James. Your doing an absolutely fantastic job on your boat. Don't forget your also filming this for all your supporters on TH-cam especially me mate. I've no intention of purchasing and fitting out a narrowboat. But I absolutely admire what your doing and love everything about it. One other thing that sticks out is that you talk about your family and that's just pure brilliance. So on wards and upwards. Cheers Stevie who can only give you support by watching and commenting on your progress. 😎
As many others have said, James, you're doing very well. It wasn't so long ago that you were on your knees scraping the bilge, look how far you've come. You will soon be on the cut and you should have a huge sense of pride. Keep going mate.
Hi James, don't worry about the mess as long as you can find what you need to do the job, you're doing a grand job and with no experience to boot. Still loving the vlog x
Don’t compare yourself to anyone. Although this is a year old when I’m watching all these from the beginning, you are doing a damn fine job. You’re learning as you go and it’s trial and error. Amazing work and love the design. Can’t wait to catch up to the most recent. 😁
Morning James, The process of doing up the narrow boat is akin to doing a crossword, You get so far then come to a stop then once you get a peticular word everything just slots in and the crossword is complete and that’s what your doing bit by bit then at a certain stage it all comes together, Keep your head up its coming along nicely, 🚢🚢🚢
How do you guys do those cryptic crosswords - I’ve tried a few times and had it explained to me many times but it’s so over my head. Doing a Narrowboat is simple compared to a crossword !
You are doing a great job. As someone has said 80/20 split, 80% of effort 20% visual then towards the end of a project it switches to 20% effort 80% visual improvement.
The fact your doing up a boat for the first time and making videos and editing them and uploading them, your doing awesome and you are motoring along if you ask me. Proud of you dude
You should have heard me putting curtains back up yesterday ***** ! Remember, as you said, there is a team working on that other boat. Nothing nicer than having someone else to just to hold something , make a cuppa , tidy up etc etc. Hopefully it will all fall into place soon. All the best.
You can’t make a cake without making a mess first, I’m only mentioning this from observations of course, being one of ten children I often saw mum making a mess in the kitchen, but it was always worthwhile James.
I’ve been doing a marathon of your vlogs and I personally think you’re doing fabulous for someone who’s never done anything like what your doing before (I hear you say that all the time ) but you have a logical way of looking at your objectives and then you figure out how to do it and like you say I know how it’s done (keep up the upper lip) 😂😂lol lot of love from Louisiana ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I feel its wrong that viewers seem to be critiquing your incredible efforts James; especially single handed! I have a pipe dream of owning a narrowboat when I graduate and have learned so much from watching these videos. Thank you for creating these vlogs and the work that goes into it all!
It's called "Constructive Chaos" and as long you have a general idea what and where the chaos goes, you're good. ;-) It looks as though you're progressing well, keep up the good work. Remember, edge moldings hides many a mistake.
@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt There's a saying in the world of construction that says "The first 90% of the job takes the first 90% of the time while the last 10% of the job takes the other 90% of the time".
You're doing a cracking job, James. Don't get downhearted; very few would have your energy and enthusiasm and grit to build yourself a new home and a new life. It's obvious you can't always finish a job that you start; that's not a problem. It'll all get done in the end and very soon will all come together.
Hi James you are going through a low point. You are doing very well and faster than you think , don’t forget you had a load of work to get to a starting point of an empty shell. Don’t be hard on yourself. It took us four years and we are nearly finished lol
It is easy to overwhelmed with building. I have been in the building business 45 yrs. don’t compare yourself with has been working together for years. They also are not taking videos. Finding your own efficiency is the key. Most contractors that I work from a flow sheet. You might can find them online. It will look something like this: framing -> insulation-> rough plumbing -> rough electrical->. Etc. that way you don’t lose time going back to rough in plumbing when your painters are there.
James, I have built many things in my life: a couple of houses, kayaks, bicycles, trailers, garages, decks, all sorts of things, and done a lot of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding, you name it. You are doing just fine. This isn't gymnastics -- no need to fret about 'style points.' ;).
Mts powertools in northampton has all the tools you need mate. Don’t forget you are one man and you’ve had to remove all the floors etc. You’ve accomplished a hell of a lot in such a short amount of time.
I think you’ve accomplished a lot. You’re getting things done a lot faster than I thought you would. You’re doing great. Just remember there’s only one of you and you’ve gotten things done right
There comes a point in any build where it appears things have slowed down, it tends to be when it comes to all the little fiddly bits. So don't be to hard on yourself, you'll get past a point and soon will be throwing those ceiling and wall panels up. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I heard with interest your comments about to many unfinished jobs, not buying sufficient supplies, being slow compered to the workforce at the boat yard. I have just completed a transformation of my Garden. It was slow because I had to partially complete one job to enable me to start on another section. I was building a shade house having never built one before so like you learnt as I went along. Which meant 4 steps forward 1 step back. Supplies you cannot be like the commercial builders who order their bits and bobs by the gross. I just have a second supply shed its called Bunnings, B&O to you, so a trip to there is not a delay it just a visit to the tool store. Working out as you go along is how you really learn. You are doing an amazing job James and I follow your progress eagerly and enjoy and learn in the process. Complete your shower Its amazing how many problems can be solved under hot water, or sitting in the throne room. Thanks for series I am a complete addict. Tony
You sounded a bit downbeat at the start. Don't be, your doing a fantastic job on your narrow boat. Be proud, your building this up on your own James. I'm proud of you. Stay safe, looking forward to your next upload.
