JoeC

The stove flue where it goes into my collar seems to have rotted away and wondered if anybody knew of any mobile flue installers that trade around the Trent & Mersey, Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canal areas? This is where I am currently cruising. It requires two welds on the whole pipe so not just a case of putting straight pipe in myself. I'll also look at boat yards. Thanks Joe

I believe that Netflix check the IP of the device that you are using to watch via - TV, mobile phone, iPad etc.

@cuthound Thanks for your information. @MtB I appreciate that all boats are different and your comment can be said for almost any question that people ask. However, I see it as those comments are information and learning points that help me to decide how I want to proceed. As for it being a pointless task then that is your opinion and I have my own. But thank you.

I've opened both of the drain points in the engine bay and nothing came out. I opened up all three drain points and the system is still not draining anymore. Putting it back together to fill up with tap water to run for a while as a flush before refilling with antifreeze and de-ionised water.

Hello. I am draining the coolant on my Webasto ThermoTop EVO as the blue coolant is 3 years old and time for a change along with a flush. I have had the boat for 1.5 years and not changed it before but an Eberspacher engineer reckoned that all I need to do is drain from the drain point on the lowest radiator whilst taking the lid off the expansion tank and opening the valves and bleed points on all radiators. When I asked him how much refill I would need he guesstimated maybe 40 litres. Refill is a case of constantly topping up the expansion tank with pre-diluted 25 (coolant) / 75 (deionised water) and bleeding the radiators - the Webasto should auto bleed itself. On draining I have maybe got out 15 litres which seems not a lot to me. My boat is 60 feet long, 4 radiators and 2 fin rads and the Webasto is connected to the calorifier. Is there more to the draining than what I have done above? Is there a bleed point or something on the Webasto that I need to go to? EDIT - I have just found two drain valves in the engine bay that are connected to the IN and OUT pipes of the Webasto unit. Do I need to drain BOTH of these? Thanks in advance. Joe

@Humphrey was last on the forum in December 2016 so we may never find out.

What I have learnt so far from various places and engineers : - Don't use household central heating system cleaners as they are not designed for a boat system and could do damage. - You could use vehicle radiator flush but make sure all fluid is well drained, fully flushed through afterwards otherwise it will weaken the new anti-freeze. - You could drain down, flush, fill with water and run that for a while to give a bit of extra clean. Then drain down and fill with anti-freeze. - Only use MEG anti freeze. - An engineer said do 50/50 dilution. - Dilute BEFORE adding to the system. Hope that helps. Joe

My Webasto was put into my 2001 boat 3 years ago by the previous owner - it replaced a faulty Eberspacher - and I have had the boat one year. Recently I got the metal central heating header tank replaced with a clear plastic one and it is showing scum marks within it which I am guessing means that the coolant is not good. It has got blue MEG antifreeze in it so is due to be changed anyway. Should I put a household central heating cleaner in it to help clean the system prior to flushing and then putting in new MEG antifreeze? Or should I just drain, fill with water and run it for a while, drain and then fill with antifreeze? Your thoughts would be appreciated. Joe

And another thing with it ... poor internet capabilities. I have my Avtex (brand new model introduced early 2022) cabled into the router - the same router that I use with a three year old iPad via wifi. There are times when the TV struggles with internet via catchup yet the iPad works perfectly. Even the Firestick connected to the TV generally gets better internet reception than the TV.

