RichLech

I'm sure there is a paddle-wheel narrowboat moored on the Wey at Guildford. Doesn't look as though it has moved for a while.

For a visit to Guildford use the water meadow moorings just south of the town. Plenty of space and a lovely area. Also visit Dapdune Wharf in Guildford for water, rubbish disposal etc. and a dose of Wey navigation history. Can moor there overnight but the water meadow is better. I've always found the towpath users respond positively to a friendly wave and greeting.

Not exactly sure what you are looking for but Wesley Marine Windows had a catch that I needed recently.

My fridge is about 7m from supply and I used 10mm. Prior to this the voltage drop on the smaller cable meant that the fridge would not start unless batteries were at their peak of charge. Definitely use the larger cable.

Another vote for the plastic container under the stern gland. I empty mine at the end of each days cruise and manage to keep the bilge completely dry.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/river-wey-godalming-navigations-and-dapdune-wharf/ National Trust website with information for boaters. There are no continuous cruisers on the Wey. There are some moorings close to Addlestone but I'm sure they are not residential. There seem to be a few residential moorings elsewhere. A call to the National Trust would clarify.

I am very happy with Craftinsure - and I have made a claim.

I bought the dewalt 18V drill and angle grinder. Also bought additional 3 a/h Li-ion battery. Very pleased.

Same thing happened to me earlier this year. If you want them out they will only come out if you fiddle them into the correct position, but it's amazing how easily they fall out when you don't want them to! In my case it was just drawing the curtains across it that flicked it into the "falling out" position. In anticipation of it happening again sometime I used one of the others to make a template then cut a new one out of Perspex. I found the brass catch I needed at Wesley Marine Windows.

Yes, as the OP I take full responsibility. However, if flagellation is your thing don't let that stop you. You deserve a reward for contributing to my education!

Thanks for all the information gentlemen. I understand "insulated return" connections better now!

I've been following a couple of posts on insulated return alternators and earthing over the last couple of days and got myself confused over the "insulated return". As I understand it an insulated return alternator is one where the B – terminal is insulated from the alternator casing. I’ve just fitted an insulated return alternator for the leisure batteries on my boat, and as advised, connected the B – terminal to an earth on the engine. I can understand the logic of this as the -ve terminals of the starter and leisure batteries are all connected. Now what is confusing me is that the casing of the alternator is connected to the engine through its mountings and so is presumably also connected to an “earth on the engine”. So, haven’t I in effect connected the B – terminal to the alternator casing, cancelling the insulated return? I can't see why that would matter but do not see why an alternator would be insulated return. Or am I missing something here?

Abingdon easy in a day. Perhaps on to Dorchester - lovely rural moorings just above Days Lock then short walk into Dorchester. In two 6/7 hour days you could probably get to Goring. Great food in the John Barleycorn.

Might be pushed to get to Lechlade and back to Oxford in 2/3 days although river is lovely - more rural and quieter that way. Low (Osney) bridge at Oxford prevents large cruisers going that way. Oxford - Abingdon - Oxford would be a good trip for 2/3 days. Abingdon is very boater friendly - lot of free mooring. Easter would have been good this year but in 2014 Thames was still pretty lively at that time. Didn't finally come off yellow boards until sometime in May. August OK but may be a bit busier due to school holidays.

We had one fitted in June and are delighted with it. Don't normally cruise with it up but have done so to keep dry on the Thames where bridges are plenty high enough (until you get to Oxford). Would be reluctant to cruise with it up on canals in case I didn't spot a bridge that was too low. We have two Labradors so find the extra "indoor" space useful when moored up. We specified that the front screen can be completely removed (zipped along the top) and the hood just held up by a couple of straps. Makes forward visibility better in light rain and is better when just using for some shade when moored up. Altogether a great purchase although I know it doesn't improve the overall line of the boat ! Practicality swung the decision for us.

I've just had one made and went for canvas. Although I realise it will require more maintenance over the years I don't like the look of the PVC covers once they have been on a few years. Ones I've seen have discoloured and some seem to lose their shape. I had a 10 year old PVC tonneau-type cover on my semi-trad previously and it had shrunk quite badly to the point where only a few of the press studs lined up. I also want to take the cover up/down quite frequently when cruising and find the canvas is more flexible and easier to manage. One of the best things I had done was to put the hoops on sliding rails so that when folded forward, the frame does not impede access through the semi-trad hatch.