That saying about "always darkest before dawn" really applies to a major renovation like yours--just about the time you feel the whole thing is never going to get done you'll look around and realize it's all finished! Everything slows down around the holidays, too. Hang in there James, it's going to be beautiful. (Swearing helps!) Your explanation of the wiring, and how each outlet led to the next one, was interesting--I didn't know how that worked until you explained it.
It's always the way with refurbished. My son ripped out walls, lathe and plaster ceilings, right back to brick. All the wiring and plumbing was removed. It only took two weeks. Then the planning started and installations began which took a year. Once the basics are in things begin to speed up again and progress becomes evident. Take an hour or so to think ahead what you may need to have that you had not thought of before. It's easy to fit an extra cable run and leave it unconnected should you later decide you want something else fitting. Installing the ceiling is pretty final and any afterthought would be then too late. Stick with it James. We can see progress because we are not there all the time like you are.
Your boat is doing good. Your a one man band and the logistics of getting parts and supplies can be a challenge for anyone. I’ve built hospitals so I know that planning, supplying. And installing isn’t as easy as it seems. Keep up the good work James.
Your doing a great job, and have pushed yourself very hard. Don't think about how much to do but go back to enjoying the process, and let it take as long as it takes. It will be finished, sometimes our expectations don't let us see how much is done. And we beat ourselves up,instead of just enjoying the process . This is a challenge and you will get it done maybe not on your time table, let that go. Pulling for you.
Well done, keep on going! I hate those little jobs too where you can't see visual progress, but you'll get there in the end, it's all forward progress.
Chin up son. 80% of the work is done in the last 20% of the time! Your setting some good foundations for a mighty finish. Having said that you would benefit from a good tidy up! All the best.
The nice thing about lots of unfinished jobs is when you get to the point were all of a sudden you look around and they are all finished. It will happen.
Hi James your followers say all the right things in their comments that should do you the world of good. You've made fantastic progress in the short time since starting this project when you consider the Lockdowns, Winter, Having to source materials, some Bespoke, not having good working facilities, and researching nearly every portion of the re-build. 3 things that should help you to complete your next boat in half the time, No lockdowns ,No re-search cos you already done it and less time sat by the canal drinking tea and enjoying yourself. Look forward to the next my Friend. Stay Safe, Proper Job.
Someone else has already said it on your comments, but so did Florence and the Machine (ok not BJB 😂) - Shake It Out “it’s always darkest, before the dawn” love that saying. Great progress James, keep smiling, keep going.
Most people take longer than expected to do what you are doing. But You are getting it done. good job so far. keep it up. And you have done a huge amount of work.
I used the same LEDs as you - not had one fail in over three years. However the connectors on your LED lights are rubbish. Mine would work for a while then flicker off and on. Just chop them off and replace with a screwed connector block - it will save you a lot of time and trouble. You seem to have made extra work for yourself with that mini trunking.I used double insulated cable and stuck it to the ceiling with duct tape.After you put your ceiling panels up ,just use a hole cutter and then fish the cables out. The main dc cables ran in a trunking under the gunnels went to a switch then onto the light group. You are making much faster progress than most people - it took me over a year. Good luck.
You’re getting there, mate. James, one thing that I don’t think you mentioned, is that from what I understand, conduit must be used on the 12-volt circuitry as the insulation of the wire can react with the spray foam and degrade over a period, hence the regularity requirements of the BSC. PS. Have you ever considered a boaters’ swear box? It will all add to the coffers. As Tesco says, Every Little Helps! 😉
You are doing fantastic me and my other half have watched you from word go pat your self on the back do not take any notice of negative people be your self and well done
James, a fly cutter will adapt to any hole size required and although clumsy to use will easily cope with thin board. You might consider round 20mm plastic conduit with conduit boxes at the wiring juctions. They are cheap, easy to thread cable through and you won't be frustrated by cable falling out. All the best in your endeavour
Hi James, I think you'll be much happier once you get your bathroom and kitchen in. The rest will come. Please don't worry too much about what we go on about - you're doing fine.
Stop with the negatives mate. You are doing a great job, & far more effectively than I would ever consider. I am not an electrician & relied on my father-in-law who was. I once moved a light switch from one wall to another and the light instead of going off just dimmed (not a dimmer switch). When I was 12 yrs old my parents semi detached council house was being rewired. The Electricians disconnected the supply at the meter, 30 mins later one of the team came through a bedroom ceiling from the loft with burns on his hand. Turned out that bedroom's lighting circuit was connected to the next door semi (LOL).
Going through the same process I have learned that there are jobs that take a short time and give a big visual impact and larger jobs that take a long time but once done the effort taken to complete them is not obvious, as the results are largely hidden. Only you will know the effort they take to complete. Forward planning for parts and dependencies for all the different elements of the build helps greatly to progress smoothly through the build process. Stick with it, with a vision towards the end result.
hi James dont get disheartened mate my son and i do bathroom re models inc tileing plastering etc the whole shebang and sometimes at the end of a day i look and cant see any progress but its all the stuff that gets covered up that takes the time it will come together just keep on carrying on mate
Hi James, I have just started watching your videos and I am utterly amazed at how much you have done all by yourself in such a short space of time. To think that you had to strip the entire vessel and basically start from scratch when you see what you have done so far it's a wonderful achievement. As you progress it will all just come together and it's going to look great when it does. Regards Steve (San Diego, California - I hate to tell you this but we're having a bit of warm weather here and the mid-day outside temperature is presently 88F (31.1C) and there's not a cloud in the sky (Sorry)).
