CanalRetentive

So you want to charge them council tax so they don't have to pay council tax as they are exempt. Unless you're either mad or trying to waste government resources I don't see how you've come to that being a sane position.

It's hardly bizarre. A van with a washing machine in the back should pay council tax too? How about an estate with a porta potty and a camping stove in the back? Is it about luxury then? Should the tramp houses on the council estate not pay council tax then? What's bizarre is your lack of consistency for those essentially living in vehicles because the housing market has been used as a source of greed and easy money instead of housing the next generations

Living on a boat is akin to living in a car. Judging by the state of some boats a car would be the better option for them. Should they hunt down everyone living in their cars and try to charge them council tax? Put them on ze register? There seems to be a misconception that everyone on boats is living better than those in houses and getting away with it on the cheap! Hardly.. looks like I'm missing out on the payment as I didn't realise after returning a CRT mooring I then had to update the online account to say so, so apparently I wasn't a continuous cruiser. Could I have still moored at the mooring then? Who knows, but if they increase the price for continuous cruisers it seems you can avoid being one by not having a mooring at a CRT mooring site... anyway, seems to be a lot of people in these threads wishing for those living in chattels to pay more, most likely posted from their freehold properties with all the securities that come with it. Maybe they're annoyed people are finding a way to escape giving 80% of their wages in rent to fund their 5th holiday this year. Anyway... rant over.

Oh I see, sorry to hear. I'm sure I'll work out how to get to the other side, just got a few things to get out the way this morning but I'll aim to get there for after lunch, probably around half 1ish. Will send you another message on here before we leave. Thanks again.

Road will probably work out easier. Am I right in thinking you are the owner of the 45.6 miles to Braunston sign? If so then great taste, we love it! 😂 I'm free tomorrow so can collect then if that's good with you?

We've got a diesel stove which isn't fussy about the fuel quality and we're in Leighton Buzzard so we'll be more than happy to take it off your hands if no one else wants it 🙂

Have a look and see if you can find a number or a model name on the vent or the cover and put it into a search engine. It might send you in the right direction. If not and you value your time you might find it quicker to just measure the hole its in and fit a new unit.

Sounds hopeful so far. The place I'm looking at taking her out the water includes use of a 3200psi pressure washer so hopefully that's good enough.

To the people that did so, did it work? Thinking of applying two pack after pressure washing myself.

Depends how old the kids are. Even in a full length 70 foot narrowboat you'll be tripping over each other and not have much storage for anything but the essentials. If they're really young you could do it. We do it with a little one and another on the way. If they were older you'd probably find you need more space. Either a dreaded widebeam or a second boat that you tow around. If they're teenagers and competent I'd go the second boat route, more adventure when moving and their own personal space etc. License fees would cost more though. Be under no illusion about not being cramped with four people on a narrowboat though, it will be cramped and you will always want more storage.

That seems more like it, thanks 👍 Edit: On closer inspection unfortunately that timer is an on delay only, so the hunt for a more reasonably priced off delay timer continues! 😂

Yeah I've settled for a timer for this reason, just seems the more 'professional' solution. Something like this maybe https://www.altecautomotive.co.uk/timer-relay-fully-adjustable-12-volt--------braltt40205-1-09brbr-1614-p.asp Still amazed at the price, thought a timer would be in the £5 range but I've found nothing after a long search. 😑

I couldn't decide if a timer or a thermostat was the better option. Still not decided but was leaning towards a thermostat because I thought it would involve less wiring. Just move the extractor fan over to a permanent live and install the thermostat inline. I guess the timer would need to be connected to both and permanent and switched to know when to turn on, never wired one up before tbh. Doesn't seem like it would be that much more hassle now I think of it. Interesting, I was original looking at fixed temp thermostats but that seems like a very versatile option. So timer or thermostat. I'll have to make a coffee and have a think 😁

Yeah no doubt the parts are designed to take it but I'll feel better with the cooling fan running for a while afterwards. Only came to mind yesterday when I noticed the engine room floor was warm and opened it up to find the engine still too hot to touch after nearly 5 hours of shutting down. Stays like an oven in there. I did think maybe a timer but thermostat seemed the easier option to wire in. If I dig out some boxes I might have a temp probe that attaches to my multimeter. I'll see how hot it gets before I make a decision. Thanks for the suggestions 👍

I have a beta 50 cocooned engine with an extractor fan that removes the built up heat and blows it outside, it only runs when the engine is running however and the heat build up after shutdown is nothing short of silly. My plan is to place a thermostat inside so the fan will continue to blow after shutdown until the enclosure has cooled down. What would be a good temperature thermostat to choose? I'm thinking maybe 40c or 50c but not sure? Maybe 40c would be too low? Would be blowing for hours? Any opinions? Thanks

Nobody breaks into an occupied boat, so obviously the best deterrents is making it look occupied. Padlocks on the outside etc aren't the best as its obvious nobody is in. Install key locks instead. Apart from that damage limitation is your best bet. I've installed one of those vanguard boxes to keep tools in etc. Also installed one of those alarms that text/calls you if its set off. Chances are if someone does break in they aren't equipped and won't have time to get through the box to get the real valuables. They can run off with the TV or whatever don't really care about that.

Any idea how it sank?

Looks like an interesting product, I'm due to redo soon, what colour does it dry? Black like bitumen?

Just a few questions, maybe there isn't a done way of doing things but thought I'd ask. Do you always close the lock gates once you're done or leave them open so another boat can just cruise in? Or do you only close the bottom locks when going down so the leaky gates fill it up to save water. Seems pointless to close the top gates afterwards when going up? No? Also when breasting up to other boats. Do people take offence to it, ever get told to sod off? Do you try to ask them first? Be going down London way soon so good to know how 'it's done'. Did have more questions but have forgotten them. Will post them when they pop back into my head.

If I'm within walking distance of the water point and the boats facing the wrong way I'll fill up 2 x 20 litre containers and lug them back, might make several trips. Saves paying for the gym and is quicker than going to a turning point. People keep telling me to get a trolley but where's the fun in that 🤪

Thanks, I was thinking of going down the lithium route but have put it off for now. Maybe when the current batteries give up the ghost I'll look into it again.

Thanks, I was leaning towards that but wasn't sure. I'll just add another 200 watts of solar on the current controller and do some plumbing then

Hello, I've been thinking about upgrading the solar (300 watts with 30A controller at present) to try and save engine running time whilst moored up. I've got room to either make it 500w total on the 30A controller or at a push 700w and change the controller to a 60A (Not sure if worth the cost). Anyway my question is about water heating. I need hot water daily. The calorifier has a 2kw immersion heater that the inverter will run (have tested briefly) off of battery power. Is planning to use this with solar foolish? A quick way to kill the batteries? I also have a webasto that I guess I could change the plumbing so it can select and only heat the hot water as don't want the radiators on wasting diesel in summer. Is this a better option? Or all rubbish and just run the engine for half hour etc. If I need to run it anyway for the hot water then maxing the solar out is pointless. Just looking for experienced opinions before I venture further. Thanks

Does anyone know if they used to dump sewage in the canals when they were first built? Just interested to know

Turns out it was never even shut, or damaged at all. The stoppage was for a lock in a different region and applied to this one for... reasons unknown. Nice work CRT 👍