BarnOwl

On the subject of fridges... I wondered how much power do you guys find a 12v fridge take out of your batteries? I've got a waist height shoreline fridge with freezer box and came back after leaving it a day to find that over the day fridge had sucked about 35% out of the pretty much new batteries at about 110 a/h (apologies if this is not the correct terminology!) ... and this was with it on the lowest setting?! Having it any higher would have drained the battery bank in hours. I know its been very hot the past few days and has been getting very warm on the boat - but still seems like a lot to me... The fridge is about 5 years old... just wondered if over time they lose their efficiency or gas in them needs replacing? Thanks muchly in advance!!

Yeah, I'll definitely be doing that! Thanks for your thoughts so far... the conundrum of a balanced flue, gas water heater seems to be coming to light, bit of a holy grail from what I'm reading?! It's just annoying as its not the 'instant' heat I really need, I'd just like a back up / alternative to the calorifer to save the engine. The other options I'm finding, like Alde are really more suited for central heating systems and a lot more expensive! I sourced the engineer from a boaters site and he does work specifically on marine bits. However, I'm becoming sceptical as I've checked his website and his gas registration number isn't recognised... plus I'm surprised he is offering product given so many people have had issues with it. Tbh, he's London based and I think is used to dealing with boaters who aren't moving a great deal (but that is not a discussion I'm starting here ) Trust me, warning is well and truly heeded... definitely won't be rushing in to anything. The search continues! Thanks guys and girls

Hi Mike, Thanks for the clarification! I've got to say, electric ignition might be a mix up on my part (especially given my previous understanding of room sealing! ) ... I'm having a hunt through the other posts but will definitely take your advice and contact the BSS directly to get their thoughts. I've only spoken to the engineer over the phone at the moment but if I continue to liaise with him up to a meeting, I'll be requesting he bring his gas safe documents and registrations... also I know of a couple of places where I should able to find out about his previous jobs etc. to see if anyone's got any horror stories. Hopefully not! Cheers, Andy

Yeah, this is what I'm a bit worried about... I wouldn't want to get anything fitted by someone without the appropriate expertise or safety certification. I have been talking to an engineer and he is recommending this unit; http://www.morcoproducts.co.uk/stock-5-3/Water_Heaters/F11E.html He's saying its the only one that would pass a BSS as its room sealed and uses an electric ignition for the pilot light, rather than having it constantly running. I am going to email the boat safety examiner I'lll be using (the certificates up in october) to get his thoughts before we start cutting holes in anything Also, I know one of the big things about instant gas heaters is them being 'room sealed'. The unit above is described as 'room sealed' as (to my basic understanding) the air to ignite the flame heater is being sourced externally through the flue... but would this unit also need to be actually in a sealed room within the boat... sorry little bit confused! Thanks for your help so far!

Hey guys, apologies for the late reply... I've just moved aboard in the last week so I'm still without a readily available internet connection! Thanks for your thoughts though, I'm gonna see how things work out running off the calorifier for the mo and then go from there. I do think the Morco would be the better option though, once I've got a little more settled! Thanks again, Andy

Hello everyone, I've bought a 47ft Narrowboat and will be starting to live aboard very shortly. One of the things on the (ever growing!) list that I want to take a look at is the water heating. The boat is relatively young in years (2007) and hot water is coming from a calorifer fed from and heated by the boat engine. This has been working great whilst cruising however on a long term basis, when I'm moored up for a week or two at a time I don't want to keep starting the engine every day just to get a shower in and wash the dishes... I'm not going to have shore power available and having had a look and the option which keeps coming up are gas water heaters (Alde, Morco etc) However I was of the understanding that these could now not be installed under the new guidelines set out in the boat safety certificate? My certificate is due in on October, so I want to look in to an option that'll pass through no prob's... guess theres always a kettle and a bowl! Any advice would be greatly appreciated - and thanks for all the comments and posts on the forum to date, they've been so useful! Cheers, Andy

I would second Collidge and Partners. Just got my insurance with them and they were as competitive as anyone else when it came to insuring the hull but the contents insurance they offered seemed much better than anyone else. I'm pretty sure with mine, I'm insured for personal items up to 20% of the total contents both on and off the boat for all the usual... they'll also give you 15% discount if you've done a helmsman's course, which I'm sure becomes inconsequential as you build up the no claims - but good to know if your thinking of doing one anyway. Good luck with the inevitable online form filling!

