BuffaloBill

I may have missed something.........but a German guy bought a boat from Herbert Woods and was intending to spend a lot of time cruising the Broads. I can't remember his name or the name of the boat. Anyone know what happened to him as I haven't seen a post from him in a long time.

So you feel privileged then Ray? Well that's something new

Yes Paul. We Have! PM sent.

Couldn't agree more! Had a couple of jobs done by them last year and they were done very well and at a very competitive price. Mind you, while we were moored with Barnes, we always had good work carried out by them and at a very, very reasonable cost too.

Neil, if you purchase the video pass you will have done part of what they want! Keep away and maybe it will go back to Eurosport where it was free. Anyway, as I understand it, it may yet get taken up by Channel4 or 5 so bide your time.

I thought it was a waste of time. NBN.....Norfolk Broads Network......yet the fact it was about a Broads forum, it almost slipped by without me noticing it saying so! All nice floaty things in different colours and NOT ONE photo of the Broads. It also begs the question, why the need to advertise the forum? It does very well as it is doesn't it? A BIG thumbs down from me. Sorry.

Not as much as when Jeremy and Co. were presenting it. I won't watch it on principle.

I'm with you both on this. I WILL NOT pay any more than I do now just to watch MotorGP on BT Sport! Not being on ITV4 is a backward step IMHO but maybe forced on them by BT who want exclusive coverage to try and force you to pay them. It aint gonna work! I'm into the Superbikes more than GP but do like to keep up anyway. On another tack...where's Jack Burnicle this year? I miss his and James banter and their combined knowledge of all things bike.

As an ex-motorcycle instructor, I will say that we were told to teach them to pass their test........not learn to ride a bike! As anyone with motorcycle experience will tell you, riding a bike is hazardous enough at any time and you have to keep your wits about you every minute that you are on the bike! Also a (car) driving instructor told me that they too are told to teach the students to pass their test and nothing more. Relying on the car's in-built systems to keep you safe is at best poor and at worst, down right dangerous.

On the right of the photo, where there are now houses overlooking the marina, it would be later that the Sheerline motor cruisers were being built by Duncan who went on to start George Smiths which is now Richardsons since Duncan's death a couple or so years ago, when he sold The Sheerline brand to Peter Applegate(who renamed it Wroxham Marine and moved it to Thorpe). I can't remember the date at this time but feel it was around 1990/1991 as our last boat, a Sheerline Centre Cockpit named 'Sapphire' was the last boat built there by Duncan and Gary Applegate. Edited to add that JPC also worked from there before moving to Brundall.

Not sure if this will help. I took it when on my honeymoon in 1976 coming back from Coltishall. It would appear that Powles owned both sides at that time.

There was! It happened to a good friend of ours who actually lived on the boat and the insurance company had to pay for 2 weeks stay in rented accomodation until the boat was fixed as the damage was that bad. I'm pleased it has now been stopped as we had a couple of near misses there last year too.

Also for those interested....The Cuckoos have already started their migration northward about 6 weeks early! One in particular has covered around 1100kms. Does this mean an early spring is on the cards? Birds and animals have an instinct for this. Will be interesting to see.

Have you seen some elderly people trying to get on these dayboats? Anyone with a slight disability will welcome this I'm sure. With the tidal rise-and-fall around 3ft at OB, this will encourage those who are less steady on their feet to be able to get on and off these boats without the fear of falling. Well done to whoever came up with the idea.

Just a quick 'Heads-up' that it's the Newark Boat Jumble this coming Sunday. Opens at 10am. £4 entry. I'll be there!

Iv'e never seen anyone make something so difficult!!

Hi Paul. It looks as if you took that photo quite close to our last boat 'Sapphire'? Moored on the riverside when we saw it last year.

Errrr. Why not ring him? And his name is Jon without the 'H'.

Try Jon at Wayford:- 07789095032 He's your most likely bet.

Iv’e been reading this thread from the beginning, even when it started on the other thread…. My experience with them has been very positive. Our first introduction to them was way back in 2009 when we hired Myth. It took us 2 years to get that boat as we never dreamed it would be booked so far in advance as over 12 months! When we arrived at the yard, there were cones across the yard from the shed with signs saying no access. I ventured to walk past them for a quick look as we had arrived early but Lesley came out telling me it was no entry as the sign said! OOPS I thought, got off on the wrong foot here. A few minutes later Robert came out and explained that it was to keep people out of the way whilst they prepared the boats for the next customers and so they wouldn’t trip up on any cabling and hoses during this time. Fair enough I thought. When we were informed by Lesley that the boat was ready, she again explained the reason and adding that the turn-around was quicker without the customers wandering around the area. I saw the logic behind that and held no animosity towards her. Robert was to do the handover for us and after the usual show-you-round, I was asked if I had experience before, and this he accepted and we were on our way with no river trial run. A couple of years later, we had a problem with the new heating on our own boat and Tom from JPC said he would fix it for us. I rang Lesley from our mooring in Wroxham explaining what needed doing and could we moor at their yard? (JPC don’t have a mooring area) “No problem”. We arrived and were greeted by Colin, who knew why we were there without asking, and said we could stay all day and overnight if we wanted. Tom came and spent about 4 hours fixing the heating and didn’t charge us a penny! (He sold the heating to the yard that fitted it for us) We had several chats with Colin and other staff whilst there and there was no problem whatsoever. When we were ready to leave, I asked if there was a charge for the mooring and was told no but I did leave a tenner in the staff ‘biscuit tin’. Friends of ours hire Mystique from them every 2 years and have nothing but praise for the entire staff. (They are on it again this June) Just my take on the yard and all the staff.

Sorry to disappoint you M, but it's only the reflection in the rear window of the light on the shorepower post. Had me fooled to the point that I went and had a look..

I believe that you only get those pushpit rails on the private boats but I could be wrong. Pulpit rails maybe, as you do see them on hire craft.

Is it this sort you are looking for? I have one for sale if interested:- An Eberspacher 7 day timer, Model No. 701 10 005 New and never been used. Still in it's box with instructions. New on Ebay at about £115. Make me an offer. (part of my annual garage clearout! I have other stuff too)

Why does everyone seem to jump on Barnes so quickly? They have bought the yard and will honour any bookings for this year. I don't expect any changes in the coming year due to their other projects. I knew about this weeks ago but kept it to myself as I do many other things. At least people who tell me anything know that it will go no further. I know of at least one other yard that did look into buying it too. Matthew and Daniel are good business men so it was purchased for a good reason.

Hi Geoffrey. I can vouch for that. The heat coming out the stern door when we had a quick chat over Christmas was lovely! And he and Steve were both in 'T' shirts and I was wrapped up to the nines! As for overnight heating, where possible we leave an electric oil filled radiator on low until the Eber switches on at 0640 to bring the heat up to normal for me to get up and make a cuppa and then back to bed to consume at our leisure.