Washing a narrowboat

[Ex- Member]

 

Fit a deckwash pump to the boat. Then you can use all the (canal) water you want, via a hose, no worries about wasting water during drought and nobody can complain.

 

Tim

 

Or use a waterless cleaner which will give a far superior finish to washing with much less effort and offer some paint protection in to the bargain.

 

WARNING! It may make your boat shiny though

[Pete & Helen]

Was looking for one of those washing systems where you put a bucket of water on the roof and a hose with a brush on the end that uses a syphon action to deliver the water. But then came across one of these which looks handy http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-Pressure-Washer-Power-Pump-Car-Jet-Wash-Brush-Hose-Lance-Cleaner-8L-/310888970064

[Ex- Member]

Was looking for one of those washing systems where you put a bucket of water on the roof and a hose with a brush on the end that uses a syphon action to deliver the water. But then came across one of these which looks handy http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-Pressure-Washer-Power-Pump-Car-Jet-Wash-Brush-Hose-Lance-Cleaner-8L-/310888970064

 

There one where it will work from the floor, it's just the movement of the hose whilst scrubbing that suck more water up, the quicker you wash the more water you get. Think it's called a jiggle hose, in theory you could just syphon direct from the canal.

 

It's called jiggle hose here

 

http://www.qvcuk.com/qvc.product.512699.html?cookie=set

 

Still a lot of effort though and not good reviews.

[Alan Saunders]

 

Fit a deckwash pump to the boat. Then you can use all the (canal) water you want, via a hose, no worries about wasting water during drought and nobody can complain.

 

Tim

Yes, or keep a spare bilge pump attached to a good length of garden hose and 12V flex. Chuck the pump in the cut for washing the boat. Use it as a temporary or permananent replacement for a failed shower or bilge pump or to pump out a 'dry' bilge if it becomes wet.

 

In hot sunshine running a film of water by bucket, mop or pump over the roof will quickly reduce the temperature, by evaporation, from unbearably hot to the bare foot or hand to below the ambient air temperature. I am convinced that canal water contains organisms (e.g. lichens and moulds?) that will multiply in damp weather. A rinse with tap water (already chlrorinated) or, maybe, canal water with a little bleach (the cheap stuff with no phosphates) should discourage these air-feeders.

 

Lichens, green or white, are an assurance of good air quality, they are rarely seen in town or city.

 

HTH, Alan