C.Ricko

https://www.nya.co.uk/boats-for-sale/bounty-37-mkii-2/ without the front well there is more room in the saloon of the Bounty 37..

we have recently done a refit on a Bounty 40 centre cockpit, it involved new mattresses, flooring, repairs to bulkheads, new toilets, washbasins, worktops in heads and galley, and new cockpit seating also some cosmetics outside and all the windows rebuilt and new inverter+ charger. the refit we are currently in the middle of is having a new engine, dashboard, charger/inverter, curtains, flooring throughout, galley doors, large areas of rotten flooring and linings replaced, all windows removed and rebuilt, new toilets, washbasins and worktops in heads, rubbers replaced and large areas of damage repairs being done as well as the canopy sides being stripped and rebuilt with metal in the place of wood. both the above are for hire, the next one i do for myself will hopefully just be a polish!

how much height would anew fixed bridge gain? I think double track fixed bridge would make sense if it were doable as nothing is likely to group there again, the last two openings (probably 3 )were to let boats out. Fixing Reedham is unlikely but it would make the Yare Navigation race much more interesting!

is that not a Horizon 35 hull?

Thats me on the front of Ladybird getting ready to give Chris Tuckett a kick out of the way in his Slipstream, I think the year that he did mainsheet for me. we were both under the bridge at the same time, not sure how we fitted!

All the horizon 35s/42s built by Horizon craft had the vent fitted, if an engine needed changing then fibreglass window cut outs were used to slide the engine on its sump through the galley to the saloon.

some vents are put in to cover up holes from accidents or purely access to fittings, poorly fitting canopies were easily justified in the past with a sticker saying "This is a ventilator do not block" a few years ago some boats could have a gas cooker, gas fridge and 4-6 gas heaters, as the heaters and fridges changed the ventilators were removed as they leaked or looked old. Brush strip has a place on boats but I don't like it, its generally used as an easy way out but soon looks crap, I do accept sometimes its the best option.. A lot of thought can go into draft proofing a new sliding canopy, (or not) you do need adequate ventilation.

looks like sapele to me, which I was told is a wood which looks like it grew next to a mahogany tree.

if you have a hire yard, its good to use your facilities to do private jobs to fill in the slow times, having facilities and skills around you is key and makes life more interesting have a look at this cheeky plug! https://www.facebook.com/broadshols/?view_public_for=110557400763374

I might have a spare, what swaps have you got? I will check as I donated one of my doubles..

ok, I know it just for fun but im here to put you all off the idea! I think there are a few things to bear in mind... There are easier ways to make money. buying old boats and letting them cheap is how my old mad did well but he had about 700 boats in the peak, it was a big chore and that was then... building new boats isn't easy but if you already have the overhead covered then its a great idea.. just because you have a massive fleet doesn't mean you can make money. just because you have a lovely small fleet doesn't mean you can make money. run your fleet with 1 man to 8 boats. you can't run 8 boats with 1 man. you can't do it on your own. run a profitable business alongside your boating operation! . you only make money with a boatyard when you sell it. (most of the money made in the 80s and 90s was in the land values) If you want to do it and you can then do, you only live once!. As you can see its full of contradictions so don't take any advice, everyone is wrong except you, if you want to please everyone all the time then forget it, just listen to people and do what you want to!

i think there were 8 Swiftways (about 4 or 5 still on the rivers) and 3 Broadways which were basically the same

same frames just spaced out a bit more for Broadsventure, the Swiftways were originally varnished but they later booked better when one in the class was painted white and photographed for the brochure.

we currently have the Modern gem (latterly Eastern Gem) in the horning shed at the moment fitting a bow thruster!

comparing them to the plans I have, I would say 1970s

back burner again but she does now have a new apron and stem fastened in, there are a few planks aft and a good bit of varnish needed again but will see how this year goes, my priorities have changed yet again...

Yes its basically me doing what I love doing, building and looking after boats both modern and classic, the industrial sites are small businesses and workshops full if interesting people and activities, I like all the kinds of innovative stuff going on, we are building a new design which is in development in Catfield which will be built in Horning. there are 3 new boats currently being made ready for hire, which are Swiftway, a Bounty 40' centre cockpit Tideway, a Aquafibre Pearl 38' centre cockpit and Jomaric, a 1948 Windboat all 3 are currently having major refits. the new boat is hopefully going to be ready late in the season, ill release details of that soon for those of you who have not seen it.

Still have Broadsventure but she won't be going on hire, in wondering if she will get out of the shed!

she will be a little bit pricey but i recon 2 weeks peak hire a year will still be cheaper than owning one!

Hi Andrew, All the boats we intend to let next year are fibreglass with the exception of Jomaric which is all wood!

Modern and stylish Dan, but I can send a drone if needs be ...

you will be fine, I will do the trial run! She has just been subject to a full exterior strip and revarnish (to match the interior) this pic was taken in May before we started,

Hi Fred, Can I borrow this picture? i did send you a message.. Theres my cortina in the background!

the arsenic content in antifoul isn't the same as what it was in days gone by,.... just a self polishing version is good on a GRP boat, most hire craft just do the waterline to look good as the constant movement through salt and fresh doesn't allow things to grow

I just can't say no! there are a few people who think I am having a laugh when I say 'Im full but come anyway Ill sort something out', Jason doesn't like it when I answer the phone Waiting lists are fine but there is nothing like having a boat in the wrong place to make you put it in the next suitable space which comes up! BTW I do have a big side on Mooring available!