RichM

My pump (Shurflo 12v Aquaking 3.0 GPM Pump - 30psi 3901-0213) has a leak. The leak seems to be coming from the pump's seal. Looking at parts online, it doesn't look like I can simply replace the seal on its own. My guess is I need to buy the a kit like the one on the site below. http://www.asap-supplies.com/brands/shurflo/shurflo-pump-spares/shurflo-pump-aqua-king-valve-kit-509951 Can anyone confirm? If so does anyone know where I could get a generic version of the part if they exist? Cheers

This is something I've been considering as I like to be self sufficient rather than making trips back to land do to my washing. When you say forever, how long roughly does it take to wash & dry?

I made a similar topic a while back and OldGoat recommended one of these water filters: http://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/store/product/wp-236.aspx Haven't bought one yet but it's on my shopping list. I always try to let the tank get low (but not empty) before refilling it. This seems to help keep the water fresh and maintain quality in terms of taste anyway. None of this is absolutely necessary of course but I'm just a bit fussy when it comes to water quality.

I'd say I'm sorry to hear of your loss but if you're anything like me, you may find that somewhat irritating once you've heard it the 500th time from the 500th person. I lost my mother last year, she was only 55 so while it's not quite the same I guess I can relate to how you feel, at least to some extent. My suggestion would be to keep going, do what you do and don't give up on what you're passionate about. The events you mentioned in your last post must have been frightening as you were not to know what their intentions were though it doesn't sound as though either intended to cause any harm. It sounds like a reflection on the society in which we live in today, in which case it isn't just limited to boating. These things happen on and off dry land. If it's not your stern cover, it could be your shed. If it's not your roof, it could be your lawn etc etc. I'm sure you get the idea. Perhaps give it some thought but If boating isn't for you then that's fair enough but you should perhaps consider what you'd do instead and question whether or not it would make you feel happier. For me and since losing my beloved mother, I traded a life on land for a life on water. In doing so I feel welcomed to the wider boating community of our canals, something most, if not all of us here can appreciate and that imo is something quite special. - I didn't have anything like that on land. Years would go by and I didn't even know the names of my neighbours... You mentioned that your kids are visiting soon. Perhaps it would be a good opportunity to take them out on a cruise together and find the moment to talk to them about how you feel. That may give you clarity of thought and may help you decide on how you want to spend your future.

I had similar issues with other appliances. I bought a laptop which just didn't like MSW inverters. Exchanged it for a Dell laptop instead and now I have no problems though I'm aware of the disadvantages of using MSW. Swapping your inverter for a pure sine wave inverter of similar wattage will be costly.

Hired from them many years ago. Black Prince boats are well maintained and they seem to put a lot of thought into their boats for the hirers who use them. As someone mentioned, they are not the most luxurious inside compared to some smaller hire fleets but they are practical, modern, clean and tidy. If your budget is tight, you may find cheaper alternatives with smaller firms operating older boats.

I have a dog and also an air rifle though neither for the sole purpose of security or safety, but they both help in terms of peace of mind in that respect. I also have an app on my phone called "Find my friends" which allows my close family to see my exact location on a map and vice versa. Some people carry a form of pepper spray (not sure if it's pepper spray exactly) which you can purchase online, e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mini-Defence-Spray-Criminal-Identifier/dp/B00DSP708O?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00DSP708O&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=as_li_tl&tag=peppersprayuk-21 Another thing you could do is put "This boat is alarmed" stickers on your windows or "CCTV onboard" etc. You can also buy these online. If your boat is broken into, it's most likely because they want your possessions and not because they want to cause harm to you. Removing items which advertise expensive possessions (TV aerials/Satellite dish etc) will make your boat a less attractive target. I have neither of these on my roof for that reason. I use the internet for all my tv/radio/media needs.

I guess being well trained/obedient is one of the main things. We've had a basset hound on our boat. Really useless. He would jump off and wander off at the most inappropriate times but then Bassets are known to be stubborn and ours isn't very obedient despite going to regular training sessions as a puppy. I have a Lab on the other hand who is much more obedient but does get carried away sometimes, still young though

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, much appreciated! People call me both Rich and Richard, I don't mind.

Unless it has changed recently; I think it's against ebay's rules to retract a bid unless it's under certain circumstances, I don't remember what they all are but I know is one "accidentally entered incorrect amount". This doesn't stop people from misusing the feature though.

I liveaboard a 55 footer nb. Imo it's on the small side for a liveaboard and I have to make do without quite a few things. For people looking to live aboard who are not accustomed to living in smaller spaces, I'd definitely recommend something bigger if it's within their means. Even with a bigger boat, there's still plenty of places on the canal system they can go. Sorry to hear it was a no go. Out of interest what put you off?

