Phil has been in a phase of ordering and organising (so he tells us!) as the next stage involves fitting many of the bits and pieces that go to make up a modern narrowboat.
We have been putting our minds to a few particular aspects where we have to make some decisions before long - and thanks to those who posted helpful suggestions onto our last blog entry.
Batteries: this is perhaps the area where we have always been a bit nervous having previously been very conscious of what happens when there is insufficient capacity overnight to run everything that we wanted. We always monitored battery consumption very closely, recording each morning's readout on the Sterling Battery Management System. The two things that gave us the most attention were the fridge and the Eberspacher heater, both of which cut out when the voltage at their end of the cable falls below around 10.6V. Although the above readout rarely approached this we still had a number of occasions when cutout occurred.
The fridge improved when we replaced it a couple of years ago. The engineer who fitted it discovered the previous one had been connected by far too thin a cable and he replaced it, also connecting back much closer to the battery bank itself. Since then we had far fewer problems.
Latterly, the Eberspacher had also been cutting out but, as readers to the last few weeks of the Take Five blog will know, we ended up having to replace much of it - for other reasons - and we did not have enough experience with it to know whether the former experiences would be repeated. The heater failing to come on early morning is the more uncomfortable of the two - at least the fridge on a cold morning still keeps its contents cool enough, even the freezer did not defrost.
The other issue was when Christine used her hair dryer after her early shower and hair wash. As a mains appliance this involved having to turn on the inverter. Not infrequently, this would drag the voltage down so that the inverter also cut out but this was easily solved by turning on the main engine.
As a result of all of this we had been paying particular attention to what batteries were to be installed. The agreed specification called for four 130Ah lead acid batteries although the supplier has now reduced the specification of these to 120Ah. Lead acid batteries are based on technology that is a mass produced item (although slightly oriented to the specific characteristics of the cabin services supply which are different from the starter, which quite separate) so that their cost is comparatively low (still £130 each, typically, to replace and all four should be done at the same time!)
At our last visit we had asked about the possibility of having a greater capacity and both we and Phil investigated the options. The electrical installer did some calculations and we did our own in parallel. Alternative battery technologies were investigated but the cost implication is substantial - perhaps four times for not a huge gain) In the end we settled for the four 120Ah batteries which should have a total usable capacity of around 240Ah whilst our worst case overnight calculation is around 140Ah. Of course, this assumes that we start off quite soon in the morning but if we do not then, as ever, we have to turn on the engine to recharge the batteries. However, we have asked that the battery tray be designed so that an upgrade is possible in the future if we decide it is worth doing. After all, a lot of development is going into battery technology at the moment and who knows what the market will offer in a few years time.
The next issue is that of a rubbish bin. This might seem a small matter but it looms large in our thinking as our solution on Take Five was somewhat primitive. Although we bought a small pedal bin there was nowhere to locate it convenient for use when preparing food - the main source of stuff to go into the rubbish bags. As a result we resorted, almost right from the outset, to hanging a supermarket carrier bag over the cupboard door knob nearest the rear steps. This worked well if a little inelegant. Of course, the new plastic bag charge threatened the source but we still had some of our stock left when we sold up!
We have been trying to devise a better solution but this involves working out the best compromise in terms of allocating the relatively small amount of storage that there is in a narrowboat galley. (There is never enough, but our tendency to cook 'from scratch' demands quite a good stock of ingredients and utensils!)
At the moment we have held off agreeing to anything too fixed but Christine has ordered a small bin that is designed to hang on the rear of a cupboard door so that we can try it out next visit whilst Mike has now, eventually, tracked down a small pull out unit that we may go for later. Most seem to take up much of a single cupboard.
And so to televisions. Originally on Take Five, we had an Omnimax terrestrial aerial but found that it was often not able to locate a suitable signal and several years ago we switched to a satellite dish. We have never felt the need for more than the FreeSat range of channels but it can receive a usable signal more frequently. In the last year or so we also invested in a good signal detector, one that gives a read out at the dish. Previously we were dependent on knowing whether the tv itself was showing a picture. This usually involved a lot of shouting from inside to outside - not always happily! The new device was so much better and we rarely failed to find a signal unless we had had to moor in amongst a lot of tall buildings or surrounded by very tall trees with leaves on them.
