating and work in Central London. It works fine for me, but I think you need to be practical as some DIY is required when a water pump goes etc I live out side London and travel in, and treat the boat as a get away at weekends, and during the weekend as a floating flat. I have a permanent mooring so I don't have the stress of continuous cruising etc. I have amazing country views on the Thames, and would not change it for the world! I'm 26 so don't think its just for the retired.