The repairs include improvements to the boat too. The first item was that over last winter I installed secondary double glazing to all windows except the galley one that is a slider. This involved cutting perspex sheet to the right size and then building the upper edge, that butts up to the bottom of the hopper window, with neoprene tape to make up the difference in depth. On top of this I then used magnetic strip A and B once stuck to the neoprene and one to the window frame. This then has made an almost perfect seal with about an 18mm gap between the glass and perspex. It works very well as we have had very little condensation and the boat is definitely warmer. It also leaves the hopper windows at the top free to be opened for ventilation if required. I also used perspex and a couple of door bolts to make a window in the side hatch. Until then the side hatch was closed or open to the elements. With the window in we can have the light even with winds and showers. This winter I will be fixing a perspex inner to prevent drafts when the steel doors are shut over the hatch.
Over the winter the motorised valve on the central heating stopped working. This directs the water from the Hurricane heater round the radiators when the thermostat indicates a requirement or round into the calorifier. It took a little sorting out but with my friend Richard we managed it. I think there is a very tiny drip on one of the connections still but I am scared to tighten it it up in case I make it worse!
The Hurricane heater itself packed up soon after we had started on our journey south. As the call out fee for over 100 miles was exorbitant we lived with it until we got to Alrewas at the end of April when Chris the mechanic from Calcutt Boats came to fix it. It turned out to be the fuel solenoid had failed and was quickly replaced and we were functioning again. Not cheap but much quicker than me trying to take things to bits with no knowledge. I have a bit more now though.
Double glazing
neoprene seal .................. £37-33
Magnetis A/B tape ............37-80
Perspex .............................55-00
£130-13
Motorised valve ................56-99
Hurricane repair ..............184-51
TOTAL £371-63
Last year it was £790-84 but included moving the batteries, tiling the shower and a dry dock for a bent prop., largely paid for by the insurance company. We again have a bit of a bent prop and it is two years since we had a blacking so really should be doing that but as we have booked to have the boat painted at the back end of next year it can wait.
One of the windows showing the 4mm perspex and two widths of neoprene seal then the magnetic tape. You can see that the hopper window can still open too.
The motorised valve that is the replacement. Not an exact replacement so took a little fixing.
Just thought I would add a boaty picture to the blog. This was the River Aire last April as we were travelling towards Goole from Dewsbury. It was a beautiful day and as you can see it was very still with hardly any flow. I can't remember seeing another moving boat either. I miss the northern canals and rivers. We stopped the night at Ferry Bridge.
Double glazing
neoprene seal .................. £37-33
Magnetis A/B tape ............37-80
Perspex .............................55-00
£130-13
Motorised valve ................56-99
Hurricane repair ..............184-51
TOTAL £371-63
Last year it was £790-84 but included moving the batteries, tiling the shower and a dry dock for a bent prop., largely paid for by the insurance company. We again have a bit of a bent prop and it is two years since we had a blacking so really should be doing that but as we have booked to have the boat painted at the back end of next year it can wait.
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