Man - you guys have got it sooooo good. Sometimes I sit here by the canal and it’s beautiful old England at its best. But I’m sitting in 5 layers and can barely move my arms to drink my tea. Then I hear that in cool San Diego (which I’ve been to) is 31 in JANUARY !!!! But you done have any canals so again, I’m not sure...... Thanks for your words - glad to have you along 👍🏼👍🏼
HI james as you said its all about routine its impossible to expect the same from yourself, your doing a sterling job and lets not forget your doing it al single handed bloody difficult mate chin up keep well
I know this is rather late, but The secret of making all this work above head is little pieces of tape. Don't bother putting the covers on until you've got all the wires in place.
Hey James don’t knock yourself, everything on a boat takes 3 times as long as you think. Already been mentioned but have a look at Wago connectors, I have used them all over my wide beam fitout, for extra protection you can always heat up some heat shrink over them. And if you fancy some smart tech for your lighting look at sonoff 12v switch boxes. I wired them in back at my electrics box and can have Alexa switch on or off the lights. Also means can be set to come on by a schedule for security if your off the boat.
Hi James. So apparently you are not using conduit, you are using mini trunking! Other half suggests using small offcuts of the trunking lid to use to hold the cables in. That way it is easier to add cables without the frustration of doing a full lid and it popping out. When all cables are in put the full length of the lid up. Try 12 volt planet for all your 12 volt electrical stuff.
I had a 35 ft catamaran that I had to rebuild . 8 months there seemed no progress , then 2 months of wow, then 2 more months of nitty picky finishing. I know where you are, but wait until your finnished. The BIG wow
Hey James, don't knock yourself. I'm just an interested Yank, but I think what you are doing is great. I'm trying to rehab a small bedroom in my house and am going slower than you are.
James, next time use mini oval conduit. The type you are using is really designed for surface mounting of circuits. Also, use WAGO connectors for the lights, Brilliant and so easy to use.I use them all the time.
Bespoke builds include elec powered exhaust fan(s) in bath and kitchen. They use round, ultra-quiet and powerful computer fans (inexpensive, too) tucked into mushroom vents when possible. Given the smoke / dust from wood stoves AND constant, excessive condensation, why 99% of NBs do NOT have such fans boggles my mind. Seriously. Fans and custom, very tight mesh, removable SCREENS are on the must-have list for my bespoke build in 2022. NO wide open (bugs welcomed) hatches, windows and doors on my boat!
Now that’s a bloody good idea!!!!! Right I’m going to look into this. Could I therefore, in theory do away with the traditional vents in the stern doors if I used exhaust fans in 2 spots on the boat ??
@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt um I read that putting fans into mushroom vents fails the BSS on ventilation grounds. However this was awhile ago so I could be wrong. Best check with the guys who work at the boat yard.
I don't think you are in a lull at all. Its like the branches of a tree, they spiral in all directions but when you stand back and look at it, they are spreading out everywhere. The progress you have made is amazing it really is. what you have encountered is the idea of dependency, where a lot of different things are being worked on and must all come back together before you can move onto another one. Stop beating yourself up mate, you've done brilliant!
The fact that your lights have a flying lead with a particular connector fitted rather than just tinned ends suggests that they are intended to be plugged into another specific piece of equipment from the same manufacturer e.g. an LED driver.
Yep James, we could hear you swearing from down here in Australia as we laughed and cried with you.... We reckon you’re doing a fabulous job, mess n all. Learning a lot from your vlogs, and having a competition re what your trade actually is.... Some say teacher, some say mathematician, someone said engineer. My granddaughter said “he builds sandcastles”. We don’t want to know; we’re just having fun playing a guessing game.... Cheers from Tasmania
I think you are being a bit tough on yourself James, anyone that has ever done any form of renovation whether it be a boat or a house will know that you cannot simply start and finish each job without a considerable overlap on each. In addition you are now doing the fiddly stuff but I can guarantee that once the roof wiring is in, your roof panels will go in, your lights will pop in and your chimney fixings can go in, you will suddenly feel like everything is moving quickly again. In addition, the blokes in the shed are working on a new boat, they are in a shed with several of them, experienced and probably all the right tools. You are on the other hand learning as you go which will always be difficult and are working in the cold with limited tools and budget and also managing to put out 80+ videos as well as all the other stuff in your life which is pretty amazing. Dont be disheartened, I think progress is actually pretty quick for what you are trying to do. Cheers
Don't be hard on yourself mate. Look at some of your old vlogs when you were cleaning ballast bricks. Your as far as you can be. Alot of it is research and learning that takes twice as long.
It's also a good idea to use conduit (or Kopex), because it keeps the cable away from the spray foam. I think the foam reacts with the PVC insulation on the cable and deteriorates it over time.
im heading to the ward today to take a look at my boat(the new GRP on site that you recorded on Friday) i have a set of hole cutters and will have a loot if i have a 58 if so i will bring it along.
Coming along nicely, James. Stop beating yourself up over delays, they are inevitable. I'd be inclined to snip the plugs, and replace them with simple spade or bullet connectors. There's no guarantee that replacement lights would have the same plug. Take care, mate.
I agree but personally as I mentioned in another comment. I would use Wago 221 dual connectors. Quicker, easier and more reliable that crimped connectors or chock blocks.
