Sledge

Thanks folks Good info. I'm on it!

Does anyone know where I can get pig iron or scrap railway line for ballast around Yorkshire? And roughly how much the stuff will cost? My barge used to have a large HiAb on the bow in her working life, so now its not there she sits very bow high!

Interesting stuff... Can anyone recommend a make of calorifier? Surecal are the ones which seem to come up most often on searches and fleabay. Also, what size do I need?? They seem to come in all shapes and sizes... There's only me (Awww)! So it just needs to heat enough for one shower at a time.

Heslington is about a mile from the river Ouse in York. If you want somewhere really close you could try the 2 York marinas (links below). There are also quite a few private moorings on the river at Acaster and Bishopthorpe but I'm not sure who owns them or how to make contact.. Naburn marina http://www.yorkmarina.co.uk/ Bishopthorpe marina on the Ouse is the 2nd nearest. http://www.yorkmarine.co.uk/ (Browns of Heslington make fabulous butties)!

I'm a qualified radio "Ham" (but can't be bothered anymore) and most of the above is technically correct. However, antenna phenomena such as this are both bizarre and common and defy reason! Probably the most useful comment is from John V, "if it works, be thankful and accept it"! Antenna performance is on a par with valve guitar amplifier performance, all voodoo, but great fun! (Incidentally, poor insulation of antenna systems and water ingress into coaxial cabling can render the tuning ineffective and in fact couple the boat hull to the antenna making it part of the system. This might account for an increase in signal when the aerial is in contact with the metal structure... maybe)! I never got why they did that either.. Most dipole based antennas are fed with balanced feeders so why not TV aerials? they are after all balanced systems innit?!

Hi Mike, I'm reading through all the LPG cooker threads at the moment to try and get my facts straight! This looks to me like it ticks all the boxes.. (I'm ok with it needing 240v electrics). http://www.laskys.com/kitchen_and_home/cooking/gas_range_cookers/delonghi_dsc95g_fsd.html What do you think? Space isn't an issue for me. Apologies for thread jacking by the way!

Thanks, sounds like a calorifier is a better option.. especially if I can rig it up to the Rayburn as well. I'll have a trawl through the cooker threads on here before I make any rash decisions!

I can dispose of and store the buckets of part finished stuff at my mothers place nearby so thats not an issue, I've not seen the incinerating toilets yet, thanks I'll look into them! I guess the LPG one would be the most sensible option as it could then be used when out & about as well... Interesting Thats good! I've certainly spent a lot of time reading through the info on this forum.. Why would you recommend an electric element heated calorifier over a instant gas heater for shower? is it cheaper to run, or are the gas heaters unreliable? I was hoping to avoid having to heat up a cylinder of water for showering etc, but I'm all ears for good advice!! Which LPG cookers are best and which are a no-no then?....

Hello all, I've just purchased a 58'x14' part converted barge which has partial wiring (240v + 24v + 12v systems) and am intending for it to be 90% static moored with the occasional river trip away. Basically (and I know this goes against the grain, but) I want it to be a floating apartment that can be moved My mooring has water, electricity and a phone line provided but no facilities for toilet pump out or cassette disposal (being in the city centre). I'm thinking of having all the appliances running from 240v shore power (washing machine, lighting, fridge, tv etc). Plus a minimal additional system on 24v (or 12v)? for cruising, just the lighting and an inverter to keep the fridge going and make a cuppa whilst on the move. I might get a generator eventually if I end up cruising more often.. I already have a solid fuel Rayburn onboard which will run a couple of rads for winter heat & cooking and am looking at an LPG cooker for summer use. I would like an instant hot water heater for the shower and washing up etc. will a Morco do both? (not keen on pathetic dribbling showers)!! I'm quite taken with the Separett Villa composting toilet... Soo... What have I forgotten? and what out of the above should I rethink based on everyone's experience? Any advice (within reason)! gratefully accepted