-Jack-

Did you not read my original posting on this matter? I stated " lived aboard for two years" that did include 2 winters Enough said. You obviously have doubt about my input so I won't waste my valuable time any longer.

Yes. I used to be a boat builder but we built this particular wide beam with double glazed windows for ourselves. Then realised the interest and potential profit - so took the money BTW I'm also now confused. I don't understand why whether I built boats professionally or otherwise has any bearing on the practicality or suitability of fitting double glazing window units in canal boats. I also doubt whether many people are the final buyer. I guess most boats are sold many times during their floating life. So, what difference " you were not the final buyer" make ?

It was a local supplier , unfortunately I can't remember their name. They were fitted with stainless screws and set in a black rubberised solution. Obviously fitted on an absolutely flat part of the cabin side ie no curvature at all. Screwed to wooden battens surrounding the inside of the window openings.The size I seem to remember they were made to standard n/b window openings 36 x 21". A few window profiles were studied as the main thing was to get a profile with a decent lip on the outside. We had no problems with flexing whilst living aboard and we also did have a few 'contact sport' moments. The purchaser seemed very happy with the installation as his friends kept appearing wanting 'how to' information. We think they were top hung. Aesthetically people thought the boat looked great. Proved by the fact the boat sold within 2 weeks of advertising at a very nice profit

We built a new wide beam and fitted some household double glazing units, made to the right size in brown/mahogany look. Absolutely brilliant. Lived aboard two years - no condensation. Lovely and toasty onboard in the winter. The only problem we found was to make sure they are shut before entering a lock as there was no top hoppers. Not a problem once you know ..

Great idea, now recommendations please for a 55ft cruiser stern narrowboat. What size and make of auto bilge pump to buy? What size and make of solar panel to buy? Info appreciated. Jack

Wow, that sounds easy and something I can understand. I should be on board mid-week and I'll have a look. Thanks Jack Hi Colin, It's not the hob ignition that's the problem - I light the hob with a 'gas match' when no power available. It's the oven. It will not ignite without it's internal 240v fan working. I suppose it's some kind of safety feature.

Thanks for your very quick response. Yes, I think you are correct about the Victron boosting the shore power if needed and it is also charging the batteries. The builders have confirmed that there is no by-pass switch and they might think about fitting one in the future! If the inverter does fail I'd just like to be sure I can still have 240v shore power available on board. Preferably by flicking a switch to by-pass the inverter.

Our builders have fitted a Victron 1600 inverter which seems to work fine. But when plugging into shore power I cannot get power from the boat's power points without the inverter being switched on. I understand the inverter senses the shore power and therefore diverts it to the power points. But, if the inverter was broken or damaged etc it seems I cannot get shore power on the boat. Is it possible to have the shore power available by by-passing the inverter? If so, please explain in simple terms how to do it and advise me if I'm breaking some safety regulation etc?. BTW - the builders also installed a belling gas oven which will not work without a 240v supply, due to an inbuilt fan. So, on the cut, if no inverter - no oven! Doesn't seem very practical to me, but the same ovens are being sold by MC etc. The builder hadn't realised the problem .

Here! Here! . You couldn't have put it better Norman. I have only recently joined but I can see from reading current and past postings , that a few self opinionated people are currently destroying the previous friendly helpful attitude of this forum. Lets hope they don't switch to the other canal forum. Time for me to move on. That's the advantage of living on a boat " When you don't like the neighbours - untie, and move on " Unfortunately, there is also some very good and helpful friendly people on this forum. Lets hope they move on to the other forum and leave the A#@eholes behind to destroy each other

OK Carl. You are more knowledgeable than me regarding peeps 'rights' and probably you know a lot more than me about this European Court of Human Rights etc. That's no problem, fortunately, I will admit, I am not in a situation needing their assistance or information. Sorry you have no sense of humour Did you not notice I attached a lol to my final comments. It was not sarcastic, I was being a little light hearted. I sincerely aplogise if you feel my comment threatens your security in the community. I have more than double your boating experience - but what the heck as that got to do with it However, next time before abusing someones posting; please, think again. Please feel free to now have the last word. I have finished with this subject.

I know this is not a myth, urban or rural. Many years ago I worked for a Council in the Housing and Building Inspection dept. Have you only been boating 20yrs, still a junior

I understand the difficulty of getting planning permission for a residential mooring is due to previous misuse of the permission by a few people. If the Council give PP for a residential mooring you obviously become a resident in their area. Now, if your boat should sink they must re-house you. This fact was abused by some folks getting residential PP and then buying and living on a boat due to sink. When sunk they went to the Council saying " We've got no home you need to find me a council house". This was obviously being done on purpose, by a few, to circumvent the difficulty and waiting lists for council housing. The Councils realised that this was occuring, didn't want the housing liability and therefore residential permission became much more difficult. As often in life - A minority spoil it for the majority.

I believe the following works:- Catch one of the spiders Paint it red, white & blue. Tie it to your chair leg. This apparently frightens the other spiders away. I hope this isn't cruel to spiders as I don't want the RSPCA after me

I registered for info a while ago, I like to know what's going on and today I've just rec'd this email from BW :- You recently registered your interest in the forthcoming trial to tender BW mooring vacancies. This email is to let you know that work is continuing on the development of Waterscape.com which will host the tender processing system. Our best estimate of the 'go live' date for advertising the first vacancies for tender is mid to late September. We will stop using the existing waiting lists to allocate new vacancies approximately four weeks before this date. We will email you with more information about one week before the system goes live and again as soon as it launches. Kind regards Sally Ash

Cream decks and cabin tops equals headache and eyestrain is pure fallacy bordering on urban myth promulgated by non-sailors.. I have sailed thousands of miles crossing oceans and cruising towards the sun etc using yachts with cream painted decks and cabin tops. So have thousands of other yotties. The greater problem is reflection from the sails. . No headaches or eye strain sufffered. If you get a good pair of sunglasses for the occasional times you see the sun in the UK you'll suffer no problems; unless you suffer from other medical complaints. Experienced yotties actually prefer a cream non-slip deck than teak decks. Just make sure the paint is non-slip ( preferably one of the proprietry makes) as these are also non-gloss and therefore the will also reduce the sun's reflective glare. Cream decks look great - I've had one on a wide- beam; no probs .