VetChugger

There is Norwich Camping and Leisure at Blofield will sell it. Its only good for plain canvas canopies though where it can soak in. Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

With an air draft of 7' 5" you will not be going under Potter Heigham or Wroxham Bridges. You could manage Beccles Old Bridge at the right tide. I only just noticed that Pacific include air draft figures in their boat descriptions. Including canopy up/down. This is something I have long thought all yards should do. Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

That's the fella that reckoned to race the wherries along the Yare. Blue Boy or something like that and, in this photo, he has reached Bramerton Woods End. Hope he wasn't expecting a great pint and meal though! Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Pinched from elsewhere but how's this for minature engineering? http://www.wimp.com/tiniestengine/ Takes a while to load. Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Many of the hireboats give "indications" of speed via RPM. If your boat has a rev counter/tachometer you can plot approximate speeds via your GPS app at different engine speeds in different conditions. ie. with or against tidal flow. Only a rough guide of course. Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Pubs of Wroxham??? Is this a bit of poetic licence? That little bar down the back of the old Moores yard is good but The Kings Head was very poor last summer! Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

My opinion! I made that clear and, as I also made clear, I reserve the right to express it! That is what fora are about telling of experiences and conclusions reached. Those are mine in relation to WRC. I'm not about to argue every single point but the water policy is not the same in other marinas! £3.75 & £5.85 respectively for stern and side on moorings at Beccles? Not BA! As for recent years I suspect 2011 isn't that far back in history! Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Well, I refuse to let that pass without further comment! The "Dick Turpin" comment was a light hearted observation! However, given the response, there have been many discussions on this and other "fora" about boating costs. Something that affects us all. Especially prevalent have been comments about the pricing policies at WRC. The most expensive overnight charges anywhere! £10 stern on and £14 side on! Norwich & Yarmouth are £12. On top of that charges for water. Remember the comments about time limited low pressure hoses? Charges for showers. (admit I don't know if they still give tokens to overnight moorers) WiFi was almost the worst. Minimum £6 when a friend had to moor to check something. I also realise and accept that there are some folk who willingly pay these charges and view them as good value. I don't and I reserve my right to my own opinion. Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

T.I.C of course ..... well mostly ..... Nothing at all to do with maintaining space to continue being able to "Dick Turpin" visiting boats then? Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Just had to add another Steve Marriot classic. Listen to this alternative version of The Yardbirds "For Your Love"! There's just too much stuff available to wonder over! Keep finding another gem! Trevor http://www.normanboats.co.uk

And can anyone recall a voice like Roger Chapman?? Did anyone else fantasise like me about Sonja Kristina? And another call for Steve Marriot Can anyone remember the rather alluring black woman who did a similarly titled song? No prize for the answer though .... Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Magnificent performance from the sadly late but great Steve Marriot! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcKZoFRpZCI Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

I think the principal of this scheme is great! It does, as Strowager hinted, need maximum take up by BT customers to make it work. I have had very good connections on the Broads to both Openzone and BT Fon. Never experienced any problems on my home connection. Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

And David, I disagree with your definition of "classic". I wouldn't hesitate for instance to call Freeman and Norman a "classic" brand. The term "classic" being earned by longevity of both the brand and the boats themselves. In the case of Norman it can be said that by introducing narrowbeam craft in affordable GRP created an access revolution to the waterways! I admit I'm biased! Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Although the number does not show on Jim sheads site it may be worth contacting British Waterways and see if they have anything. Am I reading the name right as "Bruyere"?

"Chuggity Bob" is the rather fetching pet name adopted by Carol in her boating tales, based I think, on the chugging nature of the engine on Pacific Swift! trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Looks like they have nicked Reedham Chain Ferry in that second one! Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

I'm a Yorkshireman too but the fella that comes with us is a veggie and eats buckets of lentils and odd looking beans! I would ask you to reconsider! Would you really settle for one loo?? Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

As mentioned on another thread, I was looking up a NBD boat and was taken to the Hoseasons site where all NBD boats are now listed. Same applies to Sandersons and DRL. Does this finally mean an end to Blakes as a brand? Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

I'm going to be a bit argumentative! What a surprise! Just had a look on the Faircraft site and this is a direct quote! "New in 2010, this dual steering cruiser sets a new standard in space and quality. The largest craft in the fleet," which suggests its also their flagship! I'm, therefore, very much less than impressed with both the propulsion performance and heating problems! Bearing in mind the time of year any hirer would be expecting reasonable heating to combat Octobers lower temperatures. We all know how the damp chill on the water can invade our comfort zone nevermind that of a first time hirer! Consider a boat of this size that struggles to achieve 3mph and I suspect there would be some pretty hairy times in any but totally ideal tide conditions especially around Yarmouth and Breydon. This is a brand new crusier to all intents and purposes with modern engine and ancilliary equipment. Add the charging problems and non working radios/CD's and this is nothing short of crap maintainence! I can't believe that previous hirers did not mention any of these faults and they are not of the type that emerge overnight! The response from the yard leaves a lot to be desired as well. That was clearly an effort to dodge having to fix it and "persuade" Kugababe to carry on and put up with it. For just short of £1200 I think this is unacceptable! The other interesting thing to note is if you do a search for any NBD boats you now end up on the Hoseasons website. Does this mean no Blakes brochure for 2012??? Just relieved that Kugababe may well return and hope they will find a yard with much better service. Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Not all boatyards will provide facilities for portapotti emptying. This link from the "Greenbook" gives details of the yards. http://www.thegreenbook.org.uk/home/outlets.asp Add to this Norich Yacht Station (free blue as well last time I used it), Not sure about Beccles, Great Yarmouth or Oulton Broad. Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Yes

Lad I know has a Norman 23 witha Honda on. He simply bought great big, and I mean big, fenders that meet the quay heading before the engine! Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

Sadly Brundall Gardens are still yet to open for business on the site you refer to! They do odd lifts for berth holders but not very often. Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk

I'm not a huge expert but, if you also fancy near DSLR image quality, why not a bridge camera such as the Fujifilm FinePix S4000? I had a Fuji of this sort prior to my Canon DSLR and the simple P&S quality was excellent! They also have full manual controls. Some good prices to be had on Amazon for example. Trevor www.normanboats.co.uk