Jak

And I have working well deck drains. Don't understand why I would want to have them welded up??

Can you not just seal it and leave it (after a thorough pump out)? I'm sure I read on here of people doing that. Personally I'm keeping mine. Simple dump though 80s unit, works well and not smelly!

Interesting. We will use for everything apart from drinking water or squash. Tesco value mineral water is really cheap. I won't drink tank water unless it's boiled. Boat is 30 years old and though the water looks n smells fine, doesn't seem worth the risk...

Thanks! The plastic feet are bonded to the roof with contact adhesive. I'm happy with the result too.

Yes. I'm sharing my 2x100w. Similar setup. Made the wooden brackets but also used some plastic ones. No holes were drilled

I'm using option 2 for 3 leisures. Easy to setup. A solar panel would do the job with the SOC while you are away. Same use as you with 200W. Works well.

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I planned to remove and replace myself, though it looks very tight and will have to figure out what else to remove to get to it. One of the terminals to the motor is a little lose, but I've struggled to get a spanner to it. Could this be the problem? I had assumed it was a brush or armature but you mention low voltage...

That sounds promising! Please PM me and let me know what you want for it

For the second time this weekend I've had to persuade the starter motor to work with a big spanner. So sounds like time for a replacement. Can any of you (I admit I'm thinking of Tony) help with a suggestion of the best replacement and where to get one? thanks in advance for your help as ever. Jak.

Thanks for this. I've mopped dry and tightened up the greaser. I know the rainwater gets on from the drainage channel under the access plate to the weed hatch. Design is cr*p and drain always getting blocked...

Now I'm confused. The only boat I've owned is my current 80s trad. The bilge is always wet. Either from rainwater or what I thought was 'normal' leakage from the stern gland when cruising (greaser seals it up fine when not running). Should I be aiming for a dry bilge somehow? How??

Yes, that's not right. In bright sunlight I've seen almost 20a from a pair of 100w panels when testing them in my garden prior to fitting...

Good luck to you and genuine best wishes. For me, I've loved the water ways for many years and always wanted a narrow boat. Nothing wrong with GRP but for us trad NB is a dream come true. And with a Squirrel to heat us, comfy double bed, proper kitchen and pump out bog she's a home from home. I worry how you will cope in such a small space and with such limited facilities. Ajax was built in the early 80s and as a 'project' boat my no means expensive. As you said already, each to their own, but for us it was only ever going to be a NB good thing as living out on the Aylesbury arm our locks are narrow. Just saying, there is a rich and beautiful history of our canal network and we prefer to enjoy it without a tupperware craft

I am moored online and have shared phone number with our neighbours. We all look out for each other which I thought was pretty normal. Surprised no one thought to contact you!

Thanks! There is an adjuster on the pressure switch. So I guess if I have problems at 30psi that's all I need to do?

Nothing is ever as easy as it seems. My Shurflo 20psi 10.8 litres per minute fresh water pump has gone south. I've dismantled and cleaned up but no joy. Fair enough though as it has been in service for many years so going to spend £50 on another. However there is no direct replacement. I've just had a new 20psi pump delivered but found it only delivers 7 litres per second. So damn ordered the wrong one. However the 10 litre version is now 30 psi. So what to do. There is no direct Shurflo swap. I don't want to drop flow to 7 litres as I'm powering kitchen, bathroom and shower and am happy with the flow as is. But if I order the 10 litre model do I need to worry about going up to 30psi? As usual I'm looking for an easy swap as the connectors, mountings and electrics are identical on the new ones. So thinking of returning it for the 10 litre 30psi but concerned if that's going to be to much for the pipework. Any thoughts??

Trad for me too. I've tried cruiser stern and on a big family sized boat it was good (9 on board) but enough room for me and Mrs Jak. Though TBH she's usually sat out on the bow with a Bacardi!

Lol. Ok many toilet posts. Never had a problem with the basic dump through pump out. Not a great deal to go wrong. The blu seems to keep on top, no nasty niffs here!

My vote to Wvern too. On the GU at Leighton Buzzard. A top hirer. Choice of North up past Milton Keynes, or South towards London. Perhaps trying the narrow Aylesbury arm on the way.

I'm getting on ok. Can see the latest posts, search for info and see topics. Maybe I'm simple but works well 4 me thanks.

For the gas you need someone certified for marine bottled gas intstallations. I found this hard. Rang a guy who was listed as capable and he told me though he had the qualification he had never used it! So far as new vs used? iMHO I'd buy a boat that a PO has lovingly fitted out to a good standard. Find someone genuine you can trust. Older cheaper boats are good so long as properly cared for. Still plenty of opportunities to put your own stamp on. Just my thoughts.

Good news. Be sure to post up some pictures. Where will you be cruising?

I've travelled from London to MK on the GU. Some narrow bridges that must be tight for a fat boat, but you will be ok. For me I'll stay narrow. Some of the best canals for scenery , wildlife and peacefulness are narrow boats only I'm afraid

If you ask for advice then you should be prepared to receive it! This forum is best for finding out all the mistakes everyone else has made over the years and maybe avoiding them? If you don't want the advice then don't ask!! We have spent months upgrading Ajax - and where do you recon we went for ideas and experiences? Should be constructive criticism, and most of it is

Is it just me, or since I joined 7 months ago all of the new posters want to buy a live a board, most having no experience of the cut. I've always enjoyed boating and am proud that we own our own modest craft at last. Moored on-line on a busy towpath guess what the main topic is from passers by? Thinking of moving on to a narrowboat, but know very little about it, can you help? And I do from the limited experience I have and then point them to here. Does make me wonder if sometime soon the whole system is going to be clogged with people looking for a cheaper life that are put off by the other option "Park Homes". Maybe I should shut up, but I got here through a love of the inland waterways and a dream to one day own a boat. Not to find a cheap floating home.