Ex-Member
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Posts posted by Ex-Member
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We looked at quite a lot of marinas before we bought our boat last month. We visited Wigrams and they had a couple of nice spots but it didn't seem as nice and quiet (you could really hear the road noise) as Ventnor plus a holiday company runs from there so we chose Ventnor and got a really quiet spot in Sunrise. The staff have been absolutely great, nothing is too much trouble, they have given us quite a lot of good advice and we have booked ours in for blacking & some paintwork with Rory next year at a very competitive price. It works for us but you have to feel the place you choose is right for you. The spot we chose is ours, one marina we visted, no names, said that if you are not actually moored there then they have the right to use your space for temps until you get back which we thought was a bit of a cheek,they were also roughly the same price but had no facilities. Also, as mentioned, you have use of the other Castle marinas, great for planning journeys, one even has gym and and indoor swimming pool........... can't wait to use them....... every morning I do 40 press ups, then I do the other eyelid.....
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cheers I will
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I thought that too but when I contacted them they said the previous membership was Gold and is transferable and they have emailed me conformation, which I had to have to show the marina.
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As you may know we have just bought our first boat which we obviously had to insure etc however I found out that both the CRT and RCR are transferable so I don't have to pay the former until January and the latter until April. Furthermore the RCR is a Gold membership which entitles me to a free annual engine inspection and discounted service and, because the previous owner never made any claims, I get a 15% NCB discount and a further 5% for renewing. Not often you get good news when you have to pay these things
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All very good advice so thanks to everyone who replied. I am not sure why the previous owner had 4 cassettes but then again we have spent the last few days going through the things left on board and there are multiples of everything (so far 15 windlasses) He was obviously meticulous as everything is either in original box or labelled, loads of new spare parts including shower pump, alternator belts/filters, oil and enough rope to go round the marina twice. Anyway back to topic I will use the 'eye' method but at least all 4 got cleaned and I learnt something else, albeit not the most savoury thing, about boating. It was quite funny yesterday because I had to take the 4 on a trolley to the facilities and whilst I was there a lady asked if I was servicing them and how much did I charge........ methinks a new income stream
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The previous owner left 4 cassettes but said they were all faulty i.e. the red warning light did not come on but he didn't know if it was the LED or the cassettes. I emptied the first one by judging the level by eye but then I did a bit of research on't'internet and learnt all about 'floats' so, with the second cassette in place for a couple of days and, after donning a pair of disposable gloves, I did the unholy and finding the float I raised it and low and behold the red light came on. Whilst I had my hand in I checked it a few times and the red light came on each time. Unfortunately when the cassette was full the light did not come on and, well we won't go into that.
So today I took all 4 to the onsite facilites and spent nearly 2 hours washing and cleaning them all, checking seals etc and that there was a float in each. I then tried each one in situ, raised the float by hand and the red light came on for all of them. So,knowing the float/contacts work and the LED comes on (I almost daren't ask) what could be the problem. I use the 'continental' method of disposing of toilet paper but ocassionally do put some down the loo, which is 3 ply, and I read somewhere that only 2 ply should be used. Anyway, if it hasn't put you off your evening meal, any advice welcome as usual.
ps....... is there a way to open the cassette fully rather than using the hand in the dark method?
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Thanks for all the answers and advice, I 'll try to cover it all, I really don't use technology that much and living up in the Brecon hills I am used to the electricity and water going off never mind mobile phone reception, which we absolutely don't get from any network. Broadband is Plusnet but is really two cotton reels and a lacky band. I used to have the most basic phone you could buy, £5 from Orange on PAYG, but kept it in the car for emergencies. When EE took them over the charges went to 37pm so I switched to Three PAYG which is only 1pm but I had to get a new 3g phone but again it is very basic and certainly not a smart phone. It actually works fine inside the boat as recently I have had to make more calls than I usually do, or did. The only other device I have is a laptop which I use mainly for email and online shopping (mostly cheaper and saves a 20 mile round trip into town or further to the ubiquitous Retail Parks), don't do Social Networking et al (apart from this forum) so I really am not that bothered. At Ventnor I am in Sunrise and the connection is OK but quite intermittant inside and I ain't sitting outside in this weather. Because we are going to use the boat quite a lot it would be useful to have mobile wi fi just for emailing and things like online banking and that's why I thought this Roadfi device might do the trick, as it would plug into the socket in the stern deck and I could always use it in the car too.
As usual with me, too much information and too little intelligence........
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Ok so got the new boat and, touch wood, everything is tickity boo except that damned thing t'nternet.
At the moment we are morred at our chosen marina, Ventor, where connection, though free, is sporadic at best and non existant at worse. I am with Three for my mobile and looking at their mi fi they have a Huwawei Roadfi which is really for your car but plugs into the cigar lighter socket. Has anyone any experience of using this on a boat or should I just stick with a mi fi device?
