Deep cycle batteries and a visit to Merlin

For a while we have been mulling over whether to do away with ordinary domestic batteries and go for Deep Cycle batteries instead. Did it really justify us paying up to £150 for each one? Having looked on the web we found that the initial benefits of a deep cycle battery was the potential for a longer life span than most batteries, it could provide energy over a longer period of time and that it could be discharged and recharged many more times than starter batteries. In fact they can discharge quite deeply before needing to be recharged. and can routinely be discharged to between 50% and 80%. They are also very good for the environment as almost every part of the battery can be recycled. So having thought long a deep and then found a place in Wales selling Trojan batteries for £104 each we bit the bullet, ordered 4 and traveled the 145 miles to Abergele to collect them.

So much for Wales being snow bound (todays weather forecast) A smattering on the hills was all we saw.

 Having eventually found the place I was amazed at the weight of each battery,  a staggering 30 Kilos  much heavier then our domestic batteries. It will certainly mean a rearrange of Ian's man cupboard at the back to even out the weight.

From Abergele a short drive to Colwyn Bay found us in our favourite eatery, Wetherspoons and after the usual great meal we decided to visit our other boat Merlin at the Anglo Welsh yard in Bumbury. She had been sent to Great Hayward for winter maintenance and was now back at her home base ready for the first of this years holiday hire next week. For a ten year old hire boat she's still in pretty good nick. Yes the paintwork on the exterior looks very tired but internally she still looks almost knew. New chairs had just arrived from Ikea and very comfy they were too.We met the acting manager Mark who explained in great detail everything that had been done to her and what was still to do, and Rose who was busy giving Merlin a thorough clean. Next year we will have to make the decision whether we take her away from Anglo Welsh or keep her in the fleet. So far Anglo Welsh has done us proud so I cant see the decision being to difficult to make.

Ikea recliner chairs.