JawsOrca

I'm a huge fan of navigating any times and any weather. I've done lots of thankfully but even with all the gear we have aboard boats its not easy. Now I don't believe that someone brand new to boating really shouldn't be out after dark as it's not easy and a different world.. but I do think it's a shame for experienced day crews to miss out as dawn and dusk on the rivers (and at sea) is just heaven and watching the sun going down or coming up is something I believe everyone should experience (it also removes any stress of finding moorings, which in turn allows people to go slow) (And despite what I read elsewhere the wildlife are not disturbed .. however yes certainly it should only be experienced helms.. I think there should be a couple of boats, fully equipped to allow people to experience this. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) but some hire boats in europe (baltic, france) are fully equiped (I suspect the bareboat sailing boats in the Med are), so why not the broads. In a sense there it's more dangerous for someone who hired for the first year and then gone out and got thier own boat and straight out the 8th day.. I'd rather meet an experienced hireboat crew out after dark than these people. Also.. Nav lights are pretty useless on a winding river as they are only designed/intended to be used at distance so it's really just a legality issue, the white of the jelcoat is the first thing you see!

First out of season weekend Saturday 15th October I wasn't going to share our weekend trips but I think there's an even move "specialness" to the broads during the out of season months! The shorter days allow for some night navigation and some really atmospheric weather conditions! Obviously the rivers and moorings are quieter so we can get into the places during the summer months we avoid! So after a really crap week we decided to head north! Dave dragged me into the car at 9am (Not as in I didn't want to go.. but I do still like my bed more than the 3 hour drive!).. He drove up he wanted to do the A12 because it's more rural and pretty (and feels more direct) but I was in the mood for Pancakes and waffles so made him do the M11! My joy of seeing the first of what I call "The Norfolk roundabouts" (Norfolk and suffolk really love their roundabouts on all roads in they overdo the roundabouts.. geez)... but this meant the pancake and waffle shack was hidding just out of reach from the road. "Left" I screamed at Dave..don't you dare miss it.. Packed it was but we got our erm usual table by the window.. Dave grabbed an english breakfast.. i grabed the erm Strawberry waffle deluxe .. lovely it was and gone in seconds. Back in the car, we arrived and popped into Tescos for some small bits for later. Dave wanted to do a bit of driving for this weekend instead of Neatishead and back (yup we've done that alot now).. he suggested Ranworth.. I was thinking of Salhouse as it's less stress to moor up. But we had the whole Ant to decide. Off we trundled, the rivers were noticeably busy with lots of hireboats. The ant now feeling like our home River passed by us and easily de-stressing us. Dave notice our ballast tank was full up and really needs emptying.. If we was going to Ranworth then Ludham bridge would be the only place for the pump out. A moderate crosswind was visible at ludham bridge and knowing well that Orca doesn't respond well, I was relieved to see no one attempting to come through so we hand full take off rights. Orca went through the bridge with no hesitation.. Thankfully too the service space at Ludham Bridge boatyard was free and the crosswind would help us get in using the ferry glide method.. eased off the throttle I did and Orca moored herself sideways with no issues. A friendly chap came over and welcomed us to the yard for the first time. Orca's ballast tank is a big one and yup I like to keep it full as it really does help her stability.. but means she's not been pumped out for some unknown time.. and yup her nylon cap was stuck.. Dave eventually got it off and she was quickly all serviced and given £20 worth of dinorsaur bones too. Thankfully it meant I could reverse out into the wind and Orca happily obliged and we was waving our new boatyard friend with a loyalty card in hand... At the end of the ant I spotted on of those common tall white sailor things right by the exit, I dropped out of gear and indeed a lovely timber dinghy appeared from the reeds at speed with an obvious and agreeable smile on their faces (was going like a rocket ship!). Sadly at this point Orca was being blown sideways and a hireboat behind us didn't reduce speed, spotting an impact I sounded Orca's load horn in anger as a continuous blast.. the boater still didn't go to stern Dave was soon on the front giving the hireboater firm instructions and education.. After a light starboard bump they went to stern and Orca pivoted around their bow and aimed in the right direction (cow!) and the hireboat went enough to stern to allow us to drive off without further contact(Editors comment to inexperienced readers: The hireboater should have gone to stern as quick as possible to avoid a contact.. even though we shouldn't have been in that position we was avoiding