Mike Jordan

I forgot that the Pullman dinette is not included in the book, They are very straight forward to make and easy for any experienced woodworker to make. Extending L shaped or straight double with storage behind and drawers below are more complex and are included. After owning five boats I am of the opinion that an extending double berth with folding table and a couple of folding chairs is the best system in terms of economy of space and ease of use. The table and chairs can also be used on deck or off the boat.

Known to me as a Pullman dinette. i suggest you have a look on the waterways world site where the articles were originally published. a search should reveal which issue it was in and enable you to purchase a back issue. Best of luck with the project. Mike.

I’ve just seen a Google story indicating that the Mirror also has a similar story running.

Yet another load of journalist fantasy about living for nothing on the canals! Quoted costs include £4 per month for gas and £20 per month for heating. Keep an eye open for Sun readers arriving in force.

Some nice looking steelwork there, and some nice paint jobs. The curse of the steel boxes is the condensation problem as mentioned. Hardwood boxes reduce the condensation problem and, to my eye, look great with a gloss finish and brass ports. The one shown is one of a pair in iroko, rebated over a steel upstanding and awaits the brass ports and final finish. All fixings are out of sight inside. I enjoyed dovetailing these but have no need to advertise since I am retired and sitting on the bank.

If you now spend a cold winter on board, you may feel differently after the condensation nightmare.

The ply from the DIY shops will, as already stated, turn into puff pastry in record time. I suggest that you consider covering decent quality ply with Flotex carpet glued in place and turned down the edges. Follow that up with alloy angle edges sealed and fixed in place with stainless screws. This on top of drainage channels not flat steel supports will last very well.. if you can obtain a copy of Waterways World of July 2014 it has an article titled “Keeping The Noise Down” which shows how to fit the deck boards with very effective sound proofing complete with hinges, gas struts, and locks. As you indicated earlier you can do a temporary repair or a proper job that lasts and enhances the appearance and value of the boat.

Just t one of the problems is that anyone can appoint themselves a “surveyor “ letting the seller advise is also a great idea.?? In an effort to help let me tell you of some other classic mistakes - refitting to your needs - using a surveyor suggested by a broker- selling a bricks and mortar and becoming a cc. - buying a replated boat of any age. Only my opinions of course!

I see this bunch of clowns is still at it! Todays seems to be telling young women of the cheap living on a narrow boat. Never mind news let’s give them free bull——! Or even recycled bull ——! Cut in squares and hang it up to make it useful I say.

I was thinking along the lines of turning off the engine fuel pipe tap and pushing a little air down the vent pipe, that would test the filler cap as well. Sight unseen it’s difficult to suggest methods.

With care, a Schrader valve and foot pump might enable a low pressure test?

My advice is still the same don’t even think about it! Mike.

Far more worrying to my mind is a PRV that sticks shut. May suggestion would be that you alter the pipe work to take any waste overboard and fit accessible twin PRVs

If you don’t want to drill a hole why not mount the lamp inside and shine it through the glass?

I’ve wasted lots of my time down the years trying to persuade new boaters not to have Houdini type roof lights fitted to a new build so that they can “lie in bed and look at the stars” One acquaintance resorted to a 200 mm thick slab of polystyrene on top of the hatch fitted with a purpose made cover, it still dripped!! It’s a good idea to think long and hard before having a hole in the roof.