stuart

Any one have any experience of buying a new boat from Lymm Marina Boat Sales? http://www.lmbs.co.uk/frame.htm

This link seems to work better! http://www.stovesareus.co.uk/catalog/produ...products_id=355 Evergreen ST1047 sp/offer This tremendously popular single door stove is also available in double door Heat output 7 kW Width 460mm Height 610mm Depth 420mm Flue Size 6" (152mm) Ht Ctr Rear Flue 420mm Flue Options Top or Rear Flue (interchangeable) Optional Boiler 12,000 btu

A slightly off topic question but whats the neatest way to put pipework onto the opposite side of the cabin without going under the floor or creating a 'step' at floor level etc?

Where do the vents/pump out pipes run to/from? Do most people just vent them up to the roof with mushroom vents on the top?

From Fox Boats. I'm happy with the swim and anodes etc. but what does the "double chine construction" relate to?

If your interested in putting a TFT TV on a boat consider this instead. Its generally a lot cheaper... Simply buy a "normal" computer TFT monitor (15" upwards) - any make or model - cheaper the better. Connect this device to it and there you have a full TFT TV. You could also connect your computer/dvd/playstation/xbox to it as well. Aver TV Tuner Box 5 - £89 for "cheap" TFT screens try these.... * LG L1915S 19ins TFT £293.74 inc VAT Link here * Sharp LL-T15G4B 15ins £193.87 inc VAT Link here So a 19" TFT TV for less than £400 not bad. There are plenty of alternatives to these. I've also noticed that most TFT monitors are 12 volt as well. No real need for a inverter!

Think I'm sold on a new sailaway. I'm tempted to buy a sailaway from Lymm Marina Boat Sales. Anyone used them? 45ft sailaway (floored and engine etc.) for £21k. Includes BetaMarine 28hp engine. Seems like a good price to me - will have a trip up next weekend to see what the hull is like and the finish on the welding etc. What should I be looking for on a sailaway boat (finish wise?)

Do 'normal' boat toilets have a built in macerator before 'hitting' the tank?? With a pump out toilet, does the boat have the pump or is it at the canal side? Where do you normally site the pump/pipe connection - outside the boat or inside?

Probably get laughed at for suggesting this but... Is it possible to fit a "normal" toilet onto a narrow boat? And just flush the waste into a tank? I know the water usage would be high - but would it work? Toilets very simple systems and as long as the cystern is full then it should flush - if the boat is level.

Theres quite a useful guide on Calor gas website. http://www.calormarineshop.co.uk/installat..._connection.htm Heres an extract... Think the second paragraph is relevant in this case?

I know its in the rules, but why do compression fittings have to be used for gas pipes? I would have thought solder would have been better?

You should post some pictures of your finished masterpiece.

As usual your comments are sound. I already have a copy of "the book" and would definately recommend everyone gets a copy - really detailed if slightly outdated. Link To Amazon I expect that this sort of project would take many months to complete. I'm slightly lucky in that Im fairly good at DIY - fitted out most of a house kitchen/bathroom including electrics and plumbing (even gas but dont tell CORGI!) . I've also got most of the power tools required etc. The A-Level electronics will come in handy as well! The other bonus is that I'm looking to buy the boat 50:50 with a friend so we can share and hopefully half the workload and obviously the fun and adventuere as well! Suppose better decide if a cruiser or semi-trad is the best for us now!

I originally started to consider buying an older boat to strip out (looked at a springer http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=73) and then re-fit to my taste and style. Budget is limited and I quite fancy a new DIY project (now the house is done!) and I'm thinking about a sailaway (engine & shell). A few quotes for a smallish narrow (35-38ft) boat put this around £19K. Thats okay but obviously theres hell of a lot more work that needs to be done. What I'm wondering is it worth spending a little extra on a new boat, rather than an older one (and the time taken of stripping interior, servicing engine, fixing bottom etc.) and purchase a new sailaway. To summarise: Down side of buying a sailaway # More expensive (old boat will already have pumps, wiring, toilet, kitchen etc. although some may need repair/replacement) # Lead time may be long # Need to get boat craned/slipped into water and/or sail it 'home' (mooring is already sorted out!) Up side of buying a sailaway # Brand new shell - no need to repair hull # Probably dont need to spend money on a survey? # No need to strip out boat # Resale value should be better? (do you have any experience of this?) # I can choose exactly what I want to put into the boat? Ideas and comments please!

As the title says What does the stern greaser do? / how does it work?

I actually visited them a couple of weekends ago. I was surprised how many boats they had there. Good range but most out of my price range. I was also a little surprised at what little you get for £21K - some even had holes in the cabin roof!

Thanks for all your useful advice. As a general rule, are there some other 'good' makes to watch out for - obviously keeping a limit on the costs. I really want a solid shell and engine with tired/worn internal trim. I want an all steel construction, pref. cruiser/semi trad style. Not keen on wooden or GRP tops. I'm having quite a hard time finding a boat! Most people say there should be plenty around this time of year (ie. autumn/winter) but I have only seen a couple that were okay. I've used the following websites so far any others I should try out? http://www.vcmarine.co.uk/ http://www.abnb.co.uk/ http://www.boatsandoutboards.com http://www.braunstonmarina.co.uk http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/ I live in the 'black country' so I'd expect there should be some around here!

Nick Atty's canal route-planner Normally a bit slow but its a quality web site... http://www2.mihalis.net/canal/cgi-bin/index.cgi

Thanks for the useful info. The previous owner has had a new bottom welded onto the boat already in Feb 2003, and this was 6mm steel plates. The hull was also blacked then as well. So probably not a bad boat to go for. I was surprised to see how little head room there was though. No more than 6ft inside the cabin. Is this usual?

Hi. I'm new to narrow boating and looking to buy my first boat. I'm after something thats cheap to purchase and dont mind if the interior needs attention (DIY can be fun!) I've looked recently at a 38ft Springer (all steel) boat - looks in good condition etc. What do others think about this make etc? Any issues I should be aware of? Its fitted with a Yanmar 1200 single cylinder engine - whats this like? Reliable etc?