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Think I cruised past your new boat last week, looks lovely, I wish you many happy years :-) Don't know if you are planning on moving south after taking possession but I think (not positive mind you) that the Buckby flight is shut for a week or so. Check the CRT stoppages.
PS Do you have a friend who works in Wendover? Was chatting to a lovely lady there who had a friend who was buying a boat from Crick and I'm just putting 2 and 2 together and making 5....
Thanks for the comments & heads up but no sorry don't know anyone who works in Wendover....
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Thanks for all the suggestions. They have left 4 binders detailing everything since they comissioned it plus a 4 page inventory of all they are leaving, including loads of spare parts, oil, paint, coal, (even kindling sticks), 4 thetford cassettes, tools, loads of keys all labelled, dozens of travel books, even some games, a full tank of diesel, etc. All we have had to buy is bedding and towels. We have one of those minicam recorders so we thought we would take that and, if he doesn't mind, we can video and record what he says. Other than that we are just EXCITED!!!! crazy at our age but hey, we are all children at heart
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We are picking up our new boat, presently called Charlotte May, on Sunday and are meeting with the owner for a handover. He has owned the boat from new and has meticulous records (4xA4 Binders) full of everything. The survey was absolutely fine mar the odd one or two minor things but the surveyor was generally impressed by the condition. We have a few things we want to ask but, as this is our first boat, is there anything specific anyone thinks we should be asking. I know, at the end of the day, we have had the survey, paid the balance and complete tomorrow so we have obviously made up our minds but I don't want to miss an opportuntity because I am ignorant of the fact. Many thanks
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Suggestions on what to use 'elbow grease plus whatever' appreciated. Soak in bicarb??
Leave everything in a bowl of hot water with a good scoop of washing machine powder. This will work on anything that has dirt or burnt on food, eg. grill pans, casserole dishes/pans etc. Depending on how bad it might need 2 goes or leaving overnight
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sorry if I have confused anyone with my question.... I am still in a steep learning curve. Yes the boat I am buying is from ABNB and, although it was built in 2002 and has no protection, it has virtually no pitting but the surveyor recommends fitting a GI. Problem is there is so much information on different sites and I am still ina steep learning curve.
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Apologies that there are already various postings but I couldn't find what I was looking for.
I understand the principal of GI's & IT's and that, in an ideal world, the best solution is a portable IT albeit not the most practical. If I have read things correctly either are only really needed when connected to shoreline (read on if I've got it right) but, whilst an IT fitted inside the boat is more reliable it is also more costly and the length of connection cable from shoreline to boat is the problem area. So..... at last.. my question is I have found an 'in line' GI which is a short cable, 1/2mtr or so, which connects from the shoreline to your boat cable and therefore only the GI cable is the problem area.
If I am correct in the above has anyone bought/used one of these or am I wasting my time (and yours) as per....?
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Because you can fall in the canal every other day and stay dryer on average than when living in the Brecon Beacons?
ooooohh that's cruel (true but cruel) We do get some lovely weather too though, as in today. Where we live is about 1500ft up and it has it's own climate, it can be lovely and sunny up here and then 10 miles down into town it is persisting down. The farmers reakon we are a month behind eveywhere else which means we get a later spring but a longer summer/autumn.
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Ha Ha your buying a boat. Now all the neighbours will find out and you'll be the talk of the street. Best buy some dark glasses and a big hat.
Well not necessarily as we live in quite a remote part of the Brecon Hills, no lights, no streets, no mobile phone reception. If the electricity goes off, which it does on a fairly regular basis, the water goes off too as it has to be pumped up here. As for the neighbours well I can't remember the last time I saw one go past, other than to wave from their car. On one side we have a 12thc Church and opposite we have views down the valley, the rest is farm land............. er why would I buy a boat?????
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Ok so got the survey report from Craig Allen on the boat. His first impressions were that the brochure does not show the true qaulity and condition of the boat. He was impressed with the internal fit out which is all solid American White Oak including a T&G ceiling. There isn't a screwhead or nail to be seen and he seemed to like that and it has been maintained to a high standard.
In truth there was very little negative comment, just recommendations. A PVR needs replacing on the Calorifier (and he suggests taking the hose out through the side..... need an estimate for that) Virtually no pitting of any significance. Suggests a bigger alternator, minor repairs here and there but nothing essential at all. Full history of the boat backs up the work done and condition. Only BSS issue was things stored in the gas locker.
The only real down was that, although the boat was blacked last year, he doesn't think it was done well so he suggested it be redone. The vendor has agreed to offer £500 towards that as it would delay the sale if he tried to get it organised & done beforehand. It isn't urgent and we might even consider having a full shot blast and epoxy rather than bitumen. Having said I know people say it might be bestto stick with what you have. Overall nothing really damning at all and, as we were there for most of the time, he was great explaining everything. At the price we offered, plus the additional reduction today, he thinks it comparably priced..... so it looks like full steam ahead...
