Well, he arrived and knew exactly what I needed – which of course he would, he’s a professional.  He also recommended a Galvanic Isolator which I’d never heard of before so ran a Google search and did some reading.  Now, my boat is 21 years old nearly and the hull was in superb condition.  However, as I’m not going to be buying another boat EVER I thought it was a good thing to protect my home for the foreseeable future with something that’s really quite small and cheap in comparison to having a hull re-plated.  It’s the small purple gizmo at the top of the photo.

My new 3-stage battery charger is the large gizmo and now my back cabin back wall looks like something from a cheap Starship Enterprise but more believable. :D

All work was carried out cleanly and on time – more-so it was extremely reasonable in respect of his hourly labour charge.  In fact, his hourly rate is more than 50% cheaper than Hilperton Marina’s!  I was also able to transfer funds directly to his nominated bank account rather than fart around with cash.

He’s on Facebook: M. S. Marine Services and can be called on 0771 148 7290.  I have no hesitation in recommending him and will certainly be using his services in the future if I should need them.

His Good Lady Nicky also serves the waterways as a floating Hair Salon!  The Floating Salon is certainly a unique experience.  I remember when Lottie and I were new to all this and it was during our Helmsman Course that we first encountered their boat.  they were stuck on silt by the bank and we helped them on their way.

So there we have it…  I’m all back to normal :D

It was B.

I took my annual trip to replace my gas bottle – how great is that where my gas lasts ONE YEAR!  Anyway, whilst as Spencers Boatyard I struck up a conversation with a group of men discussing a new coal called snow something and asked them for a recommendation for a boat electrician.  Within 10 minutes I was back in the car armed with my gas and a telephone number.

I called him and 15 minutes later he was on board (a very handsome young man too!).  He confirmed that the ‘battery charger’ I had was inappropriate (I knew that) and that the batteries were not recoverable due to insufficient/bad charging over the two years I’ve been on board.  Plus of course, I didn’t know how old these actual batteries were as they were insitu when I bought the boat.

So, next week sees me part with a considerable sum of moolah to replace the battery bank and for the installation of a proper 3 stage battery charger.

However, I’ve not had that much expense with my boat ownership.  Not like they talk about on Forums saying you’ll need a never-ending money supply to own one.  I’ve come to the conclusion that these reporters either don’t know what the fuck they’re talking about or that they simply OVER-exaggerate to be noticed.  Who knows – and who cares.

Hope everyone else in Boatyland is well.  No snow yet or iced waters.  Hope we get that soon; my favourite weather conditions as it’s so romantic!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

I am, like all liveaboard boaters I guess, ready to welcome whatever the Winter has in store for us this time round.  I soooo hope it’s snows!

I’ve not kept in touch with the previous owner of my Boat, which I’m a little annoyed at myself about.  I hope you’re ok on your new Boat Jill

Yes, everything is still absolutely pucker; perfect!

Any how, I just wanted to wish all fellow Boaters a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous, healthy New Year.

Here’s our newly blacked stove… and Zoot, the Ship’s Pup stretched out trying to cool off.

The Stove Paint is very odd; it’s like ink.  And it doesn’t ‘arf’ smoke for the first fire.  As it’s so thin I ended up with black freckles up my arms and over my face

Comes off easily though so no biggie.  I’m definitely all set now so Winter, do your best. Hope it snows! :w00t:

I think we’ve still got some clement weather to enjoy before the real Winter comes so I’m trying to persuade Lottie that we can fit in a long weekend cruise before we settle down until the Spring.  Happy Boating :heart:

Zoot, the new Ship’s Puppy, had been outside for his daily romp and when we came back on board he sat on the sofa shivering where his legs had gotten wet from the dew laden lawn.  I thought ‘I know, I’ll light the stove’.  This was the first lighting after the Summer and we both sat there mesmerised by the flames and the growing warmth.

“CLUNK” … a noise that made us both jump so I attempted to find the source of this loud metal noised interruption to our morning.

My thing had fallen off!

The blanking plate from the back of the stove that is. On closer inspection it seems that one of the lugs had sheered off.

There was quite a build up of soot which is odd as I’ve not long had the thing professionally cleaned… still, he wasn’t much cop when he did it and now I’m shown the annoying spoils of his inadequacies in the cold light of day.

Lunch time and I’m in the car to the Chandlers.  £44.0 later I’m stocked up with stovey supplies to make good the bad upon my return home.  The lugs were £3.40 each and the screws were £1.80 each – what a rip off!

And a fiddly fucking job it was too!  And dirty!!  It’s not on tight yet though, I’ll need to have another fiddle but I lost interest if I’m honest and I was getting frustrated.  I had a brilliant idea of cementing the thing in only the cement I’d bought last year was now a glittering rock hard mass in the sealed pot.  Back out to buy fresh supplies at the weekend to finish the job.  I did however purchase a pot of stove paint as it’s in desperate need of sprucing up

So, since I moved on board almost two years ago, I’ve now spent in the region of £200 on replacement parts including door glass, grate, griddle pan, chimney and blanking plate.  I think, as it’s probably as old as the boat (20 years) I’ll replace the whole thing next year.  Plus I don’t know how well it’s been looked after in this time.  After all, it’s a necessity and it’s also extremely important to have it ‘safe’.

Anyway, as long as it’s functional and safe for this Winter then it’s a job well done.  Spring will find me mulling over the possibilities of a new purchase.  Until then I shall enjoy the cold nights having stocked my woodshed with Joiners Nuts earlier in the year from Woof! Wood – I’m well ready.  This is my 3rd delivery from this company and they’re brilliant!  Less than a fiver for delivery by friendly drivers who plonk the palette where you need it.  Cheaper than coal and it smells fantastic.  Plus I don’t get dirty except when I have to clean the bugger out.

There we have it!  Like I said, just about to embark on my 3rd Winter aboard so for those few that took the piss and publicly insulted me in the early days, you know who you are, I’m still here and still LOVING IT!  Oh, and I’m growing my hair after 14 years :lol: