Hot water is one of those comforts you quickly miss when it stops working. Whether you live aboard full-time or use your boat for holidays, narrowboat hot water problems can turn washing up, showers and daily routines into a frustration. The good news is that many issues can be narrowed down with a calm, methodical…
A warm narrowboat is a joy in winter, but heating problems can quickly make life aboard uncomfortable. Whether your system runs from a diesel heater, gas boiler, solid fuel stove with back boiler, or engine-fed calorifier, the same basic issues tend to appear: poor circulation, airlocks, low voltage, leaks, soot, cold radiators and unreliable controls….
A narrowboat radiator not getting hot can make life aboard uncomfortable very quickly, especially during a damp winter evening or a chilly morning on the cut. The good news is that many radiator problems have simple causes, such as trapped air, closed valves or low system pressure. This guide explains how to work through the…
An overheating engine is one of those problems that can quickly turn a peaceful cruise into a stressful afternoon. On a narrowboat, the engine often works for long periods at low revs, pushes a heavy boat, and may also heat domestic water or charge batteries. When something in the cooling system is not right, temperatures…
A narrowboat engine that will not start can turn a peaceful day on the cut into a stressful one very quickly. The good news is that many starting problems come down to a handful of common causes, and you can often narrow them down with a calm, methodical approach. This guide explains what to check…
A smoking engine is one of those things that can make any boater uneasy, especially if you are miles from your home mooring or cruising through a remote stretch of canal. The good news is that narrowboat engine smoking does not always mean disaster. Sometimes it is a simple maintenance issue, a cold start, dirty…
A narrowboat engine losing power can turn a peaceful cruise into a worrying experience very quickly. One moment the boat is moving along nicely, the next it struggles to rev, slows down, smokes, overheats, or feels as if something is holding it back. The good news is that many causes are fairly common and can…
A reluctant engine is never welcome, especially when you need to move from a mooring, enter a lock flight, or keep to a booked passage. Many narrowboat starter battery problems are caused by simple faults, such as dirty terminals, a discharged battery, or a loose connection. Others point to charging issues, ageing batteries, or problems…
A narrowboat leisure battery not charging can quickly turn a relaxing cruise into a frustrating hunt for torches, cold food and flat phones. Leisure batteries power the domestic side of the boat, including lights, water pumps, fridge, inverter and charging sockets, so it is worth dealing with charging problems promptly. The good news is that…
If your narrowboat alternator is not charging batteries, it can quickly turn a pleasant cruise into a stressful one. Lights dim, pumps slow down, the fridge struggles, and before long you may be worrying about whether the engine will restart. The good news is that many charging problems are caused by simple faults such as…
