DRA

Hi, all, and thanks for the helpful responses. Rob, I'd read the "guidance" but probably over-complicated it - I just wanted to be sure that the system I had in mind was OK rather than build it and then discover it didn't pass. Thanks for the confirmation. Tonka, T Norris looks promising Koukouvagia, something to bear in mind - it seemed like an added complication but maybe can be done simply. David

I've acquired a SigMar diesel stove to fit in my small Dutch Barge. The simplest solution to providing a fuel supply would be to install a day dank which I'd fill from a can. It used to be the case that the BSS allowed a day tank of less than 27 litres to be vented to the cabin by a small hole (in its filler cap) rather than having an external vent through the deck but the recent changes suggest this may not still be acceptable. does anyone know the truth of this, please? I'd envisage a tank of about 12 litres, close to but not directly above the stove, linked by copper tube with compression fittings, with a tap on the outlet of the tank and another close to the stove. Ideally the tank filler cap would incorporate a filter of some sort. Any comments? Anyone know where I could buy such a beast, or have one made (close to Surrey, for preference)? Thanks in anticipation. David

I've just posted this on the PBO Forum in a thread related to powering LEDs from the 12V system. Thought it might be opt interest on here too. I decided to try this component http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1855682.pdf from Farnell, with this heatsink http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1680141.pdf. Built it today and powered it from a switchable mains-DC power supply. Here's the results, driving 2 x 2 -metre strips of 3528 LEDs (i.e. 4 m) Input volts 15.0 V 13.5 V 11.9 V Output volts 12.05 V 12.05 V 11.65 V Output current 1.40 A 1.40 A 1.24 A Points of interest: Input current was about 30 mA greater than output current at all voltages. Output current is about as expected for 3528 LEDs (around 350 mA per metre). It should safely power a full 5m strip of 3528s The device runs happily with an input of less than 12 v and still provides power to the LEDs with only a 0.25V volt drop. The input voltage was supposed to be 12V for this test - I suspect the current draw brought the input down to the measured 11.87 V. Left running for around an hour, the heatsink became quite warm but not too hot to touch Here's the setup showing the output current at 15 V in (current shows 1.34 A here) [/url] (Hope that link works) Interestingly I then tried it running a full 5m length of waterproof 3528 LED strip, which is also rated at 0.4a/metre. The total current showed around 0.8A. Any ideas why the current should be so much less than expected). In this photo it looks like I have wired the LEDs incorrectly - I haven't, it's just the silly connector I was using! The device and the heatsink are around £1 each ex-VAT from Farnell. They also do a 3-Amp version of the device, which I have bought but haven't tried yet. Hope this is useful to someone. David

It doesn't look very heavy (so long as it doesn't have that 110hp motor!) so I could probably do the towing for you, but I don't have a trailer. David

Thanks, Star, I'll try that next time. David

This is the boat that I owned between 2005 and 2012. She's now back on the Wey with her new owner (the fourth since I sold her!) Dobsons were reckoned to be one of the best narrow-beam cruiser builders. David http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/DavidA952/media/JohnDobsonBoatShow1967_zps2c96ef89.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0 Hope the link works. It seems to. How do I make the picture appear here?

I'm using Craftmaster paint on mine. I don't know whether that's classed as a polyurethane enamel, but it is good stuff - esy to apply and seems top cover well.

Well, it went for £7100, which isn't a bad price. Was it someone on here who bought it? I'd be interested to know where it has gone.

I take your point, Carlt and of course I'd prefer it to go to someone who will maintain and use it, I'd just be sad to see it parked on a mooring and forgotten. Luctor, I'm not sure if he's referring to the diesel Eberspacher D2 (I think that's the model, the smallest one) which I fitted, with ducting to both cabins, or whether it has had an upgrade since its time with me. I suspect it's the Eber - don't they use the term Airtronic? Kathryn - the Wey is good. We managed to avoid the worst of the floods. It was nice to see the Navigation open and some boats moving today - first time for a while!.

I don't know where he got the 8 feet from - she's definitely a narrow-beam! It really would be a shame to see her sold as a "cheap boat" and then neglected. At 48 years old she's in pretty good nick. I had the rudder lower mount rebuilt in 2005 and then had her in Michael Dennett's at Laleham in 2008 (I think) to have the keel band rebuilt. He gave the hull a good going over, replaced one plank and declared the rest sound. Just a thought - for Leo No. 2. Kathryn - would this be of any interest to your friends at the Museum at Stoke Bruerne? I know they're mostly into the working canal system but this is a good example of an early purpose-built canal cruiser going (currently) for silly money! All the history given on the Ebay ad is verifiable and I could provide a few more details. David

Wooden cruiser on Ebay I'm not connected with the sale of this boat but I used to own it (three owners ago!) and I do know it's worth a lot more than the current bid. If anyone's looking for a narrow-beam cruiser and doesn't mind a wooden one this could be a bargain. I sold it for £9500 two years ago. The ad. says it is 8 foot beam - it isn't, it is 6"10". If you want an more info, let me know. Hope it's OK to post this - as I say, I have no connection with the sale. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301111023345?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

That looks and sounds bad, Hamster fan. A real shame after al the progress in the past year or two. Good luck with getting it sorted. Here's some pics of the Wey at Weybridge: http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/DavidA952/media/Wey%20Navigation/20131226_130243.jpg.html Town Lock usually has a drop of 5 foot 6 inches! http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/DavidA952/media/Wey%20Navigation/20131226_130456.jpg.html Edited to add some pics (I hope)

The road at Byfleet is flooded (a bit). I haven't been to the Navigation where TLC is yet but as Leo No 2 says it should be fine. we're sitting aboard a bit downstream, at The Pelican, and the level and flow are ok. Below Town Lock the river is over the towpath and flowing fast. Stay safe. David

Hi, Craig. I hope you've had some suitable responses to this. Do let us know. I'm a long way from Market Harborough but if you've had no response at all it would be a shame for you to be stuck at the wharf all week. I'm working Mon and Tues, and may get called in for the other days in the week, but if I don't maybe I could drive up one day and give you the chance of a few hours boating. Let me know on here if you need this. David

Thanks, Carlt. Mine is nothing like as shiny as that!