nikvah

There are a couple of adverts on page 29 of February Towpath Talk: http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=d192940e-f732-42bc-a9d9-6fbce501da9a No idea what the cost is but might be worth inquiry.

There was a bubble diesel corner stove installed when I bought my boat but it was one of the compromises I made from my wish list. I looked into converting it to a multi-fuel stove (not possible) which I was used to. Now I have been converted instead. It's cleaner and easy to light or keep on lowest setting until a boost is needed and if the boat gets too warm it responds almost instantly to being turned down. Insides need a stiff brush and vacuum now and then.

"In terms of electrics, is it likely to find a boat that won't have what's necessary to match a Marina mooring? (Apologies for my newbie talk, I'm trying to learn as much as possible)" It's possible to live on a boat with only 12v power for lights, water pumps, fridge, radio and tv, and plenty do, but if you want any 240V items you will need an inverter (google it). To charge your 12v batteries in a marina your boat will need a shore-line (hook-up) connection and charger box (can be seperate but is included in an inverter). Most modern boats have these but some don't; a new inverter is about £400 plus £100 for shoreline plug socket.

I like to think that condensation on the windows is water no longer in the boat and is easily guided to the little exit ports at the bottom of the pane each morning so I am personally persuaded that single glazing and good thick blinds/curtains or porthole bungs (for insulation) is best. Good ventilation is necessary on all boats but I would have thought, good enough to keep windows clear would be draughty.

A physicist would tell you that space-time is a single dimension.

When we lived in West Wales we were 3 to 4 hours from our boat in Droitwich and only really used it for cruises over a week long (is it OK to measure cruises in time like an American?) and hardly ever just for weekends like we thought we would. Now we're only an hour away and I can visit for a day or 2 just because I miss it. I'm considering getting a mooring in the North West to explore this (as yet ) undiscovered country but really don't want to go back to being more than 2 hours from my boat.

I see it's at Rochester which I think is tidal i.e. brackish water, so hull may be more of a concern.

I'm not sure doing time trials up and down locks is such a good idea. Leave it to the cyclists. Even tho' it is very satisfying when it all goes my way and we reach the top/bottom in a new personal best time it is more rewarding because it is serendipity or good karma, locks our way and well timed lock exchanges. In my experience rushing it is asking for mistakes or omissions in procedure and catastrophe could follow or at very least it invokes The Laws of Sod.

4" seems quite a lot of water to be caused by condensation. I have a similar problem on my boat which, after checking and rechecking hoses and their connections, the skin tank and drain lines, I realised was due to good old English rain. Problem in the winter, not so much in the summer, falls on the unprotected counter and finds it's way onto the surface above the swim and then drips into engine bilge. I have yet to locate the small hole in the weld that I assume causes this.

IMO this program is less documentary and more fairytale.

"There was a general smell of damp and I was told that there is water in the bottom of the hull under the floorboards so I am fairly certain that there is a leak somewhere." IMO I think this is reason enough to walk away. When you've researched and looked at a few more boats you'll find that this is definitely not normal. Boaters like water but like to keep it on the outside of their boats. If the ingress was easy to fix the seller would have done that 1st before painting and blacking the outside.

If you look for previous threads on transporting boats by road I think the consensus is that it's the crane and transporter that are the main costs, not the number of miles they take you. So getting as close as possible by boat isn't really necessary.

What does Geo think?

The nearest and quickest commute to Madley is the Mon and Brec at Abergavenny and would take about 30 mins. Research Goitre wharf and points nearby. If you approached Hereford from Worcs/Ledbury side you'd spend all day gridlocked in the overdeveloped town trying to cross the bridge to south of the county. Upton on Severn, Tewksbury and Glo'ster are all about an hour (+/-) away, and connected to the canal network. Abergavenny is a great little town and Madley a thriving village, as an old son of the Shire I hope you find it there.

I appreciate the helpful comments but do mussels and other fouling matter if you're just remaining on a mooring?

Is anti-fouling necessary for a houseboat that is not intending to move? And how often would it need to be re-treated if not navigating?

A good friend of mine with no boating experience has the chance of a river mooring for a large houseboat. He is financially able to buy a large new-build barge but doesn't intend going anywhere and doesn't want to have to lift it out to black a steel hull, so he is interested in commissioning a concrete hull with 2 story apartment box above. What are the negatives and positives of concrete hulls for house-boats with a fixed mooring and no intention of moving compared to a steel hull? My only knowledge of concrete hulls is the hulks at Purbeck which BWB sunk in the River Severn to strengthen the embankment of the G&S and they seem quite sound - considering. Thanks for any advice or experience you may bring.

Oh right, good suggestion thanks. I will look there.

Thanks, for all the useful replies. I think I'll assume that there is no bilge access on my boat and set about creating one in the wardrobe, which is against the rear bulkhead.

Do all modern boats have access to the cabin bilges to see what lurks below? I cannot find any on my 2003 Riverview nb built by John Lillie at Barrow on Soar. I've tried the bottom of the built-in wardrobe, under the bed and under the fridge and kitchen cabinets. I've run out of ideas but am hoping you guys might give me your thoughts for likely places; or is it possible no viewing hole was put in when built?

We chose Ventnor this summer and cannot praise the tthem highly enough for there friendly and pleasant attitude to moorers, nothing seems too much trouble and I'm sure it's the same at Wigrams as Steve - the Mgr, and some of his team work at both.

Could you ask your surveyor for his advice as he is probably still familiar with your boat after the recent survey?

I went to the well known chandler when they had a 20% off everything day specifically to buy an already good value 12" high chimney at a bargain price . Luckily I noticed the inside skin was only about 4" and put it back but they were flying off the shelf that day so there must be others "in the same boat". Probably explains why they were only £22 in the 1st place.

The Canalside (nee Cafe) I agree, "The Canalside" (nee Cafe) is a great location, good choice of ale and cider and wholesome food. It is thriving and evolving and should rename itself The Worcester Bar.

I have an axiom prop on my current boat and hardly ever have to clear it via the weed hatch even travelling thro' Leamington and BCN backwaters, as I do. I find a burst of reverse will usually clear any weeds or plastic and even the odd bit of clothing can be seen swirling out from below. Fewer visits down the hatch than on my previous boat anyway, which had a normal prop.