Farey

You also need a Tri-band phone. The US uses the 1900MHz band, whereas Europe uses 900/1800MHz.

So what should the rake angles be for the base and back? A side view with dimensions would be useful. How do you upholster the plywood directly? Do you just glue it to the base? Chris Farey

I've got my Webasto heater installed a couple of weeks ago, just in time for the cold weather. Now I'm wondering what the fuel consumption is likely to be. Its heating a 60' boat using 4 radiators. Can anyone tell me how much diesel per hour is it likely to use? Chris

I'm installing a Vetus Bow Thruster in my 60' boat, with a battery next too it. The question I'm struggling with is how I charge the battery. I've got a single alternator charging the starter and dommestic batteries, with a charge splitter, and a Victron Multiplus which provides a trickle charge to the starter battery when connected to a shore line. Its been suggested that I simply run a pair of heavy (10sqmm) cables from the starter battery to the bow thruster battery, to carry the charge current, with a 30A fuse in line. But if I just do that, surely the bow thruster and the starter will try to take charge from both the starter battery and the bow thruster battery? So, what's the best way to charge the bow thruster battery? Do you set up a relay so that when either the starter or the bow thruster is operating, the charging cables get disconnected?

I intend to put a radio/CD player in my boat, and I'd like an FM/DAB radio and also the ability to play MP3s - either MP3 CDs or connect an MP3 player. I'm having both 12V and 240V, so I'm wondering if its better to go for a 240V domestic system, rather than a 12V car one. Does anyone have any recommendations? Also, what about speakers? The best solution seems to be to mount them behind the hull lining, but there wouldn't be space for domestic speakers. So I could either get a set intended for a car, or just buy some off the shelf ones from Maplins. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Well, I've just spent 4 days cutting back sprayfoam (horrible job) and starting the lining (better) on the 60-footer I've ordered from Piper Boats. The roof and upper sides were battened and sprayfoamed over the battens, and we had to cut back the sprayfoam flush with the battens. Here's a picture of my daughter and boyfriend working on it: Simon Piper suggested that to avoid cutting back the sprayfoam we could just batten onto the battens, but recommended against it. For the lower part we just cut back a 2" section of sprayfoam on the stiffeners and fixed battens onto that - a couple of hours work at most. The lining can then be screwed or nailed to the battens; battening direct to the stiffeners doesn't sound too good to me, but I'm new to this ...

Along the Kennet and Avon between Bath and Devizes is a nice route, and its been made up as a cycle path so is suitable for road bikes. Chris Farey

Of course you're right - 10mm^2 isn't that big, and maybe I should consider bigger. Thanks for the answers. Chris Farey

Hi I've ordered a 60' narrowboat sailaway, which I should take delivery of later this month and am planning on fitting out myself. I've been reading up on the electrical installation, and have a question. I'm planning on putting in Vetus macerator toilets, which the catalogue states have a 400W motor and should draw 32A using a 12V supply. If the toilet is halfway along the boat, this gives a cable run of about 20m. Doing a calculation of voltage drop, I get a drop of 1V if I use 10mm^2 cable. This seems a) too high a drop and b ) pretty thick cable. The Vetus installation manual on the web suggests using 2.5mm^2 cable for connecting to the toilet. So, my question is, what is the correct size cable to use? Does the fact that the pump is only running for a few seconds during a flush mean that smaller sized cable can be used? It seems that whatever I do its probably best to give the toilets their own circuit? Chris Farey

Hi Its my first post too. I've done the Leicester Loop 3 times over the last 30 years, most recently this Easter. We've always done it in a week, so 2 weeks shouldn't be a problem. Things to consider include: Part of it is on the River Soar, so you need to be careful, especially if there's been heavy rain; it could even be closed if the level is too high. Also be careful of the weirs; they're well guarded, but getting stuck on one can ruin your day. When you first get on the Trent it seems huge, but you're only on it for a short stretch. Although you'll probably cruise a bit faster on the River, because of the deeper water, the river locks are a lot slower than the canal locks, so factor that into your planning. The staircases at Foxton and Watford have restricted opening times, and can be very slow to get through when they're busy. You could consider going up the Erewash too - its quite nice, particularly at the top end. Its good if you like doing locks too ;-). Around Coventry is a bit bleak, apart from Hawkesbury Junction, so its probably better not to plan to spend a night there. Otherwise its a pretty rural. There's a nice old pub at Sawley. Chris Farey