[Gas-free boat … any good for Constant Cruising]

Gas free boats tend to have acres of solar and big battery banks. This one really does not!

[BSS renewal]

Mine expired last year when I left the exam a bit late, then failed needing a new gas hob.  Sourcing and fitting a new one, boat gas safe engineer, retest.  I contacted CRT and they weren’t bothered. Just said to keep in touch and get it sorted ASAP. In the end I think we were 2 or 3 weeks over. But very good point about the insurance. 
 

[Government Decision, but C&RT fight to overturn it]

All this really proves is how very little 50M is in terms of govt spending. King Charles’ coronation also cost more than the annual CRT grant. I am a Royalist. But FFS. Its not a lot of money in those terms. 

[Government Decision, but C&RT fight to overturn it]

I go up to Birmingham by train. The service is ok. Given a choice of saving the entire canal network, or getting to Birmingham 1/2 hour quicker?  Never understood why HS2 represents value for money….

[Government Decision, but C&RT fight to overturn it]

I like that. Cancel HS2. I can handle an extra 1/2 hour to get to Birmingham. And I’m actually one of the commuters who would benefit from the new services!  Give all the money to CRT 😀

[Mushroom Vents leaking]

Great minds… 👍

though the BSS inspector did tut at me and I took it off for him!

 

[BMC 1.5 alternator replacement]

This. Fitted my 1.5 BMC and works well.  Quick delivery too.
 

 

 

Obviously you can change the pulley, etc. over from your current unit if different. 

[Government Decision, but C&RT fight to overturn it]

12 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

C&RT have conducted surveys to assess the number of liveaboards - the problem being as many are "keeping under the radar", they lie and the true figures are masked.

I’d hazard a guess that almost 50% of long term moorers are actually live-a-boards from what I’ve seen. As you say “keeping under the radar”. No one seems to care. 

[Government Decision, but C&RT fight to overturn it]

6 minutes ago, dmr said:

Yes, every time we go past a marina full of new posh boats I do think "these good folk are subsidising my lifestyle". A lot of people hire boats, and there are a lot of gongoozlers, the narrowboat is even more iconic than the London Bus (Routemaster), I think we will be ok, though the routemaster has gone 😀i

I also think this. The holiday business is huge, and those posh boaters arent short of a couple of quid.  Not at all convinced this is the end. 

[Buyer beware!]

I’ve read through this. And unless Ive missed something really obvious, it seems to be a case of read before you sign. If you are not prepared to pay a non refundable deposit, why are you paying it?  I work in a business where we challenge contracts and understand exactly what we just signed. In private life I do the same. 

[Government Decision, but C&RT fight to overturn it]

8 minutes ago, dmr said:

I can't deide, boating and liveabard boating is really growing but a lot are entitled selfish folk, not the hardcore fanatic boaters of a few years ago. Will the new people on their £200,000 widebeams want to get their hands dirty and fix the canals?  and now we have the cyclists who are more interested in the fast tarmac surface and see the water, boats and bridge 'oles as a problem that needs modernising/removing. It could go either way. Proper boaters are dying out 😀

Hit the nail on the head I think. But then does it matter?  I’m a hooby boater with a cheap project boat. But those guys at Crick with the 200k widebeam might be our saviours. What will they do if there is no where to float their mansion?

[Removing instant gas water heater]

I will get in my car and collect it from you if only I could find someone prepared to fit it. I know, you have seen my previous posts and are probably bored, but not given up just yet. Lol. 

[Government Decision, but C&RT fight to overturn it]

I may have rose tinted specs, but I just dont see this.  Canal Boating is bigger than its been for years. Holidays and private owners. Then we have the tow path enhancements and the new marinas. Its a p@ss take surely?

 

[Tonic required. Send in your photos of what is nice on the waterways now.]

Thank you!  And that is where I bought her 6 years ago at Aylesbury 😎👍

[Removing instant gas water heater]

On 09/11/2022 at 18:15, Paloma Bob said:

 

By any chance would you be selling the Rinnai water heater ?

 

Hey Paloma Bob. I know you have a trade going with these older open flue units. Ive got an 80s narrowboat that might well have been fitted with one, or a Morco or Paloma, but wasn’t. I could buy one, from you probably!  But do you know of anyone who can retro fit one?  
Thanks if you can help. Jak.  
 

[Government Decision, but C&RT fight to overturn it]

Not looking forward to this. if licence and CRT moorings are to be increased to cover funding gaps, then I for one  won’t be able to afford to keep my boat 😢

[Why I like working from home...]

Me too. See my office 😎

 

[Tonic required. Send in your photos of what is nice on the waterways now.]

Here we are, taking on some water in the sun. I am off camera enjoying a cold beer 😀

lovely day for it…

 

 

[Pram cover cost]

A grand + for a cratch or two for pram cover. I was disappointed as I did fancy a cratch. Can’t say the same about a pram cover.  I thought that was pricey for some canvas and poppers. But guess I’m just one of @MtB’s tight boaters 😱.

[Dear Newcomer To The Forum]

I’ve left the Marina for the first time.  We moored up for the night and all the lights have gone out. Except for one red flashing one and there’s a loud buzzing noise. Help!!

[Mushroom Vents leaking]

2 hours ago, David Mack said:

Yes. At least you will then know where the water is rather than having it running behind the lining and doing goodness-knows-what damage.

If it is a regular problem you could always hang a bowl under the vent to catch the water.

^^^^^^ this, exactly what I did to prevent an occasional damp bed!

[Looks like my batteries have died]

29 minutes ago, Rob-M said:

Our Numax leisure batteries are coming up to 10 years, the other purchase was another Numax battery ssca starter.

Wow. I was happy with 6 years. Then a major issue. The bank stopped holding charge and there was a nasty rotten eggs smell. I’ll admit I was impressed to get that far with basic cheap sealed led acid batteries. So I replaced all 3 with the same batteries. If I get the same performance over the next few years I’ll be very happy!

 

[Looks like my batteries have died]

4 hours ago, Rob-M said:

I've purchase Numax batteries a couple of times from Tayna, they normally have some sort of deal on multiple purchases.

I’ve done the same. The 1st set lasted 6 years 👍

[Crick show reports?]

Well I went. Chatted to some traders, chatted to some boaters, met some of the boating youtubers, looked at some expensive boats, looked at some interesting old boats, bought some tat, drunk some beer, ate some overpriced food, enjoyed the live band and froze on the campsite. Overall a good day out 👍

 

[Charging start battery from MPPT]

Well that told me then!  The Halfords panels are tiny things. Just designed to keep a car battery topped up if you don’t use it much. No controller needed. I’ve had it a few years and it’s doing a good job so far.