Its just a suggestion James lol......but invest in a bag of good old clothes pegs and use them to hold the wires inside the conduit until you put the covers back on mate :)
The connections to your lights and probably all your bathroom appliances need to be waterproof also. I would advise against using any screw terminals and then trying to seal them. Use crimps with sealing covers or gel-filled insulation displacement connectors. There is range of connectors similar to those used in cars to connect tow bar lighting (I forget the name) that are filled with gel. Leave enough slack to remake connections several times. I wouldn't fit any power outlets in the bathroom.
Lights sealed to IP65 (IP = ingress protection, 65 = hoseproof and dustproof) recommended for the bathroom, certainly for the one in the shower. Use a piece of insulation tape every foot or so across your open conduit and hang your cables temporarily on the tape, fit the lids when all the cables are in.
I'd cut the conector off the lights and replace them with regular male/female spade crimps it will be easier in the long run. Those conectors will either require a special crimping tool that you will probably never use again or soldering which is a pain and takes time.
I've seen loads of those comments about half finished jobs, the thing is it's so hard when you are doing a boat and to do just one thing you have to get 5 others done, and then to find you don't have the right bit of kit to do it is a nightmare. I had a major meltdown at one point when getting my boat ready to live on and I wasn't doinga full refit like yourself. Hang in there mate, you are doing a stonking good job. Have you got a colour scheme in mind? Both inside and out?
don't struggle with trunking (conduit) lidding while you're laying in the cables . just cut 1 inch lengths of lidding to hold the cables in place every couple of feet or so.
Hello James ! Don’t worry too much about unfinished works: it seems unavoidable as you don’t have all the hardware and tools at hand. It’s often disheartening because it gives you the false impression that there is no progress, but there are phases like that! I was just wondering if you’ll use wires terminal for your 24V electrical system? If so a crimping tool would be very helpful. Just let me know if you need one. Keep up the good work!
hi how do have a look at the wago block connectors for your lights on ebay, you may find it easier if you cut some offcuts of trucking about 3 inch long and clip them in to your trucking channel spaced a foot apart or so to hold your wires up it will make it easy to add 1 wire at a time until you get them all in to place then when ready remove 1 at a time replacing them with a full length
James, if you get 10 minutes why not create an Amazon wishlist and share it with us all? We can then maybe send you things you'll be needing to complete the boat?
Sacrifice about a 30cm of trunking (conduit) lid cut it in to 1cm pieces, use that to hold the wires in place, removing each piece as you come to it with the full lid once all wires are installed.
Say, are you forgetting a dedicated light in front of the wash basin? What about an elec outlet for whatever in the bathroom or will that circuit run under the gunnell?
There will be a light above the sink but slightly offset otherwise it’ll be above the head and therefore offer no light at all. The other 12v stuff which is just the toilet fan will run under the gunnels as you say. I may put in a 12v cable in the bulkhead wall so a small vanity light/mirror can be mounted to the wall
James. Your doing an absolutely fantastic job on your boat. Don't forget your also filming this for all your supporters on TH-cam especially me mate. I've no intention of purchasing and fitting out a narrowboat. But I absolutely admire what your doing and love everything about it. One other thing that sticks out is that you talk about your family and that's just pure brilliance. So on wards and upwards. Cheers Stevie who can only give you support by watching and commenting on your progress. 😎
We, the viewers, are very proud of you and we enjoy coming along with you on this build and seeing your tremendous progress!
Thanks Lisa - it makes such a difference !!
As many others have said, James, you're doing very well. It wasn't so long ago that you were on your knees scraping the bilge, look how far you've come. You will soon be on the cut and you should have a huge sense of pride. Keep going mate.
Very nicely done!
Hi James, don't worry about the mess as long as you can find what you need to do the job, you're doing a grand job and with no experience to boot. Still loving the vlog x
Don’t compare yourself to anyone. Although this is a year old when I’m watching all these from the beginning, you are doing a damn fine job. You’re learning as you go and it’s trial and error. Amazing work and love the design. Can’t wait to catch up to the most recent. 😁
Morning James, The process of doing up the narrow boat is akin to doing a crossword, You get so far then come to a stop then once you get a peticular word everything just slots in and the crossword is complete and that’s what your doing bit by bit then at a certain stage it all comes together, Keep your head up its coming along nicely, 🚢🚢🚢
How do you guys do those cryptic crosswords - I’ve tried a few times and had it explained to me many times but it’s so over my head. Doing a Narrowboat is simple compared to a crossword !
Bloody hell James don't knock yourself your doing a FANTASTIC job on your own mate
You are doing a great job. As someone has said 80/20 split, 80% of effort 20% visual then towards the end of a project it switches to 20% effort 80% visual improvement.
The fact your doing up a boat for the first time and making videos and editing them and uploading them, your doing awesome and you are motoring along if you ask me. Proud of you dude
You should have heard me putting curtains back up yesterday ***** ! Remember, as you said, there is a team working on that other boat. Nothing nicer than having someone else to just to hold something , make a cuppa , tidy up etc etc. Hopefully it will all fall into place soon. All the best.
You can’t make a cake without making a mess first, I’m only mentioning this from observations of course, being one of ten children I often saw mum making a mess in the kitchen, but it was always worthwhile James.
True. If this boats half as good as a cake then I’ll be chuffed !!
