Jamboat

We bought one last year, apart from the hoses being flimsy which we replaced, it's fine. Takes a big load, just a bit more 'hands on' than the Candy 100t it replaced but less power hungry.

There is a small ironmongers in Thorne which, when open has a shiny tin bath hung up outside. When 1st at Bluewater marina & asking for the whereabouts of a shop to buy some screws I was advised to go to the "tin bath man" in the market place.

Spotted this in Dunelm this afternoon, they also have smaller & larger models. Prices seem reasonable

I think it is condensation but given that we are promised sunshine & temp of 6 degrees (positively balmy!) could be an ideal time to check the mushrooms

Think I'll go with the spray foam Don't think the new owners would be too impressed !

Absolutely, check Sue of No Problem's blog (click link) for 'how to'

Will do, is it possible to buy in smallish amounts - just remembering the huge rolls when we did our loft in the house! Haven't got space onboard for rolls that size

I'll stop worrying then

"Insulate the metal, Rockwool, sprayfoam." "Can you see the metal of the underside of the roof if you remove the light fitting then ? At best, as Bottle implies, all you should be able to se is insulation - if you are seeing metal that's not right! " The roof is insulated with rockwool but above each light fitting it's just bare metal which has rust spots showing "It's not uncommon to get condensation on the roof, alot of boats don't really have enough insulation, mine included. It's not too greater problem. The roof isn't going to rust away or anything that bad. May stain wood if it is really bad but a few droplets isn't too much to worry about. See if you can put more insulation up throught the holes. " Will give it a go but a bit worried that it's rusting away under the rockwool over the rest of the roof

Just been changing a halogen bulb that had blown in the bathroom, noticed some moisture & on further inspection there's droplets of damp & rust spots on the underside of roof. Checked others in saloon area etc, assuming that areas not subject to the steam of bathroom would be dryer. Wrong!! Is this usual, does it matter ? (I assume it's condensation)

2. Here we go - the good old calorifier! We have only just tried to start using our 1 kw imersion heater to keep the water warm overnight while the frost is here (never tried to use it before now), and it keeps tripping out with a little black button on top of the element that goes into the calorifier. Ours is a horizontal calorifier and we are trying figure if it might be overheating and that is why it is tripping out? Is it in the engine bay? We had this problem with ours & on checking found that the plastic covering cap contained droplets of moisture. Dried it out, a good spray with WD40 & has been fine every since Can't help with washing machine problem except to say we sold our candy auto & bought a twin tub.

Doesn't seem particularly dodgy, It all seemed above board etc, I had no reason to believe otherwise. http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2061/dsc02370mp.jpg Why does it only show as link & not the photo

I bought my copy on DVD off ebay back in June, bit cheaper as well at £5.00 plus 50p p&p. Just checked ebay but currently only available on VHS.

I know and it usually is, just had other things going on at the moment but am back on track now

Our insurers Craftinsure, sent its members this email this week. "Not surprisingly, Craftinsure.com has received a number of claims following the latest floods, ranging from yachts secured to jetties and overcome by rising waters in the Lake District to Narrowboats and cruisers being flooded or breaking adrift on swollen rivers. We are therefore emailing the following Risk Advice to past and present customers to help anyone who might be affected: * If floods are likely, add extra mooring warps and consider using higher anchoring points not restricted by lower ones should levels rise. * Try and arrange for local boatyards or residents to keep mooring lines adjusted if you are not able to check the boat regularly. * Take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of any part of the boat becoming trapped under a jetty, sill or similar obstruction as water levels rise. * During periods of heavy rain, monitor accumulation of water in the bilges. This can lower freeboard to a critical point and even lead to the boat sinking if hull openings normally above the waterline become submerged. ** * Don't rely on automatic bilge pumps to prevent flooding. Failure can easily occur due to loss of battery charge or blockages. * Dinghies and small boats need to be brought ashore and moved to higher ground. Outboard motors should be removed and kept in a secure building. * Sign up to Environment Agency or other relevant information sites to ensure that you can be kept informed of any flood warnings. Floodline Warnings direct is a free service that provides flood warnings by telephone,mobile, email, SMS and fax. To sign up call 0845 988 1188 or go online www.environment-agency.gov.uk, or in Scotland www.sepa.org.uk. * Create an Emergency numbers list in your mobile or keep by the phone. Include boatyard phone numbers and the Craftinsure Claims helpline number. * Be prepared – do you know where you could move your boat to where she would be safer in the event of flood? And how would you get to your boat if the usual route is flooded? * Do not attempt to board or move your boat if at all dangerous to do so. * If your boat is damaged by flooding, contact your insurers as soon as possible." Some obvious advice, but still useful to be reminded, **I was surprised how much water had got into our bilges after some heavy rain as the drain channels had become blocked with rain ( & auto on bilge doesn't work )

Been waiting for 2010 for what seems like forever ! We've been living aboard since May 2008 (when I retired early ). In April 2010 Mark leaves work & we start CCing, have no real route planned for the start of our new life except going via Manchester to visit children & grandchildren. Then go where the fancy (water levels & stoppages permitting ) takes us, can't wait !

No, think it is definately a bit fishy....

"The owner has, to all purposes, disappeared and left virtually no documentation on the history of the boat. The brokers clearly want rid of it, but they also don't want to lose too much in commission." Then the broker must have some contact with the owner - how else will the owner recieve money from sale ??

Poppy's not so cute when she is disembowelling rodents outside the kitchen window

My 2 cats, Poppy & Soona

Ditto again, £4.95 from ironmongers in Thorne - every few weeks whilst stove is on 24/7

Have dug the WD40 out & will give it a go tomorrow - fingers crossed