Regulo

I've used a central heating pump before, and had no problems. As stated they need to be below the lowest water level, as they're impeller pumps, and won't self-prime.

Could you keep to English, please? For those who don't speak Boatese.

Mine "talks", and announces which alarm has triggered it.

I suppose you'd all like to know how I found out that Chinese holes weren't all they're cracked up to be? Well, it was like this. I needed a 30mm hole through my single brick garage wall. I went to B&Q and Homebase, but they wanted a ridiculous price for pre-packed 150 mm long 30mm holes, so I ordered a 3 metre coil of 30mm hole from China. A bargain at £10, p&p included. I was on tenterhooks waiting for delivery, and was surprised when the postie put a small jiffy bag through my letter box. They'd only vacuum packed it! Clever! I'd prepared the wall with a 30mm drill, so cut off a 150mm length of hole from my reel and tried to fit it. But it just wouldn't go in. I was standing there scratching my head, wondering what to do, when my mate Dave arrived. I explained the problem and he said,"Give it here, I'll put it on my lathe and turn it down a few mil for you". Ten minutes later he returned, and we tried it for size. It was still tight, but with a bit of washing-up liquid, and a wooden mallet, we got it in. Just had to trim off the excess with a craft knife, and job done. The rest of the reel is still hanging in my garage, so if anyone needs a bit of over-sized 30mm hole, you know who to ask. In fact, it's in the way, so the whole reel's yours for £5. And I'll throw in the off-cuts. Can't say fairer than that.

Should have drilled the holes before building the wall. Easy solution now is to order the holes from eBay. Don't buy Chinese ones, the quality is questionable. British holes are far superior.

Can I have them back now, please?

Stop winding people up, MM! Just 'cos your computer is back in operation!!

Careful. Photo's rarely show true colour. Unless you're very lucky!!!!

Got to agree with that. We spend a lot of our Broads time mudweighted on the Lime Kiln dyke arm of Barton. Over the years the reeds have encroached significantly into the open water. There's not much can be done, as it's not affecting navigation, but in time this arm of Barton will go the way of Sutton broad, most of which is now Sutton Fen!

. . . and thus speaks a true connoisseur (or is it p**s artist?).

No, he's an idiot - and I should know.

He may well be. He told us he was in the process of buying a bigger (working) cruiser, and was reluctant to spend any money on his present one. I agree, you might feel intimidated, not least by the large alsation he has with him, but if you speak to him, he's a really polite, lovely guy. He lost his flat because he rescued the ill-treated alsation, and spent last winter under canvas. The dog, by the way, can't bark due to his injuries, and is frightened of people. He was invited to join the crew of a hire cruiser to share their BBQ, and they all had a great time, even the dog enjoyed it!!! I'm not excusing the overstaying on 24 hour moorings, but there are sometimes extenuating circumstances.

Sunbird on Barton Broad, August 2013.

I think there's some sort of Loddon Fete taking place this weekend at Pye's Mill? When we were there two weeks ago, there were 5 "liveaboards", but only signs of life on one of them. As Mr Furbank says, not to judge on first impressions, but it did make me feel a little uncomfortable. We also got into conversation with a chap living on his boat at Burgh Castle. He had a sad tale to tell, and we felt quite sorry for his predicament, which was no fault of his own making. Life just dealt him blow after blow, which he couldn't deal with. A friendly, polite man, brought low by circumstance. "There, but for the grace of God, go I".

I don't wish to know how you intend getting a tender behind, thank you.

Never mind keeping under the parapet . . . I'm staying under my stone. It's cool and dark under here. I'll come out when Brexit fever, and Broads regattas have died down. Could be under here a while, I think.

And I'll be either up on Barton Broad or through Yarmouth!

I wasn't being serious, JM !!!!! Unless you've heard something?

We were at Stalham last weekend, and all the Swancraft boats were being prepped for hiring on Saturday. How long before Richardsons buy out Barnes and Woods?

So, have the BSS caught up with the need to include smoke/CO detectors as mandatory equipment? If not, why not? In any case, why any boat owner would NOT have them defies all sense and logic, to my mind. Probably the same sort of people who don't renew their house smoke alarm batteries. I'm sure everyone on this (and the other) forum have fitted them. Have you? If not, please do so as a matter of urgency.

And don't rely solely on the predicted low/slack times, weather conditions in the North Sea and heavy prolonged rainfall can change what isn't set in stone. Always worth a quick call to the YS staff if you're not sure. More related to headroom, I know, as low tide will always be low tide!

Look OK to me. planningDocs.pdf

Thanks for all your replies. Do you experience the pump pressurising to cut-off, then water flow gradually reducing until the pump cuts in again, or do your pumps run continuously, without reaching cut-off pressure? My system at present is AFAIK the original, which had the HW tank fitted with a 18 psi car radiator cap! The pump pressure switch was set at 15 psi cut out, but cut back in when flow at the taps was almost a dribble! You see why I'm ripping it out and upgrading. I have put in a new calorifier tank with a preset 3 bar PRV (42 psi approx), so I can comfortably run a higher pressure pump. Do I go for a variable speed one, or a standard pressure switch one?

Initial screech from the belt is due to the extra load put on by the alternator while chucking loads of amps at the batteries. It's usually caused by a slack belt (as you've found) or a worn and glazed belt. If it's been happening for a while, it might be worth changing it as a precaution - or get a spare to keep aboard.

Hi, all, I'm about to replace the (ancient) water pump/accumulator set in the boat, it's the original as far as I know. The accumulator tank has failed and the pump itself must be nearing it's end. I'm thinking of a flow-sensed pump that varies speed according to demand, either a Jabsco Vflo or (older type) SensorMax. I've read of the horror stories surrounding these pumps but am still drawn to them. The Vflo has an unadjustable cut off pressure of 50psi which would require a pressure reducing valve to prevent the HW tank pressure relief valve blowing continuously, but the older sensormax will not require that due to a lower cut-off pressure of 25 psi. Any experience or advice?