I’ve been doing a marathon of your vlogs and I personally think you’re doing fabulous for someone who’s never done anything like what your doing before (I hear you say that all the time ) but you have a logical way of looking at your objectives and then you figure out how to do it and like you say I know how it’s done (keep up the upper lip) 😂😂lol lot of love from Louisiana ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
James just remember slow pace wins the race, your doing a great job. Look after that shoulder...💙👊😎
Enjoyed the vlog, sounded totally human with regard to frustration at incomplete jobs. I think we all feel that way from time to time.
I feel its wrong that viewers seem to be critiquing your incredible efforts James; especially single handed! I have a pipe dream of owning a narrowboat when I graduate and have learned so much from watching these videos. Thank you for creating these vlogs and the work that goes into it all!
Hey you’re welcome. I’m delighted that these videos will one help you when you DO buy your Narrowboat !! Thanks 👍🏼👍🏼
Don’t get disheartened kiddo, it’s all looking good from where we’re sat , keep up the good work
It's called "Constructive Chaos" and as long you have a general idea what and where the chaos goes, you're good. ;-)
It looks as though you're progressing well, keep up the good work.
Remember, edge moldings hides many a mistake.
It seems 25% constructive and 75% chaos at this moment !!
@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt There's a saying in the world of construction that says "The first 90% of the job takes the first 90% of the time while the last 10% of the job takes the other 90% of the time".
You’re doing great! 👍 So much has changed from way back. Hang in there. It’s really shaping up nicely. We’re all rooting for you. Keep truckin’... 😎
You're doing a cracking job, James. Don't get downhearted; very few would have your energy and enthusiasm and grit to build yourself a new home and a new life. It's obvious you can't always finish a job that you start; that's not a problem. It'll all get done in the end and very soon will all come together.
Hi James you are going through a low point. You are doing very well and faster than you think , don’t forget you had a load of work to get to a starting point of an empty shell. Don’t be hard on yourself. It took us four years and we are nearly finished lol
It is easy to overwhelmed with building. I have been in the building business 45 yrs. don’t compare yourself with has been working together for years. They also are not taking videos. Finding your own efficiency is the key. Most contractors that I work from a flow sheet. You might can find them online. It will look something like this: framing -> insulation-> rough plumbing -> rough electrical->. Etc. that way you don’t lose time going back to rough in plumbing when your painters are there.
From the rest of us armchair hero’s you’re doing a grand job 😊
James, I have built many things in my life: a couple of houses, kayaks, bicycles, trailers, garages, decks, all sorts of things, and done a lot of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding, you name it. You are doing just fine. This isn't gymnastics -- no need to fret about 'style points.' ;).
Mts powertools in northampton has all the tools you need mate. Don’t forget you are one man and you’ve had to remove all the floors etc. You’ve accomplished a hell of a lot in such a short amount of time.
I think you’ve accomplished a lot. You’re getting things done a lot faster than I thought you would. You’re doing great. Just remember there’s only one of you and you’ve gotten things done right
There comes a point in any build where it appears things have slowed down, it tends to be when it comes to all the little fiddly bits. So don't be to hard on yourself, you'll get past a point and soon will be throwing those ceiling and wall panels up.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I heard with interest your comments about to many unfinished jobs, not buying sufficient supplies, being slow compered to the workforce at the boat yard. I have just completed a transformation of my Garden. It was slow because I had to partially complete one job to enable me to start on another section. I was building a shade house having never built one before so like you learnt as I went along. Which meant 4 steps forward 1 step back. Supplies you cannot be like the commercial builders who order their bits and bobs by the gross. I just have a second supply shed its called Bunnings, B&O to you, so a trip to there is not a delay it just a visit to the tool store. Working out as you go along is how you really learn. You are doing an amazing job James and I follow your progress eagerly and enjoy and learn in the process. Complete your shower Its amazing how many problems can be solved under hot water, or sitting in the throne room. Thanks for series I am a complete addict. Tony
Hi Tony! Firstly your garden sounds amazing (and big). Thanks for your words - maybe the shower will go in today which will be nice
You sounded a bit downbeat at the start. Don't be, your doing a fantastic job on your narrow boat. Be proud, your building this up on your own James. I'm proud of you. Stay safe, looking forward to your next upload.
That saying about "always darkest before dawn" really applies to a major renovation like yours--just about the time you feel the whole thing is never going to get done you'll look around and realize it's all finished! Everything slows down around the holidays, too. Hang in there James, it's going to be beautiful. (Swearing helps!) Your explanation of the wiring, and how each outlet led to the next one, was interesting--I didn't know how that worked until you explained it.
In 42 years I don’t think I’ve heard that saying and I absolutely love it. Thanks for your words 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
It's always the way with refurbished. My son ripped out walls, lathe and plaster ceilings, right back to brick. All the wiring and plumbing was removed. It only took two weeks. Then the planning started and installations began which took a year.
Once the basics are in things begin to speed up again and progress becomes evident.
Take an hour or so to think ahead what you may need to have that you had not thought of before. It's easy to fit an extra cable run and leave it unconnected should you later decide you want something else fitting. Installing the ceiling is pretty final and any afterthought would be then too late.
Stick with it James. We can see progress because we are not there all the time like you are.
Your boat is doing good. Your a one man band and the logistics of getting parts and supplies can be a challenge for anyone. I’ve built hospitals so I know that planning, supplying. And installing isn’t as easy as it seems. Keep up the good work James.
