Steve Parry

Thanks everyone for the replies. I didn't know six boats were lost at Hanham last winter! That's very worrying. The boat I was looking at is moored outside one of the two pubs on Hanham side. Guess I'll be looking for alternatives. But the next nearest is Portavon Marina at Keynsham and they were full last time I asked a few weeks ago. Steve

I was thinking of buying a boat at Hanham on River Avon. But I've since discovered this part of the river regularly floods quite badly. The pub opposite the mooring has it's first floor made entirely of stone to mitigate these floodings. Of course the vendor didn't mention any of this to me... I know it happens several times a year. So I'm wondering if it floods six to eight feet - the pillars on the floating pontoon go up about 10 feet - how do you get off your boat - or back onto it? The pontoon will rise but the width of the river Avon increases at the same time. Would you have to have a dinghy to enter/exit the boat? It puts me off going any further as the mooring is available with the boat. But even then apparently South Gloucestershire Council have threatened the land owner that they want to redevelop the land and his business is threatened. So the mooring in itself is not secure. Though it's basic without facilities it could be possible to commute to Bristol via Keynsham railway station. I work in Bristol so need to commute. Asked at Keynsham Marina but they are full, needless to say Bristol is full with many years' waiting list. Steve

The reviews of the panels on the site seem credible and positive. I was thinking one 220 watt panel would not be enough. That's why I asked about running an extra 220 watt in addition ie 440 watts. But then I'd need a different (30 amp max?) mppt controller and the site doesn't seem to offer this configuration as a kit. Another option is, as someone already mentioned, to run the fridge off gas. The lighting is all LED already. If I could do that I might have plenty of power. Steve

Sorry the link to the kit didn't work. Here it is: http://www.bimblesolar.com/12v-220w-complete-inverter There would be three leisure batteries: 2 x 60 a/h (I think about 2 years old) and the new one from the kit: 110 a/h. The inverter included in the kit is a Victron Phoenix 350w pure sinewave. Steve

I'm thinking of buying a 30 - 36' boat to live on. I would plan to install solar power. Apologies if this has been covered before. Does anyone have experience of these kits from Bimblesolar: http://www.bimblesol...mplete-inverter I'd then have 2 x 60 a/h + 1 x 105 a/h batteries ie about 225 a/h in theory. Though the original 2 x 60 a/h are about two years old. I'd like to add another 220 watt panel but that would overload the mppt charge controller in this kit as it's only rated to 20 amps. Can anyone suggest the correct bigger mppt controller as they don't show what seems the obvious step to 2 x 220 watt panels. Perhaps this is not a possible configuration for some reason? What could I power with the included 300 watt inverter? I suspect v little so probably would exclude this. Basically I'd like to be able to run a three way fridge 24/7, charge my laptop/ipad/iPhone and watch an hour or two of TV. Though my existing TV is a 46" plasma (300 watts) and I suspect I'd need to trade down to a 32" LED. Steve

Hi, I'm new here so dipping my toe in so to speak. I'm seeking a 30 - 40 foot boat to live on for myself alone. Looking at these two: http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=364792 http://www.apolloduck.com/advert.phtml?id=335495 What do people think of the prices posted? I know smaller boats are harder to sell. I saw the 36' Springer. The engine was serviced 18 months ago with clean bill of health (saw receipts), hull was overplated bottom and sides in 2009, blacked 2012. Electrics are basic with two 60 a/h batteries at least 18 months old, basic LED lighting. 3 way fridge not used by current owner. Haven't seen the Hancock and Lane. It looks finished to a higher quality but no mention of if or when the hull was ever replated or overplated. I suspect this could be a big job that would need doing in near future bearing in mind the boat's age. What do people think? Also I would plan to install solar power. Does anyone have experience of these kits from Bimblesolar: http://www.bimblesolar.com/12v-220w-complete-inverter I'd like to add another 220 watt panel but that would overload the mppt charge controller in this kit as it's only rated to 20 amps. Can anyone suggest the correct bigger mppt controller as they don't show what seems the obvious step to 2 x 220 watt panels. Steve