Clodi

Let's face it we need the public's support it's not a case of us and them..

The point I was making in my original comment was that, using London as an example, boaters chimneys are easier to spot therefore easier to prosecute. It has been fashionable amongst city-dwellers to install wood-burners to go along with the stripped floorboards and other trimmings of the well-heeled home-owner who slavishly follow the fashion trends of the period. Mostly the smoke emitting from these residences is largely unnoticeable amongst the diesel and other fumes from the street. Whilst those who jog, dog-walk, stroll or bike-ride along the tow-path & those living next to canals are more likely to object to loads of smoke coming from a narrow-boat chimney. I bear no prejudice, indeed I come from a decidedly middle class background (complete with stripped floorboards) .

I should add not only do we have wood-burners in our homes we usually have an AGA range-cooker

As easy as a pre-predudiced view. They are easy to spot as they mostly cannot afford to live in expensive areas and in many cases cannot afford their own homes to stick a wood-burner in.

Thing is when you're freezing your nuts off you'll burn anything to keep warm, whether you're on dry land or afloat. It's a stupid, ill thought out proposal which will end up with petty council officials penalising narrow-boaters because their chimneys are easier to spot than all the smug middle-class houses with non-compliant wood/multi-fuel fashionable burners.

Thank's to everyone who replied. I'm lucky as my starting point is 1/2" marine ply & I just want to improve the style & grab a few extra inches below the gunnels. I'm certainly going to enjoy reading butty hamptons story. Funny enough regarding old houses we live in one and our scullery is lined in very old t&g which I've just convinced my wife needs to be modernised. I just hope she doesn't see this and realise why I'm taking such care preserving the wood and not sticking it in the skip.

Who are you talking about, I'm worried as my surname is Richards and I don't think I moan that much

I think I saw 'Johno' on YouTube has done that. I must admit I have thought of using that. We have some aquaflex totally waterproof flooring in our bathroom and I thought of using it on the inside face of my semi-trad above the locker seats (if you know what I mean,. Each panel is about a quarter inch thick with an air gap so has great insulating properties. I haven't heard anything good about thin t & g.

I too want to thank all who have shared their knowledge. Matt&Jo I too am actually looking to install solar + batteries, monitors etc so will let you know if I find any bargains. It's all a bit of a nightmare as so many people will tell you their views and it's hard to find consensus (sometimes). Whatever I end up with I'll be posting on the forums for opinions before I part with my limited dosh.

Not sure if this has been discussed as I can't find a way to search. On youtube I have seen various boaters using either MDF! or the thin t&g pine to panel their cabin walls. My question is, is it any good? Our boat has spray foam then half inch ply finished in a tasteful farrow and ball. As I'm making alterations I'm wondering about facing the ply with the thin stuff to improve the look and make it, in my opinion, look better.(I think mdf is the work of the devil btw.) has anyone used the thin ply?

https://www.bimblesolar.com/ seem to be highly recommended. I'm going to give them a try (I think)

I've got a Vitara S as well, just connect your phone to the car, it's easier with a cable but bluetooth is OK as well

I've got a brand new Suzuki and the sat-nav is crap. Fortunately the car 'screen' can also display my smartphone so it's Waze all the way from now on.

I've had wooden boats in the past and, as advised, don't take her out until you have a good idea of what's needed. Look to the Dutch for advice as they have many old wooden vessels in daily use. Only keep her out whilst any underwater/hull necessary work is carried out as prolonged drying out can cause more problems. Good luck and enjoy the experience, I'm jealous as my wife has made me give up my tools so I have to settle with a new steel 'sailaway'.

We own moorings on the Great Ouse and most of the (older boats there) don't, some don't even have an automatic bilge pump ! As for the Uno in summer, That depends on a lot of variables including the boats insulation etc. We lived very comfortably with the Rayburn which was an older model and gave off a lot more heat than equivalent versions. I haven't definitely sorted the solar/battery combination yet. Whatever I like the look of I shall be begging advice and reassurance on the forums. I hope to find a good deal at Chirk but know a fool and his dosh are easily parted which is why my wife guards my debit card. Must admit I'm tempted to go down the Lithium route, or I may just buy cheap lead/acid hoping lithium batteries come down in price before they die. But that's for another question.

I'm grateful for all comments & your views and comments are very helpful, it's interesting hearing what works or doesn't for some people, for example the Halogen Hob, why won't it work in the summer months when there (hopefully) will be a surplus of solar energy going spare? As for 'Careful, you’ll be accused of criticising the OP' , please don't worry, I'm not accusing anyone of criticising my ideas, indeed all opinions are most welcome. However what suits one person may not suit the next, it doesn't mean that only one way is right. I'm not really worried about future resale value either, in fact the lack of gas on board a boat is a tick in favor in my book.

Thank you for an honest answer to my original question. It always amuses me how people's first reaction is to criticise anything 'different' to their norm'. Forty years ago we were criticised for opting to live 'afloat' and inland boaters basically could be split into 2 types, the 'shiny' boat type and the others, allowing for all sorts of wonderful eccentricities along the way, sadly, like society in general anything our open mindfulness & tolerance of 'difference' is disappearing.

I should add that there will be a small wood-burner as well, I cannot imagine not having a burner in any dwelling we live in.

The hob idea was given to me by the gurus over on the 12v boating group, mind yo I already have used the system on a converted library bus in sunnier climbs. Cymru am byth ??

I suspect you haven't experienced using modern diesel cookers, it really isn't any bother, plenty of vessels and homes use them, you won't find gas cookers on yachts. I've always used gas alarms, in fact I'm surprised that given the danger they're not required as part of the BSS. Still at least they've put a stop to the gas fridge Plenty of people use Eberspacher heating, it's not as bad as you think

I can assure you all it's not a wind-up. Gas leaks in caravans and motorhomes are bad enough but there's usually a drop-out vent in the floor for the gas to escape. Obviously there are no drop-out holes in a boats hull so the gas sits in the bilges. When we've had gas on our boats I fit a bubble meter and a gas alarm. But I acknowledge there are millions of portable gas appliances in daily use in boats, but there is a risk and I choose to not risk it if I don't have to. There was another Gas Explosion only the other day.

My reason for being adverse to gas is simple. Many years ago on the river Great Ouse I was unlucky to witness a fatal accident on a neighbouring vessel caused by a bilge full of gas set off by the 3way fridge. I've since had and used gas fittings on boats where they have already been part of the inventory and fitted bulk gas on motorhome van conversations. However being lucky enough to find myself fitting out a new build I really don't want to go down the gas route. We've lived with an always on solid fuel Rayburn onboard before so are quite aware of the ' pitfalls' in summertime but the Uno doesn't have to be on all the time &I intend to use a Halogen hob to take advantage of solar. I look on it as an Eberspacer plus kind of thing?

We're just starting fitting out our new (to us) sailaway and, having both had and been around boats for my entire life I definitely do not want any gas aboard. I'm very tempted to fit a Heritage Uno which would provide in addition to cooking,central heating and hot water along with calorifier . Has anyone any experience of this range?