Dan

Hi Everyone Just been browsing Ferry's site looking at 2013 holidays and good to see a couple of new smaller boats in "Garnet Emblem" (not too sure on the name of that one??!) and "Turquoise Emblem" Garnet Emblem http://www.ferry-marina.co.uk/review_mi ... &review=1& Turquoise Emblem http://www.ferry-marina.co.uk/review_mi ... &review=1& And a big one too... Mercury Emblem: http://www.ferry-marina.co.uk/review_mi ... &review=1& I find their website a bit hard to use... but wonder why, along with a few other operators they list their boats in alphabetical order. Surely for ease/success of using the site you would want to boats listed in berth size order??? Alphabetical is surely only of use to someone who already has chosen/knows what they want? Look forward to seeing them on the water Dan

Whatho Everyone Called into Richardsons last week and managed a look at how the new forward steer "Broadlander" was coming along. The superstructure was upside down being worked on but you could get a good idea of what the finished product was going to look like! Going to be a good return to forward steer builds for Richardsons I think, and I think the forward well is going to be very comfy, the window designs smart and modern, the sliding canopy also looked very sleek, and finally with a nod towards the Horizon 35' on the front view a little I thought! Dan

Dream Time seems an unusual alternative, being the other extreme (2 berth to 8 berth) to the boat you had booked, is another of their smaller boats not available? Understandable you've lost heart with them, if you do/can move the booking then in answer to your question re alternatives I think Freedom & Herbert Woods (selected boats only) carry on through the winter, there may be some others too? Dan

I thought they were a 29' hull, but perhaps they have grown to 30', certainly not impossible! You need to book more holidays with them Clive, to get yourself up the priority list! Dan

Never mind that Perry, get some of what I'm on! I've no idea what their operational setup is John, but they are down as Broom Boats in the brochure and it is hailed as a return to hiring after an eight year absence in the description. Dan

Whatho Everyone, There was much excitement at Chateau Horner tonight as my 2013 Hoseasons brochure was waiting for me on my return Doesn't seem too many changes for next year, though there are still some more new builds such as at Silverline, Faircraft, Barnes etc and a Richardsons RC45 now also available from Moonfleet Marine. Broom also make a welcome return with some new build 2 - 4 berths. Did anyone else notice anything else worth not being able to sleep tonight over Dan

A tricky one that Ian, we all tend to gravitate towards people who are of a similar mind to ourselves, so the people I know in the boating world and spend my time would probably concur with my thoughts also. Dan

That's a big generalisation. An understandable outlook, but it is only your view and not a hard and fast rule....I do not subscribe to it as I'm sure many others dont.... I just see a boat, with an unknown skillset at the helm and wait to see if it turns out to be someone competent or not Dan

Sounds like everyones got lots planned and quite a few bookings already.... I guess we are the hardcore Broads boaters here?! Here's what I've got organised for the next season... Dan

Have a good time Howard! Shakes fist / punches the air!! Dan

Whatho Everyone Well, after another year of messing about on the river passes and I've had all my holidays for this year I am now keen for the next one to hurry along and get started! Come on then... what's everyone got booked, and has anyone had their new Hoseasons brochure yet?! Dan

Dont stop posting, but people wont always post in agreement of your own outlook, we just all see things a different way I think. I think if you re-read you will see that no offence was intended whatsoever, I certainly didn't see any. Dan

Dont forget to add some information on all the boats you bought from France in 1991, along with what they were called then and what they became.... I'm sure your customers would be really interested in that, especially now you have wet their apetite with these first few bits of trivia Dan

Hi John No, the one in the middle is a Bermuda 34' which Frank Wilds launched for 1969 as a shorter version of the Caribbean that was the first bathtub, launched for 1966. The first one is a 42' constructed by Wilds also and the further one away is a Bounty 37 Mk3 from the late 70s-early 80s.... When Frank Wilds retired (1978/9?) Alpha did buy the moulds and that is perhaps where the thought came from, as the similarities seen in Alpha hulls is strong to the first two. Take care Dan P.S Is everyone still awake!? P.P.S Nice pictures

That's two F.B Wilds craft and a Bounty, you naughty boy! Dan

What about an Admiral or Emperor from Le Boat? Dan

Hi Everyone Came accross this whilst searching the net http://www.angliaboats.co.uk/ Dan

Yep, they're tempting... I've had to cut my cards up, just to be safe Dan

Whatho Everyone Le Boat have some good stuff for sale if anyone is on the lookout, some of them are even in the UK already. http://f.chtah.com/s/9/2088776490/broke ... t_2012.pdf I think I will order myself a Mountain Star & Consort. Those Cirrus and Capri Town Star's look quite good too........ Dan

Looks good that Clive It would be interesting to see the finished interior. I hope this making boats for other people is not slowing the new hireboat production line down Dan

An interesting and useful reply, thanks for sharing it. I especially like the ending of it, politely and fairly put, even though not quite the reply hoped for I suppose, but more useful and honest than many of the wishy-washy corporate type replies you would get to raising a concern or grievance at many places now Dan

Congratulations Geoff... I have just managed to fill my loyalty card up too... roll on next years boating with a nice discount You'll enjoy the Thames, shame Richardsons sold their yards there or you could have used your loyalty card for that trip Happy holidays Dan

I think companies will normally do this, I have done it in the past and if it is more expensive they are normally happy for you to just pay the extra difference required. I dont think you would be in a good position to try and get it for less than the difference or for a deal on the difference to be done in all truth, but I guess you can only ask! All the best Dan

Who me??? How very dare you! Dan

Is the double mooring thing something new then? Dan