This setup required a separate MaxView satellite decoder. Both it and the television connected to mains voltage which was often the only reason for having the inverter on during the late evening. (It is important to note that the inverter draws current even if no appliance is switched on. When one is, the efficiency of the conversion process itself uses up battery power)
We have been looking for a suitable sized tv that incorporates the decoder but it seems that, at the moment, these are generally only built into the larger displays - not sure why, but perhaps the smaller end of the market is more price sensitive. Whilst some boaters, usually those living aboard permanently, do install larger screens, most - including ourselves - do not want to devote that much of the limited space to something that is only used at the end of the day - and then only if there is something worth watching!
We have managed to find a supplier to the caravan market that does offer suitably sized tvs that have a satellite decoder and also run from 12v directly. (Ironic really in that the tv itself will almost certainly be transforming the mains supply down to a low voltage before it drives any electronics!) The down side is that, as a specialist market and as with most 12v appliances, it is a lot more expensive, perhaps almost twice. The same goes for fridges and freezers. A decision yet to be made but we will need to finalise the size at our next visit to the boat.
OK, so none of these debates is large scale - rather different from the things that Phil is juggling - but at least it helps to assuage our frustration at not being able to spend time aboard this Christmas and New Year. It would have been good to do what we were a little frustrated with last year and have a proper Christmas Day - Boxing day or longer cruise out from the marina but that will have to wait until next year. This time we are renting a cottage near to London for a week so that we can take two grandchildren to a theatre as a Christmas present and also to have them to stay for New Year's Eve.
At the end of that cottage stay we hope to make our next trip to Stafford when we will call on the flooring and upholstery suppliers to make some decisions on those items.
Thursday 22 December 2016
Sunday 11 December 2016
Freezer
Phil has been fitting the small freezer we are having. To save on galley space it is located under the dinette. OK, so it will be just a little extra effort to access it but it is not a regular need.
Originally we were following up an idea taken from another boat and hoped to have one the pulled out from the seat end, but the dimensions did not fit. As it is, it has to be recessed into the floor under the dinette. To do this, the dinette base has moved out of the way but the second photo shows how it was when we visited as reported in the last blog.
Originally we were following up an idea taken from another boat and hoped to have one the pulled out from the seat end, but the dimensions did not fit. As it is, it has to be recessed into the floor under the dinette. To do this, the dinette base has moved out of the way but the second photo shows how it was when we visited as reported in the last blog.
Thursday 1 December 2016
End November Visit
We drove up for another visit on Tuesday. We left home just after 8 and met up with Andrew at Stem to Stern in Stafford for 2 o'clock. We managed a good break at Michaelwood and there were no traffic delays at all.
We quickly set about walking through the boat from the stern to see how it has progressed - we are due to make another stage payment so were keen to check that it matched!
The front cabin contains two single berths with plenty of storage under the beds as well as wall mounted cupboards and shelves.
Moving forward we next come to the bathroom. As can be seen, this is a walk-through layout which makes it much more roomy, albeit at the price of not being able to go from one end of the boat to the other when it is in use! Not too much is fitted here yet although the wash basin stand and shower wall are in place, together with shelves in the space behind the shower wall.
The main bedroom comes next - we are convinced that this is a better layout and should also mean that the room will be warmer in the colder parts of the year as it is next to the main cabin.
Again, there will be plenty of storage. What we decided this time is that two of the four sections will be divided and the rear parts accessible from the top of the bed. These will be able to take longer term items such as the spare duvet and sleeping bags for visitors.
The main cabin does not yet have much in it except that the base if the dinette is in place and we could get a much better feel of how the space, together with the galley, is going to work out. One of the issues under debate is where to fit the tv. We think that we now are in agreement but it does not have to finalised until a later visit. The general position is fixed since the first fix electrics are all in place (as also is the plumbing) In one corner (opposite where the stove will be) is a storage unit.
At the rear comes the galley. This is always a matter of compromise and debate as we would all like to fit in more than is really possible! In this boat we will have both a washing machine and a microwave that were not in Take Five and there will also be a small freezer under the dinette.
One of the matters to be decided was the worktop surface. We have opted for a smart hard surface rather than simpler laminate. The draining board will be formed in the surface itself.
