Ewan123

I've seen a few around London (at least the Regents Canal and Lee Navigation), you might find some who have them on the London Boaters Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/73933281285/ They varied from looking pretty dismal to potentially cosy (good windows added, solar panels, even an extended platform over the stern for outdoor space). Although you've received a pretty strong reaction here, some good points have been made. Do check out the CRTs web pages about licensing, continuous cruisng etc.: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/boating/getting-afloat

Alde and solid fuel stove can both do the central heating, Morco is just for hot water on tap. We've only had the boat a couple of weeks, so can't really speak for why the choices were made, but it seems quite good. Only thing I'd add would be to enable the engine to do hot water via calorifier but previous owners assured me that wasn't set up as an option (though it is a skin-tank cooled engine).

Number 2 is what ours does (when heated by the connected mutifuel stove) if the pump hasn't started and the hot water isn't being circulated through the radiators. I know it's a bit different, but I'd make sure that the pump is definitely pumping the hot water around the radiator system.

Well, there's a very good reason that it looked nothing like what you'd expect - I'm a numpty and confused two nearby flues! This is actually a differentflue, for the Morco FE-11 gas boiler on the other side of the bulkhead from the Alde. Now I just need to see if I can get the top bit by itself, not the whole flue kit. @frangar (The Graham recommendation will still be handy, will be getting the Alde serviced soon anyway).

I did wonder whether that might be the case, thanks. Sounds like a full replacement (of the proper sort) is the way to go. I'll definitely be contacting Graham then! Thanks both, really helpful responses ?

We have an Alde Comfort 2928 and need to replace the flue cap, but I'm struggling to find much for sale. I'm also not sure whether we'd get away with just a replacement cap or need a whole new external flue (it looks like bits snapped off under previous ownership). This is what we currently have (minus the tin foil which normally covers the top when not in use...) Does anyone have any suggestions/good places to order from please? Tried Midland Chandlers without success. I can also see that new parts seem to have been discontinued by Alde.

I can't resist, forgive me: They do use latrines but will also drop single ones too, not always (though they often are) in a scrape. Latrines and singles can be well away from the sett as territory markers too. Texture-wise (I'll go into too much detail!) they are usually sloppier than that, though it can depend on what they're eating - I've seen some that are surprisingly dog-like. The real answer comes from the sniff-test. Nothing else has quite the same mustiness to it. Yes, I've spent way too many hours poking and sniffing badger dung ? One of the more glamorous aspects of my job. Quick edit: that all being said, I'd bet against badger in this instance too.

Interesting, I wonder why they found it so difficult to find (CRT, that is).

I recall someone posted a link to an ongoing FOI request relating to the first part, trying to get records of the original navigation dimensions prior to 1968 from CRT (and getting frustrated by a lack un-updated original copies). I can't find the link again - anyone have it to hand?

Noted, thanks.

Great, thanks both. Daft question I know, but I get to look a bit less daft in person instead!

Very much a newbie question: We're going to ask for a diesel top-up from a fuel boat due to pass by tomorrow. What I'd like to know is, can I just ask them to 'fill her up to the brim', provided I give an estimate of how much that might be? We're not familiar with our tank capacity yet but think it's half-full (rough bamboo cane dipstick check) and would like it completely full to reduce condensation.

I'm wondering how quickly they yanked the door open - done slowly, especially the first inch or two, the amount of smoke etc. drawn back into the room is markedly different (especially on a boat with short chimney / moderate draw).

Ah ok, I thought it might be something along those lines. Thanks. I see! I think I'm inclined to replace with new sockets, assuming it will be easier for getting 12v adapters for USB charging etc.. Good to know what they actually are though.

Sorry, had trouble posting on mobile - there now.

Hi, I'm moderately ignorant of (but willing to learn about) electrical systems. On our recently acquired boat, there are a few of these wall sockets labelled as 12V, but with an unfamiliar appearance - is this an outdated socket type? Likely easy to replace? The previous owners just used the 240V system with the inverter and didn't know anything about these sockets, but I'm keen to use 12V for as much as reasonably possible.

We contacted them over the phone from the off and they specifically asked about that - I suppose we might have missed it otherwise. They said a helmsman course would be sufficient, we didn't ask for specifics but I expect that would do the job.

Thanks all - we tried out Craftinsure (cheers @Alan de Enfield) and they didn't even ask the question, so we've gone with them. Sorted!

Yes, but not extensively.

Hi all, Having lurked on the forum for quite a while now, we've just bought our first boat as soon-to-be liveaboards (woohoo!) and are sorting out insurance. We've only contacted one insurer so far (GJW Direct came recommended) but have found a snag. When asked about our boating experience, they were unsatisfied with us having less than 1 year of cruising experience. They would therefore only insure us if we have an 'experienced person' on board during transit, or if one of us does a helmsman course (we would have done a course over winter anyway, but COVID... and won't get on a course before we get the boat). This requirement would be lifted once we were deemed to be sufficiently experienced. Has anyone else come across this - is it common to many/all insurers? Short of fibbing (never the best plan for insurance) and claiming to have the required experience, I'm not sure what our immediate options are. Any suggestions welcomed!

Thanks for sharing! I've wondered about something along these lines before. Someone I know mentioned (without details) that a friend had bought a similar (but commercially made) thing for about £1000 - not cheap!

Pardon me if it's already been posted here or elsewhere, but there seem to be some positive noises coming from the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Waterways: https://www.waterways.org.uk/about-us/news/electric-charging-points-gain-support 3 key issues: the need to invest in infrastructure to deliver more electric charging points across the system; a proposed boat engine scrappage scheme to encourage conversion of existing boats; and a move towards greater distribution and use of biofuels. This step is favoured, over the current proposal by HMRC and HM Treasury to move from red diesel to white for inland waterways craft. Here's the letter from the APPGW to the Chancellor:

I think this might be one of the more problematic elements - one would probably need a seconday propulsion source for passing anything much more than a single boat. Having the line high enough to get over a normal boat (let alone some with things stacked on top... or even extended antennas!), I think it would be difficult to exert any useful pull on it. Maybe the pilot can punt it for a stretch!?

Yours may yet prove more reliable and/or effective in the long run - I wouldn't be too upset if what you've got still solves your issue.

It feels like there's a joke in here somehwere. There were at least five people involved there on the day, not to mention whoever did the planning, balloon procurement, video editing and social media posting. "How many CRT workers does it take to float a balloon in Walsall Basin?..." I think you're right, that's probably their aim. The execution is really what's lacking... the time, materials and money will all be for nowt when the balloon deflates and becomes just another piece of flotsam to catch your prop on.