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Jennifer McM

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Everything posted by Jennifer McM

  1. While having work done in Spring Haven Marina, on the Coventry, we noticed a widebeam having a canopy fitted. We asked the fitter to give us a quote for a 'pramhood' canopy over the stern of our semi-trad. When the guy saw our boat he said he knew the boat as he fitted its cratch and tonneau cover for our boat's previous owners when he worked for Wilsons. We're very happy with the quality, and they look like new after one year. The man is now a one-man band since the demise of Wilsons. This morning we picked up our quote which is £1,150, the 'pramhood' being made in the same material as the cratch which is a shiney material, rather than a canvas material. His details are: Peter Roberts email robertsbespokecanvas@gmail.com website (tho not working for me, bad connection at the present, but could be it's not yet set up) www.robertsbespokcanvas.co.uk facebook https://www.facebook.com/RobertsBespokeCanvas/(examples can be seen on FB telephones 0795 60980535 / 01384 877399. Think we're going to go with the quote, Peter's busy, but hopes to have it ready by Christmas.
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  3. Passed it yesterday when the rain was throwing it down, the boat was occupied, didn't stop, just pleased the owner's back in charge.
  4. Thanks Geo, seems I have to learn the hard way. To think at first I was researching what swans eat, so I could get them the most nutritious food! They're not so 'bird brained'!
  5. Don't mind the ducks sharing the canal with me, but what is driving me stark staring mad is the swan than keeps following me round the boat (outside of course) drumming on the windows with its beak, asking for food! It's driving my dog crackers, he thinks the swan wants to come in! Poor dog's demented, and my nerves are shot! Thought this was really cute at first, have now definitely changed my mind!
  6. Thank you Tony, I wondered how you knew about 'Onboard Energy' - but then I saw where you're based. You must have seen us? It's a lovely marina. Totally agree with you, we can't afford NOT to be cynical.
  7. This is the route I'm sure is right - thanks for your help
  8. Thank you for your reply Tony, John's got his head firmly into your website (he might be there for a while ) Electric survey - presently normal use of water pumps, discharge and running water (we've a Thetford cassette toilet) two laptops on constant charge (240v), they also charge via usb a *mobile phone, a myfi dongle, and a *tablet (*tho' not everyday) - laptops are 'asleep' for about 20-22 hours a day undercounter fridge/freezer running all the time 12v Shoreline LED lights throughout, probably 4 or so are on for 4 hours in the evening have not used any hairdryers, food processors, hoover, toasters cooking is via gas tv hasn't been switched on (still trying to sort the system) I am looking to have 240v undercounter fridge, and 240v undercounter freezer both A++ rated in the future Can't think of any other electrics we're using, except of course the electrical management system. Brilliant advice! Thank you Alan
  9. Sorry for not replying sooner, just got back into mooring after 3 rainy hours cruising. We hope to be CCs, but are popping in/out a marina for September until we get sorted. We found there's no battery charger with the victron inverter, and we've been advised we don't need to upgrade the Victron inverter as we now have 3x130W solar panels. There is a "Sterling Alternator-to-battery-charger" - "power management with power from two alternators" (says on the packet), (no charging from the shoreline). We've been charging the batteries via the engine. The first week while bringing the boat down to our 'patch' we were cruising 7 hours a day, by morning the batteries were showing 10v! Therefore the batteries do not seem to be holding charge - at this moment (after 3 hours cruising) there're showing 12.7v, the only power draw has been a Shoreline fridge freezer (12v). I will be answering each question, or it maybe John (husband) .... so please bare with us for a while. So grateful for your replies, thank you very much for your help.
  10. Thank you Keith for your reply. Have downloaded what looks like a good app to keep track of battery information (VictronConnect) so we've no excuse for not knowing what's going on with the batteries. I've read that some are upgrading their domestic battery banks by have more batteries, not less.... we just want to make sure, it's a big investment to get wrong.
  11. It's now become clear that the batteries are not holding their 'magic', after about 3 hours of cruising yesterday afternoon, they are now down to under 10V this morning. We've only had 2 laptops and a mobile phone charging up, and of course a bit of lighting last night. We're under our 3rd week of being the owners of our boat - and now we think it's the end of the line for our bank of 4 x 110A batteries. Yesterday we had 3 solar panels fitted, so we've got 'great expectations' despite the 'orrible' weather on the Coventry this morning. In just 4 hours of having them fitted, they managed to generate 90W into the batteries yesterday. We were advised to replace them with 3 x higher capacity batteries rather than 4 lower ones, reason being; the batteries will fair better being worked harder. We've been recommended: Victron Energy 12v 130Ah AGM Deep Cycle Batteries, and have been quoted £225 per battery. We're reading battery design life is 7-10 years (so in the greater scheme of things......) Wondering what the knowledgeable members of this forum think? Thanks for any feedback. Sorry guys, I've managed to post this 3 times..... internet kept dropping out so thought it hadn't 'gone'! Have reported my fault to the moderators.
