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VetChugger
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Posts posted by VetChugger
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Out of all those mentioned I would think "Shining Light" would have the better chance but this is never guaranteed! I'm surprised "Royall Diamond" failed unless levels were above average. That being one of the lower air draft boats.
Why not get a "Juliette" or "Silver Jubilee" from Martham?? They have ways of getting them under........
Trevor
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That's also an odd coincidence....... "Rapide" was also our last hire from Alphacraft.
Trevor
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Don't really want to start an arguement..... honest! But I can't believe you think Alpha's "Phantom" is a good all rounder! I've ranted about AlphaCraft's "Rapide" elsewhere before. This is a similar boat to "Phantom" and should really be higher rated because it is only set up for four. We would not hesitate in saying this was the worst boat we had ever been on. Two supposedly double cabins side by side at the stern were very cramped with the beds actually being singles slid together. The stateroom was comfortable but the arrangement of the table and seating is such that once you are all sat, that is where you stopped until everyone was done or everyone had to move! The shiney silver pole suggested interesting entertainment though! The inside helm is so far back in the stateroom that visibility and any idea as to where the bows are is guesswork. Worst of all was the up top steering position. Chronic backache after five minutes of that. We had Alpha's resident engineer out to the boat and he actually said that it was generally accepted at the yard that this was the worst design Alpha had ever come up with.
Oddly enough we quite liked "Thunderbolt" except we felt it was a tad expensive for what it was. We too have been through most of Alpha's fleet right from the early 70's and our favourite boat then was originally called "Samarkand" and later renamed "Jaguar". Sadly there are no decent pictures of this around except a tired old photo of the boat at Reedham which I had and is in Craigs database.
Nowadays we have two favourites really. The "Juliette" from Martham for layout, handling and pure nostalgic class although this was let down for us by very poor maintainance on our trip. This has now improved in huge strides I must add.
Currently its "Royall Commander" (2) which we will be boarding next friday for the fourth year in succession. Can't wait !!!
Trevor
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Looks like the Waveney above Beccles to me. Not many other places where the banks rise as in this picture.
Trevor
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I reckon that's Old Hall Drainage Mill just below Stokesby on the Bure.
Trevor
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We can only go by what we find as far as pubs are concerned and the smoking ban. I tend to think they are suffering. Just look at the Cross Keys in Dilham! Trevor (Landlord) told me last summer that he was considering giving up because of its effect on his trade and now he has.
Trevor
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Mudweighted in the corner of Surlingham Broad yesterday in glorious weather, dangled my hook for a few hours and caught not a thing! Very peaceful though.
Trevor
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I've spent quite some time at Irstead over the years. I would not have recognised it from those pictures in a year of sundays!
Trevor
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If that is a clue then its got to be Womack near Hunters Yard maybe??
Trevor
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Is it the junction where the Nth Walsham & Dilham canal branches off just topside of Wayford bridge?
Trevor
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I could do with some myself! i sat on my boat watching a fella at the end of the mooring catching a netfull of bream during the summer. He was using only float fished bread! I do think you need to concentrate around the heavy weed beds though.
Trevor
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I thought I had explored every navigable part above the bridge Clive! Reading your post has me wondering now. What draft boat did you wander in? Can you explain a bit more about "off deep Dyke" "back channels and far reaches of Hickling" please? I'm not sure that I know where you mean.
Trevor
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38' is not particularly big when compared to hireboats generally. There are many around this length and a good few very similar to "Ibiza". If there are many more than two of you going you will appreciate the space! Everyone starts somewhere and you will be surprised how easy to handle the boats are with basic common sense. You'll enjoy it and return again and again!
Trevor
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Alternatively for an easy and compact solution that you can hide away when not in use have a look at these...
http://www.waudbys.co.uk/products/details/62.html
I have one and it works very well.
Trevor
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Its harder to not have Google desk top than to have it! There are countless instalations and downloads that try and give you this on the sly!
Trevor
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Unashamedly pilfered from Radio Broadland. Oulton Broad YS ...... pontoons have risen some!
And a dramatic photo on Caistor Beach
Trevor
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Come on someone?? Even I want to know where this is. Looks familiar but I can't place it. Favourite would be one of the big yards like Richardsons or, as has already been suggested, Moores.
Trevor
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Many folk seem to forget or conveniently ignore the fact that the areas "guarded" by Wroxham, Potter, Beccles, Wayford and, to a certain extent, even Ludham bridges are in this attractive state because access is limited. I don't think there is any coincidence in the fact that many peoples favourite stretches just happen to be the other side of these bridges. I'm as frustrated as the next person when I can't get my boat under a bridge but this is forgotten on the occasions I do and enjoy the quality of the scenery and the peace and tranquility.
With regard to the points about mooring improvements, I think this is at the mercy of the inflated property market. You only need to look in estate agents to see prices at places mentioned like Wroxham and Horning to illustrate the unlikely prospect of the BA ever being able to purchase river frontage to provide moorings. The Waveney River Centre is at the pinnacle of examples that, if you want facilities, you will pay through the nose for them.
As for a new cut from the Bure to the Yare! What's the hurry?? It seems to me that all the points being mentioned centre on areas that are an essential part of the Broads identity. People have enjoyed watching boats struggle to get under Potter and Wroxham for years! There are many posts and observations of trepidation at the prospect of a Breydon crossing. We all know that, with common sense, there is not a problem and these parts of a holiday on a boat are parts of Broads folklore.
Leave it be! As things are there are parts of the Broads that will suit most tastes. All you need to do is explore and, if you like a spot, stop and enjoy.
Trevor
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I do like Throwers..... the pies and pasties!!! Then the fancy buns and cakes....
On the slight upside, The Lion at West Somerton has opened a "shop" in the pub. I realise not many will get there because of the dwarf like nature required to access the navigation but it makes this opening more of a service to the community than a gesture to holidaymakers. I've yet to have a look myself but suspect I'll have plenty of chances over the winter when my cruising area suddenly shrinks to just Hickling and West Somerton as destinations!
Trevor
Advice information and experiences please
in Hire Boat Discussion
Posted
Only that if you work for the NHS and have an NHS email address you can get a full 25% discount on all 2008 hires. Not that there is much of 2008 left!
Trevor
www.normanboats.co.uk