Lucky

I'll do that now Mark ! (Yet again we posted at exactly the same time, same idea too !! so I've edited my post)

I think I must have a problem with this one - its been a week now and not one drop of water.... HOWEVER - the cabin of the 310 is bone dry, doesn't smell and is fine - BUT, the dehumidifer does have settings, and it still comes on... Is there a practical way to test this ? Put the heaters on full blast, open the windows etc etc - or am I going in the wrong direction ?

Made me giggle !!!

Exactly the same for me Suzanne (Great meeting you the other day by the way !!) Nick seems to come with some great recommendations, but unfortunetly as yet he hasn't found anything that I've been looking for. When I emailed him sometime ago about teak decking, he said he would look into it - never heard any more and I emailed him the other day about something and still no reply. I also need to replace the Sealine metal logos on either side, so perhaps I'll try again....

Very good point !! Actually get 20 or 30 and put some on eBay. I know Sealine used these for a number of years, and of course they are water-proof, but they do tend to go off colour and look very grubby. We have tried scrubbing them, even putting them in the dishwasher to no avail !!

Just a quick update. As shown above these items ARE available in Black, but for the life of me I can't find them in WHITE !!! So, if any of you kind ladies and gentlemen happen to spot them out on your travels, please let me know !! I need at least five !!! The search continues !!

Thanks Jill !! Claire took that, along with about a million others ! I could bore you for hours, honestly !! Luke

Hi Jonny, just to point out that those shots of the broads were not mine (I wish I was that good !!) I did credit each shot with the photgrapher, but I can see how you missed it as the pictures are so good !! All the best Luke

Since joining this forum I have deliberately kept off this section of photographs as I knew it would spark my old interest again... However, due to getting up at silly o'clock for the last week (5am most mornings) due to the painkillers I am on at the moment, I just couldn't resist any longer and have spent the last two hours or so looking through the amazing and wonderful photos on this thread. Well done to everyone, there is some real passion in these and I hope to be able to 'compete' with some of the super examples over the coming years. My particular favouties are the following: The first three have been taken by Brucec:- Truely stunning and I would be proud to have that hanging on a wall in my house ! This one by palmtree:- and an amazing photo by plesbit:- Now, I or Claire do not profess to be 'any good' with the SLR, but as some of you know, my other hobby is racing motorbikes - generally in other countries around Europe, and althougth I know its nothing to do with the Broads, or wildlife, I just wanted to share one of my favourites if thats ok (we have millions !!!) This one is coming out of a corner at about 130mph+ :- Over the next year or so, I hope we can transfer this little ability we have to scenic and wildlife photography and be able to share some of the amazing sites we have seen on the broads with you.... Thanks again for a wonderful couple of hours looking through all the submissions !! Luke & Claire

I was quite pleased with my score - 8. I have never ever worn glasses, but over the last couple of months noticed that I was having problems reading. Its now getting much worse in the space of a week or so. Went to the opticians and they said that I needed 1.25 glasses then preceeded to sell me £99 pair. I left quite quick and went to pound land and got exactly what I needed for, well, a £1 obviously !! lol !!

I may of phrased my question slightly incorrectly.. I am quite experienced at boating, I completed courses back in 2000, skipper, ICC etc etc and understand what you should actually do when approaching a yacht - always pass to the stern etc... Just for the record, I don't normally get "pointed" at either - it was just on these two occasions and I was always of the opinion that the skipper of the yacht was telling me what to do and judging by the above comments I was right... However, it appears that not all the skippers use the same reference book, making life a little complicated for the occasional boater. I've always found it pretty obvious which way to go when approaching a tacking yacht and I only asked the question the second time of the skipper as I felt he was giving me an incorrect signal (which indeed he was) I completely agree with you Antares, learner car drivers should ride a motorbike first ! I would say this as I own about 9 bikes of different abilities and see the huge amount of un-intentional accidents that happen involving bikes - perhaps you are correct saying that MoBo's should have some experience of sailing under their belt too ! So, the request is out there - who fancies taking me for a 'spin' (that surely can't be the right word) around Oulton Broad then ?? Two bottles of wine perhaps ?? lol !

Getting back to the dehumidifier subject (my fault, I diversified) the XM was delivered yesterday and as a trial I put it on full blast for the whole night expecting it to have filled the tank - but nothing, not even a single drop.... Is this right ? Are humidity levels ok at the moment and I shouldn't expect anything in the tank at the moment ?

When I am tootlying along at 5mph and I see a sail boat in the distance I always get a little nervous feeling running down my back.... which way, what now etc etc Anyway, over the last couple of days I have been watching these 'nutters' * with interest. I have deliberately slowed down and watched intently... Now, some of them realise that I know what I am doing (probably because its not a hire boat) and some of them start pointing. My question is this. When they point, are they pointing to show which way THEY are going, or are they pointing to show which way they want ME to go ?? I ask this as last week, after exactly this incident, as we went past I asked the "captain" the question - he said that he was pointing where HE was going. Today, the same thing happened and once again I asked.... This time the "captain" said that he was pointing to where he wanted ME to go. So - what is the correct answer ?? Luke * (nutters) - Only joking guys with flappy things - I have every respect for you guys (well, as much as you have for me anyway) but I don't understand why you wouldn't wants revs instead of puff !! lololol !! PS - well, I have to add a PS as I always do..... lol .... If anyone of the "Puff" variety would like to take me on a half hour circle round Oulton Broad to show me what I am missing I would actually really appreciate it ! Always up for something new - I just don't understand it - all that rope pulling, ducking and technical wordage for simple things !! Come on, someone show me how wrong I am !! I'll bring the wine !!

