Jump to content

Mrs Puddleduck

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    38

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Mrs Puddleduck

  1. Crick boat show

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Really excited to be doing our first narrow boat show. Remember how exciting Earl's Court was for many years and then became same old same old. It does do you good to do something new.. Any advice re 'best bits' xx

  2. Using forums

    in New to Boating?

    Posted · Edited by Mrs Puddleduck

    Yep I was more confused then it all began to clear. But have I got multi quote Sussed lets see x

    Nope X

     

    you have to admit it makes the rest of you feel really smart

     

    X

    Now she must be really confused.

     

    Neil

    Its just nomenclature, on PMs its called "Fast Reply" and on forum posts its called "Reply to this topic" - on the full version. On the mobile version, there is no quick reply option for PMs and its called "Fast Reply" for forum posts.

    Then it just appeared x

  4. How long does morning last?

    in General Boating

    Posted

    When we're cruising I give everyone a wave and a cheery "Good Morning" or maybe just "Morning"

    The problem is that I'm still doing it at 3.00 in the afternoon. SWMBO does correct me, but somehow I find it hard to say "Good Afternoon" so eventually switch to "Hi".

    I know it's not just me, as many do it, so how long does your morning last?

    ? SWMBO ?

     

    I believe in boat time, no rules, but usually stick with ' hi ' to avoid conflict. X

  5. Complete newbie - would appreciate tips!

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

     

    Hi all,

     

    For a while I've been toying with the idea of buying a narrowboat to continuously cruise along the London Canals, for a few weeks or so I've been doing a fair bit of research but for some areas I still haven't found the answers I'm looking for so thought I'd turn to you guys to see if you can help me out at all! Apologies in advance if some areas have been discussed already and also, if any of the questions sound silly... I really am a complete newbie to this...

     

    1. As I mention - I'll be CC along the Canals in London, so have been researching what distance as I need to travel each week, obviously don't want to take the mick and want to stay on the right side of Canal and River Trust. However, their website isn't totally clear on how far - all I can see is that in a years licence, 15-20miles is expected, which seems more than fine. But how far is the minimum? Just for an example, say I started in Little Venice and was travelling East, how far would I need to travel to satisfy the Canal and River Trust for say one weekend I didn't want to travel 'that' far?

     

    2. Which brings me on to my next point - as I read, each 14 days would be the time I top up water, which would top up my batteries (as I'm moving) and usually empty the loos out. May seem like a silly question but are these water points at regular intervals? Similarly, to electric points? (if I needed it half way) Also, are loo-emptying-places at regular intervals also?

     

    3. Again, brings me on to my next point of water storage tanks and electricity batteries... my budget is around 25k and aiming for around a 40ft-er trad steel narrowboat so from what I've seen, many don't have a tank or seems quite small. If so, can this be retrofitted and to what cost? I understand becoming more frugal is all part and parcel of it (which I'm excited about) but for say a 10/15minute shower a day - what sort of tank should I be looking at to tide me over for two weeks? However, I guess this would hinge on question number two! In terms of electricity, I don't watch a lot of TV but would like to charge my phone, listen to music, have lights! Where should I even start with what to look for to tide me over 2 weeks again?

     

    4. I guess this question is more to the nitty-gritty when I view but what are the main tips/points you'd recommend to look out for a bad conditioned narrowboat? Is there such a thing? Don't mind buying something that requires a bit of modernisation but in terms of 'behind the scene' stuff, what do I look for when looking at an engine? At the electric board? Heating system? Or should this all be taking care of at survey stage?

     

    Anyway, I think that's probably enough for now on my first post. I really would appreciate any tips/answers - no matter how big or small! Really excited to be buying - just need to get my head around it all first!!

     

    Speak soon,

     

    Nat :)

    Fellow complete newbie, hence messing up reply.

     

    I'm little use to you unlike the experienced guys who have been setting me on the right track with many things.

     

    I guess we are very different. We fell in love with the second boat we viewed and are now figuring it out. We have been yachting for years so lots of the wrong experience. We often enjoyed the luxury of a coke bottle shower in the cockpit so we are amazed at the plentiful water supply. Once you get used to living small and simple it's such a happy thing. The beauty is you find your own way. Go for it and enjoy. We are weekending whilst sorting things out but plan to retire onboard ASAP.

     

    Enjoy the journey x

  7. Complete newbie - would appreciate tips!

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Hi all,

     

    For a while I've been toying with the idea of buying a narrowboat to continuously cruise along the London Canals, for a few weeks or so I've been doing a fair bit of research but for some areas I still haven't found the answers I'm looking for so thought I'd turn to you guys to see if you can help me out at all! Apologies in advance if some areas have been discussed already and also, if any of the questions sound silly... I really am a complete newbie to this...

     

    1. As I mention - I'll be CC along the Canals in London, so have been researching what distance as I need to travel each week, obviously don't want to take the mick and want to stay on the right side of Canal and River Trust. However, their website isn't totally clear on how far - all I can see is that in a years licence, 15-20miles is expected, which seems more than fine. But how far is the minimum? Just for an example, say I started in Little Venice and was travelling East, how far would I need to travel to satisfy the Canal and River Trust for say one weekend I didn't want to travel 'that' far?

