Soundings

The assumption there is that I know or care anything about VHF, which I do not. Therefore my words are just that, words in the dictionary that I may use at will. That said, I do not wish to upset those with an interest in the VHF world so will happy to use alternatives be it out or something else

It is a yawn, yes - but it is true. We can all ignore threads like this but that will not make the problem go away. Anyway we have certainly gone full circle now so over and out

If a phone call will sort it then that is fine by me but I doubt that a phone call late in the evening will, achieve much. More needs to be done to "prevent" the behaviour it in the first place. Last season we were moored outside Herbert Woods only to witness a big boat of lads undertaking their training ...whilst breaking out the lagers! The training was completed and off they went beer in hand - now what sort of message does that give? As an alternative, when moored in Thurne Dyke the publican responsible for The Lion came out and put a pair of noisy boats (one private one a hire) firmly in their place, the foul language being thrown about was awful before it was stopped. I also agree with Strowager, it does seem more frequent - boats with music blasting out at heavens knows how many watts, speeding boats, rowdy crews etc., etc. Yes some are private and expensive boats at that and some are hire. But it matters not who it is, it is the fact that it occurs that irritates. As I have said before finding somewhere else to moor does not represent a solution as relocating means one has been driven away. There are not enough moorings on our beloved Broads anyway - but that is another story. That this thread goes round in circles is true but don't forget the OP has had a holiday ruined and will not come back. If it affected him that badly then I agree with his decision. I know of at least one other crew that made the same decision - last year in Thurne Dyke a family with youg children had enough of the f'-ing and blinding emanating from the rowdy boats and said never again. How many more will make a similar decision (or indeed have already done so).

And that is the point exctlly, they must be stopped. We all sit here saying it is the minority, ignore it, move to another mooring, ask them politely to stop (if you dare), don't moor outside pubs etc. But why should we have to suffer, they should be stopped. It is not just noise either- moor at a quiet mooring, St Benet's for instance, and your likely to be washed up on the bank by speeding boats. It goes on and on and I certainly do not believe I should have to cruise out of season to avoid it - I pay my dues for 12 months cruising. I agree it does not happen every time but whenever I go out I am half expecting it. Who sells that stupiod stuff anyway! No, the Broads need a set of very strong by-laws that are enforced. Such laws would not restrict the behaviour of the well behaved majority and would serve to heighten the enjoyment factor associated with cruising the Broads. In reality it matters not how mny times this happens - it should not be alllowed and should be discouraged.

We were all young once, but that is no excuse. The behaviour is unacceptable and if they do not realise then they should be told. That is what standards and laws are all about. We all agree it is the minority which means that the majority act reasonably.

It is unfortunate in the extreme for Andy and we have experienced this ourselves. It might be the minority that offend but it nevertheless happens and I bet that most (all) of us have experienced bad behaviour on the Broads at sometime. The problem as I see it is that as there is no effective deterrent in place those that make the trouble do so in the knowledge that they can and will get away with it. Surely nobody believes the average stag cruise is going to be respectful of others - they just want the pubs, beer and noise and to hell with those close by.

Thanks!

Looking to source some aluminium strip circa 1.5 inches wide by 1/8 inch thick by about 4 feet long. Does anyone know any supplier in the Broads area (Potter Heigham). Thanks Colin

As far as I know Aquafibre used end grain balsa but I only say that as I read it somewhere. Is there anybody on this forum from Richardsons, they were I believe part owner of Aquafibre once so might know the answer. Clive are you there?

Thanks Craig, My problem is that my decks have antislip patterns worked into the fibre-glass. For that reason i want to access the area from below and expanding foam under pressure seems ideal. I used the builders stuff on the Freeman and it seemed to work ok. That said, I heed your comments and wonder what my alternatives are - even if I use resin or pouring foam (whatever that is ) the question is how to inject same under pressure. Thanks again.

