January | 2022 | Boatbird

Archive | January, 2022

January Blues…

Not something that boatbird is usually susceptible to, January heralding the end of silly season and the start of another year with all its promise of longer, warmer days. But the inner workings of Hobo are currently conspiring to dump her squarely in the doldrums.

So what is the problem?

Two things, in the main, a water feature in the wardrobe (AGAIN!) and an inverter battery bank which is as dead as a doornail.

The water in the wardrobe, a perennial problem you may have read about here before, occurs when water mysteriously gets into the bilge and travels towards the back of the boat, which sits lower in the water. There are many and various possible causes, so just as well that my old mate Steve is up for some serious diagnostic investigations. He’s been here before and has previously cut an inspection hatch in the wardrobe floor to allow inspection, funnily enough, and the the removal of said water, which he duly does.

Normally, this would mean a week or so of aqua-vaccing to take out what a pump won’t but this time it just kept on trickling down with no sign of letting up. At this point, I’m thinking ruptured water tank, internal plumbing leak and other such awkward and disruptive things to fix.

At least it’s not a hole in the hull – I know this because we are not sinking.

So once again Steve bails me out, then checks out the front end of the boat to try and nail down what is going on. This reveals a leaky water pump – a huge relief, being, probably, the easiest thing to get at and fix.

Pump ordered and Steve booked to install it. I dismissed the service kit option when I discovered this was half the price of a new pump and considerably more work.

So we’re on the way to resolving this one.

The inverter battery bank, my pride and joy, has given up the ghost. Six single cell two volt traction batteries, designed to run the inverter to give me 240 volt power when not connected to the mains. This has previously given me 5+ days when on the riverbank without having to run the engine to charge them.

Now you see them…

Now you don’t.

Sexy eh? On wheels. Ideal for topping up. Neat. Battery box designed and built by the John. Genius.

They are reputed to last for ten or more years and, when I come to think about it, they have. My, how time flies. They were fitted when I was at Hartford Marina prior to Hobo’s wanderings – and that’s around twelve years ago! Fact is, Hobo is less of a hobo these days so replacement batteries can be of a less expensive nature. It’s a shame but a couple of boring old 110 lead acids should do the trick for the power I need to pull on the smaller outings I’m likely to be making in the foreseeable.

My buddy Steve will see to this when he comes over again to sort the water pump, so I’m fixed – or soon will be. No need to stress.

Apart from the bottom blacking, which is well overdue, painting inside and out plus other assorted essential maintenance…

But there’s an awful lot to be glad about. I’m in a lovely place, surrounded by lovely people, nature, the countryside and some stunning wintry skies…