pebble77

Okay. Good shout. Unfortunately though the batteries were sold to me 'brand new' from a boatyard where I was keeping the boat on hardstanding when it arrived. The other day the electrian informed me not only are they definitely used, but in poor condition so hey ho Oh and they charged me double what they would be new! 🥹 Many a lesson learned. I'll look into this. Thank you.

Ah that's a good idea. A small genny... I can't run the engine at the moment as its broken down and the leccy said the batteries aren't in good shape so maybe this is a solution for now. Always a useful thing to have too 👍🏻 I'll contact my electrian for advice on this. Thank you!

The boat is steel and insulated. My previous boat was grp. I have a webasto installed that came with the boat but the electrician said it's a powerful one and solar will not run it this time of year.

OK, lots of comments and good points. And a couple of, although well-meant, unfair assumptions. Specifically for blackrose and Mike; Thanks for your input. I actually was not planning to be on it over the winter. The flue was going to be installed in the spring due to some structural changes I was going to make before then and because I was doing it as a project while living somewhere else. Unfortunately circumstances have suddenly changed in my life and I am homeless apart from the boat. I did not forsee this happening. I would ask for a little more open mindedness and compassion before jumping to an assumption. Or better yet, if its not actually useful maybe dont comment at all? No one knows what is going on in other peoples lives and I am here for genuine practical advice during what is a really difficult time. Thank you to those that are genuinely trying to help. I will take another look further afield for a marina. Okay, thank you. Really good to know!!

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, so I'll leave the air heater then as I've only got a small solar panel. I've just arranged for someone to do the stove install but I'll won't be until mid January. Marina is not an option and I have no choice but to be on the boat full time. Paraffin heater any good?

Hi everyone I'm looking for advice on how to heat my small boat for the next few months without a stove. 😬 I don't have one on the boat and can't put one in yet for a couple of reasons I won't go into. Hot air heaters seem quite deisel intensive? Do I need a good solar set up to work them?? What other options are there? Any advice would be appreciated. 😊 TIA

Laurie, is that legal re BSS? Thanks, I will do but its more an issue about where the water has flowed into below where the fridge is. I'll include a picture later to give a better idea.

Hi all, thanks for the replies and sorry for the late response. I've removed the vents cleaned, sealed a crack that was doing most of the damage and replaced. I think things are better now. The only issue now is potential water damage/accumulation- directly below the vent is my 3 ring gas burner where the water was accumulating as it has a deep dip and I assume going down one of the rings(the one that doesn't work anymore). Underneath that is my fridge and everything is pretty built in solid- do I need to rip it out to assess damage? The floor next to the fridge feels a bit damp..😬🫣

Thank you Tony! Great advice. I will follow this exactly this afternoon, when hopefully the weather improves.

Hi all, Can anyone advise on how to deal with this leaking vent? It started dripping very badly about a month ago and is getting worse. And now the rain is coming! TIA

Thank you so much everyone! Fantastic advice. I'll update later 😄

So scatter it around and then ...? Do I add water?

Hi there I'm looking for some advice regarding cleaning my very oily and sludgey bilge. There was a leak in my gearbox seal so loads of oil (I means loads) and sea water had been marinating in the bilge for ages when I bought the boat. I have removed all the liquid, as much as I can anyway, (went to a recycling centre fyi) But now I'm left with a slimy dirty coating across the bottom and sides. What is best to remove this? I have some autoglym degreaser...? Any advice would be appreciated TIA

Yes I understand. Someone is coming to have a look and give me advice on it this weekend.

So the granite is a leftover piece of worktop. Does that mean it might be a composite and not fit for purpose? Ignore the above. The stove is on legs. My boat has never had a burner on so I have freedom of where to put it, with in reason.

That sounds amazing! 👌 Thanks so much for taking the time to write this. Really really useful Great idea! If the granite is too heavy I'm definitely doing this. So the granite is a leftover piece of worktop. Does that mean it might be a composite and not fit for purpose?

Hi, thanks for the replies. I would assume I'd have to tile on fibreboard if I was going that way. And it has to be raised a certain amount off the floor etc. I don't have the granite yet, I was going to pick it up tomorrow from Facebook marketplace tomorrow. But might wait and see if something a but thinner comes up.

Hi all So I am planning on installing a small multifuel on my boat soon and am making plans on building the hearth. I have the instructions about dimensions and air gaps etc etc but need advice on materials. I have been recommended using slabs of either slate or concrete or granite as an easy base for the stove to sit on. Is this the case? I have sourced a cheap slab of granite that is about 600 x 600 and 40mm thick... is this too heavy when combined with the stove on one side of the boat? I know I could tile but I was just thinking of doing that for ease and have fire board and tile on the wall behind after stove is in... any thoughts? TIA

Thank you both for replying. I totally know what you mean about it disrupting the line/look of the boat. That's a very good point. I was initially just planning on replacing the canvas but tbh, the main reason I'm thinking of wood is for security. I am a woman living on my own. Also for safety compliance reasons I need a houdini hatch put in the bedroom bit which would mean I would need to change the shape of the canvas anyway... Perhaps another option would be to raise the bedroom with back opening doors and have a new canvas. I have been quoted 2k to raise the bedroom and perhaps that will make it look a little less awkward than a blocky wheel house in the centre.. a new cover is around 1900 I've been told, so less that the 5-10k you mentioned.🤔 Thoughts? 😊

Hi everyone I am looking for advice regarding upgrading my cockpit cover and turning it into a wooden wheelhouse. I have included a picture that hopefully will demonstrate what I have in mind- the red lines are to show the area it would covere, with it stopping just as the back bedroom begins. Does anyone know roughly how much I might expect to pay for something this size? I'm on the k and a. Thank you

spoke too soon ! Cheshire cat- the interful sheet says As an economical coating ideally suited for the protection of interior steel surfaces in enclosed areas such as tanks for storage of sea water, immersed piping and structural steelwork. Suitable for use at low temperatures and over power tool cleaned steel where performance expectations are consistent with such preparation methods. Is this product often used for boats hulls or just interior steel structures? Because it would be good to have this as an option if for any reason it turns out i can't go down the epoxy route

Thank you for the link and info cheshire cat. Unfortunately I can't wait until spring arrives so I'm going to have to crack on with the epoxy myself but find the nicest mildest day I can. my surveyor has said I can do it myself at this time of year so I think I just have to trust that and do the best i can. and another friend of mine has just piped up saying he did his hull at this time of year so..🤞 I will let you know how it goes! Thank you to everyone for your advice 🙏

how warm should it be roughly for epoxy or bitumen ?

Definitely going to consider this thank you!

Sorry, I'n not sure I understand. are you saying you think I need to epoxy it at this time of year?