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magnetman

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Posts posted by magnetman

  2. Double glazing

    in Boat Equipment

    Posted

    I have sealed units mounted inside handmade teak window frames. No condensation on the frames, or the inside of the glass. but... they seem to lose their vacuum and I get condensation between the two pieces of glass. I don't know if this is normal or if it is to do with being on a boat which moves, a bit, if whacked into the side of a lock. not that I do that but the whole boat is flexible to an extent.

     

    or do sealed units just have a 'life' :rolleyes:


    boat is about 18 years old and some may be original others have been replaced


    I had been wondering, yesterday in fact, if it were worth getting replacement sealed units or just get 10mm glass cut to fit and do that instead - maybe that would be significantly more expensive.

  6. from bray to london - ideas & advices please

    in Cruise Diaries & Reports

    Posted · Edited by magnetman

    I think you might find someone who would be able to take a Freeman 22 down on a trailer behind a 4x4. Just about. Not 100% sure on it but its worth asking round at the marina and other places smile.png

     

    A low loader is going to be very expensive sad.png

     

    Other than that you could leave it in the marina or possibly call individual Thames Lock keepers (phone numbers online I should think) and ask if there is any space in their lock cuts - some locks will allow you to moor for a fixed weekly fee something like £30 a week for a boat that size (don't know the exact cost).

     

    With Romney and Boulters being closed you are a bit 'hemmed in' so maybe best to just pay the marina and keep it there.

     

    I think it'd be worth trying Bray and Boveney Locks as there is a faint chance they may have space for a boat that size close to the lock if you explain it is just for storage until Romney reopens. It might reopen early.

     

    A marina is obviously going to be a bit more secure.

     

    edit to clarify bit about lock keepers

  12. boat yard charges

    in General Boating

    Posted

    How would you feel about a boatyard charging you £60 to move another customers boat that they put in place blocking your boat being craned back in the water ?

     

    I would refuse to pay and insist that they moved the boat out of the way themselves

    • Greenie 1

  13. boat yard charges

    in General Boating

    Posted

    I wonder which boatyard this might be.

    :lol:

    When we had Banstead taken out before we bought it. We had to hire a crane for the day at a cost of 1.2k we were not onsite that day, so the boatyard shifted at least 6 other boats and we paid for the lot + were liable for any punchers!

     

    Aggrevated boaters you mean?

  15. from bray to london - ideas & advices please

    in Cruise Diaries & Reports

    Posted

    Have you considered getting the boat taken down on a trailer?


    As a newbe to boating, I would not recomend the full trip down to Limehouse. Especially in an unknown boat. The entrance in to Limehouse lock is challenging for even the most experienced skipper

     

     

    I'll second that. I've done it several times and it still scares the hell out of me. In my 58ft barge which is 12ft wide with a 90hp engine :rolleyes:


    probably easier in a smaller boat to be fair

  16. Press release from CRT - Canal charity planning action plan for Regent's Canal

    in General Boating

    Posted · Edited by magnetman


    This bit needs some attention I think.

     

    Definition of 'London'

     

    I tend to use the definition of Kensal Green gas works to Limehouse Basin, or Hackney Wick if you go down Ducketts, as 'London' in the sense of congestion on moorings. anywhere outside those you can probably find space. If I were "moving boats through London" there would be no need to stop in the congested part because the aim is to move the boat from one place (not London) to another place (not London) and you can get from Kensal Green to Limehouse in a day anyway.


    and actually just realised the CRT thing is about the Regent's so that would be Little Venice to Limehouse Basin afaik the rest of it going west is the Paddington Arm and East is Limehouse Cut and Lea navigation, and Ducketts cut. So they do seem to be concentrating on a particular area.

  21. Mikuni MX40 single flash on led fault indicator

    in Boat Equipment

    Posted

    Thanks for the help and info :)

     

    I just went in the engine 'ole and took out the flame sensor, it seemed clear I wiped it anyway, put it back, then I took off the flow outlet hose and water gushed out of the pump so that's working. The heater went to full power, down to half power then went back up to full power and its still running. Thats about 15 to 20 minutes now.

    Its always been reliable and I like being able to start it on a timer or with my phone (yes) so I was annoyed when it stopped working.

     

    So it looks like flame sensor or an air lock I think, if it keeps on going this time.

     

    Really appreciate the manual by the way NMEA :cheers:

  22. Mikuni MX40 single flash on led fault indicator

    in Boat Equipment

    Posted

    Thanks.

     

    I have cleaned the flame sensor and it seems ok - I meant to mention that :) Do they fail? I've got a couple of other MX40's in various states of disassembly so I can probably try another one if its worth doing that ?

     

    I was thinking it might be a temperature sensor or maybe it really is simply an air lock ?

     

    A manual would be great, thanks very much for that :cheers: will send a PM

  24. Mikuni MX40 single flash on led fault indicator

    in Boat Equipment

    Posted

    I have a fairly ancient MX40, its a 1997 model. It has always been pretty good and I can't really moan but recently it has started doing something slightly odd. It starts up normally, fires up to full power then quickly knocks down to half power (within seconds) then turns off and does the shutdown sequence. The unit itself doesn't seem to really get that hot so I don't think there is an air lock although it is possible.

     

    I get a single flash from the control box led indicating 'ignition failure' but the thing did ignite and went to full power so this must be incorrect. The glow plug is drawing 22a which is normal however I did have a loose connection for a bit which I have now tightened up and there is a bit of burning to the crimp connectors at the end.

     

    I think its some sort of temperature sensor at fault - is there a way to test this without taking it out ? I would have thought the machine would test it before starting and just not start at all. Just now on a second attempt it started up, slowed to half power in a few seconds then went back to full power then shut down...

     

    or is it just an air lock and I need to spend more time tracking it down. I removed the outlet hose from the pump and it squirted water so it seems to be circulating but the outlet pipe doesn't get hot despite the heater firing up normally.

     

     

    any help and advice, as always, is appreciated

     

    ta

     

     

  25. Mooring by the sea

    in General Boating

    Posted

    Thats a good point. I have a friend that bought a dutch steel cruiser about 35ft I think. years ago. It looked nice and comfortable, wide and sensible to live on but come winter he discovered it had no insulation, just cabin lining which made it almost impossible to heat and live on comfortably. condensation on everything despite a solid fuel stove in there. He told me he ripped out the lining to put in some insulation. Not something you want to do !!

     

    So yes, a canal boat is a good example of a 'ready to move into' unit which a lot of boats simply won't be.

     

    I went on a narrow boat in Newhaven years ago (about 20 years ago) don't know if its still there. It was a bit surreal but quite nice and I bet it was a lot more comfortable that all the yots surrounding it.

     

    Another thing about a narrow boat is if you 'harbour' long term plans to travel the ditches and marvel at the wonders of the coffin locks and aqueducts then you do need a narrow boat so you might as well get one in the first place and make it nice and comfortable :)

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