pwl

Hi Blackrose. Already have some mats to protect the paint and let air underneeth the bottle. Should help drainage as well. Pwl

Thanks to everyone. I was tinking Damboine and lifting the bottle up from the deck. Psycloud, thanks for the link , now bookmarked. I may have some uses for 2-pack. Pwl

I am interested in opinions / expirences of repainting badly rusted surfaces. Our Gas lockers and [small] bow locker was badly rusted. I have cleared the loose rust and used a rust converter on the cleaned surfaces. I am now contemplating the best paint stratergy: 1. Dambolene 2. Bitumin 3. Standartd paint set [red oixide / primer / undercoat / top coat] I have my own opinion but am interested in other members advice. Pwl

Thanks guys. The final controller will be MPPT so looks like I just ignore the 'Load' connection (if it is there). Pwl

What loads do people use for solar controllers? Incandescent bulbs are a bad idea as if the bulb blows (the mount would not be visable) then big problem. The existing panel is only 40W but the long term plan is 360W so a good load is very important. A high power resister is a possibility but I am open to other options. Pwl

We recently had a problem with the coupling between the gerbox drive plate (not threaded) and the prop shaft coupling plate (threaded). One of the bolts sheared and the remainder had worked loose. The sheared bolt sheared just within the coupling so there is nothing to get a grip on. It does not protrude out the back of the plate so again. nothing to get a grip on. We are now operational on 3 new studs and Nylock nuts but I would like to get the wreckage out and a forth stud / nut in. Anyone got any ideas on how to do this before I take it to the professionals? BTW I cant get a drill in with the shaft in situ. P

As part of her referb its time to paint the water tank which is a traditional, unlined tank. The boat is over 20 years old and I don't think it was done since she was built! Assuming I can get the bolts out of the access hatch, has anyone done this and any advice appreciated.I am assuming first clean up but do you rust treat or is that possibly too great a toxicity risk? Finally how many coats of tank paint and how long does it last? Thanks for any advice. P

Kit or from scratch in the last few days (if you like a beer with a hop taste) throw in a handful of hops. P

It all depends what you want. We did the dawn to dusk when we started with hire boats on the cut - and yes, we have done the Lang several times. If you want to run thats fine, it is a personal choice but having been there (especially as a holiday boater) it is simply a great place to take it easy and chill. Each to their own. P

Thanks all. You never stop learning. P

A lot of boats on the cut have their regestration location as part of the livery. Ours did not when putchased n'th hand. How does one find out? I am just curious. P

Thanks, now to do the audit - P

Well every little helps and as a holiday boat it sits a long time not doing anything. Long term plan is 2 x 180W but not today - painting, gas, new floor first. P

I dont mind the maffs, I like to know why even if it takes a while to sort out in my head P

I have a small number of 4.8W solar panels (Maplins) attached by small rare earth magnets (eBay) that I connect when we leave the boat. The gentle trickle charge should stop the natural discharge of the batteries when not on the boat which should improve their life expectancy. Gibbo or Chris W can probably give you more exact calculations but I use 1 4.8 W panel per 110AH battery. P

I would also do less. On the Llangollen moore at the meers mid day and enjoy the chill out. To get into Llangollen moore by the pub Sun Trevor, dont remember the bridge number, the the next morning when boats start to move out you know there are places to tie up. The run into Llangollen is a long, one way working so moving early is a good idea and send someone ahead. Llangollen iteself is a fantastic place with a visit to Valle Crucis Abbey and Dinas Bran Castle well worth it (if it is not raining ). If you like books there is a fantastic second hand bookshop above the cafe on the main street. Enjoy the vacation. Paul

I am SURE I have seen this before but cant find it with the search function. Does anyone have a power audit v battery capacity spreadsheet? I can write one but dont like reinventing the wheel! pwl

We used Oxford Cruisers last year. cant give you an exact price as we had a lot of other work done at the time (prop shaft, stern gland and a new prop. But we ar 64 feet and had sides and baseplate done and 2 part epoxy plus some other painting. IIR it was about 2.5K total. Oxford Cruisers, Oxford Rd, Eynsham, Witney, OX29 4DA, 01865 881698.

To save a number of us spending hours searching google and suplpliers websites can you point at suppliers of the 2 pipe versions? P