an impact and thus unable to manoeuvre so had full right of way. Contact at that point was the hireboaters doing). Dave still on the front issuing educational instructions finally inspected the hull for damage and came in and said we are sinking there's a massive hole... kill kill kill.. Knowing Dave's exaggeration (and the speed of contact.. probably 2mph), I told him to helm whilst I went forward.. no damage spotted.. he was issued with the command to "Stand down and relax".. he does get worked up.. hence I'm da boss Sensing Dave could do with a drink we turned into Ranworth.. (Thankfully Orca's abusers didn't so at least I didn't have to deal with that conversation!).. I spotted a spare space (Miracles do happen) but also a haines hovering like a wasp to a beer glass.. I assumed that spot was too narrow for them as it was a corner one.. and yup when the turned away we sneaked in.. It was just big enough for us Once Dave was all sorted with ropes (best I just stay out of his way).. we headed for the pub. It's been a long time since we've been in here.. I'm not a huge fan sadly but thought it's worth a try again. Sadly no wherry on but I had an adnams shandy, Dave yup aspalls.. we sat in the bar area by the fire! Two young employees came forward with two packs of fire lighters, a skip of wood and coal and a basket of paper (Disclaimer.. some events in these blogs are exaggerated for effect), they throw everything on the fire in an irrelevant order and wandered off... Once the nuclear explosion went off which obviously put the fire out (which had not chance of staying alight) The chap on the table beside us got it going whilst we chatted and patted his cute little Jack russell pet... yup called Jack (You have to call it Jack.. if not it's really a lost opportunity!). We drunk up and and wished them a good day and headed back to the boat. Back on the boat we spotted a hireboater trying to moor beside us (where they wasn't a mooring) we kinda told them to go away, but they joked they'd been trying for hours lol so we decided to help them tie up securely deciding they could have our mooring when we left later to moor on the broad. We all know what Ranworths like, another boat quickly appeared eyeing up the moorings, spotting a mooring available at the end but stern on (the NWT people here have been doing it this year).. I told them to head astern that way and I'll help. As they was coming to stern the chap from the table came out and I advised the plan, he got into the same spirit and agreed dispite being blocked in! (Being a bit tipsy probably helped!)... Thankfully the crew on here quickly appeared experianced and came astern with no worries, as we tied them up though (And there was a good crowd of people watching in a joyal spirit understanding that we are just trying to get everyone it!) the crew from a large private timber sailing boat came in and issued instructions "Can't do that".. "But I'm going anyway and can't get out".. Ok yes sorry world I snapped a tad and assured him I can get a container ship out of there as is.. to keep we made space and the yacht departed in the same space before moving but looking sheepish! Everyone now in the spirit everyone found it in them to make enough space and we squeezed the last boat in... although advising that they would need to pay £25 for the mooring.. .sadly they had no money but beers offered But a lovely atmosphere and Dunkirk spirit well and truly evident. We went to the bar as it was now getting late, we was the only ones here and ordered dinner. The place quickly filled up though and there was no tables free by 6.30! (and to add the three boats we helped get in which two was large parties arrived and took tables so our efforts paid off giving the pub a lot of extra income). Food was slow but the food was OK and filled the hole.. we will be back. Back to the boat we noticed another boat moored against us.. a tad surprised, I tapped on the door and lady answered, I advised we was heading off and recommended they moored stern on.. she told me abruptly to calm down Hastly replied "I'm perfectly calm I'm only advising you to moor stern on in our old spot whilst we go".. Leaving the women to her own devices we gently steered off.. Dave had rigged up two lovely spot lights which lit up the broad so we went the short distance and Dave dropped (both) mudweights.. Engine off, Anchor alarm on.. She was still.. DVD player on! Despite the last womens strange attitude (I think she just wasn't expecting us to move and was caught unprepared really) and the slight bump it was a lovely day and we met and spoke so brilliant people and made new friends.. all what the broads is about!!!

It maybe worth looking at this.. http://www.frost.co.uk/por15-small-fuel-car-tank-repair-sealer-kit.html Bit cheaper, yes it's a bit of a botch but widely used in the classic car world.

Trev, give Tom a call at JPC 01603 784884.. Norfolk based.. He will help you.. he's the main UK dealer for webasto. Highly recommended (Don't take too much of his time though as he's making some stuff up for us lol).

http://grammarist.com/spelling/dike-dyke/ - The Broads National Park is in the UK though not Canada or America or is that next years idea?

