BroadAmbition

Last weekend whilst Bro and crew was out and about on t rivers, that issue of the battery power bank not lasting above five hours reared its ugly head once more. This time on Sunday night. Both Friday and Saturday nights they were hooked up to shore power so the six leisure batteries were fully charged. Then about three n half hours running before stopping for overnight at Womack Water. After five hours or so the display was showing only 10:5 volts in the system. This of course caused many systems to shut down. Firing up the Beta floated the system and all was good, but having to fire up the engine is no solution, especially if there are neighbouring craft and after 2000 So Monday in t wetshed after crews departed left me, Bro and Purdey dog in attendance. We checked and checked and tested and metered every which way we could think of. Both alternators are producing healthy voltage. The Sterling split charger is accepting load, all check lights are performing, we opened it up and gave it a gentle hoover out - All looks good. It is distributing voltage correctly. Both battery banks are receiving charging voltage correctly both from onboard alternators / solar panels and shore power. We know from last month that the batteries are good from the tests carried out. We also know there is no amperage drain, loose connections, there is no excessive amps drain when under load either. So what is the issue? It just has to be one or more of the batteries being tired. Yes they all pass a short sharp heavy load 'Drop' test but it seems a steady demand over a period of hours can't be accommodated as it should be. We had the same issue five years ago, we replaced the entire bank and all was cured and to the good. Now we could of course pratt about for hours trying to discover which battery (Or batteries) is at fault and just replace the one, sods law will then dictate that another one fails in short order. We have never since 2007 just replaced the odd battery in the leisure banks and have always fitted a complete complement Therefore we have decided to order six new uns. Best price so far we have found is £480:00 for six 130Amp Hrs items. Yes I know that we will be throwing out five potential good batteries that still have some life left in them, but what price peace of mind? Another way of looking at it is £480:00 over five years = £96:00 per year or per year per battery = £16 - doesn't sound a lot at that Once the new items are with me I will charge them here at home on a trickle charge, take them down and replace the present items onboard on a Saturday morning. Then its testing time, so a proper run will be called for, Ranworth or Thurne dyke, stop for an hour or so, then run back to Griffs Corner on t Ant arriving as early as I can. Here everything 12 and 240v that I can turn on, will be turned on for the duration through to around midnight, if its too warm for the Planar running flat out then all t windows will be opened. Sunday forenoon a run back to t wetshed then home. Of course being at Griffs Corner will give me the opportunity to do a spot of bank maintenance and push on with some further clearance wx permitting, so charging of the brush cutter batteries will be happening too Bro can't make it due to intending to waste a good walk in a Gentleman Only Ladies Forbidden competition, MrsG can't make it and if JT and Robin are not onboard then it'll be a solo crewing weekend for me (With Purdey) so I don't need it windy and more than 7ft7" airdraft at Ludham bridge please Griff

What would be the cost of a Kings Counsel to look into this? Griff

Agreed Dom - However they haven’t listened to date Griff

Bro' brought 'B.A' back through Wroxham bridge on Sunday this time at 6ft3" stating once again it was far too close, still - needs must and all that Sunday overnight at Womack Water, Monday forenoon Sutton for pump out and diesel, where Purdey abandoned Dungraftin and stowed away onboard 'B.A' in full view for the river trip back to wetshed where the crew departed for home The 12/240v system issue we thought we had cured last month reared its ugly head once again on Sunday evening. More on this over on t maintenance thread in due course Griff

We've all messed up from time to time, it happens, except for Griff of course Of course I don't - When I'm alongside - underway is another matter And of course you couldn't be further than the truth, I'd need an abacus to keep check of the amount of times I've cocked it right up, the worst of which a couple of years ago was that time I tried to get 'B.A' along side up river of Ludham bridge in a strong wind to take the top down for a bridge transit, that nearly ended up in a complete disaster, a proper schoolboy error. It was well documented on our underway on the H2O thread Griff

I presume you are referring to how the mooring looks. Boat looks ok, would look better newly painted (🥲). If you’re referring to the skipper, I know it’s April 1st 😂 I was referring to your boat Stating the same about skipper goes without saying I would hope The mooring are looking in good shape all the same, they seem to be getting used and established recently - Good Griff

Brilliant Griff

Just passed Springers Retreat at Griffs Corner on the Ant - Looking good. At some point this year I will strim the lot also push on and open up another six feet. It’s probably no secret by now that the original 40ft clear bank has been extended to what it is today by yours truly. One day it’ll be clear all way t windpump. It’s hard graft. I’ve had to purchase a strong cordless brush cutter with extra batteries, take a strong rake, secateurs, extended clippers (for reeds in the water) and gardening gloves. Griff

