Hartlebury lad
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Posts posted by Hartlebury lad
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Thank you for all the contributions on this, i have read them all, and lots of sensible comments. Neil 2, Naughty Cal, and Bee all offer ideas, I accept GRP boats will handle much differently, at the moment we potter around the area North of Whitchurch to Llangollen, and the Monty, so the bywashes are not a massive issue. Viking in particular seem to have a decent range to be fair.
I have had a look at all the suggestions and it's likely we will have a couple more months before putting the boat on brokerage and make a decision. I suspect there will be no replacement until my wife retains her mojo, or finances improve. Or both!
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Thanks,
Some decent points there ...
It will be narrow canals. I was thinking more of the running costs in comparison to the 55 footer, which runs out at 5-6 k a year,
One drawback is we are based on the Llangollen, all very pleasant but a bit more vulnerable collision wise!
Serious decision to make!
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Hi all,
After over 10 great years of a lifelong dream of owning our 55ft Trad, sadly, it looks like we are going to have to put it up for sale. A significant change of circumstances, financial constraints, and less opportunities to use the boat mean it is currently bad value for us and a struggle to maintain, let alone upgrade and modify. Covid didn't help, and my lady no longer feels the love for it. A mortgage paid off and more disposable income will soften the blow, but i am gutted.
Someone suggested maybe softening the blow and getting a GRP cruiser which would probably be better value - our boating is currently restricted to 3-4 night canal trips from our home marina. The current boat is worth 45-50k, and a brief gander on Apollo Duck shows (at a glance) decent looking starter boats for about £10 - £20k but i know little about them.
Has anyone done this, and what are the main advantages and disadvantages? Cheers....
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Just now, ditchcrawler said:
And when you use the microwave, hairdryer, fridge etc how long do you cruise for each day
Usually 4-7 hours, Microwave rarely , maybe 5- 10 mins every other day, hair dryer is low wattage, 3-5 mins every other day, usually done on the move. Fridge is the main culprit, but i am fairly obsessive about power. Last leisure batteries replaced after 11 years!
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Update.
The bracket is also knackered and i am getting one from Beta.
I think it best to replace the aged alternator as well, instead of trying to repair. It is difficult to source though ( yes, an old ISKRA) and despite cross referencing, i may have to get it from Beta, who in fairness have been helpful. It's a bit more than expected, but not extortionate, and i know it will be a perfect fit.
Beta offer a 120A upgrade, and all things considered ( pulleys, bolts, brackets) it is about £150 more. Is this a worthwhile option and will life be better? We are not liveaboards, generally long weekend boaters, apart from 2 x 2 week hols, and have fairly modest power needs, 12v fridge, LED lights, have a Sterling Combi Quasi 3kw inverter charger for shore, microwave, and hairdryer needs (don't ask) , and 4 newish 100A leisure batteries. Separate starter Alternator.
Sorted the main fuse BTW - is was a 150A one blown. Still embarrassed ....
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8 hours ago, JoeC said:
A boater told me that he used this on his PVC covers to them supple.
Cheers Joe.
I have actually just bought this for my van. It is actually a white cream, and seems to have similar properties, and does a great job. I may do a small test area on the cratch cover. If no joy, will try the Autoglym product.
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Morning all!
The cratch cover on the boat is now getting rather tired.
I wash it two or three times a year, and recently had the zips upgraded/repaired and a few new studs. The main Dark Green (PVC tarp?) body of it is very tired now though, starting to become slightly opaque in parts, and quite stiff and not very pliable.
I don't fancy forking out for a replacement yet. Anyone got any wonder products or old wives tales to recommend for it, and slow down the inevitable?
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17 minutes ago, Eeyore said:
The holes on the engine where the alternator sits.
Sadly no. I struggled to post them, only had a link with an outdated phone and poor signal. Ditchcrawler helped, and there is a close up on the thread. Back at the boat next week.
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1 minute ago, Eeyore said:
Post a picture of the holes in the mounting bracket if you can.
Disconnecting the battery, unless there is a switch in the circuit. Make sure everything is switched off before reconnecting, otherwise the slight sparking can be a bit alarming.
Do you mean the alternator? I have put up a couple of pics of the alternator and fuse in the OP?
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2 minutes ago, Eeyore said:
Looks a bit like a Beta Marine high level mount? They certainly used an alternator with that slot on some engines
It certainly is high level. I may email them tomorrow.
Going back to the fuse, they are not expensive to replace. would be handy to have a spare too. If i replace it, what is the safe way - battery supply is on the right in the picture, power out on the left?
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Cheers, biggest dilemma is given the age of the thing and the faff factor, do i just replace it anyway. The previous owner had it on the boat in 2010. Unlikely to be original though on a 96 boat!
