Capt.Golightly

Some very informative and interesting responses thank you all for replying, Thanks Paul Nulife 4-2..it wasn't too long and is exactly the life I am aiming for, I am intending to move constantly (every 13 days or less) and store away perfect little spots for periodic return...in fact I shall be the very definition of a CC'er. Those who object to the CC er on the grounds that they don't pay mooring fees should consider that neither do they have its conveniences and those who object on grounds of Council Tax payment should bear in mind that neither do they receive the services...so when they choose to pay for things they don't have I'll happily subscribe to their point of view too. Though mostly in honesty I have left the World of jobsworths, Little Englanders and the generally mean spirited behind me and in one of my my former lives as a Market Trader when someone took it upon themselves to lecture me on what I chose to sell I told them to fetch a Copper...and if they then found that they didn't like the Law as it stood to get elected to Parliament and change it, meantime....... "it also says "MacLeans" on Buses but they aren't driven by Dentists you are Dismissed!"......and promptly turned my back this may seem a little rude but I got tired of hearing them and it isn't as rude as wandering around looking for an argument for fun.

I agree Paul...I did ask whether she had been served with multiple warnings first (as is most likely in my current understanding of the situation) but the chap in question didn't answer and my view on this is therefore still a work in progress to be hopefully better informed by the comments posted here in response...I have amended my post in clarification. Thanks for your reply mate Andrew. Thanks Richard..simple, direct, and reassuring.

I am finally afloat and living aboard Dulcinea (though awaiting an engine rewire in order to finally cast off). I took a stroll through the Marina this morning and fell into chatting with a boater who said a friend of theirs had been refused a River licence after 8 years of Cruising....my questions are these: Is the CRT actively waging an aggressive anti Continuous Cruiser campaign (the view he seemed to hold) or is ending it simply on their wish list? or was this chap simply being sensationalist and neither of the above is actually the case? my current understanding is that before taking the drastic action of refusing a license the CRT issues warning notifications almost ad nauseam first.

Welcome Emma.

Thanks trackman, I've become addicted to buying these type of things I'm afraid...a type of power craziness I never anticipated

In that case mate I sincerely beg your pardon..and I don't blame you for being angry....In my ignorance I had never heard of a DC/DC adaptor and am therefore totally and completely wrong and wrong headed in this..sorry my friend shall leave it up so that others can see my silly mistake here clearly too. It could be quite funny except that it unduly p%%d us both off completely pointlessly ...D'oh! Andrew.

jeez man what are you smoking? it's making you seriously paranoid my friend...why would anyone bother to pitch something on here? all for 13 quid? are you having a laugh? £95 was an offer on a website quoted to me I couldn't remember the name of....mystery solved. and really? was there any need for this?

Careful "Grace and Favour" they'll think we're in cahoots!....it is currently selling from Kensington.com at £109...a lovely piece of kit.http://www.kensington.com/kensington/en/gb/p/1576/33403EU/wall2fauto2fairlaptoppoweradapterusb.aspx was tempted to buy out the stock at £12.99...I have NOTHING to do with this product, my bro in law who has a broadcast company spotted it and I thought I'd pass it on to you cynical bunch as a favour as Kensington kit is blue chip stuff

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kensington-Power-Adapter-Notebok-33403EU/dp/B001CDSD44/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A2GGM4A872GO7M

Good points, will look into the maplins stuff, bang on Tony an HP and an iphone hence the difficulty though there are some good ideas for workarounds here too..thanks for the replies,.

I looked for a twelve volt adaptor for both my laptop and phone and couldn't find one except the "universal" type which are universally short lived in my experience, I agree if you are fortunate to find one then they are the best way to go...as the less connections/conversions the better in my view but my choice was regulated 12v or inverted 240. Whist it is true that if the unit were running at its claimed peak 700w capacity constantly or even 350w it would generate heat (on a cigar lighter socket as does everything else) however it wont be, it will wired into a good quality 12v socket and running no more than 100w as like you I don't trust cigar lighter connections for anything other than occasional very short term use...especially not to replace an expensive and well regulated power supply like a computers.

This is quite a nice piece of kit, just bought one to power and charge my Laptop/ iphone/ tv etc from 12v system rather than through 240v volt inverter....seems somehow a neater solution as they are all low demand items...I like the "95% efficient" claim too, it offers good power protection against spikes etc and a better regulated 12v supply. http://www.scan.co.uk/products/titan-350w-car-power-inverter-hw-350e6-uk-12v-with-usb-port

So would this be a safe bet for my BMC 1.5? http://www.morrislubricantsonline.co.uk/golden-film-sae-30-classic-motor-oil.html

I am awaiting the completion of some welding before getting the keys to my boat in around two weeks.....between now and then I have to rid myself of a vast and often unaccountably bizarre collection of stuff (my possessions). I tried to spend the waiting time in lining up buttons to be pushed when things became definite, which internet? 3, which "home" address will you use for banking etc? though it should always be borne in mind that a big step it may be but an irrevocable one it isn't so there is really nothing to worry about. Enjoy

Good point it is indeed £21 on Kindle too.

