Jonkx

I'm a cruiser stern so I'm afraid it's easy to get in an nab the batteries. So some form of increased security, locking deck panels etc, is next on the list. As well as new batteries...

Not a nice post to write, but when I got back to my boat yesterday near Atherstone I found the batteries had been stolen. All 3 domestics plus the starter. I was moored near the bottom of Atherstone Locks, close to Bradley Green. Annoying, obviously and expensive as someone felt entitled to my batteries. Thank you to the very kind boaters nearby who tried to help me, and offered encouragement. Special thank you to Tony from Starline Boats who very kindly came out with a replacement starter battery, so I could get moving. As an added bonus, I managed to step in a dog turd mooring later on in the day in Atherstone. I'm looking forward to the spell of good luck... Anyways, please be warned.

I used Peter Tindall, from Derby not Cheshire but he was willing to travel there, and I thought he was good. Can message you contact details if required.

Thanks alot for helpful advice.

Thanks alot for all the replies. Are the visitor moorings 48 hour?

I expect to get shot down, so sorry for asking, but having gone past on the train a few times and seen boats that appear to be moored in the occasional longer spaces between locks on this flight, I'd ask, is this permissable? ie acceptable, within CRT rules and an okay thing to do? If not, I won't. Thanks in anticipation. Jon

Ah, think I've found it... https://www.boatpaint.co.uk/acatalog/Hempel-Hempadur-4514.html :-)

Thanks, have you any ideas where it's supplied? I seem to be drawing a blank on Internet searches. Did you have your boat done with this recently, or if you've had your boat out of the water since, how had it performed? How many years has it lasted so far? Thanks again

Hi, I'm planning to get my narrowboat hull grit blasted and protected with a 2 pack epoxy coating. Can anyone recommend a suitable product that is available? I had heard that epoxy coating products are getting harder to find due to environmental reasons, but can't confirm that. My google and keyword searches here and elsewhere have so far been fruitless, but maybe I just need to search harder! In the meantime, thanks in anticipation.

Thanks for the advice.

Can anyone recommend a company or individual for installing a new stove in my narrowboat? Ideally someone you've used yourself who did a good job, took care of everything and everything worked! Thanks in anticipation. Currently Midlands based and will be heading south on the Grand Union come the spring.

Although bizarrely when you get the permit it says this permit must be on clear display on your boat...

I got a Rulepro 900 off t'internet as it seemed to come up on searches alot and chandler's sold it. Has float switch in it. Needs a fuse between it and battery. Takes about 3 cm of water in bilge before it gets going; prior to that it seemed to struggle to pump out anything. However it does now seem to be working, in that every now and then it starts up by itself and pumps a load of water out. Not wired in manual switch yet, as I've not got an, err, switch.

Many thanks. I'd mostly be looking to run the engine every couple of weeks for an hour to keep batteries topped up etc, so sounds like it won't be an issue. Having checked the antifreeze levels in the coolant. Does draining the radiators and the domestic hot water system in itself drain the hot water tank and domestic water part of the calorifier (for want of better wording)? Thanks again.

How would I know if the radiators contain antifreeze? Are they normally on a separate system to the hot water? Not sure how I'd drain the calorifier, which may be the next question...

Hi, I'm asking newbie question here, having spent a couple of hours searching, as about to have my first winter owning a boat, not living aboard, and want to learn how to winterise... So, when you drain the central heating system radiators, does this drain the hot water tank and/or calorifier? I've read different views on whether to drain the calorifier or not, it appears some don't bother and just drain the radiators, run the taps until empty and leave open, after switching off water pump and having drained cold water tank. And, if you drain the calorifier, is it still okay to run the engine, as (stupid question ahead) isn't it connected to the engine coolant system? Thanks in advance for helping someone new to this.

Hi, I thought I'd give an update after a few weekends cruising. When I got back to the boat, it still had 12.2v showing on the display and amazingly the electrics seemed to be still running. I started the engine and ran it for a day and, touchwood after several weekends on it and weeks or fortnight's away in between, I've always had enough power when I've got back. Maybe the batteries are better than I thought, or as others suggested, the fridge kicked out once the voltage dropped a bit. Anyway thanks for all the advice. It's always daunting when something goes wrong and you're new to it. Will keep seeing how things go and if one day the batteries need replacing, so be it. Cheers

Thanks and yes, that's good advice. Cheers Jon

Seems to be around 11.4 volts if the digital meter is correct.

Thanks, yes have a separate (new) starter battery on a separate circuit / twin alternator. I think the domestics are a reasonable make, possibly sealed, but I just can't remember. Something the lad who serviced it said. Yes I need to learn more!

When I bought the boat, I suspected I might need to replace the batteries - I don't know the age to be honest, the boat is 13 years old but I think the previous owner replaced them in the last 6. However thus far they seem to lasted, I generally charge them for a good day - 5 to 7 hours - and just use them for an evening, lights and maybe the radio. The meter which I've had checked seems to indicate above 12 volts by the morning. But we'll see. It's a 3 hour trip each direction up to the boat. Could go Thursday night, or wait till the weekend, and see if I need new batteries.

Thanks, again, for all your advice. Especially those who've helped me before. Its very much appreciated. Cheers Jon

Thanks. It's sounding like I need to try and get back there sooner of possible. What's the likely maximum time they'll last?

So I managed to leave my boat in too much of a rush last night and forgot to switch the electrics off. The boat has 3 x 110 Amp hour domestic batteries, which at the moment are powering a 12 volt fridge. I don't know the makes, but both are probably about 6 years old. I'm not planning to be back on the boat before Saturday. Will the batteries be completely killed by then?

Thank you! I like this advice :-)