Grace and Favour

Welcome to the forum cHarry, Previous posts are bang-on. There is already oodles of posts on the forum on the questions you raise. Costs will always be dearer for a longer boat, normal maintenance, painting / refurbishment and moorings are often based per foot. Because renting property is expensive is not the best reason to live on a boat. Boats can be just as expensive - (a fact that many will attest to) CC'ing in London is not easy, I believe. And will consume substantial tracts of your time. You may be able to buy a 'passable' narrowboat boat for £20k - but it is quite likely to need a fair amount of maintenance to make it comfortable/safe/seaworthy/acceptable. Depending upon which area of London you are working in, the cost of moorings alone (if you can find them) may appear fairly expensive. If Harlow is not too far out of the centre for you, Roydon Marina may be worth looking at. And please DO rent a narrowboat for a few weeks, (from a proper hire company, please) and preferably during the winter. You will be glad you did.

Those whom have learned that there are often grains of knowledge amongst the chaff

It says that I own a fat boat (?)

Ex MOD field gun anchor pins. Rather effective. (Mind you - we do have a fat boat)

I found that getting some longer pins has avoided that problem for us. (Ours are 1.1Metre long)

It's a long shot, to be honest. There are companies that rent out narrowboats, long term and legally... But they are few and far between. ETRR (Escape The Rat Race) is the one that springs to mind - they are not cheap - but are a good operation by reputation (maybe worth speaking to them ) I would caution against using individuals who may hire out boats "without disclosing them as proper businesses/on the fly" - for the implications regarding boat safety & insurers invalidating policies can be unpleasant. I know of folks that do hire such boats though. Also be aware that you will need to find a proper mooring for a year - - and that may well set you back an extra £3/4000 for a year The other route you may wish to consider is approaching a pukka hireboat (aka holiday co.) and asking if they will rent one out for a year..again, it may not be cheap - but at least it will have proper maintenance, and you know that it'll be in servicable condition from the outset. And they may well provide you with mooring options too.

EE had a major system upgrade 8 days ago, but I've been told today (I'm suffering from EE content block on CWDF too!) that it corrupted, and is causing them major headaches. Their engineers are working on it, but there's (as yet) no declared "fixit date".

Welllllll...... I guess the final sorted list of options will boil down to whereabouts in London you are looking to moor! - (and how far you are prepared to travel by land to commute/etc) In some parts of London moorings are like hen's teeth (I understand) - and others marginally less so. Alan has raised a valuable point about continuity of moorings, IF you buy a boat for its mooring, you must check and be absolutely certain that you are able to take on the mooring - (do not just accept the word of the boat seller, unless they own the land, and you are purchasing it from them (and you'll be talking serious money I guess). Also be aware that most moorings are let on an annual basis, (some for longer in annual increments)...but basically they offer no security of tenure. There are many more boats for sale across the UK than there are moorings in London. So buy the boat separately - buy one that you really like - - get the mooring when it's available - and, if possible, get the mooring first.

If I build another shower I will use the PVC wall cladding sheets as used in food factories (Example) There are many different thicknesses available - but it's lovely stuff to work with, easy to cut and shape - - I'd glue it to cabin walls made of marine ply (preferably) It comes in full size sheets, so joints will be few, and a good silicone sealant adheres to it well.

Ah! - - Doh - of course! - - I didn't recognise it in the photo!!

Well done Ian - - proof indeed that it pays to read the small print - - (even if it does prove that assumptions can be dangerous!)

I fitted an isolator switch between my controller and the panels, as well as an isolator (and then a fuse, of course) betwen the controller and the batteries. It works well for me.

ooh! - I've not seen that around, Robbo - - where's that normally based??

Dependent upon what the builder used as ballast - - yes, it's probably easy to move. The most common ballast options are bricks, paving slabs, steel plate, pig iron ingots, or, if you're lucky - lead! Less common ballast (thankfully) would be something like gravel - - which is much messier to move around.

We may well be able to help find someone on the forum, we're regularly seeing such requests. Has the boat the enhanced BSS, been registered as an hire boat, have CRT business approval and is the marina aware that it is being let?

The water's clearly lowered even over the last few days. It was only on Sunday that we winded at this spot, (and our widebeam draws 2'8" ) I'll put our success down to luck, not judgement!!!

I'm afraid moderation does come into it: I am frequently dismayed at the inter-member disputes and abuse. I understand that the keyboard allows for more animated discussion, (that the folks may shy away from when face to face) but the frequency of name-calling and abusive language is wholly uneccesary and unproductive. There are many examples of behaviour fit only for an infant's classroom, and that folks lower themselves to this level is disappointing to say the least. That the exponents can then let the situation dissolve into an "he said--she said" arguement should be shameful - though I assume they have no shame.

Most of it fell in the South West, and it didn't flow uphill to Leeds

I'd suggest you telephone Towergate Mardon and discuss your situation with them. I've always found them easy to speak to, flexible and helpful. They are a little dearer than some insurers, but I believe they're worth it.

Probably not - but you should be for that!

You clearly have not tried my bread!

OP, after two years, I wouldn't risk messing about and running the risk of using the wrong solution, (the stuff in there may possibly be much older than two years old anyway (?) Replace it. Work on a 50% Anti-freeze/water mix. Buy sufficient for your engine and skin tank system. If you drain it now, measure how much you get out. Then flush it (because you're not sure what type is in there at the moment) : - Fill it with plain water - run the engine for a little while. Let it cool, drain it again and then fill with your preferred mix. (Blue will need replacing every two years, Pink will require replacing every five years. Pink is dearer initially - but works out cheaper over the period.

Too late - I've taken copies of everything you've posted, printed it, and have sent it to my bank for safekeeping. (maybe?)

Thanks for the pics..... Now - would you please measure the diameters (inside and outer edge) of the tumes please. (with a little luck) It may well be that these can be ground off and mushroom vents fitted inside

tssk - - "phormatting" shirley?