     

    2. Which brings me on to my next point - as I read, each 14 days would be the time I top up water, which would top up my batteries (as I'm moving) and usually empty the loos out. May seem like a silly question but are these water points at regular intervals? Similarly, to electric points? (if I needed it half way) Also, are loo-emptying-places at regular intervals also?

     

    3. Again, brings me on to my next point of water storage tanks and electricity batteries... my budget is around 25k and aiming for around a 40ft-er trad steel narrowboat so from what I've seen, many don't have a tank or seems quite small. If so, can this be retrofitted and to what cost? I understand becoming more frugal is all part and parcel of it (which I'm excited about) but for say a 10/15minute shower a day - what sort of tank should I be looking at to tide me over for two weeks? However, I guess this would hinge on question number two! In terms of electricity, I don't watch a lot of TV but would like to charge my phone, listen to music, have lights! Where should I even start with what to look for to tide me over 2 weeks again?

     

    4. I guess this question is more to the nitty-gritty when I view but what are the main tips/points you'd recommend to look out for a bad conditioned narrowboat? Is there such a thing? Don't mind buying something that requires a bit of modernisation but in terms of 'behind the scene' stuff, what do I look for when looking at an engine? At the electric board? Heating system? Or should this all be taking care of at survey stage?

     

    Anyway, I think that's probably enough for now on my first post. I really would appreciate any tips/answers - no matter how big or small! Really excited to be buying - just need to get my head around it all first!!

     

    Speak soon,

     

    Nat :)

  8. Using forums

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Quick reply box is at the bottom of the screen (assuming you're in a forum area or on a thread you can reply to).

     

    Multiquote button works by remembering the posts you're going to reply to, so press the button on each post you want to reply to and then reply once you have selected them all. It even works across different pages of the same thread.

    Thank you. Still can't find quick response but I will thanks again x

  9. Using forums

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Are there any tips re how to use. Can't seem to copy multiple quotes to reply to several people at once. Know the facility is there but can't use it. Also used to find quick reply but cat now. I know there's newbies and then really thick newbies x

  10. Smelly loo

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Yes definitely more education needed. Sadly not everyone is motivated by green. Would be far more motivated by blue does not work and stinks in the long run in so many ways. All the advice in this thread will make a difference I'm sure. Thanks all.

  11. Experienced boaters/members

    in New to Boating?

    Posted · Edited by Mrs Puddleduck

    As a newbie I probable shouldn't be writing here. However I have found the advice so far brilliant.

     

    Solid fuel stove with back boiler or not compatable with existing system or not.

     

    How to polish my vents that I now know are mushrooms.

     

    Currently working on my smelly loo.

     

    Don't know if a guide would be as useful as getting advice. Guides are very boring and hard to understand for really simple newbies. Abit of simple q & a brings to light such wisdom as the the toilet flush goes up as well as down. It also brings to light so much more that we newbies need to get our heads round. So a big thank you to those of you with the patience to share your knowledge. X

  13. Smelly loo

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    And NOTHING other than loo paper and what comes out of your body, A Qtip across the pump out pipe will cause lots of problems.

    Edit to add

    Even if it says "flushable" on the packet.

    Yes I can imagine. Thanks

  14. Smelly loo

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    What Tony said. Plus, to check suitability, put a sheet of the paper in a glass of water, leave for a couple of minutes, then give it a stir. If it breaks up into mush, all is well. If it holds its shape, avoid like the plague. Standard Andrex seems to be fine as well as most own brands.

    Good tip thanks

  16. Smelly loo

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    We used odourless for a couple of years and then it stopped working and led to a whiffy loo. Since then I've been using a bio laundry detergent and ecover loo clean and the smells have ceased- much better and cheaper

    Thanks for that. Any thoughts on the need for special dissolving loo paper?

  18. Smelly loo

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    The more water you put in before flushing (by lifting the flush lever), the easier it is to get right but the quicker you will fill the tank.

    Ah, the flush lever lifts? Interesting. We may be getting a glimpse of my problems here. Thank you.

  19. Smelly loo

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Takes a bit of practice to get the flush timing right - the idea is that the descending contents draw air down behind them before any foul air can escape back up. If there is any kind of 'blowback' effect then the vent is blocked.

     

    If the water does drain away, there is a break in the seal somewhere which will allow foul air through once the water has gone. It may just need cleaning if it doesn't always happen.

    Ok, I'll practice my flushing action. Never did have much rhythm, he never told me how much there was to this narrow boating. Many things were simpler at sea.

     

    Thank you

  24. Smelly loo

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Thanks to you guys I now have shiny mushrooms and lots to think about technology. A bit scared of the replies to this one but here goes. I believe stylishly known as 'drop through' loo is very offensive. Recently pumped out and blue stuff added. Fresh for about 4 days. We are only weekending at the moment. Are there secrets that we need to know???? WE are very posh have 2 loos. Only use one I told him but does he listen???

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.