In between the galley and the rear doors is, on one side, the electrical cupboard where all the controls will be located and on the other side is a 'wet' locker - that is a place to store outdoor clothing. As yet there is little in here.
We also had to think about flooring although Phil only lays this once the boat is in the water in case there is a need to access the under-floor space to adjust the ballast.However, it seems that we are likely to go for a Karndean surface which will be more robust when things are dropped on it than we found with the laminate. Andrew is keen to consider a 'loose lay' version so that individual pieces can be swapped around in the event of something really damaging it. On perhaps the next visit we may well have a chat with the flooring supplier.
We are very impressed with the attention to detail, both in terms of the layout and overall positioning of items but also in the actual fit out. For example, this picture shows the space below the electrical cupboard where the extended swim intrudes into the cabin. Some fitters might well have taken the view that this is too 'out of sight' to do much about but you can see that it has been fully trimmed.
We saw for the first time the style of roof lining. Overall, we are pleased with the lighter upper lining - not something that we had expected to have until we began the detailed discussions with Phil, although it does seem to be a growing fashion.
Also, in talking through a number of aspects of the electrical and other systems, whenever there is ambiguity in the the specification, what we are getting is very much on the positive side. For example, although the spec calls for a bilge pump, we are actually having one in the engine bay and one that will keep the main cabin under floor dry in the event that water floods into it. (This did happen once with our previous boat and we had to cut an access hole ourselves and use a portable pump to remove the water)
Outside, Tyler Wilson have yet to come and make the modifications to the steps - you can see what will happen in the wooden mock up. Hopefully this will be in place shortly as Phil hopes to begin preparing the external surfaces ready to build up layers paint in the near term.
One thing that we also discussed is cabin services battery power. We do not want to be a short as we found ourselves in the past although we are aware that adding more batteries in parallel is not as simple as it might seem. More info needed before we decide but the most likely outcome is to leave space to add extra (the spec includes four slightly larger ones than we had before) and we may also opt for even higher capacity if they can be fitted in.
Something that we had not realised hitherto - especially as we do not often look at narrowboat hulls out of the water - is the way in which the base plate and the dies are joined. To protect this vital weld, a small amount of the base plate extends outwards as in this photo.
Overall we remain confident and delighted and our anticipation continues to build along with the boat itself. Discussing completion, we expect that 'March' (as in the contract) may be closer to Easter than the original thought of the first of the month! However, this is not a problem - just so long as we do get on board for the Easter break!
Now we have to transfer the next stage payment! Ouch!
We adjourned with Andrew to the same Costa coffee shop as last time to mull over what we had seen. One of the unresolved issues concerns a waste bin location. We took a brief look in some of the stores nearby for ideas.
Whilst Andrew set off to return home we went to our overnight stop in Keele village. This gave us an opportunity the following morning to take a reminiscence tour of the university campus as we have been back perhaps just once since leaving their almost 50 years ago! It was pleasing to see how well the Chapel (which is where we were married) has lasted.
Finally, we called at Swanley Bridge Marina to collect the last of our belongings that we did not have room to take with us when we handed Take Five over to its new owners.
The return journey was rather longer than expected because the M5 was closed around Junction 10 and we had to make a detour, which itself had problems with roadworks. At least we managed to get back before it was really dark. It was a bit of a relief to arrive as Mike had had to drive all the afternoon with the sun shining low in our direction of travel! Wuch is the delight of winter journeys.
We quickly set about walking through the boat from the stern to see how it has progressed - we are due to make another stage payment so were keen to check that it matched!
The front cabin contains two single berths with plenty of storage under the beds as well as wall mounted cupboards and shelves.
Moving forward we next come to the bathroom. As can be seen, this is a walk-through layout which makes it much more roomy, albeit at the price of not being able to go from one end of the boat to the other when it is in use! Not too much is fitted here yet although the wash basin stand and shower wall are in place, together with shelves in the space behind the shower wall.
The main bedroom comes next - we are convinced that this is a better layout and should also mean that the room will be warmer in the colder parts of the year as it is next to the main cabin.
Again, there will be plenty of storage. What we decided this time is that two of the four sections will be divided and the rear parts accessible from the top of the bed. These will be able to take longer term items such as the spare duvet and sleeping bags for visitors.
