Yoda

I find it odd that such a simple piece of protection, often regarded as the minimum for working should be traded so lightly by people who do know better. A pair of boots supporting the ankles could save a nasty trip that sprains from being a hospital case. Failure to safeguard yourself is very foolish.

Would it not be easier to use a long stern rope to do the job?

I think this is your answer. I would go inside someone elses boat and drink their booze for preference!!!

I wrote the quote without thinking that different boats have different setups. Im sorry about that.

If you are using the geny to power the boat, then the earth should be between the boat earth and geny. If you are using it just to power some double insulated tools then dont earth the geny. These tools are two wire and therefore the geny is the neutral/earth In reality why would you want to make the boat live if there was a fault to earth. Not a good idea. The earth sytem should be conected to the neutral pole of the generator on board.

If the component has been bought from the same source, about the same time, the chances are that it is a batch problem and the whole lot should be withdrawn.

Have you thought of powder coating the engine, all the colours available, permenantly.

The problems with 12 volt systems is the voltage drop over distance. If you use heavy cable the drop is less but if the end device is trying to draw 4 or 5 amps on small diameter cable the losses are high. 240 volts from an inverter is an expensive way to provide power as the inverter is very lossey. Probably the best way to provide power is to have a battery locally to the load and connected to the charging system. That way it will provide full volltage and not incurr the losses of long cable length.

I can help you with your problem. Get an umbrella!!!!!

GPS is very exciting to use. It tells you where you are in lat and long and how high you are. Two hundred years ago you knew where you were and where the next town was and height did not matter and you told the time by the sun. With a GPS and an Ordinance Survey map and some brain work to transfere lat and long into OS grid reference and find out to the nearest metre where you are, or in the truth where you were 10 minutes ago. How things have changed. You might be able to justfy the expence of a GPS if your in the middle of the Severn Estuary in thick fog at night with no moon.

If you're going to have a permenant installation of a VHF radio try to use a antenna cable that has a solid dielectric as this will not be as hydroscopic as an air spaced dielectric. Water in the cable will cause the signal to be lost and can in some circumstances damage the transmitter.

You state that the dangers of gas are overstated. Then you state that the risks have to be minimised. Make your mind up. You only need a small amount of gas to have an explosion and a larger amount to cause a fire.

A friend found out that he had a gas leak on his boat when he was blown up. He suffered bad burns that put him in hospital for a while. The escaping gas had seeped into the bilges and ignited when the bilge pump was switched on. This set fire to the whole boat and him and part of the boat being blown up. He was badly injured but survived. He now insists that fire extingushers are fitted to all boats.

Pumps should be flushed through with clean water on a regular basis so that dirt and detritus do not cause the impeller to stick or block up. The float switch should be exercised to ensure that it is not sticking.

Using a VHF transceiver on a narrow boat has some peculiar problems. First is that the narrow boat will affect the radio transmission because its steel and will act as a ground plane in the lengthwise direction. This means that signals from the side or to the side will be weaker than fore and aft. This can happen with handhelds as well as fixed radios. Secondly, the antenna fixed to the roof of the boat will graze the underside of bridges and some tunnels, so will need to be lowered. You can of course use a short spiral wound antenna but these are not as efficient as a proper part wave antenna (half or quarter). Thirdly, hand helds will have a tendancy to go missing. Either at a lock or off the side into the water so will require attachment to something with string. This takes the portability away from the use. A fixed radio will work better but then becomes a target of theft and also will require the use of a longer mic lead and an external speaker. Hope this helps. I forgot to add that on a fixed installation, the antenna must not be next to the steerer or anyone else as it has a heating effect on flesh when transmitting. In all cases ensure that the antenna is away from the eyes. of anyone.

Janet, try to sell your rods and stuff to someone else. I have the answer you require. Lime or dynamite, both excellant for producing fish and sometimes they jump out into your arms, so no need to net them. Use dynamite on faster flowing sections as the lime tends to disperse too quickly.

Yes, I recommend a waterproof radio!

I passed a nb, few weeks ago and most of the wood on the roof had sprouted new shoots to start its own forrest.

There are regulations concerning all aspects of fuel feed hoses and they are expensive.

If your new then it doesn't matter which way you go but to enjoy and learn. Dont make it too difficult for yourselves.

This product would be OK to use, after the steelwork has been fully covered. The product allows the passage of water which will cause corrosion and eventually it would peel off due to that rusting. All steelwork should be shot blasted and then immediately sealed with a non absorbent paint/coating. If an area has condensation it requires a thermal gap or non conductive surface to insulate it. Cork tiles fully glued on, carpet glued (nylon), polysterene tiles or any type of thermal blanket will work well. Do not use poly tiles in engine areas.