jddevel

As a "leisure" user we will undoubtable motor for quite some time daily as we will have a different perspective from "live a boards" however advice will be sought at the appropriate time regarding charging as the use of Marina shore power will obviously be utilized when available Would a travel power alternator help? Also the addition of a freezer is now under review. Whether installed or not where it would/could be located could however have the necessary terminal installed as a thought.

Murflynn. Is it really necessary to refer or imply I`m a "sad git"? Especially as you don`t even know me or my capabilities.

Thank you all. As a washing machine is also on the list we`ve decided on a wet room with a shower tray- unless you all convince me otherwise!!!

As I intend fitting a Mastervolt 2000 pure sine wave inverter am I correct then that a normal domestic fridge and small freezer may suit my leisure use ( say 3-4 weeks at a time maximum) with a 5x 110 amp hour domestic bank?

Just to expand on the points I made firstly the various comments discussed by those obviously technically better informed regarding boat wiring goes some way to why my ignorance regarding electrical wiring is why I`ve decided to use LoomTec. My basic knowledge I fear may lead me to make both errors and assumptions as a human I may certainly regret. Their guarantees and suggested experience go some way to hopefully avoiding this. Regarding the comments about the underground cabling. Firstly the ducting I had to remove was servicing one domestic three bedroom home and was as supplied by Western Distribution for me to lay in the trench also accommodating the gas and water main. All at the regulation depths and in the order for those utilities. Regarding the title I used for the 11000kva cable this may well be not its correct title -please excuse my ignorance-see remarks I`ve made above. It was a cable laid in along with other services to supply an industrial estate in the event that work required the normal supply route was shut down. It was buried at over two and a half metres down and 10 metres from its supposed position. Yes the area was swept with a CAT but for some reason on commencement of work showed nothing to concern me. At two and a half metres and with no warning tape it was far deeper than I believe it should have been buried. But I stand corrected.

I know not really on topic but why did Western Distribution insist I removed a domestic supply cable from ducting quoting the reason referred to above and just ensure that the location was suitable marked with advisory tape at the correct depth over the cable length. I would also add about 10 years ago whilst operating a digger in a location I was advised by again Western Distribution via their draftsmen's under ground location plan there was no cabling, I "skimmed" off the red sheathing from a 11000kva underground cable. I phoned to tell them of their error and I stated I`m lucky it is armoured. Their reply It isn`t. I wonder why they said that?

On exploring further it appears I`ve been "confused" in my online searching and that mis-leading adverts from online sources have not helped!

Thank you for your contributions. My problem is that I`m going to complete a "fit-out" in Cornwall. Well away from narrowboat electricians especially those familiar with sailaway vessels. I`m also concerned about Recreational Directive. During over 40 years of house building I have installed numerous complete installations. But not 12 volt and wonder in my "ignorance" whether the time consumed researching requirements regarding cable sizing etc. may be better used. It is strange that for example in one topic I read that it was suggested that cabling could be installed in insulation. That as I understand is ill advised as cabling can give off heat no matter how small and this should be allowed to dissipate. Even under ground mains cabling should not be ducted to allow such heat to evaporate. For those of you who have carried out complete wiring installations how did you go about creating your task. Incidentally can cable be purchased in short lengths. Can`t allowances in design be made to cover future "add ons" ( solar, additional equipment) via accessible junction boxes and the use of pre-installed draw strings in ducting? Thank you

Is it possible to get a consensus on whether to fit a bath or a shower in my sailaway? Whilst I realise that a bath can also accommodate a shower there is a "design" issue. At home we`ve not used a bath for as long as I remember although one is available. We just use showers. What would you fit and why would help. Than you.

I have read a certain amount on the forum regarding 12 volt versus 240 volt fridges and freezers and have decided that I will fit the sailaway out with 12volt equipment. However I see ther is a considerable difference in price between say Shoreline 12volt and a Zanussi or Lec 12 volt. Could those more knowledgeable please explain why. Thank you

Having taken advice from others and researched other links in previously asked questions I have decided to go with LoomTec. For those who appear confused by my topic listing I firstly apologies if it was incorrectly placed in the wrong forum. After all I`m only human and unlike some prone to mistakes. As to the use of a loom a visit to LoomTecs website might enlighten. They visit the craft along with the customer- me. measure up and supply the correct cabling along with diagram/schematic colour coded etc and more importantly certificated to conform to the BSC and Recreational Directive!!! Moderator please close this to further comment.

