mand

Yes, I’m going to be keeping an eye on that tank, and any possibly leaks anywhere. From what I can tell just by first glance, everywhere seems to be dry. The trouble with buying “second-hand”, is the problems you inherit. When I had the boat surveyed, the report did say “unable to run central heating pump, likely air lock in system”. Anyway, the boat sales said they had bled the system and everything was fine. Well, I’m wondering if somehow they lost water from the tank. Like I say, I’m very much learning at the moment. However when I saw the flexible orange pipe, I thought that very suspect. I used to own a cruiser, and when it came time to renew the safety certificate, there was a pipe very similar connecting too the oven. Needless to say, I had to have it replaced. The safety certificate is due this August, so I’m expecting to learn just how much “bodging” the previous owner has done. Thank you, Mand

Well, I hope I’m not jumping the gun here, but it seems that did it Can’t thank you all enough for the advice, Thank you. Yes, it seems strange about where the water has gone, so I’ll be following your advice and making regular checks on the whole system. One thing that is very noticeable, is the Cider bottle, which seems too be acting as some sort off overflow/reservoir, with a pipe I believe is coming down from the tank where the pump is situated. I’ll have a better look round tomorrow and try and familiarise myself with it all. Tell you what, I’m surprised at how small the pump is, I don’t know what I was expecting, I guess I was expecting it too be much bigger. Something more impressive. Right, I must switch off the radiators now, I have the stove going, and it’s getting to “meltdown” point in here. Once again, Thank you all, mand

Many thanks all, I hate being so “dumb” on this, and to be honest many other subjects concerning “boating”. but I’m really in a “learning period” at the moment, and I have every intention of learning. I suppose problems like this cropping up, are the best way to learn. Well, I’m putting a couple off photo’s on. It’s the first time I’ve looked behind the cover. I can hear the pump running. However when removing the cover the first thing I noticed, was the little tank at the top with maximum and minimum marks, is totally empty. Even I know there’s something wrong there, should I top it up with water ??? I’m ok for heating, I have a stove, and I hardly ever need to use the radiators. I was just wanting too heat up the water for a shower. Many thanks for your all your advice so far. Mand

Hello all, I wonder can anyone give me little advice. I have a Alde “comfort” gas heating boiler, it runs a couple of Radiators and heats the water. Well, the last time I used it (about a month ago), it worked absolutely fine, no problems. However I switched it on, wanting to heat the water. Now what happens is, it starts up fine, with the flame “ticking over”, I turn the control knob up and then it “kicks in”, the flame gets higher. Well, this happens every time. ………… after a few minutes off running, it just automatically switches itself back too “tick over”. I’ve tried it many times, and the same thing keeps happening. I knew there was plenty of gas in the bottle, but just to try it, I connected a full one up, so it isn’t that. I’m really stumped , so any advice/help, would be greatly appreciated. Mand

Once again thank you all for your help and advice. I found it really interesting, I think I now have a better understanding off the “buying fuel” situation. Well the Ice had finally cleared yesterday, so I had the chance to move my boat too my mooring berth. Before I did this I decided to fill her up with fuel (armed with the information from here). However I was told that the marina has a fixed (Winter) rate off 81p per litre. So I had her “filled up”. Could I just ask you, “do you think this is a fair way of doing it, not so Good, or ok-ish” ? Thank you all for your help, it’s very much appreciated, Mand

Just stick it on the gas hob, unless the stove is lit, then keep it on there and have piping hot water all day

Well, I’m very pleased the question was asked. As a new owner of a narrow boat, this is a subject I no very little about. There’s no doubt I’ll be posting lots of questions in the future. Mand

Well, Winter I’ll be staying in the marina, might spend a little time now and again staying with family. Spring and Summer I’ll definitely be travelling, no doubts about that. I’m very much looking forward too going around the country. However this coming Summer, I will be staying around the East Midlands. I have surgery coming up somewhere around June, and I maybe “out of action” for some time after that. Mand

Thank so much all for your replies, there much appreciated and very helpful. Well, at the moment I would say that the vast majority is for domestic use, i.e. heating the water via the calorifier, and to be honest I never really thought about re-charging the batteries as domestic. So I’m really glad you pointed that one out. I joined this site in 2007, but had my cruiser then. The cruiser gave me a taste of the waterways, but I really always wanted a narrow boat, so I finally sold the house last year and bought my boat. I did manage to move her from Nottingham a few weeks ago, up to Sawley there was a slight break in the weather, in fact when I set off it was actually a very nice 7 degrees above freezing, but by the time I arrived I was in the middle of a blizzard (never been so cold in my life). Thank you all, Mand

Hello all I have recently become the owner of a 45ft Narrow Boat, which is also my home. Everything is fine, and I’m more than happy with achieving one of my life long ambitions. But I’m a total novice when it comes to buying fuel, so I have a question. When I picked her up and was about to set off to my “home mooring”, I needed some fuel. So I just asked for £100 worth. The question is, can anyone explain to me “a dummies guide to buying fuel for a Narrow Boat ? What do I ask for to ensure I pay the lowest price. I really don’t have a clue when it comes to working it all out, what with the tax on it regarding amount used for propulsion, and domestic use. Many thanks, Mand.