The Boat Studio

Thanks for this. Its a really neat little tip. Thanks Jen this is really useful info. Yeah I think maybe 1000W would be the safe bet too..

Yes - I know its not ideal. I only mentioned it as we did it on our old boat. We don't live on our boat and def don't mind going without ice cubes for the times we are on it.. Ideally we just want something to keep the milk from congealing and the cheese turning rank! Other wise we don't eat meat and most stuff we cook fresh and eat there and then.

Yeah - I wasn't by any means suggesting my 50w solar panel could power the fridge! Just thought I would mention our set up. When you say 'high efficiency costs more' can you give me an example of the more efficient inverters on the market. Are Victron and Sterling any good? Good thing to bear in mind - thank you.

Hi thanks for commenting so you mean wire the fridge thermostat to switch the inverter on? This all sounds good but I am not sure I understand fully! Can you explain a bit more how it would work? So you would use the inverter for the initial surge yes? and then only when the thermostat registers it needs more power to cool down does it turn the inverter on again? Thanks that is handy also good to know that we should be looking for an 800 watt continuous rating.

Hello, I have spent a bit of time looking round the forum for advice relevant to 'Fridges' and 'Inverters' but thought it was just easier to post about our specific problem! We bought our new boat last August and it came with a 79w mains fridge. The previous owners had it in a boat yard hooked up to mains. We however continuous cruise most of the summer. Over winter we just did without a fridge and didn't really miss it but as you can imagine these hot sunny days have been tricky with no refrigeration! I think we have decided as the fridge is fitted already in the kitchen it wouldn't make sense to take it out and replace with a 12V Fridge. Therefore what inverter is recommended? I have been looking at these two at Midland Chandlery: https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/store/category/1342/product/vl-451.aspx https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/store/product/vv-025.aspx They are pretty expensive and I just wanted some advice before parting with the cash! I can see from previous threads its not necessarily a straightforward topic. We have three 12v leisure batteries ( they are hooked up to a 50w panel that trickle charges them) Also on our old boat we tended to have the fridge on only when cruising and turned it off over night and would be happy to do the same with this one so it would be a fridge some of the time and a cool box the rest. Cheers in advance.

Me too!

Yeah I should check with the mechanic what oil was used. The oil consumption was a bit higher than normal we had to put in half a litre after 4 days travel. We haven't been at Autherley that long and haven't been doing lots of sitting and charging as the boat has been moving for a good 6 hours a day. Have come up the river from Gloucester docks. I think maybe a trip to Oxley Marine is in order.. Yeah it doesn't look over filled at all. If anything it's using a little more oil than usual

Our engine is a Perkins Prima and is water cooled. Yeah I wondered if the heat and or the recent oil change had something to do with it. In which case is there anything we can do about it? Or just hope it sorts itself out?

That is a pretty impressive name! Thanks very much - will check them out!

Hi does anyone know of a good boat mechanic in Wolverhampton? Our boat is at Autherley junction and has been for a few days making a bit of blue smoke when running. It seems to be coming from the place where the exhaust goes through the side of boat? It looks like the seal on the outside of the boat ( where the exhaust fumes come out) has a section chipped off but not convinced this explains the problem entirely. It is starting and running fine (at the moment!) it's just smoky down there which is worrying. It has just two weeks ago had a service including an oil change and new oil filter. Would just like someone to come have a look at it! Many thanks..

I have to admit this thread has made me go from fretting that I have destroyed my boat to feeling slightly embarrassed about my dramatic post. Thanks for the humour guys.

Okay! I am relieved it doesn't seem to be worth stressing about. I thought as it disintegrated it would start messing up engine. I can now go back to worrying abt world politics.. Saying that I am gonna try fill up and attempt to get it out..

Is it not a big deal then? Will the stick float if I fill it up?

I am such an idiot. I was trying to gauge how much fuel I had in the tank and was using a stick that wasn't long enough and it slipped out of my fingers into the tank. I tried to look with a torch for it but couldn't see it. How screwed am I? I guess in the short term I will be okay until the stick starts disintegrating right? Anyone else stupid enough to do this? Any tips for getting the stick out? Will the fuel filter do its job and protect the engine from tiny bits of stick? Thanks.. Amber

Thanks everyone. I am much more clued up now Amber

oh heck! I am not sure Halfords would be able to advise me.. Any ideas about how i could find out which type specifically?

Awesome super helpful and great to have the manual too. Thanks for that!

Oh! That is easy then. I was under the impression it had to be a completely different type of oil.. Thanks! A

Hello Just trying to figure out what oil to use in our gearbox. We have a Perkins 3 cylinder engine with a 'Newage' Gearbox 160D2. A bit of googling and I found a table that says I should use 15W40 oil but just wanted to ask here to make sure. Any one know? And from where I can get it? Cheers Amber

Hello! Can anyone recommend any boat surveyors in the Bath/Trowbridge area? Personal recommendations are the best! Thanks alot Amber

We have and BMC 1800. Yeah i know RCR can be patchy. We have had experience of this! Dave is a top bloke and diagnosed an oil leak in 10mins (that RCR had previously told us meant a complete engine rebuild costing 3.5K!!!) We trust him and he has offered space in boat yard to work - its just a matter of getting there... We have the number of the RCR bloke who would get sent out if we called again. He is reluctant to do it canal side as engine is filthy, and it would tyake longer etc. But it is looking like that is our only option now. We need to clean it up and then he can do the work.

Yes I understood it was 2 hours that RCR offer. Aldermaston is more like a days journey if not more. The reason we would like Aldermaston is because they said we could use their yard and crane and trust Dave from ABC boats. We know of one good mechanic who we are in communication with he would be happier to do the work in Aldermaston mainly because our engine is so dirty. ....yes but it was a complicated set of circumstances, we did however feel a tad stranded! If no tow comes forward we will have to clean engine ourselves and get someone to do it canal side. We were just hoping (slightly unrealistically) that someone might be passing our way and would want to help!

Hi yes, we had an RCR mechanic out and he suspected that that was the case. not 100% sure though. Yes we checked the oil and added more and it still did not work

I know it is pretty unlikely. We waited a whole day and not a single boat came past last week. We had to abandon boat as batteries started to run down. As far as what is wrong with the boat... We think the drive plate has gone. The engine starts but the propeller does not turn when in gear. It can theoretically be fixed canal side but we also have an oil leak and diesal leak which means our engine and bilges are super filthy so we really need to give it a good clean down before a mechanic can even see what to do. I think the engine needs to be winched up too which would be easier in a boat yard! I have contacted CRT to let them know the situation. I think they will grant us some time but a tow would be great. Fingers crossed! Amber Ah we were wondering about doing this! Not sure whether it was possible!