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consumedbynature
United Kingdom
108 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Jun 2011 : 21:19:58
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Hi all,
Since I bought my current boat this year I have not ventured out more than about 8 miles from my mooring at Wyre Piddle on the Worcestershire Avon. Next week I'm going on a six day cruise down to Tewkesbury, up the Severn past Worcester and then up to Droitwich for the official opening of the Barge canal, before completing tthe return journey. Annoyingly even though the Droitwich Barge Canal is a widebeam canal British Waterways have put a width restriction of 2.18m on the canal from the last bridge before the main basin in Vines Park so my wide beam boat (about 2.59m) cannot go all the way (to where the party is). (I've measured the bridge and I believe it is well wide enough for me to pass through with care).
The reason for my post is to ask you all for your advice when venturing out on a first "big" trip. I have a 85amp/hrs battery and a 15hp mariner that charges at 6amp/hrs. I also have a 2.4w solar panel. Is this enough to run a small 12v cool box and evening cabin lights? Can you recommend any piece of kit that it would be desireable to take with me on my journey "just in case"?
As always all of your advice and debate will be much appreciated.
thanks
Billy
Shetland 640 - Jessica Marie - Worcestershire Avon |
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tigtog
United Kingdom
421 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2011 : 22:07:08
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| i have a charged up battery jump starter pack on my boat, if the battery does run down i use this to start the engine e.t.c |
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Knighty
United Kingdom
654 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2011 : 23:07:08
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We did our first overnight trip a few weeks back to Stratford, 30 mile around trip. We have similar set up same 6 amp outboard and a new 85 a/hour battery and a small 4 watt trickle charger. We didn't take a powered coolbox but by next morning gauge showed just over 12 volts and the battery just about turned the outboard over. Think the previous days cd/stereo took it's toll. If you have an electric start outboard with a manual option give it a few starts manually just in case. Also if mooring on canals a hammer and ground stakes will come in handy to tie up to, something we didn't have and quite a few mooring places in Stratford needed them.
Have fun  |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jun 2011 : 11:12:55
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| Take a small genny IE 850watt and battery charger. |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jun 2011 : 21:13:31
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My 22 originally had a petrol inboard with 50amp/hr charging - A 12v cool box was fine with the motor running but with the tunnel light on put the ammeter into the negative !!
These units put a massive load on the battery - Dont bother !
It takes a bit of getting used to but you can manage without ! We have cruised most of the country with only a evaporation fridge (Which with the best of care will only work for a week)
Dont worry about lights - I have run a 80amp/hr batt with lights & a tv thru inverter with no probs - as long as you do move occasionally !
Get out there & explore - At least you can pull start a outboard
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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consumedbynature
United Kingdom
108 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jun 2011 : 21:07:34
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Thanks guys,
Got myself a little 2 stroke genny. I'll leave the fridge or put an Extra 85amp battery in from my caravan just for the cool box. Its been 33 degrees today,!
Been to Droitwich today. Thhere's over 80 confirmed canal boats attending (mooring for 31 in the basin) so don't think I'll get close to basin anyway. Its probably dangerous for Grp with do much steel around
Regards Billy
Shetland 640 - Jessica Marie - Worcestershire Avon |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jun 2011 : 21:49:20
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My old norman 25 had 9.9 mariner converted to 15hp(carb change), we would run fairly long hours but not go past a pub without stopping, we had 12v compressor fridge on constantly and radio/cd all day, lighting for after pub hours and webasto heating if cold, 2x 110ah batteries and regulator/rectifier unit mover closer to batteries as cable run was over 10', a 2 week outing never gave us a flat battery, I struggle to believe people have such battery problems.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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john-m
130 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jun 2011 : 22:33:18
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| I run a 20hp honda outboard with a single 110ah batt with a 12v shoreline fridge on 24hrs only done weeks at a time with no problems yet. first boat used a 12v coolbox done 2 85ah batts in 2 days not good. cheers john |
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consumedbynature
United Kingdom
108 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2011 : 19:16:18
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Well. We did it.
Despite all the doubts and doubters, at 3.10pm on Saturday my wife and I sailed into an extremely packed Vines Park in Droitwich and made it to the party as the only widebeam cruiser. We were informed on the day that we had made history as the first widebeam cruiser to sail all the way up to Vines Park from the River Severn in 80 years. I am just trying to get this officially confirmed though before opening the champagne.
We battled duck weed, an overflowing lock, dodged numerous narrow boats in tight conditions and passed under the centre of two footbridges with three (yes 3!) inches to spare. The organisers (who were excellent) were happy for us to have a go at passing under the bridge with the width restriction and we made it through without any problems. The only casualty so far has been a snapped flagpole when my wife had a fight with a tree.
So far we have completed 66.5 miles of the trip with 15.5 to go. We've got the mother-in-law tomorrow!
The Droitwich Canals Trust have done an excellent job and the canal is a great addition for any of you Norman boaters in the midlands.
I've tried to upload a photo onto the thread with our boat in bunting in Vines Park.
Regards
Billy
Shetland 640 - Jessica Marie - Worcestershire Avon |
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Knighty
United Kingdom
654 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2011 : 22:24:58
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Well done Billy glad you made it in one piece and didn't get squeezed out by the ditch crawlers
Mind you with that array of fenders looks like you were well protected  |
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tigtog
United Kingdom
421 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jul 2011 : 23:03:45
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| looks a nice boat that enjoy your trip |
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1st Big trip to the Droitwich canal : )