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They are almost certainly painted by my ex wife Gill Hogg who sells to the trade under the name of Traditional Artmetal Co.
Thanks for the info. I will probably keep them just as a novelty....... but my god you lot go off topic a lot don't ya!!!!
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What do you mean by 'Canal Ware'?
I
If you mean was used historically on a narrow boat then no, it most probably isn't.
No I didn't mean that. They are far too new.
...but, if you like them, they were cheap and they're practical (they look as if they would make a good tea/coffee/sugar set, indeed that may have been their purpose) then use them and enjoy them. Perhaps they were painted for sale in a hire-boat base's gift shop.Yes
Yes I think that is exactly what their purpose is (especially as one smells of coffee
) I just wondered if anyone had seen anything like them before. I probably would not have noticed them had I not become interested in buying a narrow boat so it seemed a coincidence. Plus they were only 50p each! -
Not sure if this is the correct forum - so apologies if it has to be moved.
I found these 3 cannisters in a charity shop and wondered if they could be canal ware. Either way they are unusual and have some age to them. The cannister is ceramic, with wooden lid, and the decoration is hand painted but the unusual thing is that there is a 'loop' which carries a small wooden spoon. All 3 are intact. They drew my attention because they looked like canal/barge ware and, at the price, I couldn't resist buying them.
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Wow this is political not to metion personal, so I will tread carefully.
I first joined this forum over a year a go and found a couple of people a bit 'spikey' which deterred me from using the forum directly however the archeived material has been invaluable. I apprecaite tone cannot be conveyed 't,over tint,ternet' but at the time members privately messaged me to offer support, thank you guys.
Being in the process of buying our first boat I started using the forums activley again over the last month or two and found the atmsosphere more inviting. I accept that people just give opinions which can be subjective based on experience or just say so which is fine, all in all I found it to be an healthy place to bounce ideas around; I would like to contiue to be a member and hopefully contribute something myself.
I have been members of other specialist forums in which certain members rule the roost with no moderation, which is not good as it is basically dominated by a few for the few.
I have not got a clue who runs this site but it is free and whoever it is must put some time & money into it so I thank you.
I am going to brain dump a few things: transparency,,,,,,a framework for members to refer to,,,,,a membership fee,,,,code of conduct.
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Well there's good news Numpty! Which boat did you settle on, pray tell?
It is a 57' trad called Charlotte May at ABNB Crick
http://www.abnb.co.uk/boat_pages/3065web/3065abnb.php?BoatID=3065
Photos Please!
http://www.abnb.co.uk/boat_pages/3065web/3065abnb.php?BoatID=3065
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We went to Crick yesterday for a demo run on the boat we are buying. There was another couple there and the lady (jokingly) said 'Oh it's you is it? It turned out she wanted to buy our boat as her partner (who was with her) had built it!! Although she was upset she couldn't buy it she said it was Ok as she needed to sell her house anyway but we got to chat with Mike and he told us all about the build. He said that although the details said 'oak veneer' in places it is all actually solid oak throughout, plus lots of interesting info and we swapped numbers as he said I could call him anytime if I had any questions or needed info.... a weird coincidence which only added to our feeling about the boat being the right one for us. The demo went well, the engine purrs and the interior is immaculate. The owners are leaving absolutely everything from egg cups to vacuum cleaner, which is great as initially all we will have to buy is towels and bedding, ( they have left the quilt and pillows but , well you know), including dozens of Canal Books and an incredibly detailed list of instructions etc. Survey is next week by Craig Allen and we should complete at the end of the month. We also secured a mooring at Ventnor Marina which is absolutely great. Just can't wait now!!!!!
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Most people who have home moorings have to pay for the mooring even when they go for cruising the entire summer. Just the way it is my friend. You can do short term mooring but you won't be guaranteed your same mooring again when you need it someone else could have it.
yes,,,one of us can see the logic,,,the other is a skin flint,,,,thanks
) I just wondered if anyone had seen anything like them before. I probably would not have noticed them had I not become interested in buying a narrow boat so it seemed a coincidence. Plus they were only 50p each!
TV/Radio Sound
in Boat Equipment
Posted
Hi my boat came with a virtually new 12v Avtex Led TV/DVD which I don't want to use as a TV (so I have removed the arial & sat dish) but I don't mind using it for DVD's or streaming. The problem is that the sound is not brilliant. Above where the TV sits is a new Sony Dab Digital Radio CD Player with 2 built in speakers which are actually quite good. So my questions are : can I a) buy a decent sound bar for the TV and does it have to be 12v or
can I run the sound from the TV through the Sony radio speakers?