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Cheers, you have been very helpful. I will get onto it this week.👍
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Just now, ditchcrawler said:
Mine also runs via the isolator but you will find some on here and other forums who advocate that is wrong because if you turn the isolator off with the engine running you risk damaging the alternator. For me I would rather have all the cables dead.
I have had what i have been given! As you will guess, i am no electrical expert! I may take off the alternator completely, and get a garage to fit a new bush before trying to continue with the repair. Do you think it is the main fuse in the picture blown - there is no visible indication.
Sorry Tony, i missed your last post , cheers.
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Just now, Tony Brooks said:
Yes, and it looks like the standard steel sliding bush, not rubber as the OP originally seemed to suggest.
They are a sliding fit and I would expect one taken from a scrap alternator to fit.
So, i expect the existing bush/elongation is not fit for purpose? New alternator given its age, or try to source a replacement bush?
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I may be wrong, but it seems to run to the isolator/main switch on the panel?
5 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:On lots of boats the cable from the alternator doesn't go through the isolator switch so that may or may not isolate it
Surly that is only the bush that is worn from what I am looking at.
Does that make any difference? i thought it would still compromise the quality of the mount?
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Well!
It gets worse.
I started to take off the alternator to have a closer inspection of the mounts. The mounting hole is clearly is elongated, and the threads on part of the bolt were non existent. To make matters worse, like an idiot, i forgot to isolate/switch off the leisure supply, short circuit, crackle, bang, and no leisure supply.
1. Is it worth persevering with an alternator ( at least13 years old, last 2 owners) with an elongated mount (it is an ISKRA as suspected) - none identical online, and
2. Have i blown the main fuse pictured? I cant find another one related to the leisure switch.
only myself to blame on the second one. Uninjured!
Pics now as i am back home on the desktop!
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Great help on here. Thanks also Ditchcrawler ......
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Thanks chaps.
I noticed slots on the lower fitting, but no threaded offering. Alignment does worry me- I can see with my own eyesight it's not perfect. Should these fittings gkvern the entire set up, then finally do the sliding adjustable bolt last (not in pic) It's a Beta 38
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/jgQoGowFeubyoi8D6
The link is the best I can do!
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Trying to sort the photo, bear with me 😁
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Hi all,
I have had lots of issues recently with my alternator working loose due to vibration. Sorted out the vibration thing, but I am not convinced my alternator is bolted on correctly. (Not my handiwork) The purple circled area houses a bolt going directly into what seems to be a rubber bush. It works loose. There is no bolt at all in the yellow area. First impressions apart from a disaster in the making!
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1 minute ago, LadyG said:
I hope I never have to take back the roof to bare metal, it's a huge job, so I keep on top of it, I hope, but I would say it is quite evident, it's white grey, very pale, would show any rust.
I think if you catch the knocks and spots early, back to metal on those, and keep recoating all the rest every few years ? .Oddly, the roof doesnt bother me nowhere near as much as the higher profile sides.. At least you get to see the results of your hard work whilst steering!
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I did mine this weekend.
When i bought the boat 9 years ago it had had a nice roof paint job, with a couple of glossy colours and a non slip finish in parts.
3 years ago, it was struggling . I put a delta sander on the rusty bits (started probably by knocks off hardwear etc,) treated the spots and put 2 coats of Bondaprimer on them. I then proceeded to put 2 further coats of Bondaprimer on the whole roof.
Its belt and braces, but not hideous, and lasted 3 years until needing doing again.
In fairness, you can take a bit of pride from the appearance of your boat, but few notice the roof in passing. Keep it simple i feel .....
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Hello all.
The paintwork on one side of my boat was in a shocking state, and i got it professionally repainted not long ago, to broadly match the old colour scheme. I couldnt afford to do the other side, which was in significantly better shape. I would however like to have a go at doing it now.
I have some paint left over from the pro job - about 1.5 ltrs Craftmaster Coach Enamel - plus 1.5 ltrs of never used Masons P Type Polyurethane. The paints were specially mixed to the same code, but they are miles apart! So i was thinking, can i mix the two thoroughly and use the new colour mix, or are the characteristics of the paint radically different? I reckon 3 litres for one side (55ft) will be about there. I would add, it doesnt have to perfectly match the other side of the boat - you only see one side at a time!
Also, can i just put two coats of paint over the old gloss ( similar colour) after rubbing down/keying, or do i have to go through the primer/2 undercoats rigmarole . The old gloss paint is sound and relatively unblemished, if somewhat faded. Its pale green.
Cheers in advance......
Narrowboat v GRP Cruiser option
in General Boating
Posted
Hi, thanks for the interest.
As you can see, i still have a nosey on here.
With some misgivings, we sold the boat a few weeks ago. Paid off the mortgage, blah de blah...
It's now late autumn early winter, so no real pangs, but don't ask me how i will feel in Spring! No plans to get another boat of any kind. I have converted my van into a camper with some of the proceeds, new adventures, but it won't be the same.
As for the future....never say never......😉