BryanW

Hi Thanks to the two Alans for their welcome, I do tend to browse more than I write.. On a slightly different note, I seem to remember that in the late 80s or early nineties one of the small yards in Horning (maybe Colin Facy or Percivals) were hiring small electric aft cockpit cruisers, not sure if they had to go back to the yard every night to re-charge but I don't think they had any i/c engines and recall that they were banned from cruising below Thurne Mouth or Acle. Anyway they didn't seem to last many seasons but were probably the precursor to the modern electric day boats which seem to work very well. The only way that I can see large all electric cruisers being really viable is if the number of electric posts are increased considerably. I do not really understand why two electric posts were installed at Dilham which the larger boats cannot reach and at Instead they only put a single post on the outer (more dangerous) mooring.

I don't usually get involved in this sort of discussion but cannot resist. We were out on Royall Satin last week and generally found everybody to be well behaved. We ran the engine (for about 10 minutes) to start the heating early every evening and then, because the boat interior was only about 5℃, again fired up the heating in the morning when we got up at around 6:30 but without starting the engine, this boat had voltmeters on both the domestic and engine batteries so I could check the battery state. This was actually the only week in about 26 years that we have ever used the heating in the morning. To avoid running the engine in the morning we have showers in the evening so the water is always nice and hot, we only use the minimal amount of lighting and have never had a battery problem (mistake to say that, there is always a first time). Now a little story: Some years ago we were moored at Womack (staithe) and during the evening about every hour the boat next door started his engine for at least half an hour, we thought "he must go to bed in a minute" but no. This continued until about 11pm, by which time we had been in bed for some time and I had had enough so I got up, dressed and knocked on his door, one of the 6 people eventually came to the door and when questioned said "we are trying to watch TV and the batteries keep dying", I should also point out that pretty much every light on the boat was also on. After a few words he did shut his engine down and, I guess, went to bed. Some of the problem with a certain yard is that their new boats are all electric so battery power (if not on an electric point) has to be used for cooking with the subsequent necessity to generate electricity from the engine, still you pay for diesel whereas you don't for gas (or am I being cynical) and it is easier on the BSS. Which leads me on to say that I am not convinced by hybrid boats even if they are totally covered with solar panels, I cannot see that they are efficient and the generator is silent, it's still a diesel engine after all.

Since we are back on the Boards shortly I was wondering if the rubbish disposal problems have been resolved on the Northern Broads, I know that there are threads regarding the South and Horning but nothing about the North in general. I am specifically thinking about our usual haunts: Womack/Ludham Staithe, Barton Turf, Sutton Staithe, Instead, Neatishead, Gays Staithe, Ranworth. I’m sure this information will be of use to many .

Hi Mandybstorm If you want Northern Broads it could be worth giving Sue at Summercraft a ring directly, you may get some concession, I think Grand Girl 2 is the ex private boat with a Bow Thruster. We have hired from Summercraft for many years and always had good service, their boats are older designs but very well looked after.