It won't be as easy as it is on canals. There are some Environment Agency moorings that are free for 24 hrs but then they can charge you - and frequently do as many are supervised by nearby lock-keepers. These EA moorings tend to be popular, especially in summer. There are places where you can moor for free. It is really a case of looking out for signs stating mooring fees. If you don't see one and think it is suitable, try it but be prepared for some-one to turn up and expect to be paid. Most of the towns charge for overnight so best avoided (£11 0r £12 in Marlow; £9 I think in Henley) Abingdon is an exception - a lot of moorings and free for 7 days. As you cruise the Thames and speak to others you will soon learn where the nice, free spots are and you should be OK. Just don't expect it to be as easy as canal towpath mooring. Be aware you can be caught by flooding. Winter before last Thames was on red boards for several months.

Thanks for your replies people. While I was further investigating my high charging voltage yesterday (see my other post for (lack of) progress on that one) I did actually temporarily re-wire the domestic light to the domestic bank. As you suggested, it did not make any difference to the charging issue. Thanks again.

I’ve posted on this issue before and I know one or two others have had similar issues with the same Barrus Shire set up. I’ve taken investigation a step further today and I thought I’d feedback and ask if anyone can suggest what I try next. The 110A domestic battery alternator on my Barrus Shire 45 (2005 year) tends to charge at 15V or just over when warm and at tickover. It is Prestolite 35215315 which is now obsolete. The voltage is measured at a Smartguage and has been checked at the batteries with a multimeter. When revs are raised to 1200/1400 voltage drops to about 14.8V. These voltages are when the batteries are well charged and there is no domestic load on them. If I turn the fridge on the charge voltage at tickover drops to sensible levels eg. 14.7V. Now, previous posts by myself and others led me to conclude that the regulator was playing up when warm ( I have had the alternator bench tested and found to be OK). Today I bit the bullet and fitted a new 90A Prestolite 66021590. Unfortunately this has not helped; the voltage readings are about the same. When warm the voltage at the batteries varies between about 14.85 and 15.1V. This keeps triggering an error on the Smartguage. In, desperation I even re-wired the domestic alternator warning light to be powered from the domestic batteries rather than the start battery. Those who said it would make no difference were right – it didn’t. Now, from my limited understanding of alternators when the voltage reaches its regulated value (usually 14.4 – 14.6) the regulator switches off the field current and the voltage falls. However, I now have two alternators that are allowing voltage to peak at over 15V. Can anyone help me to understand this and what to try next? Incidentally, the starter battery alternator behaves perfectly. I have no battery sensing to either alternator and no external regulator.

I think I have used the leisure centre at Abingdon for a shower in the past. I can recommend the John Barleycorn at Goring for beer and food. Still a proper pub rather than an upmarket gastro-type .......

On my Barrus Shire I've got two alternators, one for the starter batt (50A) and one (110A) for the domestic bank). The two work independently and have separate warning lights on the Deluxe Panel. The 12V feeds for both alternator warning lights are from the ignition switch ie. from the starter battery. This is reflected in the wiring diagrams so was obviously deliberate. Other than the fact that it would be more logical so use a feed from the leisure batteries for the domestic alternator warning light, is this going to cause any problems? I've seen reference to this in past posts but it is unclear whether it is actually a problem. In my limited understanding this 12V feed is only used to "kick start" the charging and once that is done plays no further role. Any comments will be much appreciated.

We were on the Thames last year filling up at a water point at a lock where lots of people congregate on Sundays to picnic, barbecue etc. (can't remember which one). There were a couple of ladies having a good look through the side hatch and windows which was fine, but then they asked if they could possibly use our toilet! We thought that was a step too far!

Just wanted to close this topic by saying we had our canopy made by Tim at AM Marine of Windsor. He made a lovely job of it, including accommodating my request for a front screen that can be completely removed as opposed to a section of it rolling up. This is great when you just need it for a bit of shade when moored up. He also put the hoops on sliding rails so that when lowered forward, they don't restrict the semi-trad hatch. We are absolutely delighted with the additional "inside space" when we are moored up.