Have a 1980 Aquafibre33. She is in pretty good nick but does have one small spongy (delaminated?) area on the deck. In a previous life I had a Freeman with similar problems and it was cured by injecting foam into the cavity between the two layers of fibre-glass. This solution worked well but then the Freeman build has foam in the sandwich to start with. I think (can anyone confirm) that Aquafibre used balsa wood and this being the case what would be the best way to cure the "spongy"problem? Many thanks

We are off for two weeks on 10th and will do north and south. Hopefully I will be able to report back on a great two weeks

I am not sure the police in Peterborough town centre would agree with that and I understand Norwich can be much the same. There also seems to be many in authority who feel drunkeness and related behaviour has gone too far. Sorry but being moored next to a boat load of drunks is unpleasant and being washed up on the bank by speeding boats likewise - and nobody can really say speeding boats are rare. True this thread has focussed on drinking but it is unruly behaviour in general that is the issue - laws are broken and there is nobody there to stop it.

There is a lot of sense beeing spoken but nevertheless it happens to the detriment of the majority and yes there are places I, and I know many others, will not go in city/town centres at chuck-out time. The yards do not have a chrystal ball but surely when they see significant indications at pick-up time they should act accordingly. That Herbert Woods boat I mentioned where the crew were drinking during training should have been pulled or at least the deposit increased substantially under the threat of no return if complaints received/damage done. The question of are the yards responsible is a legal one. I do not know the answer but are not pubs/hotels etc resposible for their customers whilst those customers are on their premises? I think they are and if so is not a hire boat the yards premises. Yes, tI think the boatyards can be more proactive (maybe increasing the deposits and being harder on the terms of the refunds will help) but that still leaves the problem og the private lout, and we know they exist. The answer there is surely better policing of the Broads - I was out all day yesterday and never saw a Ranger or any other kind of authority. On the water policing is sadly lacking and an improvement would greatly help the cause generally. Incidentally are the BA moorings policed at all after dark?

I am sorry to hear that Andy, we have also had some bad experiences. So many say this hooliganism is not as bad as reported but many threads on this and other forums suggest otherwise. It is not all hirers but that does not mean they are not represented. Private boaters are usually out for a day or two and do not, in my experience, tend to buy all the beer in Tesco (of course there are exceptions). Last year we were moored outside Herbert Woods and a boat load of lads were undertaking their training trial - whilst drinking lager. Now how can a yard allow that to happen and let the boat go out! Today we had a run down to Barton and back. There were quite a few boats about but apart from a stupid canoe paddling out in front of us there were no incidents. Lots of friendly smiles and waves and a lovely sunny day on the river. This is how it should be.

Could we really expect a bigger Broadsbeat presence, when even Rangers appear to be at a premium? I do agree with reporting to the police but do not feel that the BA should be left out.

I have never been an activist, preferring the quiet, leisurely life that is supposed to be the Broads. But is it not time to start voicing our concerns to the BA. I am sure there are enough instances that can be verified and used as examples. After all we pay our dues and are surely entitled to quiet enjoyment. And by "quiet" I do not mean stopping people having fun, but I do mean stopping people having fun to the extent that it impinges on the enjoyment of others. Mmmm...this all somewhat destroys the Magical Waterway tag line.

And there is the problem. Ranger activity across the system is limited and the boys on Broadsbeat are but a tiny unit (who work hard). There is therefore absolutely nothing to stop this minority from behaving in an antisocial way. And it is intentional in some (many) instances I am sure. When I see a boat with flags and hats I start to worry; when beer is also present then, well, panic starts to set in. Tie up at St Bennets's and you are likely to be washed up on the bank as craft speed past. Something has to be done as, like our city centres at night, the Broads will become a no go zone run for the benefit of the minority.

Welcome, Paul - it is fun here

That makes perfect sense and is so blindingly obvious now you have said it, Senator

Thanks Senator, that is kind of how I saw it. I was just a little worried that the push of the river might just spin the boat round rather than let it back out gracefully - if you get my drift

Most are well aware of the need to turn into the flow when mooring as it give more control over the boat. What, though, when slipping off, say, the next morning when the the tide has turned and you are moving off with the flow behind the boat? What is the correct procedure for there is a real risk that one will clout the boat in front

Next time I am in said shop I will "have a word". At the time I said I found it hard to believe but was assured this was true and would impact boat and home users alike.

Your understanding is correct, Strowager. Effectively I was told not to buy the aerial as I will need the dish come switchover. The television is digital. Thanks everyone.

Was in a well known local (Broads) caravan centre looking for a digital TV aerial. Was told by an assistant that such aerials will not work come switch-over day and that I will have to use a dish (cost of kit £130 as opposed to about £50 for an aerial. Is this true?