Polly

Brilliant, programme.

I have a lovely neighbour, careful and considerate. He apparently had a Broads hire a while back, he will not repeat the experience because he couldn't moor it. Now he is a practical and intelligent guy, did he get a good briefing? I bet he didn't, and he won't be back; which is a pity because skippers like he could have been are surely more desirable than more casual ones. Vaughan, you have experience in spades, and clearly did the job properly; my suggestion was that theory of mooring and a safety briefing should/could take place separately, the trial run can then build on this. Some won't and some can't pay attention, fair dos but stress blocks learning big time, so some off-boat makes sense to me. We hired lots, and were always aware that the boat was a pricey bit of kit, I think boatyards could save money by better tailoring their briefings, fewer interesting happenings...more respect for a boat with a message going out that the yard has invested time to underline how to approach the experience.

You could do a 'basics' briefing for several crews at once with just one staff member delivering. Aboard then would be devoted to the actual boat's requirements and the trial run. A time gap between shore and boat, (give them coffee? / get loaded up etc) allows things to sink in a bit, so it doesn't matter if there is the inevitable hanging around then. If your brain is in stress mode, you don't learn, fact. I feel sorry for hirers and for the guys briefing them if it's all new and the hirers are stressed, because inevitably it is 'in one ear, out the other' for many with the current system.

Why can't the hirers be given a shore briefing about basics, then move aboard for specifics on the boat hired. Basics being coming to moorings, keeping out of trouble, crew safety Richardsons/BA and Hunters have videos that could be seen ahead of arrival. Maybe this should be pushed more? Arrival aboard a new boat is a really poor time for rookie learning.

All the best John

Woo hoo! Unfortunately we are not afloat yet, so I will be forced to stay in the warm.

I think they had little choice, not only had the reason for phone rules been made clear, but there were too many eyes on the situation, the recruits' and of course ours. They gave him a way back, and that sounded a standard procedure. My betting is that he would be class leader next time round, lesson learned.

Be afraid.......

No I've had him for longer than 40 years.

Have a great time! I am really keen to get afloat now....

Brilliant has a gold painted mudweight, would that count? If he went for the taps of course, the mop handle would have to go, it's only stainless steel, very 'common'!

Yes thanks Stuart. I think we have more recently purchased (!) backing pads, or at least one, in the dark recesses of the shed, so I will go archaeological on that then look to buy what is needed extra. Thanks for the anti-damage advice. If I can find the sheepskin polishing mitt I used to use for our tiles, so much the better for final buffing.

I just ordered fibreglas restorer and wax from Force 4 Chandlery £13 + vat & p&p to do the Whimp, our dinghy. Now I need to find the polishing attachment for the drill that I bought 40 years ago!

More 'Navy Slang'? Just watched the last programme about HMS Raleigh and thoroughly enjoyed them all, the passing out parade brought a tear to the eye.

That incredible honesty goes down very well with people and is a feature of high functioning aspergers in my experience.

Awesome! Thanks for the advice. I was scrubbing the dinghy's bottom today, as you do; but tomorrow ......

I you see some self preserving planks there give me a ring!!! Lol

Dammit I am working

Hope that goes well.

If it's not painted, then a professional compound polish can work wonders, we had Rondonay polished and she went from tired to factory condition. I was amazed.

Many thanks! I will get going on this in the coming week all being well.

I read the posts regarding Vaughan's photo and thought the results were impressive. i have some very precious Polaroids from the 70s and early 80s and of course they are fading, it was the only camera we had so it's birthday parties, family times and holidays gently fading away. Can anyone suggest how I might rescue them?

Nail-biting match, great outcome!

Oh I do believe the hat in question is now in the company museum, hopefully in a sealed case!