Neil Coker

Thanks very much for the great responses. Will be in Diglis in just over two weeks so looking forward to meeting some of you

Thanks, appreciate the advice. The small Aga I was looking at is more akin to a conventional stove and is turned on when needed rather than operating all of the time. The Rayburns do look like my most or tidal solution but it's early days yet. Mind you as a long term Land Rover nut (I've now owned 11 of the beasts in one state or another ) I tend to gravitate towards things which need work and continued maintenance

Got lots of plans for FIONN over the next few months but have only had the bottom blacked, engine serviced, stern gland checked and new battery fitted so far. Next thing is full internal strip out and some alterations to the cabin and then a nice paint job

Here is the beastie

If you mean the one that looks like a Vietnam era gunboat that's the one! Just looking to take a look around and meet people whilst sorting out the refit. Be handy to get some practical advice from people based there as FIONN will be my home base so I will be there quite abit (work permitting)

I've see a very nice Aga four two which is lpg (although abit pricy) but I'm fairly flexible on the final solution so looking around and review ing all the available options. I do take your point regarding the heat during summer. Mind you the average summer temperature where I work is high forties to low fifties so I'm used to sweating

Cheers, will do.

Already sorted that with the management there. I'm shifting her from a residential to a leisure which is all I need.

Anyone moored at Diglis? I've bought a boat which is moored there and as I'm going to be there in three weeks was hoping to meet some other moorers and pick their brains a little.

As I'm having the entire interior stripped out and starting from scratch I'm playing with a number of design layouts at the moment. I like the idea of having a decent size range onboard as its going to be my main home and for me the kitchen area is the most important (I like to cook) followed by a decent bed and somewhere to sit in that order. If I had the time I would do all the work myself but unfortunately working abroad effectively kills that plan. It is amazing how cheap oil, gas and solid fuel Aga's are going for, even factoring in a complete refurbishment and the delivery charges. I like the look of the heritage and the idea of of very quick heat up times but they do charge more than a wounded rhino so that may not be a viable option. Alternately I could go for a standard stainless LPL range and fit a bigger multifuel with back boiler for the heating. I'm going for only 12v onboard so am looking for a solution which complements my lack of mains power. I will take a look at the Dickinsons stoves as suggested, thanks.

One of the options I'm confiding is shown here http://www.heritagecookers.co.uk/range_cooker_uno.htm Anyone got any experience with these? Considering not confiding flaming predictive!

It's all well and good saying paint it yourself but the reality is that many don't have the time to commit to do a good job and putting up with something that looks like it should in Steptoe's back yard isn't acceptable. So yes, some of us have to stick our hands in our pockets and pay for a professional (hopefully ) job.

I was thinking of an Aga four two which is a standard 600mm wide. Just missed out on one on EBlag as it went for an exorbitant price and they are quite hard to find. The boat is a standard width NB and with a small Aga fitted I could also have a multifuel stove for the living area, I like the warmth and the glow from a stove. Just not sure about a diesel stove although I have heard great things about their efficiency.

I've a 53' Hapton and had a couple of quotes for back to bare metal, windows out single colour (dark green) single colour coach line (copper) just below roofline and all shutters, vents, etc removed and refitted and one was £7250 and other was £7500 both plus vat.

What I do know is that the boat was lived on by an old lady for the last nine years and who used the stove a great deal so it doesn't appear to have caused any damage. I rather like the idea of replacing it with a multifuel stove and have a lit of experience with a Vermont Vigilant about n my old house ( the one the ex owns now ) but they might be abit big on a boat. I am also looking into going for an aga with back boiler as a possible solution.

Not quite sure what I've done wrong regarding posting the picture as yesterday it showed in the post and now just shows a link to my photo bucket image.

I believe it is a Refleks diesel Stove. Just been doing some research (Google is my friend) and amazed I've never heard of them before.

Just bought a boat with a Refleks stove fitted (didn't have a clue what it was but Google is my friend and led me to your excellent post) much appreciated for the excellent tips.

Think I've managed to track down what it is. Appears to be a Refleks Diesel Stove. Has anyone any experience of this kind of stove?

I've bought a boat in Worcester and she has now had some work done (engine serviced, stern-gland checked, new battery, bottom blacked) with more scheduled over the next four months. It has a stove fitted which I am not familiar with can't ask the previous owner as she unfortunately passed away). Also I committed the cardinal sin of not actually seeing the boat but trusting the survey and recommendation of some people. Did get it for a bargain though Can anyone advise me on what they think the stove is as I haven't a clue and am now wondering if its worth replacing with a multifuel stove (which I'm more familiar with). I'm not actually getting to the boat for another four weeks so any feedback gratefully received.

Well, payment now all done, boat insured, work started and all in all a very positive experience so far. We are now the proud owners of a 53' Hapton built NB which had previously been known as Fantasy Island Narrowboat and FIn. We are changing the name to FIONN (still pronounce Fin though ) She is moored in Diglis and the help and advice has been very welcome. I entered into my first discussions with CRT regarding the licensing with some trepidation given the various comments but would like to say that Liz Sollars, who I dealt with, couldn't have been more helpful. Overall a great start to our new adventure.

Now that is an interesting take on it!

Damn, all those years in the army and I never knew I was breaking the law using "CAN, GAS, MILITARY, 5 GAL"(NATO nomenclature or otherwise known worldwide as a Jerrycan) P.s. They hold 4.4 imperial gallons or 5.3 US gallons or 20 litres if you're metric And just because I'm bored at work may I refer to those who are even remotely interested that The transportation of dangerous goods (which includes liquid fuels) within Europe is governed by the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR).[7] A jerrican is defined within Chapter 1.2 of the 2011 ADR as "a metal or plastics packaging of rectangular or polygonal cross-section with one or more orifices", a definition which includes the traditional jerrycan but which also covers a wide range of other packagings. The ADR sets performance standards for packaging and specifies what standard of packaging is required for each type of dangerous good, including gasoline/petrol and diesel fuels. The traditional jerrycan is available in UN-marked approved versions which satisfy the requirements of the ADR. Aha well, back to EBay!

Excellent OP, thoroughly enjoyed the post. Greenie awarded

Can't really speak from any experience on narrowboats but based on yachts, which I do have experience in, the practicalities and benefits involved in having a configurable solar panel rarely outweigh the "faff about" factor and provide yet another thing to go wrong or be maintained. I've generally kept to the KISS principle on boats as the less work to do the better (being a lazy beggar!) A point to consider is that television mounts are specifically made for use in conditioned environments protected from the elements. I would think there would be potential challenges in keeping the mechanisms operating smoothly when exposed to the elements.