Painter Type

Just wanted to pass on that I am satisfied with the semi-flexible solar panel I installed. I read a lot of negative posts about them, but went ahead and got one anyway as I didnt want a rigid panel on my roof. I bought a reasonably priced 130W panel from Bimble and stuck it down with Tiger Seal. The wires pop through a mushroom vent and connect to a Tracer MPPT charge controller. The whole bit of kit is functioning well. As the panel is installed longitudinally the junction box is suitable protected by its proximity to a mushroom vent. I am not worried about what might be happening under the solar panel, just made sure there was a waterproof seal around the panel. I was waiting for the Macclesfield to open at Bollington a little while ago and was moored up for a week or so without running my engine once, and there was plenty of ice from the fridge. Cheers

To finish off this thread, did the tidal Thames, locked-out of Limehouse at 12:45 on a Saturday afternoon on an averagely breezy day. It was great fun, no water got in through the hatches, or elsewhere. We found the trip and clipper boats where really considerate to our little convoy of three narrowboats. This must be done, enjoy.

Hi Mark99, Always have a pair of bird watching binoculars at hand, dead handy as you say Cheers

Hi Magnetman, I too thought of the idea of some plywood wash boards, will probably do it as part of boat prep, not hard, have acres of plywood lying around and some handy brackets to screw into oak hatch trim. Thanks for that

Hi Tony, Thanks for that, I appreciate that hot air should be ducted away but have not arranged that so far, and neither have I installed a pigeon box. Would I get enough cool air coming in by just having the slides open? If so I could leave the port-side hatch closed...

Am cruising from Limehouse to Teddington for the first time this weekend. I have an air cooled lister (HR3) and therefore normally cruise with the engine room side-hatches open for cooling. Just considering the possibility of getting a wave of water come crashing through the hatches - wash from a water taxi perhaps? Hatches start just under 2' up from the waterline. Does anybody have experience which could help decide if I need to worry about this?

No not happy about needing electricity at all! My ideal gas cooker would not include any electricity, just gas and matches. The manual says it has LPG converters available. Have not really thought about having to have an inverter running all the time, don't have one hooked up at the moment. Would most definitely prefer a 12v circuit, is changing the igniter an easy thing to do? Could the cooker be run without an electrical supply? I know some modern cookers need to run fans to keep facias and knobs cool as the build is so flimsy.

Hi, I have been looking for a freestanding cooker and have come across this one on the internet. Like the look of it, has anybody got one? Is it any good and suitable for boats? Cheers

My boat has never been 'moved' except at a working boatyard were that is not an issue... I would want to know why somebody bothered to move it - sounds as if there was a good stretch empty just a liitle further ahead. if there was a pretty good reason then fair enough, otherwise I would take exception to somebody 'arranging' boats to their liking - maybe I am too laid back and tend to accept what I find rather than fiddling with other peoples stuff?!

Hi, I am getting condensation coming into the back cabin from under the counter - which I have decided I need to do something about. At the moment all I have under there is ballast. Just wondered what everybody else has done... Am considering some Kingspan at the moment - not looking forward to working in that confined space though!! While we are on the subject, I have tried my best to insulate under my tug deck and despite it being 'open' to the main cabin it still gets a bit musty under there. Should I consider putting in some ventilation slots in fore-locker bulkhead to get a bit more air in there?? Cheers, John

Yes, have done that since and the way seems clear.... Thanks

Hi, Have to get from Braunston to Stone ASAP and would love to know if there are any stoppages I should know about. I guess thats the oxford, coventry and trent & mersey canals... Many thanks

Well I have decided not to fit another dipstick and use a notched welding rod to check the oil level. It's hapenned once and I would hate for it to happen again and result in serious damage.

Yeah that was a bit over the top. Said the Bishop to the Actress would have sufficed!!

Oh yeah, thats really cool!

been to website & 710 doesn't get me very far....

Hi, My PRM dipstick has sheared of it's plug cap. It has always been stiff to screw in and out and has a bit gouged out almost half way down which doesn't look so great. Managed to fish it out intact with a pencil magnet. Anybody else had a similar problem with their PRM 260 gearbox (160 in my case) Cheers

sorry?

Yes thanks, What does it say after A. Hickman, I can't make it out? I am not sure what is written on the next line before 'Boat' either?

Oh wow nice picture, have only seen black and white photos previously. Thanks

Hello all, I am the proud owner of above boat (well actually just the 1st 60ft of it!) which was first registered at Tipton on 1-10-30. Owner listed as A Hickman, address Springvale, Boat Number 34. Would be interested of anybody had any further information on the boat, or could point me in the right direction. cheers

ahh! Apologies, got hold of the wrong end of the stick - didn't spot the link first time round, thanks a lot Stuart, I did try a search before posting, obviously not using the right keywords...

It is to me, but then again that is obvious, apologies if its too dull for you!

Hello again, I have a main fuel tank, with a 16" x 16" square flange to bolt down the inspection hatch to, the width of the flange is 80mm (oops there I go mixing my units) Can anybody tell me how these are commonly sealed? I am sure I have seen somebody using some 'ropey' stuff liberally coated in gunk for a Grand Union quarter tank? Gasket/sealent ideas & recommendations would be much appreciated... Cheers

Hello, Was wondering if anybody could reccomend a dry dock (I want to paint my boat and the weather ain't going to get better now for a while) on the Grand Union? Was thinking maybe Nantwich way.... Thanks