BOATS AND CANALS

We were intending to take Dotterel out after Christmas so weren't going to drain the freshwater system until then. The weather forecast was reasonable until they changed it on December 16th, now it would be -3 on Thursday! We popped up to see the boat and find out how hard it would be to drain and refill the system.

Alvechurch had said drain it from two connections near the tank and had left ends caps to fit to the pipes (from the tank I think, in case the stop cocks leak). I didn't understand how this would drain the system as there is a high spot in the plumbing in the front loo. I traced the system to the back and saw that there is also a high spot were the pipes enter the engine compartment. Then things really got confusing.

The calorifier is in the engine bay and has two pipes from the engine (that's good I think) but I could only find 3 from the central heating system. In and out from the boiler and hot water out. There must be another somewhere for cold water in! We went to get some advice and met the couple who has shared Braunston locks with us. They are from the boat Digitalis also moored at Calcutt. They suggested talking to Calcutt as they offer a cheap winterising deal.

We had a chat with Martyn about options and have decided upon two greenhouse heaters on a frost stat fed from the shoreline to keep the boat from freezing. That way we can use it during the winter without worries. Not sure how much it will cost and my calculations suggest they will guarantee protection down to a constant -5 deg C and probably for a lot lower for just one night. The only snag is the calorifier in the engine bay, it's quite low down in contact with the hull in the water and is insulated so may be OK. If the instructions we received from Alvechurch are correct then it's never been emptied for 13 years so has survived so far. It's interesting to note that the pipes in the engine bay are rubber not plastic so are probably ice resistant.

I did find the missing pipe sometime later and wasn't impressed! there was a connection between the pipe and the hot water tank crammed behind the tank itself. It went straight through the engine bay wall and on the inside is somewhere behind the cladding. I found the other end in the cupboard under the steps at the front and discovered it runs under the floor!!

Cheers Graham

A steep learning curve then Graham.

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Maurice

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