If it's a weekend in a couple of weeks we will certainly try and be up that way... I don't need much of an excuse to go up to norfolk! although the next couple of weeks are just looking a pain and the mechanic needs to put in a new heating system. We have used Rupert from All Aboard though and he was good and fair.. We went from Brundall to Horning and it wasn't expensive.

Case of use it or lose it. Considering most owners don't leave the marina it's hardly surprising.. I'm surprised the facilities are still going there to be honest. I suspect Broom are keeping it going just to say it's available to berth holders..

Now there's an idea... although I don't think we could really do that to them..

Griff for BA CEO...

Right.. Sorry for the Delay had BT over as my phone line broke. Due to the above message, I hereby, declare that I am at at War with Steve. Mr Steve.... Now then.. David has a boat in Norfolk to maintain. (there are a ton of jobs there to do).. He has a bloody 40 foot broom to work on (there is stuff on here which I've brought which hasn't been installed - Not to mention my birthday present from back in July that is sitting on the shelf untouched).. He has his Brothers boat to assist with. And when LadyP plan B kicks into place then you will need his services.. AND he has 3 model boats, a sailing dinghy, 2 RIBS (One of which "Jaws" has a puncture, he needs to fix... not to mention my Car needs a service... HE DOE'S NOT NEED ANOTHER BOAT... You, you, you, and you, Your names are marked too... be afraid.. Be very afraid.. You've picked the wrong side there Ok you get let of for now; Thank you sir, it was a lovely week.. everyone who was up that week were amazingly lucky.. Norfolk at the best! I'm not sure what boat it was, and I don't want to cause them any embarrassment by naming as it could have happened to anyone. They were all very friendly and I'm sure/hope had a brilliant week. They were certainly shocked to see a change of scenery overnight though lol!

Brilliant read and pictures as always. Have you got some go pro footage to come too David? I've not been on one of these. I did think of hiring one some years back as the sitting room looks good. If the steering wheel is low.. there is nothing nicer than steering with your feet I do alot! My parents boat and the broom are both where you can! It puts you in such a relaxing position though! You are right about seeing boats you've hired. We only hired about 5 boats and they have a strong place in my heart. I would easily have brought the first boat we hired "silver melody". We had loads of good times on alpha firefly and my parents brought her sister. But God help anyone if I see them damage any boat we hired... I'll probably kill them! ;). It's worse seeing old boats you owned too they are like family! Looking forward to next year's post.. don't worry about disk space too.. There's acres of the stuff! The.more the better

