Mike

The non-slip surfaces on my boat have yellow/green lichen patches growing on them. Removing them with vigorous scubbing does work but only so long as I dont want any non-slip left. Can anyone suggest a chemical treatment that might remove them without harming the canal when rain washes it off? Thanks Mike H

I've finally managed to change my main batteries. I turned off the mains charger which was on float charge, then turned off the battery isolator. I removed the leads and lifted the old batteries out. While lowering in the new ones, the leads touched and there was a brief spark. On checking with a meter, there was 12 volts at the leads before they were touching the new batteries. This had to be coming from the engine start battery. Surely this is wrong, are the two circuits not supposed to be independant? My engine has two alternators, so I assumed they were totally separate. Any lecky experts out there please? Mike Stargazer, K&A

What capacity batteries does everyone have, and what type are they? My tray is 40 inches x 11 inches, so I could fit: 1. five leisure batteries of 85AH giving 425AH total. 2. two 180AH semi-traction giving 360AH. 3. four 6 volt deep cycle of 225 each, which I assume gives 450AH total when wired in pairs to give 12 volts. Option1 is cheapest. Option 2 fits the present wiring, but is 360AH enough for a boat with 12 volt fridge and a fair demand for TV through the inverter? Option 3 is dearest: is it wise to use 6 volts batteries like this? Are deep cycle ones a good idea? The batteries will be charged from a 70 amp alternator or a Sterling 30 amp charger, and the engine is started from a separate battery and alternator. All comments/experience & advice gratefully received. Mike

You really need to go to the Pewsey (K&A) area and talk to Nikki & Adrian Softley who are living on a nb until their new boat fitting out is finished, probably by the end of this year. The new boat is 68 feet by 13 and is covered in a kilowatt of solar cells which power the electric propulsion motor. He told me he took it up to Hungerford using only solar power but needed to start his generator just once to get back. Not bad for such a massive boat. It is a replica of a K&A working boat and dwarfs everything else in the canal. Mike H. Stargazer

If/when I manage to sort the electrics on my boat, I hope to fit a washing machine. I have a space and can run the water supplies to it. My question is how do I get rid of the drain water from the machine? If I drill through the lining, insulation & hull side, what fitting do I need? Should it be a welded-in fitting? Mike Stargazer, K&A.

My macerator loo has stopped working. I contacted the maker (C.A.K., Warwickshire) and they advise it is an obsolete model (built in 2000!) but could get a new motor made to order. My problem is will a replacement last a similar time. Does anyone know what the best value pump out loo is. A quieter one would be nice, but the budget is being stretched since I bought my first boat. I would prefer to stick with pump out as I have an enormous holding tank which lasts for many months. Mike Hale K&A