Looks like a bargain for someone who can do it up. That said it doesn't appear to show its age from the outside. Good luck!

I share those thoughts, such a tragedy.

You may have already thought of it but are the mushroom vents on the roof fully open? Some can be opened/extended to allow for more ventilation by rotating them externally.

A rather odd topic you could say but I'm looking for a cosy but durable rug to fit in my saloon. Basically something comfortable enough to sit on but not something that would get ruined after a day's boating. As of yet I've not really seen anything suitable. I found my "texas" sofa through this forum and it's ideal so I thought it would be a good place to ask! Most of the rugs I've come across of suitable size for a narrowboat are the runner style which are not quite what I'm looking for. I've uploaded a photo to give an idea of the space I'm looking to fill. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions?

Possibly as they say music can provide therapy but perhaps earphones wouldn't be the safest idea because you could end up oblivious to any calls for help or alarm or sounds of danger. I'd apply that logic on the cut in general though not just when passing tunnels. I have a car radio and some small car speakers fitted at the stern instead. That way I can still hear my surroundings while listening to music, but not to the point of disturbing fellow boaters.

I don't see the problem if it's not blinding or dazzling other users. At the end of the day it's making him more visible to other canal users and this will help to improve safety even if it's unnecessary 99% of the time. It's the same principle with daytime running lights on modern cars though I'd say it would benefit a car moreso than a boat, but each to their own.

I'm the opposite - I get excited when passing through long tunnels. I like the eeriness of it and the unique feeling of travelling in darkness. It often has a certain haunted/ghostly type atmosphere to it which I find fascinating. It certainly gets my imagination going. I think you need to figure out exactly what it is that brings on the anxiety and tackle that. What thoughts cross your mind while in the tunnel? Try and think back. Is it just tunnels or are there other things in life that bring on anxiety? If there is, perhaps they have similarities that might help you figure out exactly what brings it on. You say you feel trapped, but there's always two exits. Maybe you could do with a few comfort items. Perhaps a head torch and a hot cuppa at hand ready for when you start the journey. If you're worried that something "bad" might happen, however unlikely it may be, perhaps try and think of something that would alleviate the problem. For example, if you're worried about falling in, perhaps wear a life-vest etc. I used to have anxiety problems in other aspects of life and would find that simply taking 10 deep breaths would often help calm my nerves before going into something seemingly daunting. (e.g. exam/job interview etc) Sometimes it's the small things that make a difference.

Out of interest, how well does it perform with the MiFI device secured on to a window/porthole without the antenna? I am also with EE for MiFI and so far wherever I've been I've been lucky enough to have a 4G signal with them, originally to my surprise when I had accepted the idea of slow internet prior to becoming a liveaboard. My device is simply attached to the porthole with velcrow and I hardly ever need to move it and get up to 40mbit down which is better than I got in a house with FTTC. I did buy a TS9 compatible antenna though I didn't seem to gain anything from it and the TS9 connectors don't make for the most secure connection to my Huawei E5786 device. It started to become a real pain having reconnect them all the time.

Glad to know I'm not the only who has been in this rather awkward situation! I asked one friend not to use the loo unless it was an emergency as there were public and CRT toilets nearby. On reflection, I think he thought I was joking...

You might get lucky if you scan apollo duck or even ebay frequently but if it were me I'd probably increase my budget and start it next year instead. Though I did stumble upon a rather unusual boat within your budget: http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=472407 Clearly needs a lot of work doing and a lot more money spent on it but no doubt it's a project for someone who works well with wood!

On the bright side; the idea of having a boat may not be a sunken one. What is your budget?

This sounds like good advice. Looking on ebay for "narrowboat project", I found quite a few like this for example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/32FT-CRUISER-STERN-PROJECT-NARROWBOAT-/112020577209?hash=item1a14f25bb9:g:1YwAAOSwbYZXWGSL http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Narrowboat-project-64-foot-/182154329556?hash=item2a693e7dd4:g:JY0AAOSw6btXTbZq http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NARROW-BOAT-40-FOOT-SPRINGER-CANAL-BOAT-PROJECT-BARGAIN-SUMMER-PROJECT-/122011161191?hash=item1c686e9267:g:T9YAAOSwsN9XCroO Something like that would surely be less of a gamble and a lot less hassle.

This boat seems to have made it in The Sun! "SINKING FEELING This canal boat is on eBay at a surprisingly low price, but there’s just one problem.." https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1281420/this-canal-boat-is-on-ebay-at-a-surprisingly-low-price-but-theres-just-one-problem/?CMP=spklr-_-Editorial-_-FBPAGE-_-TheSun-thesun-_-20160614-_-Features-_-493840402-_-Imageandlink