For the plumbing nerds.

Some nice things have been delivered.  Most recently, a 22litre twin coil calorifier.  Hopefully this will manage to give me hot water unlike the dreadful, collection of leaky old pipes I currently have

I shall be using the backboiler on the stove and the Alde gas water heater.  I plan to let the system thermo-syphon but might fit a pump if the calorifier fails to heat properly.  This could be switched on for an hour or so to force feed the calorifier until it is up to temperature.  The solar project pumps only use 6w so might be an effective way of doing this.

The side hatch is not attached to the boat.  There is a piece of wood that is bolted to the steel hatch surround which has the hinge screwed to it. This has, over the years, rotted away.  A new one has been cut and painted ready to be fitted next weekend.

Destruction

I started to clear the boat of fittings.  In the forward part, I removed the nasty little shelves and the fixed seating.  I removed the RCD for the 240v ring as this is not part of the off-grid plan.  I also removed the six240v sockets!  The 12v sockets, although the ugly white round 3 pin type, I shall re-use but hide them.

Next, out came the fridge.  This is a good 12v Shoreline model, but it is way too big.  It will go on e-bay to help towards the purchase of a smaller unit.  More sockets and the heavy gauge wire for the fridge.

The engineered floor came up easily to reveal vinyl stuck to the plywood sub floor.  This was a bit disappointing as I had hoped to be able to lift the floor and examine the base plate.  Rather than disturb it all, I shall probably cut a few small holes just to have a look.

The sink unit was very well made unlike everything else and was a bit of a job to remove.  Loads of rusted slotted screws that would not budge.  It did come out eventually.  I managed to bend the gas pipe which was a shame.  It might be alright but having put some strain on the compression fittings, I think I would prefer to replace it for peace of mind.

So thats the front stripped all except for the stove but I want to keep that in place until the weather warms up a bit.  I can work around it until then.

A pile of fire wood and a car full to the tip.

Moved to the mooring

Had a lovely cruise from Ely down to the mooring at Brandon Creek.  This was the first proper run for me and the boat performed very well.  She seems to move pretty well despite the modest power from the Lister SR2 - 14hp.

Ely!

Despite the terrible weather, Matty delivered on time.  Top bloke.

March

Got a text from Matty last night saying he was moored in March.  Getting close now.  He also said that the oil filter had come adrift and I've now got a bilge full of oil.  That will be a fun clean up. 

 I have no idea how far he will get today.  The wind is fearsome.  Especially out on the middle levels where there is not even a tree for miles.

And they're off!

Got a call from Whilton Marina yesterday telling me someone is trying to steal my boat.  Haha very funny.  Just Matty getting ready to leave.  Still, it was good of them to get confirmation from me before they let him go.

Last visit

Hopefully Sunday was my last visit to Whilton to see the boat.  Next time I see her, it will be in Ely!  Lovely day pottering around in the sunshine, getting the feel of things and making plans.  I struggled a bit with the water system.  It had been drained down for the winter and developed an air lock in the calorifier when I filled the main tank up.  This meant the pump was running constantly but failing to get the system up to pressure.  I cracked open one of the compression fittings and this cured the problem.

Matty the boat mover came for a look.  He will be setting off this week.  I hope everything goes ok.