Gordon Chesterman

With the family down below in the warm and dry as I stand on the back in the rain steering, I'm looking for a 12volt telephone/intercom system so that I can call them on deck with lock handle, a cup of tea or another biscuit. Are there any 'off the shelf' systems you can recommend? It needs to be idiotproof, waterproof and childproof and easy to install. Thanks, Gordon

Dear All, I was just about to wreck beautiful plywood lining to thread wires behind and then spend Sunday afternoon putting it all back together, when I struck upon the idea of using a tape-measure - the metal type that rolls up in its metal case. Simply attach the wire to the end or the meaure using masking tape, push the tape up behind the wood to the point you want the wire. Easy, it even goes round corners. Gordon

Dear All, A freight train carrying gravel has derailed on a bridge over the River Ouse a mile south of Ely and dumped a couple of trucks and a few thousand tons of stone in the river. Further details here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambrid...ire/6229906.stm I'll let you know when boats are allowed through - but I guess that it'll take some time clearing this lot on a single track line away from any road. Gordon

If you are looking for someone to deliver your boat for you, for whatever reason, I can recommend a couple who delivered my new 45 footer for me from Rugby to Ely in the Fens. A retired policeman and his policewoman wife. They did an excellent job, had a great time themselves and only accepted beer money and 'out of pocket' expenses. Let me know if you want to get in touch with them. Regards, Gordon

Fortunately we don't have any of these lock things around here, all far too flat, 87 miles of river without a single lock! Gordon in the Fens

Sorry, me again, busy fitting out a 45ft boat. Just installing a wash hand basin and will discharge the waste water through a hole in the side of the hull. I've had a look on this newsgroup and also the Boat Safety Scheme publications but can find no mention of the recommended minimum height above the waterline that a waste water discharge hole should be. Any suggestions/advice? I want to get it right before drilling holes and upsetting any inspectors or surveyors at a later date. Thanks, Gordon

Ha! If it works for banger racing, it'll work for my narrowboat banger racing - now I just need to knock out the headlamps and windscreen! ...narrowboat banger racing...? now there's an idea!!! Thanks, Gordon

About 20ft out and 20ft back again - I'll use 22mm copper tube, as you suggest. It'll have a nice straight run (under the gunwhale) Thanks, Gordon

Thanks for your advice about the bulkheads - now working on the plumbing. I've got a 45 footer and want the shower in the middle of the boat with a calorifer supplying the hot water. Is it OK to site the calorifer 20ft from the engine in the shower room? It has twin coils, so it will be equidistant between the solid fuel stove and engine. This 20ft distance won't harm the engine, will it? Cheers, Gordon

Many thanks for these helpful replies. I started today on stud walling (2x2) and will line it out with tounge and grove planks. The simple reason (nothing to do with boating, though!) is that large panels of plywood wouldn't fit onto my roof rack from the builders merchant! Thanks again, Gordon

Just starting to fit out a narrowboat. What is best for the internal walls/bulkheads - one big piece of one inch thick plywood or start with a wooden framework and then thin wood lining on each side ending up with hollow walls? Any thoughts/suggestions? Cheers, Gordon