Dan

Hi Neil Great pictures as ever. I will try & find some to add later. I wonder if Brian's server is strong enough for me to start a similar one with Richardsons boats on?! Dan

Hi Andy Yes, they have bought 3 of Moonfleet's boats - the bigger ones - the 44ft 6 & 8 berths, and 43ft' Aquafibre, which are now Sun, Moon & Star Emblem. Their Bronze Emblem class are also ex Moon Tide & Light, and Quartz Emblem is ex Moon River, so I think they win the prize for running the most ex Moonfleet boats now! Moonfleet have bought a 29ft 2-5 berth (Moon Adventure) that was once with R & J Russell, and kept Moon Enterprise and their houseboats. All the best Dan

Have you given up the idea of ditching the cooker and replacing with a seperate, more important beer fridge then Jimbob??!

Great pictures again Clive, that is starting to look totally irrestible! I will be keen to see the hire fees & start days when things get to that stage! I shall start saving some pennies now Dan

What a great phrase, and perfect description! Glad to hear you had a good time. Dan

Good news indeed! It doesn't seem many years ago I was getting increasingly disheartened at fleets closing each year and others (including Richardsons) retiring classes en-mass. It is good to see a reversal of fortunes and that all operators are enjoying healthier seasons and are being given a better opportunity to reinvest and make themselves strong for the future, along with some new companies springing up, which was quite a common occurrence not too far back but has becom very rare in recent times. Nice that a good number of Norfolk boats are coming back from France... as its a much more affordable journey for me to see them! The Traditional 1275 (or Connoisseur Super 8 as I will always think of them as) is quite a good layout, as is the smaller version, but the 6-8 berth ones should add a bit more choice in that size bracket to the fleet, which is all good stuff! I think the next few seasons will be really interesting ones, and although peak season will be busier we must still be a long way off the Broads heyday & overcrowding, and I wouldnt be suprised if the hirefleet/craft numbers in total still do not exceed numbers from around 2002? Dan

Hi Carol Great piccies, I especially loved the one of Herbert Woods boatyard, though I think I prefer the newer designs and modern comforts! All the best Dan

Wowie! That is a very sexy looking little number! Dan

Hi Jonny I suspect the lads will be too busy pumping out what you've previously eaten to want that amount of detail on how you made it! Dan

Ahh... in that case not sure... never managed two weeks of boating - you lucky boy you! Maybe Mr Richardson will be along to answer that one for you, or ask the yard staff on pickup Dan

Looking good Clive.... Suprising how much of an impression of its lines you can gather at this stage... looks to have nice lines to me Dan

I dont think so Jonny sadly, pretty certain not on a weeks hire anyway... Dan

Just to show what a nice job and transformation it is, here is the current Jay in June 2005 when she was sat, de-fleeted at Riverine's base. Dan

Don't do it Neil.. it'll bring tears to me eyes! Dan

Hi Neil The info is correct... both the former Jay and this Jay were originally with Kris Cruisers as NeilB says as Lady Pauline & Carina. Both were bought by Broadland Riverine Boatcraft. One was only ran by them for a short time before Maffett's took her on, later selling it to Sandersons. Then after a few years, they more recently bought the other one from Riverine and worked on it last year ready for this year, as she had sat at Riverine unused the last few years, so was not in the best of nick. All the best Dan

Richardsons are good at windows Jonny if that's not where the quotes come from Dan

Hi Andy & Sally These are always interesting, enjoyable and useful threads, so I very much look forward to the before, during and after shots! The re-done steps look really good Dan

Hi Mark No, it's now Shadow of Light from Herbert Woods, having had a nice totally new interior for last season. She is the 42ft version, the two 50ft Alphas (Mirage & Brabazon) do seem to go on forever dont they! All the best Dan

Carol, I really enjoyed the film from the '70s with the Broadsventure's etc in. Interesting how the Elysian looks amongst the most modern in the film, though I guess it must be at least mid 70s by the inclusion of a couple of Buccaneers 37's (which only came out in '73). Dan

Look like the 38' class also went to Herbert Woods: http://www.horning.org.uk/boatsearch.ph ... RegNo=8109 Dan

Herbert Woods have the two 44' Enterpreneur's (Norfolk Countess') as "Countess of Light" class, but I cant remember where the 38' versions went Keep going with the pictures Neil.. great stuff, having never seen Acle with the Alan Johnson fleet there I especially enjoyed that one Dan

Hi Neil Great pictures again. I think the Maffett Cruisers boat is called "Mandarin" though - the same style as NIghtingale. It was my gut reaction when I looked at the picture, and on enlarging it looks like the name on the side could well say that, though its not totally clear. All the best Dan

A good incentive for everyone to pay their mooring fees on time no doubt! Now.. back to the exciting subject.... any news/updates on the new boat? Dan

Whatho Folks I dont really know whats happened to the "New Elysian" moulds. As James says Aquafibre definately had them very recently, so I would think they are still sat there or are to be cut up if it hasn't already happened. I cant really see anyone going into production on any great scale with them, as although they've aged well and still look good there's much more modern aft cockpit boats around, though of course it'd be great to see a few more knocked out from somewhere. Sheerline definately had and have some of the last designs Bounty's, that were made, they were making the Sovereign 34 Sunbridge until really recently - like this one: http://www.thamesboatsales.co.uk/boat_d ... %20Delight Still... when they were making them the New Elysian mould was at Aquafibre, so I'm not sure there's any connection Dan