KJT

We find the Hurricane system brilliant. Ours has been in since 2003 and has been supremely reliable. Simple annual service and we don't find it at all noisy. Certainly less so than an Eberspacher and the like. Inside the boat is inaudible. It has proved very economical in service. It is also our only source of heating and as such would not consider any other type. Ken

No, it doesn't. The unit only. How expensive can a straight swop cost? As others have said though, your offer was based on it working. Put the ball back in the sellers court. If they refuse to budge, at least you know what it would cost to replace. You can then either walk away, accept the cost, or agree something in the middle. Only you can decide which is the better option.

Are you sure a new Webasto is 3k? It sounds very expensive to me. Kingslock Chandlery at Middlewhich are currently advertising a Themotop 5C for £1104 incl vat

Possibly a Morco? I agree, if the boat is ideal in all other respects it might be worth accepting the defect if you cannot knock something extra off.

Do you buy your petrol from the tanker driver then?

Possibly your battery voltage is low? Try starting it again with the engine running to see if that makes a difference. Just a thought. Ken

It seems to me, and I am certainly no expert, that old working boats do tend to slip through the water at a high cruising speed. Perhaps its the engine/prop combination. Or the fact that they are generally lightly loaded in comparison to what they are capable of carrying. I admit to generally being a bit of a dawdler and the old working boat types always seem to catch me up far quicker than leisure boats. I am always aware of what is behind me as much as what is in front, and slow down and pull over to let others pass at the earliest safe opportunity. Ken

You can move it anytime you like. You are not restricted to daylight hours but your insurance might specify restrictions. The 8pm - 8am restriction is running engines/gennys for the likes of power generation. IIRC, if you are pretty sure you are not within earshot of anyone who might be affected by noise then even those restrictions don't apply. Ken

Notice from CRT re above. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/8531/navigation-closed-due-to-sunken-craft-in-lock-64-hemel-hempstead-grand-union-canal

You could keep with your existing doctor and dentist. That is what we do, although it can be inconvenient if you need to see them on a regular basis. As for the electoral register you would need a land based address, although you can register to vote using a 'declaration of local connection'. Persons living on boats are spefically included. Registering is simple and can be done on-line but the registration has to be renewed annually. http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/register-to-vote/registering-to-vote-with-no-fixed-address Ken

I think you are referring to Duratank produced by Hovercraft Consultants Ltd in Woolston, Southampton. Ken

Our Nespresso machine works perfectly using our Victron multi-plus 3000 pure sine wave invertor so I guess your problem stems from the modified wave form not being compatible with your machine. Nesspresso models are produced by several different manufacturers. Ours is a basic model by Magimix. I used it on another boat using its 2kw Sterling modified sine wave invertor and it works fine on that too. Not sure what model it is but a pic of it is here

So very sorry to hear of your sad news. I would like to add my sincere condolences. Ken

Li-on batteries have had issues with bursting into flames when charging (Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Sony laptops to name two). Although their design spec is quite impressive I would be a bit nervous leaving them on charge all winter. Ken

Personally I would use a 'T' stud. It's much easier to tie off the centre line than using a half loop or eye bolt. You can get threaded 'T' studs so the hole would need to be tapped I guess, to accept it. Then it just screws on. I had one put in place of a metal half loop and it is much more convenient. It was done entirely from outside. It was not necessary to gain access from the inside which would have been very difficult on my boat. Ken

That shouldn't present much of an issue in practice as I would think most wide beams would be transiting Braunston tunnel which also requires 24 hours notice IIRC. We spoke to a CRT chap yesterday as they were just finishing up re-instating the gate and he mentioned that the gates were due for replacement next winter and they have already been made. So the current thinking is to bring replacement forward. Possibly within the next two weeks. He said it would take one day to replace them. Ken

Brilliant idea! And if you are running behind schedule you can fast forward and you won't get shouted at to slow down. Ken

Just an update since my original post a couple of years ago. I still find that the '3' coverage has worked well for us from cruising areas as far south as the River Wey and Basingstoke canal, the Thames, and as far north to the Bridgwater. And just about every canal in between. Even the wilder reaches of rhe Llangollen. We also have 02 and Vodafone cellphones and their coverage can be patchy, but the '3' mi-fi unit with the external aerial has never failed us. This summer we plan to cruise the western part of the Leeds and Liverpool and the Lancaster canals so will be able to update this thread re coverage in due course. But so far, I am very happy with the current set up and the '3' coverage. Ken

It's a Davies Vantage Vue weather station. https://www.weathershop.co.uk/shop/davis-vantage-vue-weather-station?gclid=CK7N-ZnL7swCFY8y0wodV1kB4w Ken

I would give Onboard Energy at Springwood Haven Marina a call. They are agents for Victron and are very helpful. They could tell you exactly what the differences and Pros and Cons are. (0845 456 6572 (local rate from land line or 024 7639 3676) No connection other than as a satisfied customer. Ken

Our boat had a Mikuni fitted when new, about 14 years ago. It only lasted six months and was taken out and replaced with a Hurricane. Faultless reliability for the last 13 years or so. And a simple 1000 hour/annual service. I highly recommend the Hurricane. Ken

+ 1. Brilliant stuff, and so easy to use. Ken

There is a company down Birmingham way called Conrad Anderson who install and can repair them. Their number is 0800 2790085. I am sure they will be able to advise you what the problem is if you give them a call. http://www.conrad-anderson.mobi/app/services/2722256/34/ Ken

You can also get docking speaker units such as Philips into which your iPod connects via its charge socket. They can run off 12v, have a built in rechargable battery and also charge your iPod at the same time. Ken