See the below link for more information. About Biwota | Nunsfield House Amateur Radio Group (nharg.org.uk) British Inland Waterways on the Air Saturday 26th - Monday 28th August 2023 The event is open to all Amateurs who are boaters, cyclists, walkers and other users of the canals, rivers, towpaths, riverbanks for work or recreation. Even lakes and reservoirs that are used for recreation uses classify as an inland waterway, so there are many places for activating. Many clubs and individual Amateurs on or near the UK inland waterways obtain Special Event Station (SES) callsigns. Others operate mobile or portable using their own callsigns. Many more like to contact the BiWota stations. It is also a good chance for WAB enthusiasts to get some rare WAB squares. The primary bands will be 40m (7MHz) and 2m (144MHz SSB and FM) but all bands will be acceptable. The aim of the event is to bring together Radio Amateurs who regularly use the waterways to celebrate their hobby and raise awareness of the UK waterways. Please check out the event Facebook page for current information: https://www.facebook.com/BIWOTA/ How to Register for the event If you would like to take part this year could you please use the Registrations Page giving, as appropriate, your: *Callsign (SES, or personal), Club Callsign (if it’s a club station) *Operators name(s) (or club contact and callsign) *Boat or Radio Club name *Station Location inc waterway *Planned Bands inc days of operation *Station Maidenhead locator and WAB square (if known)

I know you don't want Avtex but this may be useful for somebody else. I bought an Avtex smart TV (W249TS) and be warned. You CANNOT get catchup on channel 4 nor C5. Nor watch ITV 'live' but I understand this is the case for a lot of smart TV's unless you have a Samsung who do. I ended up buying a Firestick. Picture quality is good though and sound is reasonable for a small place like a boat.

May not be an issue this time of the year but boaters returning their hire boats to the marina tend to moor up along there the night before they hand the boats back. I did and so did three other boats!

I know you say that you are looking at a multi-fuel stove but have you considered a diesel fire setup (Reflex / Bubble)? A lot cleaner to use and operate. But you can't burn free wood on it!

A boater told me that he used this on his PVC covers to them supple. Autoglym | Bumper & Trim Gel

Lots of people go missing everyday but the press choose to concentrate on the ones they think will make news, stir up trouble etc.

Hello. Could anybody recommend a modern / current model of a 12v powered router that has 4 LAN ports for my boat. Does not need to have 5G. Thanks Joe

Beta say to put Vaseline in the socket before connecting plug. Some boats have an extended lead so there could be another connector along the way.

Cutting holes in the bilge to put fans in ... how do you know where to cut without cutting into a cross member?

Where are you based @5arahj6yne ? Sometimes a sit down for a chat and pictures drawn can help to understand better. Well it works for me anyway!

Where are you based @YSA ? Somebody near to you may be able to visit and advise if you are OK with visitors.

I'm the same as Tractor. There is a small lid on top of the housing that gives you easy access to check the engine oil and water levels and fill if required. Would need to take the other four parts of the housing off to access the full engine. You may also need to do this should you want to get under the deck to check other stuff. The two end panels are the heaviest and I think the previous owner of my boat screwed on an extra handle to one of them to make lifting out easier. Mine is also fitted with a hospital silencer. People do comment on how quiet the boat is with the engine running. I had problems with the units cooling fan not working which damaged the regulator on my domestic alternator. Got the regulator replaced and worked out that the fan itself was OK but it was the Teddington oil pressure switch that was at fault - bought a new one from Beta for £76 posted. I'm the same as Tractor. There is a small lid on top of the housing that gives you easy access to check the engine oil and water levels and fill if required. Would need to take the other four parts of the housing off to access the full engine. You may also need to do this should you want to get under the deck to check other stuff. The two end panels are the heaviest and I think the previous owner of my boat screwed on an extra handle to one of them to make lifting out easier. Mine is also fitted with a hospital silencer. People do comment on how quiet the boat is with the engine running. I had problems with the units cooling fan not working which damaged the regulator on my domestic alternator. Got the regulator replaced and worked out that the fan itself was OK but it was the Teddington oil pressure switch that was at fault - bought a new one from Beta for £76 posted.

Thanks for the heads up. I've spoken with Will and he is OK with everything and is still OK with his details being shown. Below is his response ... 'No need to worry I'm already aware of the guidelines and I check every crate for its moisture content before I load it onto my truck. I wouldn't sell anything which was above 20% moisture. Obviously I can't check every individual log in each crate, that's why I advise customers to store the logs in a well ventilated place and to leave for a few weeks if possible before burning, just in case any moisture has built up during transportation'.

This website may help ... Coal and Diesel Boats on the Canal System (lock13.co.uk)