Your doing a great job, and have pushed yourself very hard. Don't think about how much to do but go back to enjoying the process, and let it take as long as it takes. It will be finished, sometimes our expectations don't let us see how much is done. And we beat ourselves up,instead of just enjoying the process . This is a challenge and you will get it done maybe not on your time table, let that go. Pulling for you.
I’m amazed at what you do! You make it look easy! When it isn’t! I think you are doing a fantastic job!
Well done, keep on going! I hate those little jobs too where you can't see visual progress, but you'll get there in the end, it's all forward progress.
Chin up son.
80% of the work is done in the last 20% of the time!
Your setting some good foundations for a mighty finish.
Having said that you would benefit from a good tidy up!
All the best.
The nice thing about lots of unfinished jobs is when you get to the point were all of a sudden you look around and they are all finished. It will happen.
Hey James, it's happening, you will get there with your tenacity. Take care and draw breath down by the cut when it goes awry.
Hi James your followers say all the right things in their comments that should do you the world of good. You've made fantastic progress in the short time since starting this project when you consider the Lockdowns, Winter, Having to source materials, some Bespoke, not having good working facilities, and researching nearly every portion of the re-build. 3 things that should help you to complete your next boat in half the time, No lockdowns ,No re-search cos you already done it and less time sat by the canal drinking tea and enjoying yourself. Look forward to the next my Friend. Stay Safe, Proper Job.
That’s it!! If I stop spending 6hrs a day drinking tea by the canal, I’d have more time to work. You star !!! 👍🏼
@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt Proper Job
Someone else has already said it on your comments, but so did Florence and the Machine (ok not BJB 😂) - Shake It Out “it’s always darkest, before the dawn” love that saying. Great progress James, keep smiling, keep going.
Most people take longer than expected to do what you are doing. But You are getting it done. good job so far. keep it up. And you have done a huge amount of work.
You might not feel great, but your vlogs are making us feel better. 👍😊🙂
Your wearing many hats doing this renovation & it’s getting there & looking good.
I used the same LEDs as you - not had one fail in over three years. However the connectors on your LED lights are rubbish. Mine would work for a while then flicker off and on. Just chop them off and replace with a screwed connector block - it will save you a lot of time and trouble. You seem to have made extra work for yourself with that mini trunking.I used double insulated cable and stuck it to the ceiling with duct tape.After you put your ceiling panels up ,just use a hole cutter and then fish the cables out. The main dc cables ran in a trunking under the gunnels went to a switch then onto the light group.
You are making much faster progress than most people - it took me over a year. Good luck.
You’re getting there, mate. James, one thing that I don’t think you mentioned, is that from what I understand, conduit must be used on the 12-volt circuitry as the insulation of the wire can react with the spray foam and degrade over a period, hence the regularity requirements of the BSC.
PS. Have you ever considered a boaters’ swear box? It will all add to the coffers. As Tesco says, Every Little Helps! 😉
You are doing fantastic me and my other half have watched you from word go pat your self on the back do not take any notice of negative people be your self and well done
Cheers you both 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
James, a fly cutter will adapt to any hole size required and although clumsy to use will easily cope with thin board. You might consider round 20mm plastic conduit with conduit boxes at the wiring juctions. They are cheap, easy to thread cable through and you won't be frustrated by cable falling out. All the best in your endeavour
your work ethic is is fantastic man rome wasnt built in a day dont knock yourself down your doing amazing job
Hi James, I think you'll be much happier once you get your bathroom and kitchen in. The rest will come. Please don't worry too much about what we go on about - you're doing fine.
Buddy you are living my dream right now good job.
Cheers pal 👍🏼
Stop with the negatives mate. You are doing a great job, & far more effectively than I would ever consider. I am not an electrician & relied on my father-in-law who was. I once moved a light switch from one wall to another and the light instead of going off just dimmed (not a dimmer switch). When I was 12 yrs old my parents semi detached council house was being rewired. The Electricians disconnected the supply at the meter, 30 mins later one of the team came through a bedroom ceiling from the loft with burns on his hand. Turned out that bedroom's lighting circuit was connected to the next door semi (LOL).
Hang in there James, hang in there it will all come together,again thanks for your inspiration.Roger.
Chin up mate i love your blogs 👍Try a bit of blue tack in your conduit to hold the wires till you get the top on 👍👍🚙
Don’t get disheartened James it will all come together before you know if, keep your chin up mate.
Going through the same process I have learned that there are jobs that take a short time and give a big visual impact and larger jobs that take a long time but once done the effort taken to complete them is not obvious, as the results are largely hidden. Only you will know the effort they take to complete. Forward planning for parts and dependencies for all the different elements of the build helps greatly to progress smoothly through the build process. Stick with it, with a vision towards the end result.
Mate, there are a team of professionals working in the yard.... You are a novice working on your own, don't worry, you are doing very well 👍
hi James dont get disheartened mate my son and i do bathroom re models inc tileing plastering etc the whole shebang and sometimes at the end of a day i look and cant see any progress but its all the stuff that gets covered up that takes the time it will come together just keep on carrying on mate
Mate, you're doing a great job! It's like a puzzle and it will eventually be pieced together. Very motivational and inspiring videos. Stay safe!
Hi James, I have just started watching your videos and I am utterly amazed at how much you have done all by yourself in such a short space of time. To think that you had to strip the entire vessel and basically start from scratch when you see what you have done so far it's a wonderful achievement. As you progress it will all just come together and it's going to look great when it does. Regards Steve (San Diego, California - I hate to tell you this but we're having a bit of warm weather here and the mid-day outside temperature is presently 88F (31.1C) and there's not a cloud in the sky (Sorry)).
