Saffa

Bin it. I used to have to do that on some of the yachts I have been on. Not our first choice by far Off to test now. When we bought our boat in May the hire company used Blue in our 2 tanks. We were told to add blue every time the smell got bad. Needles to say we flooded the tanks with the stuff over the next couple of weeks. After some research we discovered that was the worst possible thing to do. We have pumped out about 6-7 times since then and really given the tanks a good flush sometimes filling the tank 2-3 times per pump-out. Following this we would use yeast and we eventually got Odorlos. Recently I thought we were getting somewhere as it would be 3 weeks before we would get any bad smell, but after the last pumpout ( which we flushed twice ) the tanks are the worst they have been( only 13 days ago ). The only thing we have done is try a new toilet paper brand ( Which I will now be testing ). I thought maybe it was because we put toilet paper on the dropthrough and we should only be doing that with a maserator. I have also noted something rather strange with our rear tank. It have a Pumpout slot and a vent/flush slot next to each other on the side of the boat. I have traced the pipework back from each fitting and they go to either ends of a plastic tank. When I fill water down the rinse slot I get about 50l in and the water starts to flow out around the hose. A quick check via the toilet flap and I can see the tank is not full. I then add water down the pumpout hole and after about 15-20 seconds water and air blow out the rinse hole like a whale coming up to breath. I will continue to fill via the pumpout slot and then pumpout as much as possible and repeat the process. I have checked and there is no filter on the rinse/vent pipe and the tank is a flat rectangle. I cant see how the vent is blocked as it takes a fair amount of water before overflowing. Anyone had this before? Thank s again

Slight Hijack of the Thread but I was wondering all you lovely people with great smelling tanks could answer the following Do you put toilet paper down the loo? Do you have a maserator of drop through toilet? Thank you

Enjoy the trip. We are heading back to Milton Keynes before the closure. Currently in Oxford leaving next Thursday. The best part of the Journey for us was from Napton Junction to Banbury.

Hi thanks for the offer. I have purchased a unit from ebay for now but will come back to you if I need it.

Nick Thank you for this. I did see those but I am not a fan of buying from China. I always seem to get customs charges and have lost money before when items do not arrive. There just does not seem to be a UK supplier. Thanks Chris. This may be the way forward. Thanks for the info. If I get stuck Ill give Chris a ring.

I have been on Google and Ebay and not been able to find what I am looking for. I need a voltage regulator/stabilizer with the following stats Input Voltage 12-16vdc ( there abouts ) Output Voltage 12-13vdc Stable ( 3A - 4A ) All I'm finding on eBay is 24vdc to 12vdc converters. I have acquired new LED fittings. These are normally fed from a 240v to 12dvc driver. They work fine but do get a bit warm when I am charging the batteries. To extend their life I want to regulate the voltage on the 4 lighting circuts on the boat. Any links reconsiderations welcome Thank you

Thank you Richard My filter is fitted horizontally so I would only be able to fill it about 1/3. Once I start I would expect to see the Oil light on. How long is too long for this light to be on for?

Evening Right so we are off on a 4 week trip at the end of the week and I thought about changing the oil in the gearbox. ( I have no idea how many hours its done and I've added about 60 ) So is it just a matter of removing the sump screw and draining the old oil. Then filling up with 1.5L of 15W40 Mobil Multigrade. Run while tied up for 5 mins then check oil level. Do I need to be checking anything else? Something else. When changing the oil filter on the engine do I put some new oil in it? Thank you

Can anyone recommend Fuel Boats in the Leighton Buzzard to Milton Keynes Area. We are currently at Slapton heading North and need Fuel. I would much rather support the working boats than the marinas. Thank you

Thank you all for the information. I had just had my alternator serviced and noticed my light coming on while cruising yesterday. I remembered this post so I was not too worried. Double checked by disconnecting the panels today and issue solved.

Thanks again for all the info. Am I likely to need a bearing puller? I will have to borrow from work as I do not carry one on the boat

Are those the two that are in the picture or will I come across them when I take it apart. I tried the two in the picture today. 1 is loose the other is tight. I only had a metric set of Allen Keys and it seems its Imperial as they did not quiet fit.

Thank you , Next Saturdays job!!

Is there a specific name for that type of fitting? You tube is brilliant for instructional videos. My search for this does not turn up much.

Hi Me again asking questions. My rudder rattles like crazy when the boat is in gear. There is a grease nipple at the back which I have filled with no luck. Looking closely there is alot of play on it. Now Im guessing there a bearing below there somewhere. I normally just get the spanners out and dismantle things but in the past I never quite get thing back together properly and they are never the same again and being such a crucial part I need to get this right How do I go about changing the bearing? Is this a standard fitting I can order a refurb kit for? Any advise would be much appreciated. Thank you

Hi thank you for the advice. I was wondering that myself. Although my thoughts now lie with installing a galvanic isolator (16A) so its there and when ever shore power is available I don't have to worry. I would in future install an isolating transformer if we were to spend any length of time connected to shore power but that is highly unlikely. Would this be ok? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sterling-Power-ProSave-A-16A-Marine-Galvanic-Isolator-Zinc-Saver-Pro-Save-ZS16A-/121512767464

Morning I am able to get one of these units FOC and was wondering if this would work on the boat. I currently have nothing installed and plan to be on shore power over the next couple of weeks so i have to get something in place. Its thermally protected at 10A which I don't see as being an issue as we will only be charging batteries and using the odd laptop charger. Will this work or am I better getting a proper marine one? Thank you http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/safety-site-transformers/4368805/

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Another questing regarding the stove. Where we intent to install it there are beds about 1m away ( foot of the bed ). When we load up the stove for the evening is this going to cause great discomfort to the people sleeping in those beds. Its a bunk on the other side of the boat.

Unable to find your review. Any ideas on what you called the topic?

Thank you all for the info. I am now keeping a lookout on ebay for a Car DAB Radio

What do you mean by loaded with care. Thanks

We recently purchased an ex-hire boat with no stove. We now live on the boat and realise that we need another form of heating other than the Webasto. Speaking to people on our travels 95% have recommended the Squirrel. Thats what we were looking at until a wise installer told us the space was to small and our surveyor has since confirmed this. Other options people have recommended is a Boatman. Is this a contender. The installer has recommended the following http://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/Catalogue/ProductDetail/mc-stove-crosley-5-0kw-non-boiler?productID=b23cf27e-abcb-47e9-bbf0-722488ba2972&catalogueLevelItemID=929923c2-d6ea-465c-a020-e46dba03abcf So this has 1KW more heating than the Boatman. We plan to install the stove 1/3 of the way from the front. We have a 65ft boat with an open passage down one side. One thing many people have said about the Squirrel is that you can load it in the evening and you should be good until morning. Would this be the same for the other stoves above? Will a 4KW do the job on our boat as I am leaning towards the boatman. As another item,once a stove is installed can we dry washing inside the boat during the winter months or are we asking for problems. Again thank you for all the replies. ( A back boiler is not an option due to space and our pipe configuration )

Something I never considered, Thank you