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THE BATCHWORTH BOAT RALLY, RICKMANSWORTH May 17
THE BATCHWORTH BOAT RALLY, RICKMANSWORTH

This rally was started in 2024 when at very short notice the huge Rickmansworth Festival was cancelled. The Waterspace team decided to keep the boat gathering but as a much smaller event. With some enthusiastic parters it was a huge success in 2024.

So Next year as an appropriate "Theme" for the times we are Calling all GUCCCo, FMC, Severn & Canal boats.particularly those built in 1935 as next year the Batchworth Boat Rally would like to see them all gathering at Batchworth in Rickmansworth to celebrate their 90 years.
The rally will take place on 17/18th May, two weeks after the cavalcade at Little Venice.
Please put the date in your calendar for next year and drop us an email then we will make sure to include you on the mailing list when bookings open in January.
[email protected]

Facebook Link
https://www.facebook.com/groups/786470951841729/?ref=share_group_link&exp=8ce3

17 May 2027 Until 18 May 2027
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Tonic required. Send in your photos of what is nice on the waterways now.
Tonic required. Send in your photos of what is nice on the waterways now.

PeterScott replied to DandV's topic in General Boating

This morning / evening St Ives Lock Great Ouse
- 33 minutes ago33 min
- 16,074 replies
- - photos of boating today.
Lithium battery installation
Lithium battery installation

Tony Brooks replied to PineappleGuy's topic in Boat Equipment

That is not strictly true. A new live-aboard boater who has no clue about batteries can destroy lead acid batteries can, and do destroy batteries in a few weeks. Someone with a bit of battery knowledge can make a set of flat plate lead acid batteries last for years. I think my last set of Exides lasted at least six years and were still doing their job when I sold the boat. some boaters claim 10 years plus for flat plate lead acids. The truth usually lies somewhere between the two. The forum "knowledge" often feels the for boaters run-of-the-mill lead acid batteries typically last around three or four years and should be considered service items, a bit like filters. So your five years does suggest that you are doing fairly well looking after your batteries. My guess is that sulphation has now reduced their capacity so they run down far faster than they did when new. They may also be suffering from an internally partially shorting cell or cells. That would make them discharge faster and take longer to fully charge than good cells. The main advantages of LFP batteries is that they recharge far, far faster than lead acids because they do not keep reducing the rate of charge they accept as they charge, there is every possibility they will be the last batteries you buy, and for a given electrical load a smaller capacity bank will be satisfactory. Basically you buy the LFP batteries once and then every five years you save the cost of new lead acid batteries.
- 42 minutes ago42 min
- 39 replies
Lithium battery installation
Lithium battery installation

Jen-in-Wellies replied to PineappleGuy's topic in Boat Equipment

The 110Ahr Lead acid buffer batt isn't available capacity for normal use. It is kept fully charged and acts as a load to keep the alternator stable. A LiFePO4 batt has more usable capacity. 80% of the rated capacity, vs 50% for Lead acid, without seriously degrading the Lead acid life. The 110AHr capacity of each Lead Acid is only when new and degrades, depending on number of deep discharges and recharges. It will carry on losing capacity, till it is so low you get fed up and replace it, which will soon be less than a Lithium one. I'd say about 200Ahr of Lithium is equivalent, or better than 3x110 of new Pb Acid batts. A 105Ahr Li will still be good when the 3x110Ahr Pb acids have much less usable capacity.
- 59 minutes ago59 min
- 39 replies
Croxley Green to Watford
Croxley Green to Watford

Phoenix_V replied to Phoenix_V's topic in General Boating

That sounds good but we will only be able to start about midday first day hence I thought Denham ish first day then 2nd day little Venice ? Plus after l Venice we hit the locks at night
- 59 minutes ago59 min
- 12 replies
Lithium battery installation
Lithium battery installation

PineappleGuy replied to PineappleGuy's topic in Boat Equipment

Trying to catch up with a few recent posts. I do appreciate everyone's thoughts and effort. 1. @jonathanA Why 105Ah Fogstar when we currently have 3 x 110Ah LA? I guess the capacity would equate if we also retained a 110Ah LA leisure battery as suggested by @Jen-in-Wellies at the beginning of this thread? 2. @GUMPY (and @Tony Brooks and @jonathanA) “Under charging and not bringing them up to 100% every time will kill batteries in a few months”. The present LA leisure batteries (£270 for 3) are now 5 years old which I thought wasn’t bad and perhaps gives hope that our battery management hasn’t been totally negligent. Regarding the cost of a lithium solution, I take the point about the expected longevity of a LFP battery making it actually cheaper in the long run. 4. @GUMPY Interesting sums! However, in the winter our boat is in a marina where the fridge runs off 240V. We have a small mains battery charger which seems to replenish what the pumps, lights and diesel boiler draw. 5. @IanD We had a quote for solar panels from someone who fits Victron kit who confirmed that we wouldn’t get 2 x1498mm panels + brackets between the hatch and the centre dolly and that the width beyond was restricted by the metalwork on which the planks are sitting to the point of being effectively useless.
- 1 hour ago1 hr
- 39 replies
Croxley Green to Watford
Croxley Green to Watford

cheesegas replied to Phoenix_V's topic in General Boating

Ah if you’re not looking to sightsee then you can do it in much less time! I once did Cheshunt to Three Bridges in a day, but that included cruising after dark. A lot of West Drayton and the Paddington Arm has no moored boats and the banks are Armco so you can go at a decent speed. Start at first light and you’ll get to Cowley easily, or Engineers Wharf in Yeading if you push on quickly. Plenty of mooring in both. After that, don’t bother trying to moor in Little Venice or pay for it - go straight through Camden and moor up at the first possible place as mentioned. Be prepared to go as far as Broadway Market. Then, do another long day on day 3 and you’ll get to Broxbourne.
- 1 hour ago1 hr
- 12 replies
- - 1
Rough costs for converting an ex-hire boat to a livaboard
Rough costs for converting an ex-hire boat to a livaboard

LadyG replied to Marc34's topic in New to Boating?

Boat electrics are not auto electrics, just sayin, but most boats will have the basics Your list is very detailed. Here is a more realistic list 50 to 55 ft Trad stern, post 1998 with old school diesel engine and foam insulation. Webasto style diesel heating, solid fuel stove Advertised around £52,500
- 1 hour ago1 hr
- 122 replies
I've an idea to live on a boat.
I've an idea to live on a boat.

MtB replied to Bod's topic in New to Boating?

True, but try explaining that to posters who don't want to understand!
- 1 hour ago1 hr
- 154 replies

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