17th September A couple of hours after getting off to sleep, I was woken by the wind howling outside. I was reassured all was fine as I put the anchor alarm on before going to bed (it's a setting on the GPS, you can set it to a number of meters and if the boat goes outside of this an alarm goes off... I've set it to 10 meters which is just over the boats length this will allow her to move around a little bit (And around a single anchor).. Dave had dropped two mudweight down too due the spot we picked this will stop the boat from moving too close to the reeds.. so all should be fine A few more hours later, I heard Dave unzipping the canopy, so I called over.. "What?".. He ignored me for a few moments... I tried again.. "What".. "Boats span around" was his reply.. "Rowlocks, I've got the anchor alarm on".. I peered out the window and wiped away the condensation, indeed we had the view had changed itself, I was now looking at the other bank.. "But that's got the big mudweight at the front".. I got up, wandered over to the helm, the GPS was still showing us in the same spot, Dave checked the aft mudweight and it's all stuck firm.. I turned the depth gauge on and that showed plenty of water. "It's fine" I said, "I'm going back to bed, Worry about it in the morning". Dave opened the canopy to reduce some of the windage before agreeing. Morning came, I was up first, again I pulled back the curtains and wiped away some of the condensation and once again the scenery had changed, reeds were now evident, and looking back I could see the bow of a Richardsons bathtub.. Hmm.. Thankfully there was no wind and the broad was calm.. Just like the calm after the storm. The crew on the bathtub were all asleep, I stepped aboard and checked their mudweight, it was all tight. The boat rocked too as I boarded so they was afloat, a quick check for damage on both boats, nothing found, just a bit of paint on Orca's swimdeck (Clive you can have it back if you want ). Orca was too afloat, I checked here depth sounder and all OK, The GPS was still on and the track hadn't moved so I suspect we had just been pushed forward another meter when this other boat dragged it's anchor in the wind (They was moored just over the otherside but a bit towards the wind). I wasn't going to wake anyone, I went back to bed again lol. A couple of hours later we spotted the first crew appear, the look on his face was a picture. He looked mortified, I wondered over, "Good morning, what a storm last night! Don't worry, no harm done, we are both afloat, all part of the fun.. We will help you get clear when you are ready " A few moments later the ladies appeared, all again very confused and apologetic. We had a nice usual chat and reassured that nothing would have happened.. They waved and everyone head below for breakfast! Poor crew this was thier day though.. what a start! We heard their engine go and wondered aft, Once all warmed up and engine clearly pumping water, we advised to gently move off which they did, all waved and wished them a good week. Shortly after we started Orca up, Dave retrieved the mudweights and I reversed Orca out of the reeds. All good.. something different. We had put a new mudweight on Orca this week, the other boat came with it.. A cylindrical stainless thing.. huge though.. Dave mentioned that it's slipped earlier in the week but it quickly buired itself and stuck. Being cylindrical we guessed the wind made it tip over and the roll around.. Thankfully the second mudweight is the traditional/original broads style so that stuck (Although that was what on the bathtub and the wind made that come lose).. Anyway it's not put us off mudweighting on the broads and just added to "fun". Back to the marina, the car was loaded and off we went. Now thanks to Steve and Debs earlier in the week, Dave wants another boat project (did I say I hate you before guys?!).. But he's been looking at model boat magazines.. and wanted to stop off a model shop in gorleston.. So yup I thought.. he can have a boat if it's bloody tiny.. Off we stopped after a nice little walk along the beach.. and he brought "Andrea Gail" from the film "The perfect storm"... No messing around... (He has to make it from a kit so yup that will keep him occupied). Had a brilliant week though.. The weather was amazing. 5 days wasn't enough though but I think we will certainly look at doing the same kinda week next year!1

Oh Gracie...Ok well you asked... I just came back from the southampton boat show.. I really feel for a little 40 foot catamaran.. So she would be in the Caribbean.. Right next.. Sadly Brooms don't make anything big enough (They did do a 55 I think but even thats a bit small). A nordhaven (probably a 76).. (http://www.nordhavn.com/models/76/) that would be home.. she would probably be somewhere quiet on the med.. Probably the greek coast. These are really built like proper little ships. Had a look at a 52 I think.. So hard to get off! Finally to escape the world, it would be a classic timber cruiser kept on the norfolk broads..

16th September I was woken up by the sound of the rain pattering on the hatch above. People suggested yesterday that it would cool down today and there was rain forecast overnight. In some way it was a bit of a relief as the last couple of days had been too hot, certainly to helm in Orca's enclosed wheelhouse. Dave wasn't bothered though and was already in the wheelhouse under the canopy fishing out the opened sides, he was catching but certainly nothing big enough for breakfast . Once awoke, I grabbed my frosted shreedies and my book and joined him in the wheelhouse. It was much cooler but still pleasent. Today's plan was to run back to Womack and grab my hat, grab some lunch then head back up towards the marina as tonight was sadly our last night. Once he was bored of fishing, (sadly I've not taken to it this year, it didn't help my fishing rod went walkies and I'm finding the fishing pole just too cumbersome.. but there's still time I'm sure I'll fish before the seasons up), engine on, I went forward lifted the parking brake (It is a parking brake lol) and Dave reversed out. I was a bit into my book, which is unusal for me, I very rarely read books like this, normally magazines etc but always nice for a change. I won't spoil the storyline but here's a link if you are interested.. http://www.chriscrowther.co.uk/buy-books/product/view/1/10 I sat downstairs most of the trip, Dave seems to enjoy helming and Orca's being nice to him, even despite a little breeze. Before I knew it we was at womack and Dave gave me the helm. (chicken).. All moored up, it was really lunchtime already, the rain had calmed to just a drizzle, being smart me I brought my light oilskin jacket, Dave being fick just had his think cotton jacket (he does do my head in) so me, all nice and dry, him trying not to shiver when I glance his way.. Thankfully the pubs only a little walk up the lane. We grabbed a table buy the bar, the barman in here has started to reconise us (Dave feuxhawk) so he's getting friendly which is nice, he poured me a perfect Wherry topped shandy, Dave an aspalls.. We ordered some lunch, yummy burgers for both of us, we be back soon!. Back down to the boat, the rain had got a bit harder now but me still nice and dry, Dave just will never learn...Into the little shop, I looked around for a little Norfolk flag for the other boat but they had everything else except that (have to be an ebay job), I grabbed my NBN cap. Engine on, I took Orca out of the tight spot and gave the helm over to dave. I went back down stairs and grabbed my book. It was drizzling outside so I wasn't missing much. I was well into my book and before I knew it was was up up Sutton. The moorings looked full although I spotted a gap big enough and reversed Orca in quickly. Today was a complete contrast to yesterday, it was cloudy dull and felling much cooler, in fact it was even jumper weather. We'd had a late lunch so dinner was certainly off the cards but we've grabbed a desert in the hotel here before so thought we could do that. Off we went up the pub, the footpaths were flooded though and it really did feel like autumn was here. The pub was packed out, we asked if they would do us a desert but they sadly replied that they was too busy.. as we know it's not normally a problem but today was a one off. Oh well, I thought, but a plus for my waist line! Back to the boat, we decided to go moor on the broad and watch a movie for our last night

