IanR

I went last year and it was a great day out, lots to see including some nice boats and the whole village seems to take part. I was up in the main field most of the day though as we took some large scale flying models along to display, in the shape of a half size Flying Flea and a 17ft span Handley Page HP42 airliner. I'd love to meet some forumites and get lots of ideas and inspiration for my boat. Ian.

Dave, our boat has had a BSS certificate since the steelwork for the conversion has been in place, so I'm guessing all examiners should think alike? We bought the boat only a couple of weeks ago, after a full survey which highlighted some hull work necessary and which won't be done til mid end August. I take on board what your saying though as it would be a scary place to get out of in the event of fire at the doors! I'm guessing the windows would be as good a place as any to leap through! We planned on removing some of the windows but might rethink a bit of this in light of your words. The boat we bought is Indus Too which, now I've let on I guess will open a can of worms with its cut and shut, backwards boat going forwards history. That said, we like it and its history, the only bit I don't like is the 'Too' bit on the name, looks nasty, a bit like 'Cutz' and the like you see on some hairdressers signs!! Ian.

Many thanks for the replies folks, much appreciated. We've no plan to reinvent the wheel at all, hence the question to find out what folks are and have been successfully using. This seems the most practical and reliable method of research. The plan once we have more ideas as to what we want where etc we will venture into the realms of the chandlers, we'll have more of an idea of what we want to buy, and not necessarily buy what they want to sell. Regarding access through, the fuel tank is on the other side of the bulkhead so we don't plan on hacking things about and am happy with the set up the boat has and we'll have to design around that. The boat will have the cross planks just ahead of the engine room which will give standing space for any passengers once we're underway. The back cabin will be the mashing cabin during a days travelling and will be kept as is for guest accommodation and storage. We don't want to have any impact on the traditional styling of the boat, apart from what's going on in the hold. Bottle, the Whale Gulper has been mentioned elsewhere and seems a very popular choice, Jabsco pumps too seem well looked upon. Are these pumps noisy, as in would you want it under the bed? Ian.

Many thanks folks, that link is to a cracking site Jake!! Martyn, I've got the download manual now, very efficient automatic system, I'm presuming you weren't sat at the other end of my internet connection ready to process my order!! Have you any experience of the 4VSH? Anything to look out for or keep an eye on?? It is a bit coked up and needs a service. The boat won't be with me for a month or two yet as its having some hull work done, but I want to get things in place for when its ready. Do you stock any gaskets / seals etc that it may need after the heads have been off? Thanks again chaps, Ian.

Hi everyone, I've just bought my first boat and am embarking on a self fit out. We are quite handy with the practical stuff but could do with advice from fellow users as to the systems they've found best. The boat is an undercloth conversion with doors both sides at about the mid point down the cloth area. So there are two ends with no through access. One end will be a shower toilet room, the other the bedroom. The bedroom end we were thinking at the rear of the hold, against the engine room bulkhead (no through access) That leaves a kitchen and lounge area to go inbetween. So, the water system would consist of two sinks, both with hot and cold, plus the shower. What would be the set up for that, a pump for each cold tap, same for hot or would one pump do both cold taps etc? Sinks presumably gravity drain? The shower would need a pump out or are there pumps / systems available that would pump and heat as well as pump out the grey water. Would / could there be a problem having the water tank, calorifier at one end of the hold and the shower, sinks etc at the other end? Sorry for all of the questions, I've done searches for products and answers but there seems so much conflicting info out there, as well as numerous products that it seems to be more reliable to ask users than just dive in!! Many thanks, Ian. ...sadly, there will be more daft questions coming!!

Does anyone know if a manual or copies of said manual is available? I've spoken to Paul Redshaw who is having a root through his stuff but nothing as yet. Many thanks, Ian.

There's a couple of suitable moorings with three acres available here in Staffs, but we could move to wherever really, we are both self employed marionette, model makers and restorers so we are a self contained unit and we'd go to where the mooring was. Cheers for the info on Ian, I noticed it'd been for sale for years, with a massive price drop to boot!! Ian. Puppis looked like it had promise, though I agree about the steel conversion, lots of space but its not how I'd want it to look. I met Puppis' new owner when I was looking at Ian, he's a really nice bloke and he'll soon have it knocked into shape!! Ian.

Hi folks, my first post so be gentle!! I've started to look for an old boat, with a view to basic living and workspace. The idea is to buy a mooring with workshop space on land, then have the boat for accomodation and admiring. I've seen a few which I liked, but only have real interest in an original oldie. One I looked at was the wooden motor 'Ian' at Warwickshire Fly Boat. I've been warned off a wooden boat but... ideally, its nearly perfect due to its 'nearly' working boat fit out. Has anyone any further knowledge of this boat and engine, good or bad? A pm might be better if there's some nasties out there! My idea of living aboard is only slightly more luxurious than a boatmans cabin, so an unconverted boat would be perfect. Any others due to come onto the market or available? An help or other ideas most welcome. Cheers, Ian.