  12. Quite right! Knowledge, common sense, and I'll add a touch of respectful courtesy to all boat users. Last week while on the Trent and Mersey we were backed up at a lock because a log had jammed in the gates, It was soon cleared, but not before a queue had formed, 2 boats in front of us and 3 behind, the last one being a working fuel boat. The working boat ran aground and was helped by the boaters at the end of the queue. We took a vote to let the working boat through first, the skipper was so pleased and he gave us all a free packet of firelighters.... it was great! A nice warm feeling was had by all!
  13. All great ideas and of course I feel your commiserations.... Everyday I'm finding things that are now no longer needed, such as a spirit level, found this out when putting up a double and a single wall cabinet in the bathroom - what a useless piece of equipment that is now! Can really identify the comment made about how a legacy can be a millstone for generations, my husband (and HE'S blaming me for hoarding) has brought on board a heirloom of a full Royal Doulton tea set left to him by an old aunt. I'm scared of using it, so it's packed away, taking up quality and precious space under the dining seat. This this will get packed off soon to his sisters, and I can't wait. I've been ridiculed for bringing my mother's industrial sewing machine on board, complete with it's own walnut cabinet. This baby will sew through anything, so at least there's scope for that earning its place onboard.
  14. We've just ordered a new chimney from http://www.littlechimneycompany.co.uk I like supporting canal traders.
  15. Notice you have a small dog so you should be ok, when we were looking there's no way our dog would jump onto a trad, it appeared he didn't feel there's enough room to 'land'. I've had this confirmed by a broker who says that larger dogs are nervous of the smaller area. Guess this depends on the dog. We like the semi trad because I think it's safer for our boy. But then, we're still novices. I'll go along with those who say the boat will choose you!
  16. No, it's a normal navy coloured 50ft cruiser (hope my memory is correct). As you enter the Ashby from the Coventry, it's moored to the right just after the very narrow entry. It's moored on an eroded bank where animals can drink.
  17. At around lunchtime, on the Ashby, Bridge 1, just by the junction to the Coventry, an unmanned boat blocked the narrow bit that leads from the Ashby to the Coventry. Previously we've seen this boat moored up on the opposite side to the towpath, for what seems to be months now. We approached from the Ashby, and noticed the drama up ahead where a couple of 'walkers' were trying to rescue the boat! Luckily another boat which had just turned on the Ashby from the Coventry managed to nudge the 'runaway' towards the 'rescuers'. We did ask if they needed our help, but they said they were okay. As the bank where the boat was moored looks badly eroded, I'm not sure how safe the boat is moored, so please be aware. Well done the boat that nudged it, and well done the 'walkers'! The man said it's all good training for him as he's hoping to get a narrowboat next year, while his wife/girlfriend/partner said the drama has put her off their dream
  18. Seriously thinking of painting above the gunnel panels inside the boat. The panels are are satin varnished ash veneer which have aged into a 'golden' shade. I'd like to paint with an off white eggshell type of paint, which hopefully a thin coating will cover the wood, yet let the 'grain' of the veneer show through. I'm looking to lighten up the inside a bit. Wondering if anyone has done this with good effect, or have done it, and now wished they hadn't.
  19. I'm sure most people who've decided to leave the 'land' know where I'm coming from. Having only been a live-aboard just 10 days; yesterday developed into a meltdown. The moment could be classed as one of those overdue 'spiritual' lessons. Our journey began with us taking possession of our 'new home' a week last Sunday from Longport on the Trent, where we sailed her to the Ashby, arriving on the Thursday. We had a fantastic time despite the hard work of learning many lessons, the experience was almost utopia! Then last Saturday everything changed, our 'downsized' possessions arrived, and it's caused us nothing but chaos and unhappiness since. We soon found a good local charity where we donated the results of yet another 'downsize', and I fear there's yet another 'downsize' in the offing. It was during my 'meltdown' that I realised that these possessions were causing nothing but misery and unhappiness. FGS why do I need the trinkets picked up from past holidays, such as my name in hieroglyphics which used to hang on a wall? Do I really need 4 changes of bed linen; 6 saucepans when there's only 4 burners on the hob; the volumes of clothing that 'I hope' to fit into once again? Do I really rate myself by the amount of possessions I have? Rant over, and phew..... feel so much better!
  20. Can sympathise... Here's a good link https://www.vetinfo.com/ways-stop-dog-snoring.html Who knew that a dog sleeping on a round bed might not snore so much?
  21. We were just talking about this. This is our first week as CCs; we picked our boat up at Longport on the Trent last Saturday, and started cruising Sunday morning, we had to reach the Ashby by this weekend. We did it in 4 wonderful exhilarating days and have never slept so much! We've discovered muscles we never knew we had, we're sunburnt, chilled, and very happy. Last night we went to bed at 8.30pm, and didn't wake until 7 this morning! Never been this early to bed for yonks! We're sleeping like babies - and long may this continue as we're both looking really fit and healthy. Years have dropped off!
  22. Greyhounds I understand don't moult? When you've a very hairy GSD who appears to moult just once a year lasting 365 days, a dog that doesn't moult sounds fantastic. Our GSD has anxiety issues as well, and we've been thinking about getting a rescue greyhound to help calm him and be a companion... but I'm not sure. A whippet might suit us better?
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