I know this discussion started on one of my other threads, but so as to clean it up a little, I have started this thread.. As mentioned last week, I had booked Ian Jenkins as advertised on one of the posts. I couldn't work out from the posts which was the one to go for so I plumped for Ian. We had a couple of exchange emails and arranged for the inspection for this morning. Ian arrived exactly on time and one of the few people who haven't rung for directions as to how to get to our house. (The postcode covers many houses, and we don't have a door number so it is a little difficult !) Anyway, Ian had a check over the boat and all was fine with the exception of a missing fire blanket (the last thing you'd use in a fire) but the rules say you must have one, and luckily Ian had one in the boot of his vehicle. So, all passed for another four years and I can recommend Ian. He is thorough, but doesn't wear "that cap of authority that has to find a problem" and I was very pleased. He was pleasant, informative and a pleasure to have on the boat. The bill came to £98 as we have two engines, no gas, plus a further £20 for the fire blanket. His web site, if anyone is interested is http://boatsafety-examiner.co.uk/default.aspx

Ah, some of the quotes went up to £500 !! But I'm starting to get the hang of this internet stuff you know !!! I compared many quotes and the one I have covers everything I need, coastal too ! My point was more that I own a car which is worth more than the boat and I would of thought that I stand more chance making a claim on that rather than the boat, but the insurance on the boat is twice that of the car !!

Totally agree with you - that's what forums are all about, but as I have just really been "ask ask ask" at the moment and not been in a postition to give much back, I just wanted to say a big thanks to all that have helped ! Just had a little shock, went through all the places for boat insurance and the best I found is £299 !! My poor wallet !! lol !!! Am I right in saying that all boats on the Broads have to be insured from next year ? I wonder if there are as many claims on boats as there are on cars/motorbikes ratio'd out ?

I have plumped for the XM - and great news that not only PJCJ's advice showed the best available price, but I get an extra 2.5% discount too, and free delivery. I've never used one of these before, let alone on a boat, so for the first day or two I think I'll just let it fill up the internal tank to see how much moisture it actually takes out of the air before fitting the hose to the sink.... All I seem to be doing on here is asking for advice, so I really want you guys to know its really appreciated. Hopefully, over time, and once I get back into the swing of things, I will be able to give advice to others too !! Luke.

If anyone wants a sample of the Tek-Dek, I have the one here that I originally requested, along with a couple of flyers if anyone is interested... I can post it out to you - or, if you're passing stop in at Oulton Broad and see it for yourself......

Thanks for all the input - So, it looks like the dehumidifier is the way to go, alongside the oil filled rad.... BUT.... Been looking on eBay and the choice is overwhelming..... From £29.99 to £100's..... Can someone possibly recommend a manufacturer and model that I should buy - perhaps one that you have and haven't had any trouble with ? Its not like buying a car or fridge - "Which" don't seem to do reviews on dehumidifiers !! lol !! It must have the external water drain though and as Happy said - at least down to 5 degrees and perhaps automatic defrost ?

These might sound like silly questions, but if you don't know the answer then they arn't !!! And I don't know !!.... Ok, my boat sits in the water all year round at the bottom of the garden. I have just bought an oil filled radiator which I have set to quite a low setting just in case (when) the tempreture gets a little too cold, but.... 1) Should I leave a little window open ? 2) Should I purchase a Dehumidifier, and if so:- 3) Obvously it would make sense to buy one that can drain into the sink so it doesn't need constant emptying, if so:- 4) Can a dehumidifier drain 'up' to the sink or do I have to place the dehumidifier high up, and:- 5) Can anyone recommend a suitable one ? Sorry for all the questions, but I'd rather get it right first time than make silly mistakes which would cost more in the long run. Luke. PS. Perhaps I should of put the above questions in next Sundays quiz !!! lololol !! (except I wouldn't know when someone is right ! lololol) PPS. I have searched this forum and another, but some information seems to conflict a lot - like, if you leave your boat in the water, should you still drain the fresh water tank - some say yes, and some say no.. PPPS. No more PPPPS's !! honest !

No better place to ask than on a boating forum !!! What do you use to clean the outside of your boat ? Do you go for the expensive GRP cleaners or perhaps standard car wash liquid.... or just fairy with hot water ?? Do these expensive branded GRP cleaners actually do a better job then anything else, and if so, which one do you use ??

Thats fantastic thank you !! And what a brilliant website - definetly one for the 'favourites' tab !!!

If any one wants the details just let me know !! I have one small problem now though...... Where the metal chair legs meet the deck, they used to have rubber/plastic feet inside them that protruded out a little to stop the metal grazing against the GRP. Over time these have worn themselves out and are now stuck inside the tube. Useless trying to get them out as they would just go back inside again as the lip has worn away.... I've been to B&Q to see if they do something instead that I can use but they only sell feet that go around the tube rather than inside - they are also black and will mark the new 'teak' Anyone got any ideas where I could purchase some 'proper' feet that go inside the tube ?? This is my quest for today !! lol !! Seems simple, but i can't find any anywhere !

It actually ened up at £1600 all in which included a trip for templating, then two days with two blokes to fit !!

Well, they have finished the job, and I must say I am super pleased with the result:-