This morning the Bmc struggled at first but did the roar into life on second attempt. Big relief as no spanner rash. We are cruising in company with ‘B.A’ to Sutton. I have noticed that at the same river speed, the wash off Dungraftin is half as much again as what ‘B.A’ produces. It’s overcast and grey. The rivers are still too high Griff

Womack Water, Had to insist a boat move up so we could berth. It’s proper busy Gtiff

Forgot - both the alternator and impeller drive belts were loose and squealing, somewhat awkward to tension but gottem sorted too Griff

We have learnt that Dungraftin has serious prop walk to Stbd when going astern. She refuses point blank to turn to Port when going astern. This is fine as long as they are aware. When going ahead she comes about in her own length to Stbd but not so tight to Port.(Normal ) She maintains a true steady course going ahead with little input from the helm required. I feel the Bmc might benefit from attention the engine mounts as not quite balanced at low revs, otherwise - fine Griff

BN & GC - Allisons son is an experienced vehicle mechanic, he will be fettling the BMC, I will make sure she gives him your advice - Tks chaps Griff

By now it was 1200. Sailed to Boulters. Topped diesel tank which was only half full. Allison will in future brim the diesel on return to their home berth. Purchased some diesel treatment to administer ever time she is refuelled. Robbed some white marine rubber sealant for the hand rail holes. Filled up with f/w Then off to Salhouse for stern on berthing evolutions , mudweighting and lots of theory instructions. Sailed for Wroxham, enroute did lots of side on mooring practice. In and out of Wroxham pointing out berthing options now enroute for Womack water. More stern on practice and hopefully overnight. Dinner onboard will be shepherds pie but with pork - already prepared Griff

Then it was time to sail. Only the Bmc 1:5 didn’t want to join the party. I’m suspecting tired glow plugs and a slight air leak within the fuel system. After cracking open the injector feeds , bleeding the system it roared into life. Then I had to top up the coolant (Again) and bleed the calorifier, now we have hot domestic water - Good ’B.A’ came alongside us to offer assistance just as I got her running - Sodden Typical. I suffered two points of spanner rash too Griff

Underway yesterday I noticed the transom fenders needed adjustment. The middle one was constantly in the water. So, onboard with em, cleaned and re-sited. Much better. Last night was a stir fry onboard. Clives Daughter (Alison) is vegan, this did not stop her producing a fine chicken dinner. Then after an extended Purdey walk it was into the Swan for the remainder of the evening. I got swamped by very attractive girly staff and customers as per the norm. They all said they wanted to meet Purdey but I knew better This morning, after Breakfast rolls from the shop and after a much more comfortable bunk l(extended it) it was time for a fettle. Clive had fitted a disability folding handrail on the stern. It was proving to be a hazard having to travers round it and an accident waiting to happen. So, off it came and replaced with a much more user friendly affair Griff

We were informed there was a Richo’s aft ccckpit hire boat stuck under Ludham bridge thereby blocking navigation. By the time we arrived Richo’s yard staff had extracted it and were emptying the water drums. We arrived in Horning to find all berths taken. Swan Inn moorings no longer operational. There was a day boat on end of t green. I thought to mysen once they move I can get 25ft in there so we meandered up down till they left. The benefit of a Hampton Safari Griff

We have sailed! Departed Sutton at 1400, approaching Barton Broad Griff

Boat - sorted apart from diesel tank only half full. I could fuel here but need some diesel bug treatment so will call in at Boulters. Berthing ropes are far too thick / long too. We have done the cafe and factory shop now at Tesco. There is a distinct danger we might actually sail this afternoon Griff

What is the airdraft of a Hampton safari? Griff

How just how can a small boat have so much clutter and crap onboard? This lot out of the shower compartment only! Having to narrow stuff away. Henry hoover working overtime Just what is that telescopic thing too? We are nowhere near the cafe or Tesco’s either Griff

Friday 29th March Bro’ and crew took ‘B.A’ through Wroxham Bridge with height board stating 6ft2” That’s unusually brave of our Young Un. He had to remove mast completely rather than just folding it down. The rolled back canopy brushed the bridge and windscreen only had 1” to spare. The return journey won’t be as close to HW as he stated he won’t be doing that again in a hurry They went into the Kings Head now recently refurbished and are impressed Griff

We made the Swan pub for dinner last night in one of their pods in their back yard. Then back to the Sutton hotel, both were proper busy. Didn’t get back onboard till 2330. My bunk is the saloon one, plenty long enough but narrow while Purdey has loadsa room. This morning we will visit the rainbow cafe for a FCE, then Tesco’s. Then a final declutter onboard. Getting Dungraftin out of her berth and into open water will be interesting but prior to that I need to give a safety brief along with some do’s and don’ts Anyroadup, off for a Purdey walk just now Griff

Owners arrived - Good. Interior - sorted. A bit more de cluttering in the morning and we are good to go Griff

Bikertov - Really? Griff