Retardedrocker

I guess this is why we need laws rather than rules. How often do we see the legality of 'rules' challenged in court? Banks, insurance companies, the government, even social clubs have been challenged in court over 'unlawful' rules and you are back to the expensive and wasteful litigation, that everyone deplores . No one, or should I say very few people, obey rules, so what's the answer? T.

This is my first year/winter living aboard and the one thing I've learned is to fill everything that can be filled and empty everything that can be emptied whenever it's dry and not too cold: even when the full things are only half empty and the empty things are only half full. Cheers, T.

On Sunday I would happily have sold my wife, children and grandchildren for bow thrusters! Cheers, T.

A CO alarm was virtually the first thing I bought when I moved aboard. I was quite surprised that, although the boat was pretty much fully equipped, there was no alarm. Cheers, T.

I too am re-assured. I was pretty surprised not to find a couple of previous threads on the same subject. Cheers, T.

Thanks for all the input. There were times when I thought that: a. I would demolish everything within a 2 mile radius. b. I would never make it back to my mooring. Cheers, T.

Ditto. T.

Damned right! I will try to follow your excellent advice. Thanks to you all. I am short of experience and plan to take a helmsman course once Spring is on the way. In the meantime it'll be forward only. Cheers, T.

Thanks for the info. 'Odd' is a relative term and sometimes it relates to a couple a minute, which, although it doesn't get foggy, I find a bit much. Looks like I'll be investing in a taller one. Cheers, T.

On Sunday,I had to take the boat for a pumpout (the first time) and it was pretty windy. The expedition involved a fair bit of going backwards and the boat, basically, went wherever it wanted no matter what I did. Is it just a knack, or is there a 'technique'? I've got to say that I felt a bit of an idiot, because I see others belting up and down with no apparent difficulty. Cheers, T.

Greetings to all. In the recent high winds, I have been getting the odd puff of smoke blown back into the boat through the stove. Is this usual and would a taller chimney or coolie hat help? The existing chimney is only about 12". Cheers, T.

Told you I didn't know much! T.

As far as I know(not that I know much) none of the others has an aerial socket. I got mine from 3 mobile as a pay and go thing. I think the upfront cost was about £5. The thing is that 3 mobile routers are supplied unlocked, so I guess you could pay the minimum, use your own sim and not top up the 3 sim. Cheers, T.

I use an E5372. It's actually 4G but drops to 3G if there is no 4G signal I went for this one because it has an external aerial socket: well in fact it has 2. There is virtually no signal of any kind where I'm moored, but with an external high gain aerial I can get a reasonable signal inside the boat. I hope this helps. Cheers, T.

I believe my water tank holds 150 gallons. I top it up every weekend, but I've never (yet) run out. There's usually just me aboard. I have a pump out toilet and an automatic washing machine. I don't put anything in the water and the coffee always tastes good. Cheers, T.

I have, and use one of these and I find it both easy to use and convenient and it's far deeper than it is wide. I bought a cheap fire blanket from Screwfix, which I lay in front of the fire to stand the tippy on while I am emptying the ash pan, so there is (I hope) no danger of setting fire to anything and anyone. It lives behind the fire until it's full, usually a couple or three days and the ash goes into the holes in the pathway.

Robbo, you are an absolute star. I saw the RCD, but didn't recognise it as such. It has a 16 amp legend by it so I assumed it was some kind of fuse. I have re-set it and all is now as it should be. Many many thanks. I've got to say that the operating instructions from Victron are crap. There is no mention of RCDs and re-setting the unit. Cheers, T. Thanks to everyone. You are amazing people. I was just contemplating how much fun it would be to shell out a couple of grand just after Christmas for a new inverter. Now I'm now going to open a bottle instead. Cheers, T.

Hi Robbo. Yes, I have checked that and it's ok. Also, there is a watt hour metre on the boat and that has an illuminated red light, so I'm guessing that power is getting at least that far. Hi magnetman. I'm afraid you're right. I hate autocorrect - or should I say auto error, Cheers, T.

Greetings to you all. I hope Christmas was a success all round. I'm moored in a marina with a 240v hook up which is always connected. My boat is equipped with a Victron Phoenix Multi 12/2500/120 with remote control panel and this morning I, stupidly, overloaded it by running a 2kw fan heater and the immersion heater at the same time. The remote panel showed a couple of red lights and the fan heater had stopped. I turned the inventor off and then back on and the 'inventor' light came on as normal, but the 'mains on' light and other battery charge lights are not illuminated. Everything appears to be working, but I am not getting any power from the land supply. Any suggestions? Cheers, T.

Cool. I'm on it. Cheers, T.

I live alone and love it: I've always been a bit of a loner, so alone but never lonely. It's definitely not the same thing. That said, it's hard to walk the length of the marina without ending up in conversation with someone. A book on lonliness Jen_P? Where can i get a copy? Might be interesting. Cheers, T.

Billy le Bordelais, a dissolute character who, even in his cradle, would drink only wine from his feeding bottle, and who predictably grew up into a bit of a hooligan, is a folkloric figure in those parts. I'll check him out. He sounds like a kindred spirit. Cheers, T.

Hi Athy. I believe (but could well be wrong) that the literal translation is 'Billy the Crook'. I understand the guy that had it built and so named thought it meant 'Billy the Rascal': a bit more poetic. I've got to say that while I love the boat, I'm not too keen on the name and I plan to change it next spring, when the weather improves and I can get the artwork done. Cheers, T.

I don't think anyone has mentioned a hosepipe - unless you fancy filling the water tank with a bucket. Also, books, music and the right attitude. Oh and food and money and more money. Enjoy. It's all great, even the problems. T.