Barge Maria

I agree that this is pragmatic, and most likely what I would have done....but.......if you explode your insurers may not agree when they realise that you live aboard and enquire as to what basis the gas test was carried out! Just a thought. People moored adjacent may not be too happy either when their (and your) claims on your insurer fail. Just saying, like.....

Tanya are generally good in my experience. Also try CPC Batteries, speak to Dave or Justin. www.cpcbatteries.co.uk I have no link to them, just a satisfied customer '

Butternut squash chips are also good. Thanks for this recipe though, will try it. Tim

Try www.maps.me, a useful (and arguably more detailed) alternative to Google Maps.

CT1? Claims to do everything and I have found it useful on the barge.

Try screw hooks in the floor either side and a ratchet strap over the top to hold it down. Works for us.

Nicknorman took the words out of my mouth.... or fit solar?

I use a NASA 12 volt 10W just for my genset starter battery on Maria. They are more expensive but are flexible and can be walked on so may be of interest. Here is the NASA link but try Force 4 Chandlery as they always seem to be lower priced (I have no link with them). http://www.nasamarine.com/proddetail.php?prod=Solarpanel

But you were thoughtful enough to offer thanks here Pete which says a lot about you. Good luck with your boating mate.

Mr Murrell... there are a couple of Gardner specialists in the DBA Suppliers Directory!! Regards Tim

Assuming the ply is dry Jo, and not damp/rotten, I would have thought any good quality wood filler would do the trick. Allow to thoroughly dry then sand back to make smooth. I have learned from experience that you do need to smooth off well otherwise when painted you will see where you filled it!

Was struggling to think of a food idea for tonight. I shall give that a go. Thank you.

Adam the Victron manual gives details about where to install and the cables to use (mine does anyway). You seem to have a thing about it being noisy. Mine is silent but it can get warm so a small boxed enclosure is possibly not a good idea. Tim

Thank you both for sharing these. Great stuff. Well done!!!!

We have the larger Centaur charger on Maria. Very happy with it BUT it doesn't have an equalisation setting sadly. More upmarket Victrons do. Not a biggie, but be aware of that point. They can charge 3 batt banks at once so quite versatile. Tim

The Dutch use a 50/50 mix of linseed oil and Owatrol. The inside of my hull is done with it and its very effective.

Thanks you Betty. A friendly , human response. Respect.

I accept that and acknowledge that I answered hastily. Many boats will be licensed even though they appear not to be. I have been there myself. However, based on the somewhat nonempirical figures given, statistically there must be a few who aren't licenced and her bottom line (I think!) is that particular point.

She has a point though do you not think?

O God I cringe as I type this but without punctuation your question is at best confusing. I promise I don't mean to be rude. ☺ can you elaborate a bit?

Hi Stephen and Kate, I lived in Worcester for 21 years and kept a boat there. The river is quite OK to moor on provided that there is not a rain deluge forecast. I think you will be OK for a few days. The race course moorings are OK but don't moor under the footbridge. The city might send a minion round for a few quid fee....then again they might not!! The alternative is to lock up onto the Worcs/B'ham canal and use the visitor moorings. The locks are large and the gates heavy, but as you're going to do this anyway it might be worth it. There are visitor moorings plus water and pump out. Easy access to the city etc. I loved living there and hope you enjoy it. To enter the locks off the river do NOT try to turn straight in to the lock, rather go past, turn (plenty of room) and then go on to the the lock pontoon. Enjoy. Tim

There are a couple around Bruges Andy, where I moor my barge for the winter. I think some of the tech guys at the Bombardier factory down the road from me use them to zip around. They are VERY low to the floor when you stand next to one. No one turns a hair when they go by and they can use the cycle lanes legally (as can low powered mopeds over here). Makes sense if the infrastructure is there to keep them away from cars. BTW we can also cycle the "wrong" way down most one-way streets - makes huge sense.