[Generator]

As soon as you can manage to i would recommend you fit solar panels . In summer my boat basically runs off the sun as theres a surplus of power ( on my boat at least ) . The fridge runs all summer , l& the beer is cold .

 

How much solar do you have Chubby?

[Breakdown cover?]

Much appreciated. I suppose the big difference is any experience I've had is with 4 and 8 cylinder petrol engines. Never had a reason to go anywhere near diesel. Mrs J doesn't understand but I want to get to know the boat and at least take care of any basic maintenance and repairs.

 

All advice very welcome, thanks.

[Breakdown cover?]

Thx Dave. I'm a reasonably competent 1980s/90s car mechanic, but this is our first narrow boat. I'm already learning a hell of a lot by reading the posts on here over the last couple of months. I'm tempted to take up a policy and then not bother renewing if managing ok...

 

Edit: will definitely be stocking up on some spares. Any tips, apart from the obvious I might guess from running old cars?

[Breakdown cover?]

What engine have you got?

The glorious BMC 1500 diesel.

[Breakdown cover?]

Thanks guys. Very helpful.

[Breakdown cover?]

My boat is working properly and has been / will be regularly maintained. But she's an old girl (1990) and I have been thinking about breakdown cover, which I always have on our cars.

 

I've heard people mentioning RCR and see they have various levels of cover. But wondered what other owners do in practice. Do you use any breakdown service and is it any good?

 

Thanks!

[Looking for a Handyman in Leighton buzzard]

Hi. I'm no handyman I'm afraid. But I am moored behind Tesco. Except this week when CRT advised us to move while they do some maintenance!

 

Cheers, Malcolm.

[Looking for a Handyman in Leighton buzzard]

Hi James. Are you moored behind Tesco in LB?

[Something Different]

Cheap to run as a live aboard. And CRT can't charge you for a license if it's parked on the towpath?

[RoadFi]

I have the EE version of the car WIFI stick that plugs into a 12v socket and am really pleased with it. Works on 4G and can even stream video on laptop without any interruption. Not that I would want to as on pay as you go it's not cheap to do! (Web and email fine).

[Keeping warm while winter cruising]

So gland to have bought a trad stern now. Chuck another log on the squirrel! Reminds me of an old convertible car and all the heat from the footwells.

[Bad Luck]

You will get there I'm sure. We have been very lucky. Started off with 40k in mind and fallen over a local boat with a genuine seller for half that. The full buyers survey giving confidence to go ahead. The right boat will find you

[Can I start ignition whilst charging starter battery?]

You may have a more significant leak. A properly sorted stem gland is not going to sink you. The PO left Ajax for months at a time. As suggested you need to look at the drip rate. Should only be a drip every few mins or something isn't right...

[Can I start ignition whilst charging starter battery?]

A small 'Leak' from here is normal afaik. It's certainly my been experience despite regularly doing the greaser. But this is a tiny amount of water and why we have bilge pumps. How long are you leaving the boat unattended?

[biscuit tin cooking]

I use a flameproof casserole dish and recommend Ultimate one-pot dishes by Alan Rosenthal:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-One-Pot-Dishes-delicious-one-pot/dp/0091960541/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479662539&sr=8-1&keywords=ultimate+one+pot+dishes

[What happens to boat speed in tunnels / shallow / narrow sections?]

Agreed Mike.

[What happens to boat speed in tunnels / shallow / narrow sections?]

Oh, and the man behind was quite possibly an impatient git. [/quote

 

I think this is the truth of the story.

[Solar panel security]

Hmmm. It's not near Aylesbury now, but anyone browsing my posts for a few mins could work out exactly where our mooring is

[Solar panel security]

Technology has moved on massively. I'm going to start off with 200w (2x100) as I'm all 12v and unless on a holiday cruise we only use her at weekends. Theory being the battery will charge up ove the week, assuming no one has nicked the panels!

[Solar panel security]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of bolting on, but as said they are easily unbolted....

[Solar panel security]

So I will be fitting solar panels (and new batteries) in the spring. I've seen the kits and it doesn't look like a hard job. But I'm worried the challenge might be keeping them. What practical stuff do people on here do to deter the theft of £300 worth of roof mounted panels?

[what is a battery regime ?]

Or buy cheap, charge as often as is possible without being anal and make sure you buy sealed for life so you never ever need to look at them again and bin em evry 2 or 3 years. It depends on wether you have " A life " or not

Tim

This is my sort of battery regime. Nice one!

[Changing Coolants]

Stupid question of the evening? I've bought "blue" from Halfords which they recon is the right stuff for the BMC 1500. But can I just top up with it or should I worry what the POs have poured in?

[Need advice]

Ouch. A lot of water damage to many components not designed to be immersed. If the marina are taking responsibility I'd be making a list for them of everything damaged.

[Custom made outside seating - any recommendations?]

I'd like to keep tabs on this thread and any recommendations as I am also about to make replacement locker lids and already Mrs J has said she wants similar waterproof cushions. So any experiences welcome...