Well the idea of not collecting rubbish and allowing some boaters to just dump it is pretty green I guess.. eventually it will degrade.. thus it saves on electricity and rubbish truck exhaust fumes... Don't forget there are a couple of weird rag and stick boats on the broads.. they are all green (until they get bored and put the engine on)

I don't mean to market these anodes.. but they do seem perfect for most UK waters, I don't quite understand why they haven't fully taken on here in the UK consider there's a lot of boats in brackish waters and have alloy sterndrives. I've actually chatted the MD in the US and he said they've just not thought in detail (yet) of the UK market.. but they do look the perfect anode and although Orca is now in fresh water they are working well and have the full backing of our marine surveyor. Take a look at this info flyer: http://www.performancemetals.com/images/pdfs/Navalloy Anodes Flyer_May14.pdf As I mentioned Brian Wards in Brundall supplied ours.

I've had the performance ones on Orca and they've done really well... A bit dearer but well worth the peace of mind. I would do on the broom but we are salt here so Zinc is fine.

http://www.performancemetals.com/anodes/navalloy.shtml - Brian wards can supply them via Aquafax.

Norfolk marina chandlery (service with a smile) are a dometic wholesaler. Largest in the country apparently and do have the best prices.. I did get a smile from them too when I got our oven from them.

Peter am I also right in thinking that as a land owner with mooring rights you own up to a certain point out.. on rivers you would own up to half way over too. So technically someone owns all of the rivers and can demand payment even if at anchor. If the lands not in private hands then the crown estate owns it anyway?

Erm.. cool box then Tim?

What's ercd Vaughan? Do you mean rcd? If so I thought these only apply to new builds? Outside of the bsc areas people can and do whatever they want. There are no regulations at all. Obviously one should what's safe but yup people don't :). Saying that though I've not looked too closely at this fridge and I no doubt the bsc would moan. I think under a canopy though bsc doesn't count (strangely)..

I'll keep my ears open. Sadly if your total budget is £1k (from buying to running) i don't think you will find much and I wouldn't advise you tried. Orca cost £1 but she then cost another £10k to complete really. If the boats a complete project then it's worthless (yes it does seem in norfolk worthless still means a couple of k but that's norfolk for you) but you are doing the owners a favour buy taking it on so take if for free... There are a couple of yards here on the medway (and I've seen some on the thames) that clearly advertise free boats but obviously you will need to pay to transport. PM me if you want details of who I know off.

I believe (I maybe wrong as always) that you aren't allowed to do this (Under colregs... colregs don't apply but the BA are just a dumbed down version) as you shouldn't moor in a river where your mooring restricts the width the of river and thus is a danger to other boats/navigation. Unless it's an emergency.. I'm sure the rangers would, quite rightly, ask you why you are doing and will probably tell you to move off or sort yourself out. I don't think you mean to suggest you would actually do this, but if I saw someone do this to avoid paying a couple of quid, which is used to provide services then I would happily report such crew as if that's not taking the you know what I don't know what is and it's certainly a long way from the real spirit of boating. A couple of quid in terms of other costs is irrelevant.

No worries Steve. I thought it had a pump on the back. But knowing domestics pricing model it does seem too good to be true.