Noggin

Need to touch up paintwork - mainly gunwales where we have bumped etc. Hints & tips welcomed on all stages from preparation to top coat - not expecting a professional finish, but a general improvement. Is there a product that can be painted on the rust spots that prepares it for painting - know I have used such on a car, but will it affect the coach paint?

Good afternoon all Looking for some advice/recommendations We have the Sterling Charger/Inverter below installed on our boat - as it started producing a worrying electrical burning smell, it was switched off and has not been used since. I think it was probably new when the boat was built (2007), so I am looking to replace with a similar device - one that I can leave plugged into shore line when I'm not around. Can anyone suggest a good replacement (pure sine wave?) Thanks

Thanks Tracy

Thanks Alan, we will try this - it was the burning smell I was worried about

Morning - Went up to boat and switched on inverter/charger (see photo below) to bring batteries up to full charge (in past I've left it on whilst away), however the fan kicked in almost immediately and there was an unhealthy burning smell - switched off immediately. Does anyone know of anyone on the Shroppie who can look at - we are near Market Drayton.

Morning all We have a Liverpool 57ft cruiser with Caldwell windows. We are having a new kitchen blind made, but the manufacturer has lost the roller we left with him to size up. Can anyone advise the window dimensions? The boat is moored 80 miles away so can't just put up to measure. Cheers

okay - I'll see if I can email Industry Narrowboats Thanks

Good morning all. We are currently moored at Market Drayton and need some internal work carried out (the most important being new panelling which as been damaged by leaking windows (obviously the windows will need to come out & be resealed). Despite interest being shown by 2 parties, very little further has been heard (despite reminders). Can anyone recommend someone not too far away who could take the work on? Thanks

I've had an ongoing problem with water getting into the tank - I have replace the filler O ring - now it has been suggested to me that the water could be getting in under the filler itself & I could use silicon sealant to rectify - just undo the 4 screws etc - has anyone tried this & if so what did they use? Alternatively, is there a ready made gasket I can slip in and screw down? Thanks

Hi Joe - I thought this might be the case - I can shut the door, but really need to push hard to get it closed - I can't see anything getting in the way - its not going to be the stove rope surely?

Hi we have a Stovax Brunel 1A stove - we have a problem closing the door - could it be that the hinges need adjusting (can it be done on this stove?) & if so how - have been on the Stovax website & there is no email address for queries that I can see.

I am on a farm mooring and have the only 240v hook up which I use to keep my batteries fully charged via a Sterling Power 3 in 1 combined pure sine wave inverter UPS/battery charger. The boat on the adjacent mooring has asked if there is any chance they can also use the hook up. I would like to help my neighbour and wonder if we could use the adapter below (or something similar) to keep both boats charging safely at the same time - electricity is black magic to me!

After 7 years, my Numax domestic batteries have finally given up - just got home & intend to order 3 more - checked original boat specs - state 3 x 120AH batteries, but I'm pretty sure that those currently on board are 135AH - I can't check as the boat is 80 miles away- silly question, but will there be a problem just buying 135AH's anyway? - electrics are a mystery to me

The shower pump has ceased working. According to my boat owners handbook, it is a Flo-jet R4105-143 6amp 12V. I think this pump must have been discontinued. Given the age of the pump (12 yrs) I intend to replace (rather than mucking about with filters) - the Flo-jet R4105-143A looks very similar although it is rated at 5 amps - I assume this will be ok?

We have an Isuzu 35hp with a mechanical PRM120 gearbox Prior to a cruise to our new mooring, we went and filled with diesel. putting into gear there was a worrying clang - we are used to an initial noise with the PRM120. However no further problems until back at our moorings- as usual checked engine after use -oil bubbling out by gearbox filler - the nut was not properly tightened after servicing - I could open it with my fingers- I intend to carefully replace the lost oil (without overfilling) & make sure the filler nut is tight (but not too much) after checking nothing round prop (shaft turns without any restriction) - do I have anything to really worry about? - engine is serviced annually by boatyard/RCR Thanks

I had an RCR inspection/service 2 mths ago so I would hope any problem re the mounts would have been picked up then -they were checked- it does sound like the Cutless bearing has worn out - Thanks Tony

No thanks Tony - I didn'tt know that - I wasn't advised the last time the seal was replaced - I have contacted Vetus for further info

I have a Vetus water lubricated stern gland. A steady drip has developed - the last time this happened (3 yrs ago) -the seal was replaced & the problem solved. Is the seal supposed to wear out? - does it have a life span?

That should be Old Hookey - a fine local ale! Going down to boat at Calcutt Sat/Sun - hope it drops a little by then!

Met them coming the other way on the Oxford -got out of the way

Is there a bicycle rack I can just bolt on to my taff rail (cruiser stern) without welding etc?

The LCD giving the engine hours on my Isuzu rev counter (which works fine) is blank - every so often it comes back briefly - is this a known problem?

At moment berth next to us in our marina is empty - so I have a nice big space to go at - when it's full, it can be a nightmare

I've currently got an Isuzu 35 in my 57ft boat which is fine for canals, but I'd like a little more "oomph" on rivers - is it a straight forward matter to replace with a reconditioned Isuzu 42 - this was an option when the boat was built - also the gearbox is a PRM120 - I assume this will have to be upgraded also?

Thanks everyone - not going to risk putting back the diesel after it settles