Sue1946

We plan to go to the Powergen Cup Finals at Twickenham on Sunday 9 April. It would appear to be logical to moor at Brentford for the duration, coming southbound on the GU. Q1 - are there safe moorings for 1 night at Brentford? Q2 - can we turn to come northbound again? Sue

We appreciate those comments, and I apologise for mis-spelling 'draughts'!! (THOUGHT IT LOOKED WRONG....). The off-cuts of carpet tiles has done the job very well at both front and rear doors by glueing strips into the metal channels of the frames. No interference to regulation vents was ever intended. We like the idea for cutting down condensation - how does it work? Does it touch the glass?

Hi TomandSophie, This appears to be a long thread, and my apologies for not reading it at all thoroughly, but it seems the closest to one of our major problems. Anyone seeing our blog 'boatlife.blogspot.com' will know we finally took ownership of NB Seleus recently. We've not had the slightest problem keeping the stove going overnight with Taybright, and re-started within minutes of returning from Sue's (my) house last week - just newspaper, kindling and Taybright. NO - our problem is DRAFTs - of the windy type thro' ill-fitting metal front and rear doors and side hatch. We can see daylight from the bedroom cabin to the steering deck!! We plan to line the door channels with carpet tile cut-offs to fill these gaps and hope it is successful. However, if this does not work it will at least cut down some drafts. I know we require a certain amount of fresh air inside, but I would rather be the instigator of this source of cold air!! We are presently back in my draft-free but unsold bungalow for a couple of days to pack up more gear for the boat, also to see my lovely Bedford Blues given a short, sharp shock by Nottingham!

Do what we did jim go to boatyards and see what you can get for your money. Walk the towpath speak to boaters they will chat no problem, read the boat mags. Also plenty of websites of liveaboard boaters that give details of costs etc. We are just about to move aboard are of same age and have sold up. We are going to keep a log of expences as we read so many different opinions and will be able to produce in time accurate costings. Where are you located?

I think BW are more concerned about the bridge hoppers who hang around for months on end and use the towpath as a garden/tip. I am sure they will not chase any genuine c/c who happens to re- appear a month or two later in the same vicinity. For example if i make my way to london from hemel hempstead and then turn to head north past hemel again this is because i have decided not to access the stort or thames at this time. Surely if i stop again on my return a moth later at watford or hemel they(BW) are not going to accuse me of bridge hopping. They are not stupid they know of the problem boaters so i am in no fear of any BW accusations of breach of my licence status. I have every faith in any BW patrol who happens by. Or am i making a big mistake???

Many thanks for your reply all. will get it wired now. THANKS LES?SUE

Hi All Have just recieved our genny. It`s a kipor 3000TI sinemaster. This will be used solely for charging batteries and any heavy usage ie w/ machine.Don`t want to run engine other than c/cruising- live aboard that we will be. What we want to know is what cable do we use to wire up the lovely shiny new plugs that came with the genny. We take delivery of the boat this mid week and look forward to hopefully meeting some of you. We feel like we are emigrating to a new life, joining a community un-like any on land, can`t wait. LES/SUE

Well just got back home and read all the postings. I have a feeling we will be getting a decent bow saw and an axe. Thanks for all your postings up to now.

perhaps we would be better with an axe. Never chopped logs for a fire before. Is it just as easy although it will take more effort i guess.

Hi everyone Have been looking at chainsaws in the Screw Fix book. Can anyone advise best type ie blade length/c.c./make. Any experiance of the manufacturer RYOBI.screwfix

Hi All We paid 10% deposit with balance on handover. Our builder is a one man operation and buys shell foam insulated and lines out and fits out his self. Everything is handbuilt, no flatpack units, and in our boat oak. Reading of some peoples disasters on web sites i am pleased we are at least safe as far as a builder going bust having only 10% at risk. Have some pics at boatlife.blogspot.com

That is just what i wanted. many thanks for your replies.

I understand that but when in a good reception area out of boat is fine but step inside and its useless. Hence need an indoor aerial.

HELP Have made a search but had no luck. Want to know about mobile reception on the boat. Sure i read somewhere of an aerial for this problem. Thanks

THANKS FOR COMMENTS I AM NOW READING PREVIOUS POSTS ON THIS SUBJECT.

We will shortly become continuous cruisers, and are sure looking forward to the life. I am green and keen to install solar panels, partner is grey and suspicious of the potential benefits against outlay. Can anyone offer constructive help and advice on the subject.

no afraid not as i am just using the specs from a boat i am interested in and am thinking of topping up batteries without running engine. got a thing about running engine while tied up(wear etc)

LET ME RE-CAP THE GENNY IS 700W THE INVERTER HAS A 100AMP CHARGER BUILT IN 712A BATT BANK THE QUESTION IS CAN I PLUG THE GENNY IN TO SOCKET AT REAR OF BOAT TO CHARGE BATT. BANK THROUGH THE INVERTER/CHARGER AND WILL 700W GENNY BE POWERFUL ENOUGH TO PUT IN MUCH CHARGE OVER SAY 3HOURS

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES AS I UNDERSTAND I CAN USE THE GENNY FOR A FEW HOURS ONE AFTERNOON JUST TO TOP UP THE BATTERIES. ALL THAT WOULD BE ON AT THIS TIME WOULD BE MAYBE THE FRIDGE, SO PLENTY WILL BE GOING IN .

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES AS I UNDERSTAND I CAN USE THE GENNY FOR A FEW HOURS ONE AFTERNOON JUST TO TOP UP THE BATTERIES. ALL THAT WOULD BE ON AT THIS TIME WOULD BE MAYBE THE FRIDGE, SO PLENTY WILL BE GOING IN .

I WAS INTENDING TO PLUG THE GENNY ITO THE 240 SOCKET AT REAR OF BOAT THINKING THIS WOULD THEN FEED THE CHARGER IN THE INVERTER

IF I HAVE A 720AMP BATTERY BANK AND WANT TO USE A GENNY TO CHARGE THE BANK DOES THE GENNY HAVE TO BE A SPECIFIC OUTPUT. SAY THE GENNY IS 700WATTS OUTPUT WOULD THIS DO THE JOB. I BELIEVE THE INVERTER FITTED HAS A 100AMP CHARGER BUILT IN.

So new we have yet to buy a boat!! So new I'm cruisin' the sites while he's away visiting his family. So new it's all going to be 'plain sailing' as soon as it stops being a huge step to take. There, now you all know me and I look forward to meeting you too. Les has a blog called boats and cruising if it's any help. Sue