Man - you guys have got it sooooo good. Sometimes I sit here by the canal and it’s beautiful old England at its best. But I’m sitting in 5 layers and can barely move my arms to drink my tea. Then I hear that in cool San Diego (which I’ve been to) is 31 in JANUARY !!!! But you done have any canals so again, I’m not sure......
Thanks for your words - glad to have you along 👍🏼👍🏼
For connectors you could use Wago 221
HI james as you said its all about routine its impossible to expect the same from yourself, your doing a sterling job and lets not forget your doing it al single handed bloody difficult mate chin up keep well
ffs mate give yer self a break your doin bloody marvelously, and faster than most i have seen
I know this is rather late, but The secret of making all this work above head is little pieces of tape. Don't bother putting the covers on until you've got all the wires in place.
Hey James don’t knock yourself, everything on a boat takes 3 times as long as you think. Already been mentioned but have a look at Wago connectors, I have used them all over my wide beam fitout, for extra protection you can always heat up some heat shrink over them. And if you fancy some smart tech for your lighting look at sonoff 12v switch boxes. I wired them in back at my electrics box and can have Alexa switch on or off the lights. Also means can be set to come on by a schedule for security if your off the boat.
Hi James. So apparently you are not using conduit, you are using mini trunking! Other half suggests using small offcuts of the trunking lid to use to hold the cables in. That way it is easier to add cables without the frustration of doing a full lid and it popping out. When all cables are in put the full length of the lid up.
Try 12 volt planet for all your 12 volt electrical stuff.
Ann Clark exactly what I was going to say :) thank you for saving me the typing :)
@@gillywild you are welcome 😀
When I was cabling networks I used "BlueTack" in the trunking to hold the many cables before the lid was clicked on.
I had a 35 ft catamaran that I had to rebuild . 8 months there seemed no progress , then 2 months of wow, then 2 more months of nitty picky finishing. I know where you are, but wait until your finnished. The BIG wow
You are doing a great job stick with it. it will all come together
Hey James, don't knock yourself. I'm just an interested Yank, but I think what you are doing is great. I'm trying to rehab a small bedroom in my house and am going slower than you are.
Great video bud, loving the build process.
James, next time use mini oval conduit. The type you are using is really designed for surface mounting of circuits.
Also, use WAGO connectors for the lights, Brilliant and so easy to use.I use them all the time.
You are doing such a great job! Never give up!
Bespoke builds include elec powered exhaust fan(s) in bath and kitchen. They use round, ultra-quiet and powerful computer fans (inexpensive, too) tucked into mushroom vents when possible.
Given the smoke / dust from wood stoves AND constant, excessive condensation, why 99% of NBs do NOT have such fans boggles my mind. Seriously.
Fans and custom, very tight mesh, removable SCREENS are on the must-have list for my bespoke build in 2022. NO wide open (bugs welcomed) hatches, windows and doors on my boat!
Now that’s a bloody good idea!!!!!
Right I’m going to look into this. Could I therefore, in theory do away with the traditional vents in the stern doors if I used exhaust fans in 2 spots on the boat ??
@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt The vents in the doors are to let air in.
@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt um I read that putting fans into mushroom vents fails the BSS on ventilation grounds. However this was awhile ago so I could be wrong. Best check with the guys who work at the boat yard.
I don't think you are in a lull at all. Its like the branches of a tree, they spiral in all directions but when you stand back and look at it, they are spreading out everywhere. The progress you have made is amazing it really is. what you have encountered is the idea of dependency, where a lot of different things are being worked on and must all come back together before you can move onto another one. Stop beating yourself up mate, you've done brilliant!
The fact that your lights have a flying lead with a particular connector fitted rather than just tinned ends suggests that they are intended to be plugged into another specific piece of equipment from the same manufacturer e.g. an LED driver.
Yep James, we could hear you swearing from down here in Australia as we laughed and cried with you.... We reckon you’re doing a fabulous job, mess n all. Learning a lot from your vlogs, and having a competition re what your trade actually is.... Some say teacher, some say mathematician, someone said engineer. My granddaughter said “he builds sandcastles”. We don’t want to know; we’re just having fun playing a guessing game.... Cheers from Tasmania
I think you are being a bit tough on yourself James, anyone that has ever done any form of renovation whether it be a boat or a house will know that you cannot simply start and finish each job without a considerable overlap on each. In addition you are now doing the fiddly stuff but I can guarantee that once the roof wiring is in, your roof panels will go in, your lights will pop in and your chimney fixings can go in, you will suddenly feel like everything is moving quickly again. In addition, the blokes in the shed are working on a new boat, they are in a shed with several of them, experienced and probably all the right tools. You are on the other hand learning as you go which will always be difficult and are working in the cold with limited tools and budget and also managing to put out 80+ videos as well as all the other stuff in your life which is pretty amazing. Dont be disheartened, I think progress is actually pretty quick for what you are trying to do. Cheers
Don't be hard on yourself mate. Look at some of your old vlogs when you were cleaning ballast bricks. Your as far as you can be. Alot of it is research and learning that takes twice as long.
Hey mate
All those small jobs are part of the big picture. Stay strong pal your doing well, don't compare yourself to them they do it for a living.