Apart from LoomTec any one know of a qualified boat electrician who can produce a narrow boat wiring loom for a sailaway. Either located not to far from Swanley Bridge Marine or from Bristol. Thank you in anticipation..

That's respected NMEA. Just researching. I must admit that in spite of feeling reasonably confident in the world of practicalities I have found this forum a sufficiently excellent source of information to give me the enthusiasm to embark on my own sailaway. Lets hope I don`t get over confident!!!!!

Strangely enough NMEA on reading through another topic it reminded me that you were an appointed dealer. I apologize if you in anyway feel aggrieved - it was not intended. I suppose at my age and experiences in my own field of property development I`ve become very cynical regarding so called "guarantees" with products I`ve used-including kite marked to "British Standard". Toilet/bathroom equipment especially. Copper pipe and lead from UK suppliers who`ve actually sourced their product from overseas and certainly in the early days these items have been found to contain impurities not at first recognisable. I understand the risk I may be taking but actually wonder how much of the heaters/ components in question are actually of inscrutable origin. At this stage I`m asking if any forum contributors have favourable experiences. Thank you again.

With so many of our branded goods now being actually manufactured in such places as China and Turkey has anyone experienced purchasing the Eberspacher or Webasto heater kits for narrow boats as sold on Ebay from such as Turkey please?

Further to my sailaway design for which again I`d appreciate advice. It regards the flue exit through the hull from the solid fuel stove. It obviously needs to be as far from the mushroom openings as possible to avoid introducing gases into the cabin. However is there a minimum recommended.

Thank you everyone for your helpful contribution. I have another question regarding solid stove flue access I have posted.

In designing the interior of our narrow boat it would help knowing the normal rise (Height) of treads from the stern into a vessel. Is there an accepted height? Having constructed house stairs I am aware of the building regulations governing their requirements but wonder whether any exist in fitting out a narrow boat. If not it would help me knowing your overall floor to deck height and number of actual treads. Mine is 1000mm and therefore in a normal domestic situation would have five rises at 200mm each and a tread depth of 223mm with a 16mm nosing. From the boats I`ve been on this doesn`t seem to be the case. Hope someone out there can help please.

Thank you Chertsey especially for the time to have taken the pictures. I also wonder viewing some of the points made whether "local" expressions or descriptions have filtered into the language. I certainly have experienced that in other walks of life.

Deck Beam. In my research for my sailaway I`ve read of a part of the boat referred to in a number of topics as a Deck Beam. I`ve searched for this on line but unable to find a definition especially a picture. Can someone please help? Thank you

Recommended depth of stern fenders when my rudder protrudes 440mm beyond the stern. If a tipcat is used with a button that's easily removed, will that "avoid" the complication of how long the marina argues your boat is. Might seem like "penny pinching" but is in response to the engineer fitting the chain fixings. Thank you.

One last comment from me the instigator. I`ve spent over 40 years in the property game and spent the last possibly 10 with stress related blood pressure. I`ve enjoyed the down time over the years annually renting but hope that my purchase over time and life on the cut albeit not as a live aboard will help reduce what on one occasion read 204 over 98 (before the pills) but fortunately a pulse rate of around 65. Only time will tell if a bow thruster will actually help. I must confess to now being cowardly and not looking for too many new challenges. If you find someone in front of you who your not actually sure they are making way - it might be me. Once again thanks and look out for many more questions.

Mmmmm. Well it`s the old adage "you pay your money and make your choice" But I`m grateful for your input. Thank you all.

Rob-M. As a sailor I agree with your comment but I suppose it`s a case of "belt and braces". I think I`m persuaded by the comments- get the wiring and tube fitted and see how life pans out.

What worries me a bit about the electric ones is both sizing and over use. Good idea about get the tube fitted anyway.