The main cabin does not yet have much in it except that the base if the dinette is in place and we could get a much better feel of how the space, together with the galley, is going to work out. One of the issues under debate is where to fit the tv. We think that we now are in agreement but it does not have to finalised until a later visit. The general position is fixed since the first fix electrics are all in place (as also is the plumbing) In one corner (opposite where the stove will be) is a storage unit.
At the rear comes the galley. This is always a matter of compromise and debate as we would all like to fit in more than is really possible! In this boat we will have both a washing machine and a microwave that were not in Take Five and there will also be a small freezer under the dinette.
One of the matters to be decided was the worktop surface. We have opted for a smart hard surface rather than simpler laminate. The draining board will be formed in the surface itself.
In between the galley and the rear doors is, on one side, the electrical cupboard where all the controls will be located and on the other side is a 'wet' locker - that is a place to store outdoor clothing. As yet there is little in here.
We also had to think about flooring although Phil only lays this once the boat is in the water in case there is a need to access the under-floor space to adjust the ballast.However, it seems that we are likely to go for a Karndean surface which will be more robust when things are dropped on it than we found with the laminate. Andrew is keen to consider a 'loose lay' version so that individual pieces can be swapped around in the event of something really damaging it. On perhaps the next visit we may well have a chat with the flooring supplier.
We are very impressed with the attention to detail, both in terms of the layout and overall positioning of items but also in the actual fit out. For example, this picture shows the space below the electrical cupboard where the extended swim intrudes into the cabin. Some fitters might well have taken the view that this is too 'out of sight' to do much about but you can see that it has been fully trimmed.
We saw for the first time the style of roof lining. Overall, we are pleased with the lighter upper lining - not something that we had expected to have until we began the detailed discussions with Phil, although it does seem to be a growing fashion.
Also, in talking through a number of aspects of the electrical and other systems, whenever there is ambiguity in the the specification, what we are getting is very much on the positive side. For example, although the spec calls for a bilge pump, we are actually having one in the engine bay and one that will keep the main cabin under floor dry in the event that water floods into it. (This did happen once with our previous boat and we had to cut an access hole ourselves and use a portable pump to remove the water)
Outside, Tyler Wilson have yet to come and make the modifications to the steps - you can see what will happen in the wooden mock up. Hopefully this will be in place shortly as Phil hopes to begin preparing the external surfaces ready to build up layers paint in the near term.
One thing that we also discussed is cabin services battery power. We do not want to be a short as we found ourselves in the past although we are aware that adding more batteries in parallel is not as simple as it might seem. More info needed before we decide but the most likely outcome is to leave space to add extra (the spec includes four slightly larger ones than we had before) and we may also opt for even higher capacity if they can be fitted in.
Something that we had not realised hitherto - especially as we do not often look at narrowboat hulls out of the water - is the way in which the base plate and the dies are joined. To protect this vital weld, a small amount of the base plate extends outwards as in this photo.
Overall we remain confident and delighted and our anticipation continues to build along with the boat itself. Discussing completion, we expect that 'March' (as in the contract) may be closer to Easter than the original thought of the first of the month! However, this is not a problem - just so long as we do get on board for the Easter break!
Now we have to transfer the next stage payment! Ouch!
We adjourned with Andrew to the same Costa coffee shop as last time to mull over what we had seen. One of the unresolved issues concerns a waste bin location. We took a brief look in some of the stores nearby for ideas.
Whilst Andrew set off to return home we went to our overnight stop in Keele village. This gave us an opportunity the following morning to take a reminiscence tour of the university campus as we have been back perhaps just once since leaving their almost 50 years ago! It was pleasing to see how well the Chapel (which is where we were married) has lasted.
Finally, we called at Swanley Bridge Marina to collect the last of our belongings that we did not have room to take with us when we handed Take Five over to its new owners.
The return journey was rather longer than expected because the M5 was closed around Junction 10 and we had to make a detour, which itself had problems with roadworks. At least we managed to get back before it was really dark. It was a bit of a relief to arrive as Mike had had to drive all the afternoon with the sun shining low in our direction of travel! Wuch is the delight of winter journeys.
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