Soundings

So are we saying the hire companies are holding the Broads to ransome and if we do get wacked tough? This problem maybe due to the minority but there are frequent reports of such on all forums. It really has to be stopped - my boat cost me a lot of money!

Hi Johnny, My Perkins 4108 runs a a little over 70 degreees at tickover. I would not have thought 80 was out of order with the revs turned up.

Sounds as though you had a great trip, despite the weather. Good to hear you will be back and thanks for sharing.

Thanks Clive, I was looking for someone from the yard as my pump on my Eerspacher has packd up and I wondered if there was a working one laying around that I could have tried before committing to a new or second hand one. Look forward to meeting you idc.

The corner of one of my hatch openings has been damaged - it was like it when I bought the boat. The damage is to the base of the U section (the self draining chanel) which has had a knock and been cracked at the bottom of the U section. This crack lets water into the engine room, not a lot but some nevertheless. This part of the boat is not dual skinned. I tried a repair by opening up the crack and filling with Gel Coat Filler. This part of the deck however flexes very slightly and the filler just cracked! Any ideas on a fix out there? Maybe heavy duty fibre glass paste? Thanks

Since we moved to the Broads and purchased a cruiser we have done no real cold weather cruising, always packing the boat up by end of November/early December. When on the canals though we cruised a lot in the winter (ice permitting) and found the narrowboats really comfortable. Our own was well insulated and with a stove and radiators it was as warm as toast. It does seem to me that the cruisers on the Broads (ours included) do not retain heat very well. No doubt due to the amount of glass and the lack of real insulation. What do you think?

Just back from our boat and with engine running I get 13 to14 volts registered at the voltmeter.

I have no idea, but will have another look when at the boat tomorrow. Maybe there is some writing on the case I hvae missed!

Thanks Antares. I was not aware there was a control panel. All I have is the on/off switch in the cabin that shows a red light when on, as it always has. This remains on throughout the cycle which is fan running for quite a while before stopping altogether.

Ah...so we can wash up with a hosepipe

Got the boat up and running today. She seems to have wintered well apart, that is for the heating. Tried to fire it up with engine running and recently charged batteries but nothing, just a fan full of cold air! What I did notice though was that the ticking noise the pump normally makes was noticeable by its absence. Does the pump cut-out once the heating decides it cannot fire up? To be honest the system has not been running as hot as it might anyway so it probably needs a service. Any recommendations out there and ideas as to cost? Many thanks

What was the thinking behind the elec points in the first place? Was it for standard cruisers or were they supposed to be for charging leccy boats (or both)?

Thanks a mil, great fun to watch

We have a tele on board, but hardly ever use it. When we do we do not need to resort to a Genny (they are intrusive) - but I suppose that is because we do not hammer the batteries. Sorry - going off topic here

It is the superstructure, Clive, and it is a light/pale green. Actually it may have already been repainted once but to a very high standard (spray even). The hull just needs a good clean and will look fine, although the addition of some stainless steel corners to the stern would help protect the corners (if you see what I mean).

I need to do some work one the boat this year, one or two digs and few star crazes need attention. Colour matching of the gel is probabluy out and I am leaning toward a general repaint. Repainting always seems to be seen as something of a poor answer to the problem with re-gelling bing promoted as the best way (but at what cost I wonder). Anyway, does anyone have any particular views, mine is a 1980s boat that is in pretty good nick but is now in need of a "mid-life" tidy up. Would/could not a "proper" paint job suffice and make the boat look fresh and good?

Now, if we get a February like the last one!!!

We have had the debate about overcrowding before so we will not start that again! But yes boaters are gregarious - we used to be on the Leicester Arm of th Grand Union Canal. There were miles of towpath mooring in some pretty stunning countrysie. Come evening though the country moorings were basically empty as the boating population all headed for the nearest landmark (read pub or village with pub)

We have alwaya moored North and on the Ant, but yes the river can be very busy (uncomfortably so) on and around turnaround days. We have given thought and continue to give thought to the alternatives including going South but as Strowager says it is useful to have the boat ten minutes from home. There are those who travel long distances to their boats (we used to) and that does open up opportunities - if you are prepared to travel then the options of course go beyond the Norfolk Broads. Personal choice, I guess.

I'm with you there Jonny. Riccos are great value.

Has anybody heard what Riccos will be charging nexy year? It is probably a little early as the mooring year starts in April but one never knows

OK here also.

Thanks Clive, will do Colin

Clive, are those excellent prices VAT inclusive or exclusive. And by in/out lift do you mean £100 for the round trip or each way. Thanks Colin

Any ideas out there as to how frequent a broads cruiser needs to be antifouled? Had a narrowboat prviousely and that was sliiped every three years. Also is there anywhere that does a same day in/out and antifoul at a reasonable price (whetever reasonable is on the Broads ) Many thanks