monkeyhanger

Perhaps I was misinformed then.

I wonder when it was last blacked? And how?

Apparently the boat is now up for sale at Harefield Marina. That dream sadly didn't last long.

I will be travelling to Liverpool Salthouse dock from Scarisbrick marina later this week. Are there any do's/dont's to be aware of? What are the highlights you would recommend visiting when in Liverpool? Thank you.

I can recommend Redshaw's. They put an electric start on my JP a few years ago.

I suggested Alvecote Marina ( Samuel Barlow) earlier.

Try Alvecote Marina

I've used Nautical insurance based in Leigh on Sea for many years. No claims, cost always the same give or take a couple of quid. Then I had a claim. I hit something underwater and bent a blade on my prop. Two dockings (prop on/ prop off) and the straightening cost £800 odd quid. Insurance paid up straight away with no quibbling. When the renewal notice came (which I was very apprehensive about, I must say) my premium had gone up a fiver. Excellent company, highly recommended.

Thank you for all that info. I remember now that I had a square D on the first water pump I fitted on my boat 30 years ago. I can't remember the name, but it was a good pump, if noisy. The motor was vertically mounted on top of a built in pressure vessel. All round, a large and very heavy device. On the subject of pressure vessels, I have an pressure accumulator and an expansion vessel in my water system. Would this have any bearing on fitting the square D? And what advantages would I gain using a square D. Are the Jabsco built-in pressure switches the weak point?

You can never tell with these things, can you? I suspect that you've done quite well with your pump, and it doesn't owe you anything. However, I'd prefer not to be in the situation again where my son and his girlfriend had no running water for over a week because he was unable to source a replacement pump of the suitable type. You know the situation, I'm sure. If I have a spare pump, I'll never need it. That's why I'm looking for a simple, cheap, preferably second hand, swap over should my pump give up the ghost.

Thanks. I now know what to look for.

Which pressure switch would you recommend please?

Thanks for the help. I have a 2 year old Par Max 2.9 at the moment, and was looking for a direct replacement for when the inevitable happens. My previous Jabsco pump, a Sensormax, packed in when my son was using the boat and I was out of the country. I have a 24volt system, and pumps of that voltage are not so easy to get hold of. I just want to follow the Boy Scout's motto.

I've been keeping my eye open on Ebay for a 2nd hand Par max 2.9 pump to keep as a spare in case of emergency, and I keep coming across these "Singflo" water pumps which seem ridiculously cheap. Has anyone had any experience of them? I'm sure it's a case of "you get what you pay for", but I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried them.

If it's an ex-working craft, it's certainly been cossetted all its life. Looking down the hull sides there's not a wave or dent to be seen. It's brand new in my opinion, but I'm happy to be proved wrong. If it's not Garry Ward, could it be one of Bluewater's boats?

Steady on, we're not on Farcebook you know!

As it's on the GU, I'd hazard a guess that it's been built by Garry Ward.

The plastic boat's in a bit of a precarious position!

My immediate thought was that it was in operation 5-7 years ago, but one gets to an age when one's mind has a habit of getting these things wrong. That's why I was a bit more generous in my estimation.

There was at least one of them in working order around 12-15 years ago. I used it. 5th lock down I think. The one with the bridge and lock house.

I don't know how long "Old Friends" is, but I've winded my 70ft boat by the station in Berkhamsted.

Looks like they're moored in the winding hole.

I can highly recommend both Alvecote Marina and Glascote Dock. I've stayed aboard at Glascote, you'd need to check if you can with Alvecote. Both yards were very efficient, concientious and thorough. Coventry canal.

I've been offered the Yuasa batteries for £50 each, although as I've procrastinated a bit, I may have missed them.

I have a gas fridge. The only power drains are lights, which I've changed to Leds, 2 pumps, phone charging, and a 12v TV. When my wife joins me , she likes to use a hairdryer, but I make sure the engine is running when she uses it. And, as some people have said, I still have the raised hand start mechanism.