Liveaboard Isle of Wight

sandyeyes said:
Hi Baggywinkles,
Condensation seems to be the major factor during winter in UK, hopefully will be reduced or stopped altogether with a small wood burner. How was the condensation in the summer?



Hi V1701,
Have the sleeping bag,

Internet: I am on 3g at the moment, just bluetooth paired to my laptop, works a treat, quite fast (I'll have to check out the signal on the river though...) £15 monthly pay as you go, unlimited data, 300mins and 3000 texts.

You are right about power consumption, LED lighting, as you say, is the way forward, also inexpensive, which helps:) Will look at switching to a netbook at a later date. I'll have to sit down and do some power calculations and see which size solar panel will give me enough juice in winter...I know solar panels are fairly expensive, so hopefully one that isn't going to break the bank.

Wind power...Haven't used a wind generator before...any ideas? Are they more hassle than they're worth?

CO detector, definitely.

The camping mats as insulation? fantastic idea, thanks!

Instead of Jerry cans, another option could be to use a few 3-5 gallon collapsable water carriers just to save a bit of space when empty, mind you, probably less hassle with rigid plastic jerrycans with a tap and breather attachement...

Cockpit enclosure, now that's a little bit more difficult. I have looked at the prices and it's not in my range. However, a very decent space which could be used. Not sure how or what I could use to try and have a temporary one. Maybe a line to the stern with a tarp...or I could re-invent my old 3 season tent's fly sheet (nice non-tatty dark green, 3 man, double sided entry) and the copper poles. Here's the habitent cockpit enclosure measurements (£360) http://www.habitent.com/page.asp?id=spec and here's my old tent measurements: http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/wild-country-aspect-2-tent-2012-105204 Not quite the same as you can see, but similar. The tent has an entrance each side which can also be rolled up, the curved metal arcs are similar etc... Maybe clear plastic stitched/glued where the "doors" are and the actual fly door used as a zipped curtain/privacy on the plastic..if you know what I mean? Just an idea for now...

Thanks everyone for the tips, keep them coming please! :D
Click to expand...

You won't get much (if any) condensation in the summer. In winter I ventilate as much as poss when it's practical. Also get the duvets out & throw them over the boom, bunk cushions as well can get a bit damp underneath so they come out on deck as well.

It's occurred to me before to buy some of those flexible fibreglass tent poles, lash them to the stanchions to make a frame for a diy cockpit enclosure, one of those tents would be good to use for the enclosure itself for sure, good thinking.

Wind generators - last boat had a Rutland 913 which produced useable amounts of power & I was also "paid" for some work with a smaller Rutland model (503 I think), sold that one on ebay as only really useful as trickle charger. I also had a 40w solar panel on last boat. On current one I have two solar panels (a 40 & a 20) which at anchor gives enough to charge phone, netbook, hand held vhf, power the lights & a bit of watching a tiny 12v TV as well. I have 220AH of battery. I would say solar is significantly better value than wind for what you get out of them.

Here's some more boats:

Leisure 22

Stirling Matador (?)

Seal 22

Halcyon 23

Hurley 22

Westerly 25

Kestrel 22

Westerly Tiger

BTW agree entirely with what Nathan just said - from how you're speaking & thinking I'm sure you'll be fine, it sounds like you'll enjoy the challenge, there will be some miserable times which you'll survive and enjoy the good bits all the more for...:)
 
capetown said:
Hi And welcome,

Another boat to consider is the Westerly Pageant, it's got standing headroom.

Unfortunately over budget but one for sale in Wootton Creek advertised on Ebay, don't know if it sold though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330816771249?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I think it was in one of Dylanwinters (of this parish) vid's where he used foam camping mats as curtains to reduce condensation.
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That's a good shout, worth contacting the owner as it wasn't bid on & he's done the best part of the worst job, i.e. removing the old headlinings & also looks as if some lining has been removed from the cabin sides. Relatively easy to reline with some camping mat foam &/or van lining carpet, self adhesive better than working with spray contact adhesive (horrible, explosive, need a proper breathing mask)...
 
Come and have a talk to me!

I have information on several boats sub £2000, 21 - 23ft size that are available now. Odessa Boatyard at Newport also have space for a liveaboard on a pontoon with walk ashore and facilities. The Bargeman's Rest is only 5 minutes away!
 
Thanks for your latest posts and detailed replies. My mobile/net signal is not good ATM, I will respond with detailed replies at a later date, I hope everyone has a great Xmas, all the best, Sandy
 
I just made a woodburner out of an old calor gas bottle. Found the the idea on you tube. I looked at the windy smithy woodburners but couldn't afford one right now. It has made a huge difference both in terms of heat and the well being you feel from seeing a glowing fire.

Have a look at you tube

Good luck and Merry Christmas
 
Woodburning stoves - dangerous and unlawful!

With reference to the below post made by mirrorimage on 25.12.12 regarding the conversion of a Calor cylinder into a woodburing stove - this is of great concern to Calor. Please be aware that the conversion of any Calor cylinder into wood burning stoves, BBQs and other such appliances is unlawful and extremely dangerous. Even a nominally empty cylinder will contain LPG product and represents a hazard to anyone involved in removing valves or cutting up the cylinder. Emptying or dismantling a Calor LPG cylinder is extremely dangerous, and can result in serious injury or even death. There are tightly controlled systems and environments for the purposes of emptying or dismantling LPG cylinders, regulated by the Health and Safety Executive.

Furthermore, Calor cylinders are, and remain at all times, the property of Calor Gas Limited – any unauthorised person emptying or dismantling a Calor LPG cylinder is both acting unlawfully and irresponsibly, and this may lead to legal action taken by Calor.

Calor's primary concern is the safe use of our products, and we recently issued a press notice, alerting the public to the dangers associated with the mis-use, and particularly conversion, of Calor cylinders. Please see www.calor.co.uk/about-calor/press-centre/safety-warning/ for further detail.

mirror image said:
I just made a woodburner out of an old calor gas bottle. Found the the idea on you tube. I looked at the windy smithy woodburners but couldn't afford one right now. It has made a huge difference both in terms of heat and the well being you feel from seeing a glowing fire.

Have a look at you tube

Good luck and Merry Christmas
Click to expand...
 
Dear forum moderator,

Calor gas is a commercial enterprise, and should not be allowed on a private members forum. I hope you are charging them plenty for the privilege of threatening us poor formulites.

Bah humbug!
 
Dear Calor Gas,

Your name was used in a generic context, much like sellotape, or hoover. I think the OP meant a brand of gas bottle that is bought outright. Gaz, perhaps.

As for dangerous, really, who cares. Explosions are fun, and angle grinding a gas bottle that may or may not be totally empty makes you feel really quite alive. Leave us to our fun, thank you.
 
nathanlee said:
Dear Calor Gas,

Your name was used in a generic context, much like sellotape, or hoover. I think the OP meant a brand of gas bottle that is bought outright. Gaz, perhaps.

As for dangerous, really, who cares. Explosions are fun, and angle grinding a gas bottle that may or may not be totally empty makes you feel really quite alive. Leave us to our fun, thank you.
Click to expand...

:D

Calor are the worst company ever, have a dominant position in the market and are not afraid to financially destroy smaller companies with dirty tricks.

Calor man go **** yourself
 
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