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Hi all, just a quick question about system voltage. Is there any advantage in having a 24v system over a 12v system ? . I only ask this question as I have a lot of kit that is 24v , so it would save me a few slave tokens in not having to go out and buy some new 12v bits and pieces. The other thing is as the batteries would be wired in series, is there an advantage or disadvantage in using either 4 x 6v batteries to get my 24v or 2 x12v batteries. I was also thinking of keeping the batteries inside the cabin, like under the entrance steps, just thinking that this might be better for them as in an engine room with fluctuating temperature, would this be ok ?. Many thanks for your kind advice. Mark

O the picket fence !! yes I remember that, you could jump over it !!! I think they only had one security guard, or someone dressed up to look like one, We were still working there for about 4 weeks after the show started finishing off bit and pieces. I remember painting the place, the paint colours were so horrendous the paint supplier just looked at us and said who it their right mind are going to use these, they had never sold some of them as they were so bad. And for all of you pump out toilet fans, yes there was a pump out toilet at the bottom of the garden, with thirty people in the studio, it needed to be pumped every other day, and it was a public toilet as well that it worse. It was built for Planet 24 Bob Geldof's company, hence Paula Yates being on the show, then the ginger nut Chris Evens, and the lovely Gaby Roslin , she was a top girl . O yes and Paula's bed , the stories that could be told Lol

Back in 1992 we built the Big Breakfast television studios at Old Ford, I remember the address very well, it was 1-3 lock keepers cottages on the River Lee Navigation, and yes it was the job from hell. Everything had to be carried over the lock gates or delivered or taken away by barge. I can remember it was always a dodgy area and very run down. There were hardly any boats moored along the tow-path,,well very few maybe one sometimes., There were hardly any boats using the lock. It might have been used about three times a day.. Well I stopped off there yesterday just to have a look to see how it has changed. The Olympic stadium is right next to it now. The transformation is incredible there were boats moored all along the tow-path, everything has changed so much. Just how long has it been like this, is it just since the Olympics have finished , so nice to the area has been transformed now.

Hi Pete Yes they are not as deep are they, but the problem is the height, they are about 200mm taller than the compact. I was thinking that I could use the external enclosure top for seating.. Plus I am looking at they will be directly over the HW calorifier and very close to the inverter so only small service runs are required. The other thing is I don't like the idea if I had a leak on the washing machine inside the boat there could be a flood. having it above the worktop in it's space and a small lip at the opening and a drain hole on the side any water would just drain out the side,and the tumble drier is rear vented so it might be possible to fix a grill so it all vents straight outside through the back The problem is I just don't do Mops Lol The thing is if I can get them in there I save a 1 mtr in the length of the kitchen area. Mark

Alan, you are totally correct Do I need a tumble drier, I might give this a miss at the end of the day but you know what daughters are like !!!!. As I look at it, it all comes down to cost at the end of the day. I am planning on having a 6kw travelpack so it would only be used while on the move. I don't want to be hanging damp cloths over the radiator or above the fire in the winter and getting condensation in the cabin The thing that I need most is the deep-freeze, I need to find room for this as this is a big money saver. Greylady thanks for the kind welcome Mark

Lol thanks for the tip I will remember that, Mark

It is still going to be a bit small I think, it looks like it is going to be a semi. Thanks Mark

I did a lot of Jetties and Piers on the Thames when I worked for Shelbourne's, Oak could be used as it lasts for years but you are going to have problems getting it piled in into the river bed without the proper equipment. I would go for Gabion Baskets if I were, you you can take your time in filling them up at low water. then you will have a working platform to work with. Mark

Well I don't want a cruiser stern, I think they look like a mobile disco LOL, I would like a bit of room on the back for storage, I think a trad might not give me what I need well the space if my daughter and friend invite themselves aboard. Theo I have been thinking about, could I get buy without a freezer, Yes I know they drink power and I need to look after my batteries I was looking at getting one of these the 166 model http://www.bimblesolar.com/offgrid/solarfridge/steca-fridge-PF166 I won't be buying it off Bimble at that price,,I have had some of these freezers before, so my supplier will give me a good deal. The power consumption look good to me, if it uses to much I will use it as a fridge.what do you think about the power charts. Mark

I can see what you are saying about the seating, I was going to ask if the gas lockers are at the stern !. But I think that having the washing machine and the tumble drier next to each other will give me big problems getting access to the front of the engine where the alternators and belts are located. I would loose 500mm of access. Entrance at the middle might work but I now need to re look at the kitchen layout, It is nice to keep everything near the inverter and travelpack. (edited to add content ) Mark

Thanks for the kind welcome everyone. I understand that I need the doors to be wide enough to get my equipment on board. 600mm would be fine as most of my stuff is under that , the biggest problem would be with the Steca freezer which is 720mm wide this would need to go through the bow doors. What I was looking at is a reverse layout. The kitchen starts at the stern end bulkhead. I was thinking of cutting a hole through the steel bulkhead tight in the corner above the worktop and welding in a steel containment box at floor level and then putting the compact washing machine in it so it finishes flush with the end of the cabin wall, Could continue it along for seating or storage on the deck. I wanted to get the tumble drier in next to it but then again as has been pointed out I need good access to the engine compartment. I would need about 1100mm to get both of them in. Me thinking that the width was about 1800mm this would leave me 700mm to play with for a door opening in the corner or centre. Mark

Good day to you all this is my first post on the forum, I have been visiting for the last few month's looking for questions I had. It is now time to join, firstly I must say that this forum has a vast amount of shared information and I must thank all of you who have contributed as I have be able to find most of the answers I have been looking for. It has been many years since I have been on a narrow boat, but this year I am planning on buying a boat and taking life a bit slower now cruising the canal's and hopefully enjoying myself. I am still looking at the options at the moment, either buying a sail-away, or buying second-hand boat and modifying it to my own requirements. The boat I am looking to get is going to be a semi-trad 50ft plus and set up for extended cruising. I have a couple of questions if anyone could be so kind to answer. 1 What is the deck width in the cockpit near the read entrance doors of a semi -trad 2 How wide are the double doors, is there a min or max requirement. 3 What is the minimum size I could get away with for the engine room access hatch, I would be looking at a 42hp lump. I expect there will be a few more questions in the near future. Thanks for taking the time in reading my first post, and I am looking forward to being an active member of this fantastic forum. Many thanks Mark