Boat-in-progress

This is true tree monkey - After a quick google search worms are being used for this specific task…. And yes a properly ‘used’ compost toilet is supposed to start the process. This article looks has a link to worms as an alternative to a compost bin. https://www.giynow.com/2018/02/12/composting-toilets-how-they-work/

Sorry Tony1 I didn’t mean to put you off! I may have another option for you to look into…. What about a worm composter? They munch on food waste, old news paper cardboard even dog and human poop. You could build one into the stern to use as seating! I don’t know if heat would be an issue in this case - especially with a pram cover. It may even be more efficient for the amount of waste you will produce? Assuming you don’t have a full roof of ‘garden’ Just a thought…….. will I get accused of ‘reinventing the wheel again’?

Thanks Tony, volt drop has to be considered and schematics will be drawn up in advance. And yes. It isn’t generally a consideration in the light vehicle world. He - or She in this case is intending to be fully informed and organised. 🤗

Thanks again Alan, I am aware of the earth. I am also ‘competent’ - and are in no way an electrician - in 230v electrics but my dad is an electrician so that’s his domain. I’ll keep more of an eagle eye out for the certification on the sailaways from now on! Thanks - social media is not a strong point.

Thanks for your input Doratheexplorer - I don’t think I’m trying to reinvent the wheel, as I have mentioned all of the systems that I have spoken about are currently being used. Additionally- as mentioned in a previous post I am a qualified auto electrician (which as you may or may not know also works on a 12v system) and therefore I have some understanding of the limitations of trying to run the entire boat from solar and have therefore suggested a solar set up would ALSO be supplemented by another heat source. I have intentionally not mentioned 230v appliances as this is a different kettle of fish.

Thanks Peterboat - I will take you up on that offer. If I can work out how to PM! 🤣

Thanks again Alan, Because of these changes there seems to be more conformity on what a Sailaway includes these days. NB- I was an diagnostic / auto electrician - I guess I still am but it is not my trade, I am now an interior architect so understanding ‘the rules’ is part of the design process. Great point……..

Hi Stroudwater1 Yes! It’s a big boat isn’t it! I am based just off the Grand Union in Northamptonshire - I am aware of the restrictions into Grand Union Canal Arms. This project is part leisure and part business so the space is important - even with expensive mooring costs and having to book the Blisworth tunnel!

Thanks Boaty Jo - all useful stuff That’s why I am not too keen on the idea of a water system purely for the fact that it is more ‘permanent’ as you mentioned under the kitchen cupboards beds sofa etc do not need to be heated and will be perfect places for inspection hatch’s Hi MtB In regard to the insulation idea I added as a throw away comment. I imagined this as something like ‘Rock wool’ added under a floating floor which would sit on top of the subfloor - I would hope this would not get wet!

Hi Tony1 - Hotbox Composter I actually do have a Hotbox composter (in my garden) albeit this is not where I will be adding the waste to. That will be a separate ‘cold’ composter on a different patch of land. In regard to the hotbox - from my experience their claim of creating compost in 90 days is only accurate in the height of the summer and if it is filled with a lot of green/brown waste every week. If in the sun, it does start to smell, it leaches water from the base - which is collected for fertiliser and it’s incredibly messy to empty - but nothing that a pre-laid sheet can’t handle. The compost I have ‘made’ however is lovely stuff! Full of worms - which shows it’s not always hot. I would be great for marinas to start including composting. In the end they have a product they can sell on. -Batteries This makes sense. I will definitely look into this more -Water level meter For sure! That’s a great call.

This is great Alan thank you - I will have a deep dive into those regs but at first glance - as I expected most of it is common sense. Your boys ❤️! Unfortunately my frenchie is a paddler so she will definitely need a life jacket!

Thanks Tony1 Your points are all good and valid - I did run the underfloor heating idea past the boat builders who agreed it could be beneficial. I think the ‘could be’ would need to be proven, perhaps even an extra layer of insulation on the subfloor may also be a viable alternative. lithium batteries are a good shout - thank you. I’ll have a look at those in regard to solar as the charging on cloudy days might not be ‘liked’ with those type of batteries. A big water tank is on the plans! 👌🏼 I was a little concerned about stagnant water though. Could you elaborate on the up-coming separating toilet restrictions? I assume this refers to ‘composting loos?’ Are these specific water way ones? I can’t see anything ‘on land’ - although only a quick google search has been done!

Thanks Alan! I am going for a composting toilet but have a specific (on land) composter for this rather than as you say ‘bagging it and binning it’ I am also aware off the BSS and RCR and obviously will be followed - all of the systems stated I have already seen on boats for sale and therefore assume they have been ‘signed off’?! Is this not the case. I’m talking brokers over ‘gumtree’ for example. While we are on this subject, where can I get hold of a full copy of the latest BSS and RCR information - it seems a much more guarded secret than ‘land’ building regs.

Hi all - I’m a newbie here and would be grateful for all / any advice you have. I am currently ordering a 12,6 x 60 foot wide beam sailaway and as I’m fitting out the boat from scratch I have far too many options to choose from. My main thoughts currently are revolving around the cooking, heating and hot water systems as I would like the boat to be as ‘off grid’ as possible, however, I will most likely moor the boat from December - February. There are a couple of things I am regarding as a necessity: 1. Underfloor heating (be it water or electric). The reason is less for ‘heating’ and more for keeping the boat at a steady temperature and may help condensation issues 2. No LPG. I have found a company called ‘Heritage Range’ through another feed. These Diesel ‘range’ cookers cook, heat water and underfloor heating. (I understand this will also be ‘warm’ in the summer. The other option would be a large solar panel system to power an immersion in the calorifier electric underfloor ‘heating’ and have a separate cooker of some kind and an additional Diesel heater or multi fuel burner. Are there better options?