Thats a neat idea! I'm looking at something at the moment which has got a pretty big bow locker,(but a smaller water tank) which would do the job a treat!

Thanks to everyone for you're replies and comments. This has really helped clarify my thoughts... So the general gist I'm getting is that the most important factor, before the age is the condition of the hull. Just because its an older boat, doesn't mean its going to be in a terrible state if its been looked after. And equally if a 10 year old boat has not come out of the marina water since it went in... its going to be pretty grim viewing when you take it out again. However, by taking on a boat of a certain age, you are taking on a higher implicit risk that things might go tits up... not just with the hull but the engine, stern gland etc. Anything that might have seen quite a few years of wear and tear. So it comes down to knowing as much as you can and deciding what level of risk you're willing to take. thank you everyone!

Wow, didn't know I was starting a bit of an identity crisis... I've seen documents for the boat, with its previously listed name 'Axe', as it appears on the Allen list. So at one point it was called Axe, whether it was 'the' Axe is obviously up for debate! Got to ask John, what is it about it, that makes you think its not an Allen? Thanks also for everyones thoughts as well about the age and price as well! Much appreciated!

Yes Baroness is the boat in question. Sorry, didn't know what the etiquette was when it came to placing for sale boats... to enlighten a little, the engine is a Ford FL, similar age to the boat, with a parsons gearbox. Had it started over the weekend and it got going first time with no problems, good considering how cold it was. In terms of the mooring, as nice as it is, I would be moving the boat on. It would be as part of private group of moorings, not like a CaRT spot, so not something I could sell on, so probably accounting for part of the premium. Added to it has had a relatively new fit out within, however totally agree with you guys and thinks its high. At a price like you suggest, given the good survey, it might be worth a go... it still ticks a lot of boxes in other areas. hmmmm, lots more thinking to do Thanks for your thoughts guys!

Now that sounds interesting! There's definitely room in front of the two existing tanks to get something like this in... ideally, I if i did want to think about the increasing the capacity, it would be perfect to do this without having to dismantle and start again, by making it integrated. The two existing plastic tanks are fine, so assuming I can hook up to that it could solve it... thank you!

Hi guys, Sooo, I've been looking for a live aboard for a while and having visited quite a few and pinning down what I'm after, I think I've found something that feels like it ticks a lot of boxes, but is pretty old. The hull (60ft) is a rather aged 1976 and the steel 6/6/4, which to me feels very thin given the 10/6/4 standard these days. Saying that, its had a recent survey which came back good, has been recently blacked (october) and was built by Les Allen a highly reputed by builder... so I'm a little stuck. I guess being new to this, would be good to know if I'm biting off more than I can chew looking at a boat of this age and the problems I might encounter. Anyone with a hull of this age (and this thickness), would be good to know how they've stood up to the wear and tear over the years. Also, its on for around 35K, which seems very high for a boat of that age... but quite equivalently for other Les Allens I've seen of that age?! So lots of conflicting thoughts! This forum has been so so useful, so thank you! Hope to see you on the water soon!

hmmm makes interesting reading, thanks for your feedback so far! So, I guess if you really want to make the most of the space in the bow you have an integrated tank but that comes with its own consideration (painting, sealing the deck properly, balance etc.) Certainly getting the impression I could make do 100 Gallons, although a little more would be nicer if possible... don't think I'll ever be savvy enough for the spartan 20L! Good thinking... I have no doubt I'll be finding myself in a similar position more than once! haha, had to post it... everyone was being a little shy until now

Hi guys, Firstly, would like to say this may be my first post, but it comes after many hours delving through the fine advice which has been offered out to others, so thanks to all... your help has been invaluable so far! I've been looking for a live aboard for a while now and think I've come across something that looks the business for me... however the water capacity, through 2 plastic tanks, totals only 100 gallons which strikes me as pretty small in comparison to a lot of other boats I've looked at. I've lifted up the plate on the well deck and taken a look, and it might be roomy enough to accommodate something a bit bigger. I know it is a bit of 'how long is a piece of string' as to how much water you use but given I won't be running a washing machine, and theres' just me, do you think the tank size will be sufficient to last longer than a few days? It would be good to know what sizes other live aboarder's have, and generally how long they can stretch them out for! This forum has been soooo useful, so thank you!