Blazeaway

I have ordered a new glow plug (and a complete gasket set too as a precautionary/spares item) I will go and get a diesel fill up in case its fuel starvation, and test the fuel line as suggested to see if any is getting to the unit. I will also fit the new glow plug. Its odd I can't find a control unit though, what on earth is controlling the sequenced start up ?

Thanks for that Nipper, you'd o thought he'd have it all in hand.......well he has but engineer is booked for next weekend to service the boat.....I'll have to make sure there is a fuel filter ready for him.

Finally managed to get the picture sorted.... Here is the unit, have traced all wiring and I haven't found a control/led unit.

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/blaze-away/embed/slideshow/"></iframe>

Cheers I'll pm a msg. Got a photo of the unit just having trouble uploading it.

I checked all over near and around the unit still didn't find a control box spoke with previous owner and he didnt know one either, does it definitely have one ? On top of the unit is a 2x2x6 inch box with cables in/out is that it, 4 screws not easy to get at so couldnt open it.

I've been and had another look at it and can report as follows: I can't find anything like a control box, just the panel in the photo and the heater unit. The unit does try to fire up, it goes through a sequence, and I can faintly smell diesel smoke then it shuts down and the panels malfunction light flashes continuously, about once per second. I did find a bad connection on a multiplug and fixed that but still same outcome. So still searching for the problem.

Thanks folks, on my way down there shortly so I'll take heed of the advice and see what I can find. Thanks again for your help.

Had my new boat 24 hours now and hit my first problem. On the survey, a week ago, the surveyor ran the Mikuni heater for about an hour, no problems at all rads got really quite hot. Yesterday I turned the Mikuni Heater on (I think its an MX40 ?) and it ran OK for about an 1/2 an hour then I noticed the radiators were not hot, so checked the control panel and the red malfunction lamp was flashing. I tuned the system off wait about a couple of minutes then turned it back on, now the unit does not run at all, any ideas ? FYI I have about 1/4 tank of diesel, the room thermostat was set to 25 and it was well below that in the cabin.

Brilliant thanks, easy when you know how isn't it. Cheers Hi Tim Yep first boat and yes it is a Great Haywood boat. Our dog is Very spritely and will jump a gap and be off, don't want to risk it really so appreciate your comments but we've got to make at least some attempt to dog proof it.

We take ownership of our boat tomorrow and one of the priorities we have is to make the cratch and stern areas safe such that our dog can't get out. (small west highland white terrier) Anyone got any examples or ideas please. Here are pictures of the boat. Edited to add links to images.

Nice one I shall go for that. Did they have em in stock ?

Not shooting the messenger here........how on earth are any of us who seek insurance to apply the cautionary tale and advice of "beware of insurance companies". How does one do that ? Rhetorical question that none of us can really answer.

T105's look quite a bit different physically, therefore will need to check mountings etc and especially the height. Current Length: 13” (330mm) Width: 6 3/4” (171mm) Height: 9 3/8” (238mm) Trojan T105 Length 264 mm Width 181 mm Height 276 mm

The T105 does sound interesting, so I would replace 4 x 12v (I assume they are wired up in parallel to deliver 12 v ? Can't check as boat is miles away.) with 4 x 6 volt Trojan T105 wired in combination of Parallel/Series to get back to delivering 12v. Therefore need new interconnecting cables to achieve that yes ?

Very true, well said, thanks for that. We will be in a marina with hook initially 3-4 months then off cruising until late autumn, then lay up again in a marina over winter. All as liveaboard, just the 2 of us.

The boat I've just purchased is fitted with 4x110 amp NUMAX batteries, about 3 years. They didn't do well in the survey (discharged very quickly) and they've developed a bulge in the ends suggesting over/under charging causing sulphation and swelling. So as a priority I am going to replace them. I have consulted specialist, Warwick Batteries who have advised 3 options, 1. - £305 cheap leisures at 110 (need maintenance) 2. - £377 Maintenace free leisures at 110 3. - £720 Semi Tractions 130 http://usbattery.com/products/12-volt-batteries/us-31dc-xc/ I am tempted with the 3. the semi tractions, is that wise ? I also want to add a charge monitoring system, what should I look at ?

Just an update Trevor Whitling conducted the full survey for me today on nb Pooh Sticks. He was thorough, concise and very clear. I totally endorse him. Thank you for the recommendation. Deal is done the nb is ours.

Just an update Trevor Whitling conducted the full survey for me today on nb Pooh Sticks. He was thorough, concise and very clear. I totally endorse him. Thank you for the recommendation. Deal is done the nb is ours.

So I guess I was right to ask the question in my original post. Conclusions looks definitively positive response to some insurers and very significant negative for the others. I'll check carefully who the proposed underwriter is when I go forward on this and start getting quotes.

I need to insure my new boat and whilst I have searched the forum aĺl I can find is so far is 'praise' for companies for being good at time of providing a policy. The real test really what happens when a claim is made. So question is who has experience of brokers/underwriters giving great service cover and what was your view of the premium charged and cover provied.

What a great way to schematically show the system http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/images/misc/Canal%20Map.pdf

The issue I have is all in the details (ain't it always....) Showing intent to buy by laying out a deposit (with this brokers T&C's) that means putting up £1000. this is then subject to survey but the caveat there is if there are issues with Hull or Engine amounting to more than 5%of the agreed price THEN I can walk away and get my £1000 deposit back. If the survey reveals a perfect engine and hull then no matter what else is wrong if I don't like the way it handles, the noise or whatever then I can walk away yes but I don't get my £1000 back and I've also paid for Slipping In & Out and surveyors fees. In the end I liked the boat enough to just test the engine on the mooring and engage the gearbox fore & aft and realised I was going to get no further forward. I negotiated a price that is fair to us and the seller and we are booked in for survey on Monday. Its not my ideal scenario on getting there as its all my risk with my money and I didn't get the trial I wanted. But hey ho I'll move on and look forward to a smooth survey and report. As far as I can tell the boats been cared for and now after the deal has been struck I've now talked with the owners and look forward to meeting them onboard in next few days. Thanks again everyone for all your helpful posts, I hope as my experience grows I too will be able provide more answers than questions in the future.

Just a quick update and thank you for all the nominations and recommendations. I have gone with Trevor Whitling, following the early recommendations in this thread and after speaking with him where he volunteered the situation to me without any prompting. Incidently, Trevor was given a big vote of confidence by both the other 2 of his peers that I also spoke to. It would appear that there was a clash of professional opinions, as happens sometimes, that resulted in GHBS excluding him. At this point in time and clearly in my opinion both GHBS and Trevor Whitling have done nothing other than act with care and professionalism. Survey is on Monday so lets see how that goes, boat looks great and owners are lovely genuine people too. Here it is http://www.apolloduck.com/feature.phtml?id=360822

Thats interesting and intriging, well done, but how does that work out in reality ?