Right then, let's go back over forty years, one VERY excited holidaymaker keen as mustard to go on his first ever boating holiday, ME! Ruth had been three years previous with her parents and sister with Alan Johnsons, Acle on Sharmaine.
Our boat for our first holiday was SunGlory from Porter & Haylett, which of course meant I had to negotiate Wroxham Bridge . We were sitting in the old Horseshoes Bar having a light refreshment, honest no booze, yet!
Anyway, we had been told to go to the yard for 12.30pm it was the first week of the season and all the boats were stern on to the P&H quay. looking resplendent in their cream hulls.
Boat loaded up, I awaited the instructions how to handle this boat. Now at know point was it mentioned I had to negotiate Wroxham Bridge in the very near future. We had already decided to leave Colitishall till later in the week.
So Peter I think his name was, took us up the river under the bridge to the bend of the river and turned it round on a sixpence I seem to remember. So here I was, now at the helm a complete rookie we went up n back down that wee bit river till he was happy I could keep it straight-ish. Also working the gear handle. I made not too bad a job of bringing the boat back to their quayside. He pushed my bow back out and away we went to .....yep Wroxham Bridge ....So here we were 15/20 minutes Max coaching and I had this semi circular arch to attempt to get through unscathed!
Thankfully SunGlory was only 6ft4" airdraft so I guess when I went through height really wasn't a issue, but, did I know that, nope, you bet I hadn't a clue! Beginners luck. my skills? So there you have it, in the early 1970's instruction at take over was the very bare minimum.
IMHO, 99% of those hiring are wishing to take in the information offered, but, are either knackered after a very long drive, or forget VERY QUICKLY everything they were told! Just my thoughts.
Iain.