NeilB

Overnight temperatures start to rise next week and look set to be a few degrees above freezing into February. I've got the middle week of February booked off work so I've a pretty good guess when the next cold spell will hit!!

Friday 19th and Saturday 20th Just me and Rambling Rosie.

I too had a nice chat with Rob yesterday afternoon, no boat trip or photos yet as Rambling Rosie is still tucked up in Sutton Staithes shed but Rob is popping back in a few weeks.

Here you go, couldn't see anything of much use though... 2023-01-14_title_plan_NK293218_GOV.UK.pdf 2023-01-14_summary_of_title_NK293218_GOV.UK.pdf

I don't like being packed in like sardines at Ranworth so usually only stay overnight if I can get an end mooring. Otherwise I can see the dinghy getting more use for pub / shop visits as mudweighting is free - for now anyway.....

Took me about 15 minutes from the layby outside Wroxham to get past the lights at 18:15 this evening. Traffic from the Hoveton direction was very light. Someone was also setting up lights as you enter Hoveton from the other side so could be more issues tomorrow. Luckily I'm working from home!

Just wondering if a date has been set for the Spring gathering yet? Some people may need to hire boats and my diary is already filling up.

This is why my next car, arriving March, will be a hybrid. Most of my colleagues have gone full electric to save on BIK tax and some are regretting it now! My hybrid has an electric only range of over 50 miles so my BIK is substantially reduced over my current diesel so I see it as having the best of both worlds! Plus I can plug it into the shore power over night and charge it in 5 hours on a 13A plug! I'll have this for 4 years so will see how the charging network develops for the next car.

Had 4 passengers in the back of a Capri once, steering was a tad light!!

I wonder how long this will last for though ? Most company car schemes are now handing back their diesels in exchange for electric or hybrid cars running on petrol. Ours started switching a year ago plus offered early termination on diesels due to a lack 2nd hand cars. Car park is now quarter full of Polestars and we haven't enough chargers for them all !!

The Aquadrive unit would not arrive until mid to late January so had a Google and we are now fitting a Python drive, basically a copy of an Aquadrive, the main difference being they actually have stock! Engine has been dry fitted ok so Python drive being fitted next week and get everything plumbed up. Going to need a new exhaust as this one is larger plus new wiring as you may have noticed the 2 x 120A alternators! The hull still needs to be painted so not sure if it will be finished before Christmas or not, we'll see.

Broads Tours have just announced they are building 8 x electric dayboats for next season, further details to come. Unusual for a dayboat to have a weed hatch so I'm wondering if they are going for a concealed electric outboard or pod system, hard to tell from these photos. Of course, dayboats are an easy win for electric power being back at base every night for charging and no domestic demands.

I have a love / hate relationship with my dinghy. Pain in the bum when going stern on or somewhere restricted like Neatishead or Sutton, especially when single handed which is most of the time. If I leave it on the mooring I'm then worrying if someone steals it. Yet, worth its weight in gold to have a beer or two and collect a pizza from the Maltsters in summer. Or pop into Hoveton for some shopping while moored on Wroxham Island, there's a couple of places you can hide a dinghy while mooring is restricted for private boats. Also makes cleaning the hull a bit easier. It's currently packed away in its bag, (that was a struggle!), I was contemplating whether to sell it or get a mini rib with console instead! My daughter loves taking trips in it and hopefully I'll start training her to use it safely over summer.

Make sure you close the patio doors before launching....

I noticed they had left a large section of quay heading empty last week, may be able to get a group shot although my boat is offsite at the moment.

Previous owners fitted a Webasto wet system on my boat, heats water plus 4 x radiators and I love it. Some boats don't have enough room for radiators though. I'm sure I saw an invoice for less than £2K, still expensive but less than I thought it would be.

Very nice launch! Loynes must have had about 50 odd up until the early 80’s but most seem to have disappeared.

New Engine / prop - in progress, waiting for Aquadrive unit Bow thruster - just finished Mud weight winch - in progress Hull repaint / anti foul - next week or so Stern cut out re-modelled after previous owner diy disaster - next week or so Toilets refurbed - Done, although 1 seal may need checking. Winter covers - Done Heater ducting insulation & new controller Re-seal 2 x windows Once these are complete, I'll start on the summer list....

There's one sat in Horning that seems to be gradually fading away, shame as I think they are fantastic boats. Hope you can post some photos and few updates as the restoration progresses.

Thanks for the kind offer Kate, the prop is beyond repair though as it's lost a lot of its zinc and has become brittle. A new 3 blade is about £450 and a 4 blade just over £600, just not convinced a 4 blade is worth the extra when the 3 blade works fine.

Slow progress as awaiting Aquadrive parts, just a messy hole for now.. She was dragged out this morning so other work can be done while waiting. Think I need a new prop! I cannot choose between a 3 or a 4 blade though. Anyone have any experience of going from 3 to 4 and what the difference in handling was like? Despite the condition this prop actually worked quite well so may stay with a 3 blade, just a new one.

Is there a charge regulator fitted for AGM batteries or just the standard one for lead acid as this can cause issues with shortening the life of AGM batteries? I'd also check the inverter specs as 2 batteries may be below the recommended amount and adding to the issue.

Don't forget a batteries lifetime is measured in cycles, as a Syndicate boat you are working those batteries harder than any hire boat. Unless they are kaput in under a year!!

Saw one of the Pearl Gems leaving Richardsons on the back of a truck yesterday, no idea where it was going to.

You can go from expensive options like this - https://www.melloronline.co.uk/Heater_Installation_Accessories_/5097/Eberspacher_heater_MaxiTherm_ducting_Insulation_75mm_-_80mm_ducting.html or something a bit cheaper like - https://www.screwfix.com/p/thermawrap-spiral-pipe-insulation-52-x-4mm-x-7-5m/62194?kpid=62194&ds_kid=92700055281954514&ds_rl=1249404&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8_6ItaSG-wIVVofVCh3vzwSNEAQYASABEgLbk_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds I'll be using a combination as it can make a big difference on a long run, mine goes from the back of the boat to the forward bulkhead so loses a lot of heat.