I have just received a copy of the Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical manual...by Nigel Calder. At 815 pages it is approaching biblical proportions and seems to contain every possible topic of interest at astounding levels of detail. I bought mine from Amazon for £30.00 but prices range to £60.00 elsewhere. Make sure you get the latest (third) edition not the much cheaper but much older ones..things have changed.

thanks nebulae, the rest of the boat was in fine fettle and the vendor has indeed payed the lions share of the work..so I'm well pleased with the boat, touch wood. I don't believe in trying to screw someone to the floor over a few loose tiles in the head on an old boat as a fair deal is always good enough in my book.

it still seems like an expensive bucket to me, the urine separator and fan is clever but doesn't justify £400 in my view ....the only thing which makes it a "composting" toilet is the word "compost" and a disposable "compost" bag which are £1.29 for 20 at garden centres...though I wouldn't knock it for anyone if it works for them.

I should be moving aboard my boat at the end of August and have so far read half a dozen books on the subject and learned a great deal from the people here too...it helps to have as much advice as possible but in the end there can be no better teacher than experience so my advice is to start engine and prepare to cast off.

I have just had a "pre purchase Survey" carried out, this is more informative than just a Hull Survey but not a Full Survey..it cost £350 and is both acceptable for insurance and as a "to do" list should I decide to purchase the boat revealing all the little niggles which I would have needed to suffer to discover needed fixing..these are useful to know about and this early knowledge can save a lot of money in repair too. A Survey provides a better position from which to negotiate on price too...the question to ask is "do I want this boat?" if the answer is "yes" then it is cheaper to commit to it from the first and find out all you can about it in my view...anything a Survey reveals which is a deal breaker can only save you money in the long run...it revealed the hull condition to be fair but with areas of pitting as I expected on an old boat but it is much better to know from the get go as there is a World of stuff going on below the waterline, skin fittings etc etc... I think buying a second hand boat is much like a second hand car but potentially a MUCH more expensive mistake..caveat emptor.. but all boats should be given a little credit at least if they are actually floating with all the water on the outside.

Maybe the "prior" part was the general standard of readiness before "preparing" for something specific? that was sort of my understanding of it..I think given that I misquoted anyway

You could well be right there Peter! much depends upon the levels of irrational rage being experienced by the fellah shouting it at you at the time I think as to how many "P'...S" you actually receive

I too have a tendency to be a bit belt and bracers about stuff tree....though as squaddies we were hammered with the Law of P's" "Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance"

Thanks chaps..just wanted to make sure I had come away with the right general idea on it all (as you say, he had it covered and it was generally good)...and a very good point on the weed hatch and rudder tube..not having done it yet I didn't realise it was easily forgotten cheers..

My feeling is that this is par for the course on a 35 year old boat and so long as the vendor is willing to include this work in the £19500 price we can proceed..any thoughts gratefully received. Hull Structure 1979 Hancock and Lane. The hull is constructed of mild steel. The plate’s original thickness appears to have been thus: Bottom Plate 6mm. Side Plates 5mm. Swim plate 5mm Cabin roof 3mm. Cabin sides 3mm This type of narrow boat is built up from three flat bottom plates; the sides being butt welded onto the base and raked in aft, under the swim plate to enhance propulsion and steerage. The crafts base plate is fitted with a short stub centre keel, approximately 3” in depth. There is a continuous convex steel rubbing strake, approximately 12” below the gunwale, plus another two short ones around the bow and the stern. In the areas that could be viewed, no sign of stress-cracking or serious damage was noted on any of the welds. The structure was thickness tested in several areas, approximately 2’ intervals using a "Cygnus 2" ultrasonic gauge and the readings indicated that metal loss was fair, although corrosive pitting was evident on the underside. The readings taken on the bottom plate ranged between 5.25mm and 5.9mm. The sides ranged from 4.5mm and 5mm and the swim plate measured 4.7mm at its lowest point. With the external hull surface showing no obvious evidence of undue distortion or flexing, it would appear that the hull design structure has provided correct and adequate support for the hull shell. Surface pitting was evident on the base plates and side plates. Several random pits were up to 2.5mm in depth (several pits have previously been welded on the base). A small area of paint and surface corrosion was removed from the weed hatch tube which revealed a hole (Leaking water). The base of the deck drain tubes were also corroded at the swim plate. The only through hull fitting below the waterline was the inlet for the engine cooling which was a mud box which raised well above the waterline. Note: The aft base wear corners have worn away. Recommendations Rebuild the weed hatch tube. Identify the deep pits on the side and base plates and spot weld. Over-plate the wear edges at the rear corners.