A A Matthews

I wish to extend the useable cooking area on my boatman stove. Image as seen. As I do most meals in casserole dishes it makes sense to ‘ add ‘ a removable surface at one side therefore allowing either a circular or oval Le Cruset type dish on top. I can arc weld, braze and have lots of m/ s threaded rod, nuts , bolts et etc so materials are not a problem. Image showing installation with tiled fire back and flue to be fitted etc All ideas welcomed

thanks for advice and that type of slatted timber mat is called a ‘duck board ‘ perhaps connected to what the troops made for the trenches in W W 1 Yes this looks and sounds the business. As I will be doing all the work on the tow path , as the space is tiny and as a tradesman with all the tools , trestles etc all the panels etc shall be easy to cut , shape etc and fit As an ex long term year round caravan dweller I am familiar with that type of shower however in my twin axel Abbey Spectrum the shower cubicle is preformed and just fitted into the desired space . The boat wc compartment is a tiny odd cramped shape that will require bespoke fitting out for shower use rather than buying a ready made cubical unfortunately! Yes that’s a good suggestion but the ‘challenge’ I have is that the wc compartment is absolutely not standard in any way so the fit out has to be bespoke . I am confident in achieving a workable shower room and decided to see what others had to say

Ha Ha ! Yes I agree with your comments about these unmentionable adhesive products! I am a big fan of C T 1 which seems to cover every aspect of sealing and sticking and gives a solid and flexible bond . Thanks for input Thanks and yes my project sounds the same as yours in the Viking . Was the floor tanked or did you find a proprietary tray ?

Appreciate your response. Well yes I have a large flexible builders bucket that would be fine when we have hot summer weather! However a simple hot shower is essential for my purposes with no choice as to where to have it other than in the we compartment unfortunately. Perhaps you are not au fait with these small, 30 foot Dutch Cruisers but as one owner stated ‘ they are pocket boats ‘ , very snug and tight for space . Impossible to reposition a stand up shower , ready made or home made , anywhere. I meant to say that by me saying ‘wet room / shower room ‘ I am meaning either method will suffice , not fussed as such. It’s more to do with what’s best / what’s possible for the space. Yes there is only the gallery sink that is fine but I am convinced with ingenuity, patience and my 35 years of experience as a cabinet maker / antique furniture restorer- conservator, metal worker etc I will be able to achieve a basic watertight shower / wet room .

tony, thanks for response and suggestions. It’s early days and will not be doing anything until early next year weather permitting. So at this stage I am looking at as many possibilities of achieving a wet room / shower room. My first task will be to strip out the existing smelly , dirty and highly unhygienic boarding inside . This will also free up a little bit more hitherto boarded over space. Then I can see what is underneath floor, walls etc. The original sea toilet was mounted on top of plywood step so with that removed I estimate I will gain 4 inches or so.

ok thanks for your feedback. I can understand the inconvenience perhaps on a bigger boat but in this case we are talking about a very small space indeed. The original sea toilet has been removed and replaced with the smallest thetford unit. There is no wash hand basin hence my idea to use all the space as a ‘wet ‘room Thanks for responding. I was thinking of whale gulper to pump out grey water with WBP marine ply shower tray tanked with fibreglass. Wall frame of stud work to support Showerwall

I am planning to convert tiny WC compartment on steel hulled Dutch Cruiser. Would be useful to receive any ‘do’s , ‘ don’t ‘s / suggestions / advice please. cheers in advance

I totally agree that there is never, ever a reason for using industrial language. If someone cannot be civil and make their comments without recourse to words that you would never use in front of your mother , why should you feel it’s necessary or ok to use on public/ group forums. I am old school and I hate such talk and in my opinion just demonstrates a lack of respect when they use such offensive language

Yes I unfortunately was and still have been subject to a few rather patronising, ‘ we know better ‘ , and personal comments when I have reached out to the community for help and advice. Maybe I have been over sensitive but I have detected attempts to belittle me. Shame and I do question why would anyone want to do that. As a long time professional restorer & conservator of antique furniture I often had folk contacting me for help , advice and I went out of my way to assist in the most positive way.

Thanks for all responses and due to your input I am now in touch with Tim Banwell of Banwell Marine Engineering so hopefully will be getting my engine problems sorted.

Yes it would drive me crackers . However I have had to do exactly that . Load my 4 wheel garden trolley into my van . At other end load the trolley with tools , materials etc and pull down the tow path to the boat . All this for a man that had 2 heart attacks last year ! The things we do for love !!

It was purchased from Hemel Hempstead Marina and has proved unreliable. Whilst I understand that with used items it’s ‘buyer beware ‘ but I am also advised that we could have recourse to law. However for personal reasons this is not an option; it’s not decision.

Well yes you ask a very sensible question! Unfortunately the HH fitter was called out a number of times due to constant engine cut outs leading to some remedial work , then leading to water pump issues diagnosed. He dismantled pump and took away a part he thought could be repaired. Alas since then numerous phone calls, emails and voicemails have been in vain. We gave up on him and another London based fitter / engineer inspected and confirmed existing pump has had it and new pump required. He advised a new pump has to be operational in order to check engine is running correctly and it may be suffering from fuel pipe blockage Yes the trip from HH to Perivale was made possible a few tows by a very friendly and generous lady boater !

Yes many better places but currently the location has to be London for many reasons Ok and you make a very good point . I am assuming it needs a fitter / engineer as who else would have the experience and knowledge of sorting this job out. Also I am advised that there may be other remedial work required once new pump installed and fired up . However any further suggestions are appreciated