It's also a good idea to use conduit (or Kopex), because it keeps the cable away from the spray foam. I think the foam reacts with the PVC insulation on the cable and deteriorates it over time.
im heading to the ward today to take a look at my boat(the new GRP on site that you recorded on Friday) i have a set of hole cutters and will have a loot if i have a 58 if so i will bring it along.
Oh great - pop by it would be great to meet you. I’ve sorted the hole saw now thanks pal 👍🏼
👍😊
work in progress is always untidy its just the way it is
Hi James
Try small cables ties before putting in
Coming along nicely, James. Stop beating yourself up over delays, they are inevitable.
I'd be inclined to snip the plugs, and replace them with simple spade or bullet connectors. There's no guarantee that replacement lights would have the same plug.
Take care, mate.
Ah yes that’s true. Spade connectors and heat shrink yeah ??
Cheers bud
I agree but personally as I mentioned in another comment. I would use Wago 221 dual connectors. Quicker, easier and more reliable that crimped connectors or chock blocks.
@@adeytecnic I did have a look at those but they seem quite chunky ?? Was I liking at the rights ones?
@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/WA412C.html?source=adwords&ad_position=&ad_id=415703895078&placement=&kw=&network=u&matchtype=&ad_type=&product_id=WA412C&product_partition_id=934892185560&campaign=shopping_cable_accessories&version=finalurl_v3&gclid=CjwKCAiAuoqABhAsEiwAdSkVVMGqLxe7hl2iSds5IeKFvX0FfOnRruUYDOEtAqeb2t9rwvL7q3IBHhoCQU8QAvD_BwE
@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt check out the link. It has the dimensions but you can buy these from screwfix. Ta
Its just a suggestion James lol......but invest in a bag of good old clothes pegs and use them to hold the wires inside the conduit until you put the covers back on mate :)
The connections to your lights and probably all your bathroom appliances need to be waterproof also. I would advise against using any screw terminals and then trying to seal them. Use crimps with sealing covers or gel-filled insulation displacement connectors. There is range of connectors similar to those used in cars to connect tow bar lighting (I forget the name) that are filled with gel. Leave enough slack to remake connections several times. I wouldn't fit any power outlets in the bathroom.
Lights sealed to IP65 (IP = ingress protection, 65 = hoseproof and dustproof) recommended for the bathroom, certainly for the one in the shower. Use a piece of insulation tape every foot or so across your open conduit and hang your cables temporarily on the tape, fit the lids when all the cables are in.
Now there’s a man who knows his stuff!! Perfect, thanks. 👍🏼
@@TheNarrowboatThatJamesBuilt Alternatively, if you've plenty of conduit, cut some 10-15mm lengths of lid and use those every foot or so.
I'd cut the conector off the lights and replace them with regular male/female spade crimps it will be easier in the long run. Those conectors will either require a special crimping tool that you will probably never use again or soldering which is a pain and takes time.
If you cut pices (aporx 10 cm) from the lock of the conduit and spread them along the conduit its far more easy to put the cable in place.
I've seen loads of those comments about half finished jobs, the thing is it's so hard when you are doing a boat and to do just one thing you have to get 5 others done, and then to find you don't have the right bit of kit to do it is a nightmare. I had a major meltdown at one point when getting my boat ready to live on and I wasn't doinga full refit like yourself. Hang in there mate, you are doing a stonking good job. Have you got a colour scheme in mind? Both inside and out?
Good to hear it’s not just me then !!!
No colour scheme as such. I’m thinking of black for the hull 🤣🤣🤣
don't struggle with trunking (conduit) lidding while you're laying in the cables . just cut 1 inch lengths of lidding to hold the cables in place every couple of feet or so.
James will you have any storage in the bathroom?
Yes, some
Hello James ! Don’t worry too much about unfinished works: it seems unavoidable as you don’t have all the hardware and tools at hand. It’s often disheartening because it gives you the false impression that there is no progress, but there are phases like that!
I was just wondering if you’ll use wires terminal for your 24V electrical system? If so a crimping tool would be very helpful. Just let me know if you need one.
Keep up the good work!
hi how do have a look at the wago block connectors for your lights on ebay, you may find it easier if you cut some offcuts of trucking about 3 inch long and clip them in to your trucking channel spaced a foot apart or so to hold your wires up it will make it easy to add 1 wire at a time until you get them all in to place then when ready remove 1 at a time replacing them with a full length
James, if you get 10 minutes why not create an Amazon wishlist and share it with us all? We can then maybe send you things you'll be needing to complete the boat?
I don’t think they sell teams of boat builders on Amazon !!
;D
Sacrifice about a 30cm of trunking (conduit) lid cut it in to 1cm pieces, use that to hold the wires in place, removing each piece as you come to it with the full lid once all wires are installed.
Say, are you forgetting a dedicated light in front of the wash basin? What about an elec outlet for whatever in the bathroom or will that circuit run under the gunnell?
There will be a light above the sink but slightly offset otherwise it’ll be above the head and therefore offer no light at all.
The other 12v stuff which is just the toilet fan will run under the gunnels as you say. I may put in a 12v cable in the bulkhead wall so a small vanity light/mirror can be mounted to the wall
I would snip the connectors off and use Wago maintenance free connectors.
That’s what I did with my down lighters; it makes the job so much easier and quicker .
Reckon I could have a narrowboat sorted bottom up In about a week
And rest on the 7th day yeah ! 👍🏼