Polly

It looks really pretty there.

I so agree the awareness of what can happen just isn't there, I fear. I do think that if the adults set the example, wearing theirs, then the children will accept that that is what happens afloat. Top marks to the boatyards that now supply the slimline lifejackets instead of the orange horrors. ::

We also have a harness and long lead, attached to the boat it seems to work better for Cleo, but I would prefer her to get used to her lifejacket. As it is, she spends our sailing time in the bilges with the wine, (it's clean and dry in there and has a cat sized porthole) , as she dislikes the overhead movements on deck and thinks the mast creaks are out to get her. Needless to say, she only comes on the boat when we are not planning much sailing...she loves it then!

Cleo, however, does not approve of her lifejacket and thinks it is an immobilisation device.

Very upsetting, glad it turned out well. People don't realise how hard it is to recover from the water to a cruiser. I watched swimmers last week on Black Horse. They were jumping from the top of a big HW cruiser and complaining about how far their legs were sinking into the mud. One chap was very lucky they had an inflatable canoe, because he failed to get into the dinghy and looked pretty whacked when he did get out. I was watching to see if we needed to scramble our dinghy and heard a lady aboard complaining that I was looking across at them. Oh well!

I think it would be good to be back for the GY Maritime Festival, we went out on a tall ship two years ago, I just got the letter suggesting another trip might be a good idea...it is.....

I have a boat speed app on my iPhone which measures speed over ground. It's handy when motoring. I think it was about 50 p but it could gave been free.

Have a great time!

The Whimp is rated for inshore work as well as rivers.BTW JM has it right, it's about both skill level and boat soundness being essential ingerdients.

Mudweighting beats tying up every time for me.

Robin, we owned an 18ft saily that could go to sea. They can be tough little things, ours was double skinned 'unsinkable' with draining cockpit and chain locker etc. I would have wanted more than a 4 hp on the back though before trying her out. We did sail the Whimp (see avatar) at Falmouth, just oars and sails.

MM, talk to Jason about the structural strength on Nyx, he can probably tell you if the bulkheads are light, river use, or tougher for the sea.

According to your formula, Strowager, Brilliant has a hull speed of 7.6knots. She can shift in a good breeze, and logged 6.2mph in a force3 on Wroxham Broad last week, but I had assumed a 5 knot hull speed so the formula is interesting. Sorry, it's not about diesel.

We had our mooring at a Ranworth for 11 years, still my favourite. We were quite close to the Staithe and were disturbed by noise about twice in all that time BTW. Nose in reeds anywhere is nice, South Walsham on the mudweight is pretty unbeatable, especially when we sometimes have woken up to find swallows using our pulpit rail as a breakfast club; flying off after insects and coming back to chat. on one occasion I sailed the dinghy into the inner broad at about 7 am in light airs; a marsh harrier flew beside me over the reeds, close by and low. It didn't notice I was there for a while, and boy did it look surprised when it finally did!

Mr Jenny Morgan is spoken for Gracie. Anyway I'd worry about wedding a bloke called Jenny lol I like the plan Keith, but Missie Leigh may not approve of being borrowed, otherwise it's perfect timing as your willing crew could put her feet up.

Dream dream dream!!!

Back in the day, my brother had a junior licence? 1 rod two contenders, I'd get a fishing net as well! JM is oh so right, carp fishing boils yer brains and empties yer bank account....as owning a wooden boat does not of course! ;p

Are there any little Wussernames then Peter?

They do a slightly textured and a smooth. I am going for smooth and keeping the sand option in reserve, it's a bit grippy just 'as is'. Nice colours too....

Yes here's hoping!

This is the stern hatch, but I also tried it on an off cut of the track mark.

Our track mark had a paint layer on which was looking decidedly 'shabby chic', ok just shabby! After checking what was on, I looked for wisdom on t'internet; Blakes or International? Neither said the oracles, Sandtex Masonry Paint, waterproof, breathable, dirt resistant and.....half the price! We have just done our test patch, looking good I must say.

Hiya Wussername, just on our way back home from sunny Norfolk, nice bit of sailing, good company, unbeatable.

Wicked, Tim. Lol! actually I confess to loving Time Team, and watching it on re runs all the time. Of course if I had an archaeological career, I might indeed find it a bit much. As it is, I am lit. crit. and love a storyline.